Department of Defense

INSTRUCTION

NUMBER 1304.27

June 14, 1996

Administrative Reissuance Incorporating Change 1, March
25, 1998

ASD(FMP)

SUBJECT:   Award and Administration of Special Duty
Assignment Pay 

References:  (a)  DoD Instruction 1304.27, subject as
above, April 24, 1995 (hereby canceled)

(b)  Section 307 of title 37, United States Code

(c)  DoD 1312.1-I, “DoD Occupational Conversion Index,”
September 1993, authorized by DoD Instruction 1312.1,
August 9, 1995

(d)  Title 10, United States Code

(e)  DoD 7000.14-R, Volume 7A, “Department of Defense
Financial Management Regulation, Military Pay Policy
and Procedures Active Duty and Reserve Pay,” July 1996,
authorized by DoD Instruction 7000.14, November 15,
1992

1.  REISSUANCE AND PURPOSE 

This Instruction reissues reference (a) to implement
policy, and to update responsibilities and procedures
under reference (b) for the administration of special
duty assignment pay for active enlisted members.

2.  APPLICABILITY 

This Instruction applies to the Office of the Secretary
of Defense, the Military Departments, the Coast Guard
(by agreement with the Department of Transportation
when the Coast Guard is not operating as a Service in
the Navy), the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff,
the Defense Agencies, and the DoD Field Activities (hereafter
referred to collectively as “the DoD Components”). 
 The term “Military Services,” as used herein, refers
to the Army, the Navy, the Air Force, and the Marine
Corps.

3.  POLICY 

It is DoD policy under reference (b) that the Military
Services use special duty assignment pay, which is a
monthly pay in addition to any other pay and allowances
to which an enlisted member is entitled, to compensate
an enlisted member who serves in an assignment requiring
the performance of extremely demanding duties or duties
demanding an unusual degree of responsibility.

4.  RESPONSIBILITIES 

4.1.  The Assistant Secretary of Defense for Force Management
Policy,  under the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel
and Readiness, shall establish policy, provide guidance,
and review the special duty assignment pay program of
the Military Departments.

4.2.  The Commandant of the Coast Guard  shall review
the special duty assignment pay program within the Coast
Guard.

4.3.  The Secretaries of the Military Departments  shall
administer special duty assignment pay in accordance
with this Instruction and 37 U.S.C. 307 (reference(b)).

5.  PROCEDURES 

5.1.  Consistent with DoD 1312.1-I (reference (c)),
the Military Services concerned shall identify military
specialties eligible for special duty assignment pay.
   Military specialties are those elements of the enlisted
classification structure appropriate to the Military
Service concerned that identify individual positions
or groups of closely related positions on the basis
of the similarity of the duties involved.    Military
specialties provide occupational standards for procurement,
training, classification, assignment, and career development,
and identify military skills so closely related that
a degree of interchange exists between members.   Military
specialties also establish a normal career progression
pattern for members.   Occupational qualifications required
for effective performance in such positions shall also
be considered.

5.2.  Pay ratings for qualifying duties are established
by the Military Service concerned.   The amount of special
duty assignment pay for pay ratings and the monthly
rate follow:   SD-1, $55; SD-2, $110; SD-3, $165; SD-4,
$220; SD-5, $275; and SD-6 for production recruiters
only, $375.

5.3.  The SD-6 level was established for payment to
production recruiters in the Military Services under
reference (b), effective April 1, 1996.    For other
than production recruiters, the Military Services may
designate “duties eligible for award of special duty
assignment pay,” and the SD level awarded, when the
duties meet one of the following criteria:

5.3.1.  Extremely demanding personal effort is necessary
to ensure successful mission accomplishment.

5.3.2.  A greater than normal degree of responsibility
or difficulty is expected in a regular military assignment
for a member’s grade and experience.

5.3.3.  The requirement of special qualifications is
met through rigorous screening and special schooling.

5.4.  An enlisted member is eligible to receive special
duty assignment pay when the member meets all of the
following conditions:

5.4.1.  Is on active duty and entitled to basic pay.
  With respect to Reservists on active duty, the Secretary
of the Military Department concerned may choose to authorize
payment only to those Reservists on active duty in excess
of 180 days.

5.4.2.  Is serving in pay grade E-3, or higher.

5.4.3.  Has completed the special schooling or equivalent
on-the-job training required for qualification in the
special duty assignment.   The duration of on-the-job
training must be at least as long as the equivalent
formal school training and must fully qualify the member
of the special duty assignment.

5.4.4.  Is certified by the Military Service concerned
as “qualified for and serving in an authorized position
in a duty assignment designated for award of special
duty assignment pay.”

5.4.5.  Attains eligibility under paragraphs 5.4.1.
through 5.4.4., above, before the effective date of
termination of awards in any special duty assignment
designated for termination of award.

5.4.6.  Meets the requirements of service, in accordance
with 10 U.S.C. (reference (d)), and other conditions
of eligibility that the Secretary of the Military Department
concerned prescribes.

5.5.  Termination of Individual Member Award

5.5.1.  The Military Service shall terminate special
duty assignment pay for a member when it is determined
that the member fails to maintain the requirements for
continued receipt.

5.5.2.  When a member receiving special duty assignment
pay is reclassified to a different military specialty,
the member’s pay shall be terminated in accordance with
DoD 7000.14-R, Vol. 7A, Table 1-8-2, Rule 19 (reference
(e)), unless the member is immediately assigned to another
military specialty eligible for such pay.

5.5.3.  A member receiving special duty assignment pay
must serve in the special duty assignment on which the
pay is based.   When a member receiving that pay is
assigned or detailed to any duty not requiring qualification
in the special duty assignment on which the pay is based,
the pay shall be terminated at the time of that assignment
or detail.    That does not apply to a member who is,
as follows: 

5.5.3.1.  Performing an additional duty that does not
interfere substantially with performance in the special
duty assignment

5.5.3.2.  Performing a temporary or special duty that
does not exceed 90 days.

5.5.3.3.  Attending a course of instruction in which
the course is related directly to or is necessary for
continued qualification in the special duty assignment.

5.5.3.4.  In patient or pipeline status.

5.5.3.5.  On authorized leave. 

5.6.  When special duty assignment pay is designated
for “reduction or termination of award,” an effective
date for reduction or termination shall be announced
to the field at least 60 days in advance.   A member
serving in a duty designated for “termination of award”
shall have the special duty assignment pay reduced by
one half on the effective date of the termination.

5.6.1.  Receipt of the one-half rate shall continue
for a maximum of 1 year following the effective date
of the termination, if the member has continued qualification
and service in the specialty on which his or her pay
was based.

5.6.2.  No new awards shall be made on or after the
effective date in specialties designated for “termination
of award.” 

5.7.  The eligibility and payment authority for each
member receiving special duty assignment pay shall be
reviewed and certified annually by the Military Service
concerned.   Military pay systems automatically discontinue
payment of special duty assignment pay on the annual
anniversary date of such pay if a positive certification
has not been made that the member in question is still
eligible to receive the pay.

5.8.  The Military Services shall coordinate with the
Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Force
Management Policy under the following circumstances:

5.8.1.  Reprograming actions that are needed to fund
proposed program adjustments.

5.8.2.  Proposed adjustments that would affect an area
of special interest to the Congress (for example, the
initiation of a new special duty assignment pay policy
affecting the overall recruiting program).

5.8.3.  Adjustments that would create an impression
of inconsistency with the intent of 37 U.S.C. 307 (reference
(b)).

6.  EFFECTIVE DATE 

This Instruction is effective immediately.