Special and Incentive (S&I) pays provide the Services with flexible additional pays that can be used to address specific manning needs and other force management issues that cannot be efficiently addressed through basic pay increases. Unlike basic pay and allowances, which vary by pay grade and years of service, S&I pays can be used to:

  • Improve recruiting and retention by increasing compensation in key occupation specialties or critical skill areas.
  • Compensate Service members for onerous or hazardous duty assignments or conditions
  • Provide incentives for Service members to develop skills that support national security objectives.

Currently, there are over 60 S&I pays authorized in law. Here are some of the main types of S&I pays.

  • Hardship Duty Pay (HDP) is an allowance paid to Service members, both Officer and Enlisted, based on duty location, mission specifics, operations tempo, or restriction of movement

  • For general information on HDP policy, review DoD 7000.14-R Department of Defense Financial Management Regulation (DoD FMP) Volume 7A, Chapter 17 "Special Pay - Hardship Duty".   

  •  A Service member may be paid special pay for duty subject to hostile fire or imminent dangers for any month when the member, while entitled to basic pay for active duty or compensation for inactive duty, also meets HFP/IDP criteria. 
  •  HDIP is additional compensation available to Service members volunteer for certain duty designations.