Operation Just Cause... ...for as long as it takes
By Jim Garamone
WASHINGTON -- DoD is working with Congress to create three
new special pays and to beef up others, DoD officials said.
The services use special pays and incentives to retain
members in critical military specialties. Special pays are
even older than the Republic -- the first was a Continental
Army enlistment bonus offered in 1776. It was an extra $6
per month.
If Congress agrees, DoD will offer three new special pays
in fiscal 2000: career enlisted flier incentive pay,
special warfare officer pay and surface warfare officer
pay. The whole package is a part of the fiscal 2000 Defense
Authorization Bill.
The career enlisted flier incentive pay is aimed at
retention in all the services. Those who qualify would
receive the pay as long as their operational flying duty
requirements are met. The proposed pay ceiling is $400 per
month. Enlisted fliers currently qualify for hazardous duty
incentive pay and receive $150 to $240 a month.
Special warfare officers special pay would be limited to
Navy SEALs. Officers would receive up to $80,000 if they
stay as Navy SEALs through their 14th year of commissioned
service.
The special pay for surface warfare officers if accepted
would allow lump-sum bonuses of up to $50,000 to officers
who agree to complete their full tours of duty.
One proposed change in current special pays is an increase
in the selective re-enlistment bonus. The ceiling would
rise to $60,000 from the current $45,000. Few service
members receive the maximum, DoD officials said, but the
Navy, seeking to retain nuclear-trained sailors, came close
to the $45,000 ceiling. Another change would let DoD pay
service members their selective re-enlistment bonuses after
17 months of service rather than the current 21 months.
Other proposals include:
o An increase in foreign language proficiency pays ceiling
from $100 per month to $300 per month.
o An increase in the enlistment bonus ceiling from $12,000
to $20,000.
o An increase in special pay and bonuses for nuclear-
qualified officers. These officers now receive a $10,000
accession bonus. When their active duty commitment ends,
they can receive a $12,000 bonus if they agree to serve an
additional year. Those who agree to a multiyear contract
receive $15,000 per year. The Navy seeks to raise the
ceiling for each by $10,000.
o A $40 monthly increase for divers -- to $340 for enlisted
divers and $240 for officers.
The proposals would allow the services to target special
pays to achieve narrow, precise recruiting and retention
goals, according to DoD officials. In conjunction with
proposed pay raises and military retirement reform,
officials expect these proposals to improve DoD's ability
to attract and retain the best people.
Sent in by Veterans News and Information Services
American Forces Press Service
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