HDP Cap Could Jump

A section of the fiscal 2006 defense authorization act being considered by Congress would raise the current statutory maximum payable in Hardship Duty Pay from $300 to $750 per month. Currently, the Department of Defense caps monthly Hazardous Duty Pay for the arduousness of serving in a designated hardship location at $150 per month, and for serving in a designated hardship mission at $150 per month. The provision in the authorization act states that under normal circumstances the current $300-per-month statutory cap is adequate. However, increasing the cap to $750 would give DoD an important tool to rapidly recognize troops serving under the most arduous of circumstances, in sequential assignment, and to meet future needs that might emerge.