The Pentagon is mulling a plan to cut danger pay for up to 56,000 troops, a money-saving move that will trim about $225 per month from the paychecks of those serving in key strategic military spots around the world.
Pentagon officials estimate the cut-back could save federal taxpayers about $120 million each year, The Associated Press reported.
Currently, it’s awarded for those deployed to 18 different countries and five waterways, but the list of countries could be cut, the AP said.
Military leaders speaking on condition of anonymity said they just wrapped a review of the countries on the list and decided that some no longer are considered hazardous for deployment. Thousands of troops in the Middle East and Persian Gulf could be impacted, the AP reported.
Officials also said the proposed changes do not affect hostile fire pay, the AP said.
Service members who are exposed to a hostile fire or hostile mine explosion event are eligible to receive a full monthly payment of $225. But they can’t receive both danger pay and hostile fire pay for the same month, the AP reported.
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• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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