DISQUS

An Unofficial Coast Guard Blog: I’m confused; Coast Guard’s Special Duty Pay

  • SparkyWD · 4 months ago
    Perhaps SDAP is not a 'reward' for hazardous (a separate category of pay if I remember correctly) duty but is something to entice people to fill hard to fill billets combined with a stipend for those that travel a lot. Just a thought. I see it more in line with a recurring version of a re-enlistment bonus than a reward for doing a hard job. Surely it's not hard to fill OIC jobs, but I'm not a detailer, so what do I know?
  • arkangel99 · 4 months ago
    AS a former rescue swimmer i agree that an RS should get the higher level 4 pay grade. The reasoning in this is beyond me! In any storm or hazardous sea conditions RS are the difference between life and death for many unfortunate . While the "Oscars" look nice in their honor guard attire, besides ceremonial duties and 3 hots and a nice billet why do they also get paid more?
  • Jeffrey M. Smith · 4 months ago
    Special Duty Assignment Pay as stated in the Pay Manual as:
    37 USC 307 authorizes SDAP to enlisted members entitled to basic pay and performing duties which are designated as requiring special skills.

    That being said what is the special skill required of a Rescue Swimmer, aren't all AST required to be a swimmer (If am wrong about this I am sorry). But if you look at the rest of list, baring a few of the skills (FSO on a Patrol Boat) these are special skills. Which in turn require that member to preform beyond there rating.

    I don't think it is the money in the end that drives members to these jobs but the desire to do above and beyond what a normal Guardian would do.
  • The MK Shop · 4 months ago
    Not cool. I never understand how these are decided. But, I feel that being a engineer on a 378 warrants SDAP. In only 53 days underway, I personally combated 7 fires and one flood....plus one massive fire in drydock. Given the current state of these ships, it truly is a dangerous job also. But, i'm just a cranky MK. I also think that we should have a ball pit in the bottom of the Plenum Chamber with a slide that drops you in from the weather deck. Wheeeeeeee!
  • SemperFarr · 4 months ago
    One of the reason's why Honor Guard members (only applies to petty officers, not the officer staff or non-rates) get SDAP is because it is a 4-year tour, that is out of rate which doesn't help towards advancement like an operational job would. Although this assignment is "high" profile, many applicants don't meet the basic Honor Guard requirements nor have the desire to "perform" in the sense of being the model Guardian in exceeding our standards in customs and courtesies and military bearing on a daily basis with perfection. It's merely an incentive to encourage our petty officers to take on a very challenging yet less desirable mission. - LT Farr, CG Honor Guardsman 2004-2006.
  • Ryan Erickson · 4 months ago
    Thanks Scott for providing an answer to the question- as I noted there isn't any real explanation as to why the numbers are the way they are. So far as the Honor Guard goes- recruiting PO's for a tour that long out of rate would be a challenge and so the SDAP for this is justifiable. So that only leaves about 20 other's to explain. ;)
  • Name · 4 months ago
    Special Duty Assignment Pay is a retention system. I have lobbied at the panel and it does come across as silly and skewed. We don't need to retain the MCPOCG by offering the incentive frankly, as a workforce tool--someone will take the job! And if they leave it's not going to be about the pay. Similary I don't believe in recruiter SDAP -- no retention problem if you have a panel and turn most applicants away. These are examples of SDAPs that maintain a parity with the other services SDAPs (compare them and you'll see what I mean). As for the others, each year, these get represented to a panel, and the choices get made. Mostly they stay the same.
  • robertbell · 4 months ago
    I must also reiterate something that was said before. Special Duty Pay is not Hazardous Duty Pay. So it's not an apples (Honor Guard) to apples (Response) comparison.

    OSC Bell