Air Force makes changes to special duty assignment pay
WASHINGTON (AFPN) -- Air Force officials have made changes to the special duty assignment pay program as a result of an annual review, and cuts to the special and incentive pay budget.
"Budgetary constraints dictated we think 'outside the box' to find equitable means of staying within our programmed budget," said Master Sgt. Gregory Little, a manager in the Air Force enlisted force management office at the Pentagon.
The Air Force corporate structure directed a $46 million reduction in special and incentive pay funding starting in fiscal year 2008. The officer force took a $12 million cut in bonus funding, while the enlisted force programs were reduced by about $34 million. The SDAP program was reduced by $7.4 million.
"For this reason there will be a one-level reduction of $75 per month in 35 of the 48 rules in this program," Sergeant Little said. "There are areas being paid the very minimum amount allowed by the Office of the Secretary of Defense--$75 per month--and because these entities still meet the requirements and the intent of this program; they will continue to be paid at SDAP level one."
The Air Force has already notified affected Airmen and stopped special pay for those who qualified under the rule that was removed last summer.
There are currently more than 9,000 enlisted personnel receiving SDAP. Units and skills were reviewed to ensure the basic criterion established by law was met. Headquarters Air Force Personnel Center will provide military personnel flights with specific implementation instructions.
The new SDAP list is effective Oct. 1, 2007 and will be posted on the AFPC website.