Calculator · reserve and National Guard
Reserve Drill Pay Calculator
Drill pay for one month, from the DFAS Reserve Component Drill Pay tables. Enlisted, warrant officer, and officer rates.
- Rule
- 1/30 of monthly basic pay per drill period
- Effective
- January 1, 2026
- Source
- DFAS drill pay tables, 37 U.S.C. 206
- Checked
- 2026-11-01
Drill pay for this month
- Total for 4 drills
- $526.24
- Per drill period
- $131.56
- Monthly basic pay used
- $3,946.80
- Years band
- Over 4
Not included
Annual training and active-duty pay, bonuses and special pays, allowances, retirement points, and taxes. Estimates are not guaranteed. Your unit's pay record is the official figure.
Source: DFAS Reserve Component Drill Pay, effective January 1, 2026 (page updated January 20, 2026).
How drill pay is calculated
Each drill period of at least two hours pays one thirtieth of the monthly basic pay for your grade and years of service (37 U.S.C. § 206(a)). DFAS publishes the one-drill and four-drill amounts for each grade and years band, and the calculator uses those published amounts. Four drills equal four times one drill in every published cell.
The years bands follow the DFAS columns. For example, 3 years of service falls in "Over 2", and 27 to 30 years falls in "Over 26 through Over 28". Years above 40 use the top band.
Amounts not shown
Blank DFAS cells, such as W-5 in the early bands, show "not published". They are not treated as $0.
In four late-career bands ("Over 26 through Over 28" and later), the DFAS enlisted table lists E-1 at E-9-level amounts, which are higher than the E-2 amount of $2,697.90 in the same band. E-1 is $2,407.20 in every other band. These four cells are left out until DFAS corrects them. Check the DFAS enlisted drill pay table for updates.
Sources
- DFAS: Reserve Component Drill Pay, Enlisted (effective January 1, 2026) (page updated January 20, 2026)
- DFAS: Reserve Component Drill Pay, Warrant Officers (effective January 1, 2026) (page updated January 13, 2026)
- DFAS: Reserve Component Drill Pay, Officers (effective January 1, 2026) (page updated January 13, 2026)
- 37 U.S.C. § 206, Reserves; inactive-duty training
Effective 2026-01-01. Checked 2026-11-01.
Frequently asked questions
What counts as one drill period?
A regular period of instruction or appropriate duty that the member performs for at least two hours, including on a Sunday or holiday. The statute also covers other equivalent training that the Secretary prescribes.
Source: 37 U.S.C. 206(a)(1)–(2).
How is drill pay calculated?
Each qualifying period pays one thirtieth (1/30) of the monthly basic pay for the member's grade and years of service. The calculator uses the DFAS published amounts, and four drill periods equal four times one period in every published cell.
Source: 37 U.S.C. 206(a); DFAS Reserve Component Drill Pay tables (2026).
Do National Guard and Reserve members use the same rule?
Yes. The rule covers members of the National Guard, a reserve component, and the Space Force who are not entitled to basic pay under 37 U.S.C. 204. The rate is the same 1/30 rule for each.
Source: 37 U.S.C. 206(a).
Why does a cell show no amount?
A blank cell means DFAS does not publish an amount for that grade and years band. It is not a zero entitlement. Four late-career enlisted cells are also left out because the DFAS table lists values that conflict with the rest of the band.
Source: DFAS enlisted drill pay table (see the notes on this page).
Does this calculator include annual training or active-duty orders?
No. The calculator estimates only drill periods at the DFAS drill rate. Other duty pay, travel, allowances, and state active duty follow separate rules and are not included.
Source: Scope of this calculator; 37 U.S.C. 206(a)(2) for other equivalent duty.