Combat Pay

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Definition

What is combat pay?

Combat pay is a tax-exempt stipend awarded to active members of the U.S. armed forces serving in designated hazardous duty zones. This compensation is provided to acknowledge and offset military personnel's increased risks and hardships in combat zones or situations involving imminent danger. Military branches often use compensation management software to administer this combat pay and other types of compensation packages.

Any enlisted personnel in the U.S. military assigned to a recognized hazardous zone qualifies for this pay. Service members are also eligible for combat pay when exposed to hostile fires, explosives, and mines or when on duty in foreign territories under threat due to civil unrest, war, terrorism, or similar conditions.

As of 2023, combat pay is set at $225 per month, in addition to the basic pay rate, which varies depending on rank and service duration. The importance of combat pay lies in its recognition and compensation for the heightened risk and challenging conditions military personnel face in dangerous assignments. This additional income is an essential financial and moral support for those in such critical roles.

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Whitney Rudeseal Peet

Whitney Rudeseal Peet is a former freelance writer for G2 and a story- and customer-centered writer, marketer, and strategist. She fully leans into the gig-based world, also working as a voice over artist and book editor. Before going freelance full-time, Whitney worked in content and email marketing for Calendly, Salesforce, and Litmus, among others. When she's not at her desk, you can find her reading a good book, listening to Elton John and Linkin Park, enjoying some craft beer, or planning her next trip to London.

Combat Pay

What is combat pay?

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