Increased Pay during Deployments

I’ve heard that military personnel get paid more when deployed. Is there any truth to this? How significant is this pay bump, if there is one?

Yes, it is true that military personnel generally see increased pay while deployed. This comes in the form of various types of special pay and allowances which could significantly increase their monthly paycheck.

One key form of additional compensation is the "Hostile Fire/Imminent Danger Pay." This provides extra funds for personnel serving in areas that pose a significant risk of physical harm due to hostile actions or imminent danger. The current rate is $225 per month.

There is also a "Hardship Duty Pay" for service members assigned to locations where living conditions are substantially below those conditions in the U.S. This can range from $50 to $150 per month, depending on the location.

Lastly, there's "Family Separation Allowance," which is around $250 per month, and is granted to those with dependents and are serving in an unaccompanied tour of duty.

Please keep in mind that these various allowances and forms of special pay are tax-free, so this will help stretch your earnings even further.

These additional payments can add up to a more hefty paycheck while deployed, but how much more you receive will depend on the specifics of your situation including your rank, time in service, and where you're deployed. As each deployment situation can vary, it would be wise to seek out specific information from your command or a military finance officer.