Posted on May 31, 2021
2LT Platoon Leader
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I was an E4 prior to attending a service academy. One year after commissioning, I get a large Save Pay entitlement on my LES. From my research, I don't see why I would be entitled to Save Pay since I didn't really lose much in the long run. Can anyone answer why I am entitled and how long this extra pay will last? I'm also prepared to find out this whole thing is an error. Thanks!
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A1C Johnny Le
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Save Pay refers to money given to some personnel as they switch from time-in-service to time-in-grade pay so that they do not see a drop in basic pay. SPECIAL DUTY ASSIGNMENT PAY. Madam my guess would be since everyone that comes in the service academy is an E5, backpay of some kinda?
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CWO3 Us Marine
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Edited 4 y ago
It must be per regulations, but you should verify. We graduated WOBC with the first bunch of new 0306 Infantry WOs. They had to be GySgt or above to apply. Some were above that, and one was a former SgtMaj (Ed Bitanga, RIP). They drew save pay due to the cut in pay, and were promoted to CWO2 before graduation, but many still drew save pay.
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SFC Casey O'Mally
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In years gone past, whenever I recieved a save pay it was due to previous underpayment. Most of the time that underpayment was caused by erroneous deductions (or overdeductions), and this was how they gave me my money back.

I would recommend looking through your last couple of LESs and see if anything stands out as a discrepancy.
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Does anyone have a warm and fuzzy on "Save Pay"?
CPT Senior Instructor
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I have seen this a few times. When I commissioned they didn't initial have my pay correct. I went a few pay cycles being underpaid. I have a feeling that you might be an O-1E or at the very least you are an O-1 with a few years in service. If you look at the pay chart and compare it to you previous pay you can see if this happened. You might have been getting paid as an O-1 with less than one year of service.
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MSG Gary Eckert
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Since service academies pay E5 under 2, if you were and E4 with more than three years prior to transferring to the academy you were making more on active duty. Save pay is the difference. You will receive save pay until that pay gap is closed. If you received a large amount at one time it after you entered active duty it would be back pay you should have previously received.
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SSG Edward Tilton
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FIND OUT, before they come after you wanting it all back
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