If you are a U.S. Reserve or National Guard member, you must meet the following minimum requirements to be eligible for retired pay at age 60: be at least 60 years of age; and have performed at least 20 years of qualifying service computed under Section 12732, Title 10, United States Code; and have performed the last six years of qualifying service while a member of the Active … [Read more...]

Allowances are the second most important element of military pay. Allowances are moneys provided for specific needs, such as food or housing. Monetary allowances are provided when the government does not provide for that specific need. For example, the quantity of government housing is not sufficient to house all military members and their families. Those who live in government … [Read more...]

Assignment Incentive Military Pay is the military’s preferred way to compensate troops from all services. Assignment Incentive Military Pay is often paid to service members for unusual assignment circumstances. Those service members who have involuntarily extended their tours in Iraq and Kuwait combat zones receive an additional $200 in hardship duty pay and another $800 in … [Read more...]

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. Click on Index of S&I Pays for a complete list and additional details of these pays. Unlike basic pay and allowances, which vary by … [Read more...]