Marines May Get Bonuses for Extensions

Marine Corps Commandant, Gen. James Conway, has said his Marines should get $250 monthly month for months they are deployed past the Corps’ normal seven-month tours. Currently, the Defense Department authorizes $1,000 a month for service members deployed to a combat zone for more than a year. That excludes Marines such as those in the 1st Battalion, 6th Marines, 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines, and the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, who have been extended 45 days beyond seven months. Conway’s plan differs from an Army-specific plan to award deployed soldiers “warrior pay” between $50 and $740 monthly, based on rank and cumulative periods of assignments in combat zones. If Congress approves the Army approach, qualified Soldiers will begin receiving warrior pay on Oct. 1. Gen. Conway was optimistic the bonus for his Marines would be approved.