Alaract for SDAP (Special Duty Pay)

SSG, if I may offer some input from the Coast Guard's world. Our CCs (Drill Sergeants) deal with same op tempo you describe for the three years they are assigned to the training center. The routine is supposed to be on station for a class followed by a week of downtime. The pace however precludes that from happening, and CCs work three straight years with very little leave of liberty; a fact widely know in the fleet. The result is that during assignment season, the special assignment detailers historically have a difficult time filling all of the open CC billets at the Training Center, and at the USCG Academy where Company Chiefs (E7s) are in residence to help guide our future officers. Everybody to whom I have talked expresses their positive experiences, but none of them would ever do a second tour because of the personal stress and family sacrifices. We haven't reached a place with USCG budget that SDAP is being reduced, but I'm certain that our difficulties staffing these incredibly important jobs will increase if the incentive is reduced. For those of you who give of yourselves so completely regardless of which branch of service, you have my admiration and respect. Hoorah!