How will deployment bonuses influence Soldiers' moral or commitment for duty?

2015-11-02T15:39:28-05:00

I thought this was an interesting article. I think this is a great incentive towards our commitment. But what if a Soldier's only drive on deployment is that incentive pay? Could that be an issue? What are your thoughts?

http://www.armytimes.com/story/military/benefits/pay/allowances/2015/11/01/sma-calls-bonus-money-soldiers-deployment-ntc/74821828/

SMA calls for bonus money for soldiers on deployment, at NTC

As part of its push to make sure all soldiers are ready to deploy, the Army is working on a proposal to pay extra cash to soldiers who do.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 2 at 2015 3:43 PM

2015-11-02T15:43:28-05:00

If that is all the incentive they are looking for then they joined the wrong career field. Especially if they are combat arms.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Nov 2 at 2015 4:16 PM

2015-11-02T16:16:34-05:00

You hear this all the time, generally as a negative. Personally, I prefer Soldiers who are in it for the money. If you enlist for money, it's guaranteed you're getting it. Each paycheck is an affirmation of your decision. People who enlist for lofty ideals like patriotism, hooah, or whatever else may or may not find whatever intangible they're looking for.

They're more likely to be disappointed by incompetence, poor leadership, illogical decision making, etc.. and later on a problem Soldier. The Money Soldier doesn't care much, he's getting his paycheck. His expectations are met. He's happy. Few things produce poor Soldiers more than disillusionment. People joining for lofty ideals are very likely to be disappointed. Given how low retention rates are, I think it's safe to say most enlistees are...

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Nov 2 at 2015 4:33 PM

2015-11-02T16:33:48-05:00

As the article said, this is more akin to Sea Pay than anything. It's designed to make deployment less harsh, not designed to incentivize deployment. Big Army tells you where you are going. The few extra dollars in your pocket makes it sting less. However... if it's anything like Marine Sea Pay, it will take A LOT of deployments before it adds up to anything noticeable. The average Soldier is more likely to notice the hit to their Comrats before they notice the increase to their paycheck from Deployment Pay. I believe my Sea Pay with 1+ year Sea Pay was around $65/month. Our Navy brethren accrued it faster, but they lived on ship 4x as long, and I'd happily live in a barracks over a coffin rack and let the government keep their $300/month. (there's a $200/month kicker after 37+ months which starts to make it worth while).

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 3 at 2015 7:31 AM

2015-11-03T07:31:22-05:00

sometime money don't fix the problem. It may make the people in the problem feel a little bit better, but still struggle within the problem.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 3 at 2015 8:46 AM

2015-11-03T08:46:05-05:00

Well it sure is easy to implement this now after 14 years of war is passed. If we ramp up again, it will go away like the PERSTEMPO incentive pay did just after 9/11.
https://www.hrc.army.mil/TAGD/PERSTEMPO%20FAQs

Q) What are the pay thresholds to receive payment for deployment over 400 days?
A) Pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 991(d), Service Secretaries have suspended the pay management of the PERSTEMPO program indefinitely when such a suspension is in the “national security interests.”