Obama pulls Combat Pay for US troops (in combat areas)

[Medic624]

Where's the MSM on this little gem?

http://patdollard.com/2012/02/obama-pul" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ... -s-troops/

Anyone here been affected first hand? Is this as big a slap as it seems?

Are they supposed to keep a log and put in an expense account like reimbursement papers at the end of the month??

If you're deployed to a combat zone there is usually the possibility of being injured, maimed or killed by hostile means. This is simply a political move for who I don't pretend to speculate but it is still (to me on the surface) a slap in the face of our men/women serving their country.

Careful: link has salty language in comments at bottom of page

[threoh8]

This is the wrong place to save money. In modern warfare, there are no lines, no magic safe areas. If you're "in country", you're in danger.

[E.Marquez]

NOTE 1: The OP does not get HDP or IDP.. Im not being hostile to him
NOTE2: My references are for Military DOD personnel, State department and contract GOV employees may be under different rules of pay.

Hazardous Duty Pay (HDP) is unchanged, that covers all the folks in Afghanistan deployed as part of combat operations... NO CHANGE
Imminent Danger Pay (IDP) IS SOMEWHAT CHANGED

HDP was and is paid in full month increments for those deployed as a unit or separately as part of combat operations.
IDP, is paid by the days you ARE IN A IMMINENT DANGER AREA.. So, what’s this.. you only get paid imminent danger pay when your IN a imminent danger area… Huh, sound fair to me. IDP is not HDP,,, basically, if your at a place you will get shot at, mortered, rocketed, or attached with IEDs.. you get HDP.
If your in a post or location where there is a threat of physical harm or imminent danger because of civil insurrection, civil war, terrorism or wartime conditions. Your getting IDP.

we have low life service members that get a ONE day trip Temp Duty (TDY) to an IDP area, and were getting paid for a full month…and many senior dirt bags that would schedule the trip for the last day of the month, staying 1 or 2 days in the next month and getting TWO FULL months of IDP.
So, Non deployers.. you got out of yet another combat deployment but scored a few days in a danger area TDY, doing a interview, handing out coins, taking a survey.. Or the few that have an actual job, and are told to do it in a IDP area for a few days,, or months… that only get paid for the days there are here.. IM OK WITH THAT… LOL.. If an service member eligible for IDP is there the whole month, they get paid for the whole month.. if they are only there for a few days, they get paid for a few days.. THAT IS THE ONLY CHANGE

And yes, you do “ keep a log and put in an expense account like reimbursement papers at the end of the month?” BUT THAT HAS ALWYS BEEN THE CASE,DD Form 1351-2, Travel Voucher
, and has been for my 27 years.. It’s the same single form we all fill out for Temp Duty (TDY) .. you indicate where you started from on what day, where you went, why you stopped, You list the expenses you want to get reimbursed for, ,, and trust me, you might not like to hear what we get reimbursed for.. No one gets rich from going TDY, but you’re not out of pocket a single penny either, unless you want to be.

I despise that folks (not the OP) that make this fauxrage crap up.. there is so much to hate this administration for, so many reason to kick him out.. Don’t bull people and make it up…. Don’t write stories that are half truths.. Post photo shopped pictures of him and the first queen doing the wrong thing during the national anthem when there is REAL video of him doing the wrong thing. Hate the man and his failed policy’s for that.. not made up stuff.

AGAIN,,, my disgust is NOT for the OP, it is for those that lie and tell half truths about a person that lies and tells half truths.

[E.Marquez]

This is the wrong place to save money. In modern warfare, there are no lines, no magic safe areas. If you're "in country", you're in danger.

If your IN country you get IDP/HDP.. if your in the US in some places you get IDP, if your in Japan , Columbia , and many other places you can get IDP What you cant get is a full month of IDP when you were only in those places for 3 days.

[G26ster]

If your IN country you get IDP/HDP.. if your in the US in some places you get IDP, if your in Japan , Columbia , and many other places you can get IDP What you cant get is a full month of IDP when you were only in those places for 3 days.

While my 23 years ended in 1985, I did have two Infantry tours in Korea (pre-1966) and one combat tour in RVN . There was no IDP in Korea even though we were just a few kilometers from the DMZ. I hope those troops there now are getting it. As for Japan, I went there on R&R from Korea in '64. Didn't know I was in imminent danger (except maybe from the taxi drivers). Where in the U.S. does one get IDP? Just curious.

[Texas Dan Mosby]

we have low life service members that get a ONE day trip Temp Duty (TDY) to an IDP area, and were getting paid for a full month…and many senior dirt bags that would schedule the trip for the last day of the month, staying 1 or 2 days in the next month and getting TWO FULL months of IDP.

Yup.

IMO, this is 10 years too late, if anything.

[Heartland Patriot]

we have low life service members that get a ONE day trip Temp Duty (TDY) to an IDP area, and were getting paid for a full month…and many senior dirt bags that would schedule the trip for the last day of the month, staying 1 or 2 days in the next month and getting TWO FULL months of IDP.

Yup.

IMO, this is 10 years too late, if anything.

As someone with a lot of former subordinates still in the service, I will hold off until I hear from them how this is working. SOME of them go to places where bad guys shoot at our folks, while most others go to nearby sandy areas where there is an increased risk of terrorist activity, but not active shooting. In a few days, or maybe next month (as some folks rotate in and out of the AOR), I should hear stuff back.

Edited to add: Yes, I have seen "rear echelon" types make runs to the sandbox for the extra cash...they are in and out like pop-tarts.

[E.Marquez]

If your IN country you get IDP/HDP.. if your in the US in some places you get IDP, if your in Japan , Columbia , and many other places you can get IDP What you cant get is a full month of IDP when you were only in those places for 3 days.

While my 23 years ended in 1985, I did have two Infantry tours in Korea (pre-1966) and one combat tour in RVN . There was no IDP in Korea even though we were just a few kilometers from the DMZ. I hope those troops there now are getting it. As for Japan, I went there on R&R from Korea in '64. Didn't know I was in imminent danger (except maybe from the taxi drivers). Where in the U.S. does one get IDP? Just curious.

Yours ended when Mine started So I defer to how it was back then to your experience.. Currently it depends on where you’re at.
http://www.defenselink.mil/comptroller/ ... 07a_17.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Korea, Republic of:
(includes: Camp Edwards, Bull’s Eye #1 &
#2, Warrior Base, Camp Howze, Camp Garry Owen North, Camp Giant, Camp Bonifas, Stanton (H-112), Camp Greaves, Charlie Block, Freedom Bridge, Liberty Bell, Papyonsan ATC, DMZ South Half, Joint Security Area Swiss-Swede Camp, Alamo ASA (Det L), Bayonet Training Area, Camp Casey, Camp Hovey, Camp Nimble, Gimbols Gun Training Area, Mobile, Camp Castle, Shinbuk Relay (Hill 754), Watkins Range, Yongpyong (Indian Head TC), Kamaksan ASA (Det M), H220 Heliport, Camp Essayons, Camp Page, Camp Red Cloud, Camp Stanley, Camp Falling Water, Concord, Camp Kyle, La Guardia, Hwaakson Evn ATC, Camp Jackson, Camp Sears, Camp Kwang Sa-Ri
Camp Yongin
Gwang Ju AB
Pohang

[E.Marquez]

we have low life service members that get a ONE day trip Temp Duty (TDY) to an IDP area, and were getting paid for a full month…and many senior dirt bags that would schedule the trip for the last day of the month, staying 1 or 2 days in the next month and getting TWO FULL months of IDP.

Yup.

IMO, this is 10 years too late, if anything.

As someone with a lot of former subordinates still in the service, I will hold off until I hear from them how this is working. SOME of them go to places where bad guys shoot at our folks, while most others go to nearby sandy areas where there is an increased risk of terrorist activity, but not active shooting. In a few days, or maybe next month (as some folks rotate in and out of the AOR), I should hear stuff back.

Edited to add: Yes, I have seen "rear echelon" types make runs to the sandbox for the extra cash...they are in and out like pop-tarts.

The point is... the ONLY change, not where, or if, or when,, the ONLY change that for IDP only, it is paid by the day now, vice a monthly amount.
There are service members that benefited from that old way, with no malice intended, they got told to go do a job, they did it, and the army compensated them with x amount.. and it was nice.

Now, those same service members will still be compensated, but only for the days they serve IN the IDP location.. as it should have been all along. ,, this is a fix, that always should have been..

If I could blame or harass the current admin or MIL leadership for this I would, trust me,, but I can’t, as it's right.

[n5wd]

...we have low life service members that get a ONE day trip Temp Duty (TDY) to an IDP area, and were getting paid for a full month…and many senior dirt bags that would schedule the trip for the last day of the month, staying 1 or 2 days in the next month and getting TWO FULL months of IDP.

Heck, Bronc - that kinda crap has happened for so long, it's ingrained into the upper echelons as one of their "bennies". The BOQ at Phan Rang AB, RVN, even had several dorm-type rooms available for O-somethings and up that would TDY in the last week of the month, then out again after the calendar flipped. It got to be a running joke about having to play "tour guide" at the Wing HQ during those days. Nuthin' new - doan mean nuthin!

[E.Marquez]

...we have low life service members that get a ONE day trip Temp Duty (TDY) to an IDP area, and were getting paid for a full month…and many senior dirt bags that would schedule the trip for the last day of the month, staying 1 or 2 days in the next month and getting TWO FULL months of IDP.

Heck, Bronc - that kinda crap has happened for so long, it's ingrained into the upper echelons as one of their "bennies". The BOQ at Phan Rang AB, RVN, even had several dorm-type rooms available for O-somethings and up that would TDY in the last week of the month, then out again after the calendar flipped. It got to be a running joke about having to play "tour guide" at the Wing HQ during those days. Nuthin' new - doan mean nuthin!

n5wd Can’t say it surprises me, but coming from a guy that has 55 months of deployed time 3mo, and 1mo before the GWT, then 12mo, 15mo, 12mo, 12mo.. and have watched it happen each month of each year.. I say let um complain about the change. . I find it heart warming

[Purplehood]

I did Payroll in the Marines and Civil Affairs in the Army.

In the Marines I learned how to pay HDP and IDP and in the Army I earned it.

I see this as simply a tightening up of loose regulations to the IDP entitlement. I think Bronco is right on track. I see nothing to panic about here. If I were back in Afghanistan today under the new regs doing what I did, I would still be getting the pay. The rear-echelon pogues might not.

[Medic624]

Well there ya have it... Based on the story I read it makes it seem as if the current admin was taking away from those who should be getting the pay.. Which is why I asked how it directly effected... Thanks for your input and information everyone.

[C-dub]

we have low life service members that get a ONE day trip Temp Duty (TDY) to an IDP area, and were getting paid for a full month…and many senior dirt bags that would schedule the trip for the last day of the month, staying 1 or 2 days in the next month and getting TWO FULL months of IDP.

Yup.

IMO, this is 10 years too late, if anything.

I didn't know that was possible. It should all be returned or taken back. When I was in I collected Sea Duty and Hazardous Duty pay because I worked on the flight deck. However, I seem to remember it had to be for more than2 or 3 weeks in order to count. Some of those one or two week short trials didn't count. Anyone remember that or am I not remembering it correctly?

[Medic624]

we have low life service members that get a ONE day trip Temp Duty (TDY) to an IDP area, and were getting paid for a full month…and many senior dirt bags that would schedule the trip for the last day of the month, staying 1 or 2 days in the next month and getting TWO FULL months of IDP.

Yup.

IMO, this is 10 years too late, if anything.

I didn't know that was possible. It should all be returned or taken back. When I was in I collected Sea Duty and Hazardous Duty pay because I worked on the flight deck. However, I seem to remember it had to be for more than2 or 3 weeks in order to count. Some of those one or two week short trials didn't count. Anyone remember that or am I not remembering it correctly?

I can't speak to "Flight Deck Ops" but each time we went out to sea (Submarine) we received Sea and HDP from the time we left till we got back to port...