Increased Operational Deployment Pay for Army Troops
The U.S. Army announced a change in policy in October 2024 that benefits soldiers on real-world deployments.
Army Secretary Christine Wormuth announced a higher compensation rate for soldiers deployed for more than 60 days. Qualifying troops now earn $240 more per month in Operational Deployment Pay.
Who Qualifies for Army Operational Deployment Pay?
Those deployed who are not doing so for training, regardless of rank, may qualify for the increased pay. The added benefit is the Army’s acknowledgment that deployments create financial hardships in addition to the time spent away from home.
Some in Army leadership feel this increased compensation will incentivize soldiers to stay in service, potentially improving retention rates. This change offers a financial boost to deployed soldiers, helping to offset costs associated with deployment.
The Army Secretary, quoted in an article by the Association of the U.S. Army, says “Soldiers…will receive $240 a month during the time of that deployment, and that is both to recognize the hardship of being away from families but also the rigors of deployment.”
Wormuth adds, “I don’t know a lot of new benefits that end, so I think our view is, this will be something that we will offer to our soldiers for the foreseeable future…”
This benefit was announced by the U.S. Army and is not a DoD-wide initiative for all branches of military service.
Read next: National Guard and Reserve Military Benefits Guide
No End Date Announced
As Army Secretary Wormuth notes above, the new Operational Deployment Pay is a long-term initiative with no end date. While the program may “sunset” at some time in the future, There are no specific plans to do so at press time.
This policy reflects the Army’s evolving approach to deployment compensation in a dynamic global landscape. As the Army increasingly relies on rotational deployments, concerns have arisen regarding the strain on soldiers.
This pay increase may be a step towards addressing those concerns and ensuring fair compensation for the sacrifices of deployed soldiers.
Those who have orders indicating their status in deployment should ensure their military records are updated or contact the base finance office to take steps to ensure the benefit is paid as intended.
Other Deployment Benefits
Operational Deployment Pay is not the only compensation some soldiers qualify for when being deployed. There are also benefits such as hostile fire pay, imminent danger pay, and specialized bonuses for those with qualifying skills.
Many such benefits are offered as tax-exempt bonuses, and those who serve in combat zones may qualify for federal tax exemptions based on their deployed status.
Read next: National Guard and Reserve Military Benefits Guide
About the author
Editor-in-Chief Joe Wallace is a 13-year veteran of the United States Air Force and a former reporter/editor for Air Force Television News and the Pentagon Channel. His freelance work includes contract work for Motorola, VALoans.com, and Credit Karma. He is co-founder of Dim Art House in Springfield, Illinois, and spends his non-writing time as an abstract painter, independent publisher, and occasional filmmaker.
