The Navy Department’s authority to pay give sailors and Marines higher deployment pay for extended deployments isolated is set to run out in two months, — but officials say they have asked for the authority for it to be renewed.
The pay was approved Sept. 17, 2014, by the Defense Department will pays and gives sailors and Marines an additional $16.50 per day for each day deployed past 220 days, roughly 7 seven-and-a-half months.
But that authority was only granted for two years, requiring Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus to asking to renew the authority as it expires.
"We've requested that HDP-T be continued and are working to get the pay authorized for sailors once the current authority expires later this year," said Lt. Cmdr. Nate Christensen, spokesman for the chief of naval personnel.
"Hardship Duty Pay – Tempo is designed to compensate sailors for the important roles they continue to pay in keeping our nation safe during extended deployments."
Christensen said that the renewal request would most likely be for another two years.
Navy officials tell Navy Times that Since September 2014 a total of approximately $15,335,117 has been paid out in deployment pay, up to and including the July 15 payday.
The news that the initial policy is expiring comes as the service is projecting $1,333,183 to be paid to 4,162 Harry S. Truman Strike Group sailors, who returned home July 13 after 240 days away — 20 days over the threshold that triggers the pay.
In fact, some have already gotten received the pay, as the service confirmed that $10,659 has been paid to Truman Strike Group sailors.
Mark D. Faram is a former reporter for Navy Times. He was a senior writer covering personnel, cultural and historical issues. A nine-year active duty Navy veteran, Faram served from 1978 to 1987 as a Navy Diver and photographer.
