Special pay · assignment and special duty
Special Duty Assignment Pay (SDAP)
Assignment or special duty pay under 37 U.S.C. § 352. This page shows the statutory ceiling and the DoD cap. Per-level service amounts are not published here.
- Authority
- 37 U.S.C. § 352
- Statutory ceiling
- $5,000 per month
- DoD cap for SDAP
- $750 per month (FMR Vol. 7A, Ch. 8, para. 2.4.2)
- Checked
- 2026-11-01
Amounts
| Limit | Amount | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Statutory ceiling, any assignment or special duty pay | $5,000 per month | 37 U.S.C. § 352(b)(2), verified 2026-11-01 |
| DoD cap for SDAP | $750 per month | DoD FMR Vol. 7A, Ch. 8, paragraph 2.4.2 (August 2025), checked 2026-11-01 |
| Service SDAP levels | Not published | No public service rate table was reachable. Army levels are set in a message that is not public. |
A $75 to $450 range from an earlier draft is not used: it has no official source.
What the statute sets
- Eligibility: a member entitled to basic pay (or inactive-duty compensation) who performs duties in an assignment, location (including a cold-weather location), or unit designated by the Secretary concerned (§ 352(a)).
- Ceiling: the maximum monthly amount may not exceed $5,000 (§ 352(b)(2)). This is a ceiling, not a rate for any service.
- Payment: monthly, lump sum, or installments as the Secretary decides. Monthly pay can be prorated for partial months (§ 352(b)(1)). Lump-sum and installment payments require a written agreement (§ 352(c)(2)).
Source: 37 U.S.C. § 352, Assignment pay or special duty pay.
What would show per-level amounts
A published service rate for each SDAP level, with its authority (the service's pay message or regulation), its effective date, and the DFAS or DoD page where it appears.
For the aviation page, see aviation career incentive pay.
Frequently asked questions
What is special duty assignment pay (SDAP)?
Assignment or special duty pay is paid under 37 U.S.C. 352 to a member who performs duties in a designated assignment, location, or unit. The Secretary concerned decides which assignments qualify.
Source: 37 U.S.C. 352(a); DoD FMR Vol. 7A, Ch. 8, paragraph 2 (August 2025).
What is the maximum SDAP amount per month?
The military departments set the monthly rates, but the maximum SDAP per month cannot exceed $750. This page does not list the rate for any service or level.
Source: DoD FMR Vol. 7A, Ch. 8, paragraph 2.4.2 (August 2025).
Is there a combined limit when a member receives more than one assignment or special duty pay?
Yes. The combined assignment and special duty pays may not exceed an average of $3,500 per month, unless the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Manpower and Reserve Affairs authorizes more.
Source: DoD FMR Vol. 7A, Ch. 8, paragraph 2.4.1 (August 2025).
Can a member receive two special pays at once?
A member may receive more than one assignment or special duty pay, but not more than one pay for the same purpose and period of service.
Source: DoD FMR Vol. 7A, Ch. 8, paragraph 2.3.4 (August 2025).
Is SDAP paid for an unlimited time?
No. Assignment and special duty pays are not meant to be continuous and should be paid for a specified period. Back-to-back periods are allowed while the member keeps meeting service rules and performs the duties.
Source: DoD FMR Vol. 7A, Ch. 8, paragraph 2.3.3 (August 2025).
Can the amount or the program change?
Yes. The Secretary of the military department concerned may increase, decrease, or abolish SDAP for any skill or assignment at any time, and sets the restrictions through service regulations.
Source: DoD FMR Vol. 7A, Ch. 8, paragraph 2.3.2 (August 2025).
Where do I find the SDAP level for my assignment?
Ask your unit personnel or pay office, and check the service regulation or message that authorizes the assignment. This site has no verified public table of service SDAP levels.
Source: DoD FMR Vol. 7A, Ch. 8 (service rates are set by each military department).