What about incentive pay for those in Company/Battalion/Brigade or equivalent Command positions?

2014-02-17T15:58:59-05:00

Do you think this should be something brought forward? Maybe it is or has been in talks, but shutdown.

Here is one of the responses that i was told: I personally think this would be a solid idea. These senior leaders put in many additional hours, and some form of compensation would be great. Also, this could be an incentive for these position.

Please list your thoughts below.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2014 4:09 PM

2014-02-17T16:09:18-05:00

SFC,

I believe we have certain positions that qualify for this like the SMA postion and Ranger slots.

Section 307 Special Duty Assignment Pay for Enlisted Members. To

encourage enlisted members to qualify for and volunteer to serve in, or remain in, designated positions with duties that are extremely difficult, or carry an unusual degree of responsibility, when compared to typical jobs of members of the same grade level. The maximum payable in law is $600/month. Under program parameters established by the Secretary of Defense, current range being paid in SDAP is between $75 and $450 per month). Discretionary pay -- all Services use this pa

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Feb 17 at 2014 4:14 PM

2014-02-17T16:14:31-05:00

SFC C, thanks for starting this thread. I've heard of or participated in this type of discussion a few times in the past. My main concern with this is this -- to get highly motivated, qualified officers for these positions, does there actually NEED to be some kind of monetary incentive? My opinion is no. In order to make a case for "yes" -- someone would need to show that the most qualified officers did not want to go for these positions because of the extra work and no extra comp, which I don't think is the case. Curious to hear what everyone else's thoughts are.

Response by Maj Chris Nelson made Feb 17 at 2014 4:17 PM

2014-02-17T16:17:24-05:00

While I think I understand what you are saying, I would pose this....

1. Yes, they put in many long additional hours.

2. Yes, it may be a bit additional draw to fill these positions

HOWEVER, here is what I think:

1. Leaders that WANT to be leaders will volunteer for these positions.

2. It would help keep out pay seekers (those that will do any job for a couple extra bucks.

3. We all know that with little exception, if you have a desired goal (example: general officer, or SMA), there are certain things you MUST do to show you are up to the job.... leadership at a wide variety of levels is must. You must lead a company, BN, Brigade, etc...you get the jest....you must show competence in leading troops before you move up. If you have a goal of SFC or Lt Col as a top end goal, you will not have to put in as many additional hours as you will have sold yourself short in one regard or another...and I realize that not EVERYONE will make their goals.... Leaders lead because they want to/are found good at it. Even if you don't have additional pay, those that want these positions will move towards them.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2014 4:19 PM

2014-02-17T16:19:52-05:00

Do you really want pay to be the incentive for leaders in this type of position? Not the desire to serve or lead because that's their duty?

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Feb 17 at 2014 5:26 PM

2014-02-17T17:26:24-05:00

It is always a privilege to lead Soldiers and Army Organizations. I do not think there should be an incentive to do so. If you do not want to command you can opt out. Same with the CSMs. The only reason I would endorse command position pay (Commanders and their 1SG/CSMs) would be the myriad of luncheons and official functions you are expected to attend out of pocket (not in a TDY status). I have spent a ton of money in the last year and a half and so has my CSM. I have had at as many as four in a week.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2014 10:17 AM

2014-02-18T10:17:52-05:00

I have a few thoughts on this.

#1: There are a lot of senior leaders who are not in command positions who also put in a lot of time and effort, but they wouldn't receive this incentive. Senior military personnel get paid more in general because they are expected to put in the extra time. While CMDs are something special, given a pay grade and rank, you are expected to put forth the effort.

#2: For those who would get this incentive, what would the negative impacts be when they don't get the money anymore? This may seem strange, but I bet the impacts would be more negative than you would think.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 28 at 2014 9:22 PM

2014-06-28T21:22:41-04:00

One issue right away is how would you monitor it? Currently I am a company commander but I am not on the books as I am an AGR at the battalion. I assumed command but on the rosters I am not there. I have all the UCMJ etc., but on the MTOE the commander slot is vacant. How would other AGRs that are in this position get paid? And in other ways when the commander position is vacant and the XO is covering down, etc. how would they get paid?

In addition would Reserves and Active get paid the same amount?

Should it only be a bonus after the end of a 2 year or other certain period of time provided that you have done a good job?

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Jun 29 at 2014 12:01 AM

2014-06-29T00:01:54-04:00

Command is the pinnacle of service in the military, IMHO every leader should strive for it as a goal. To get a bonus for doing what is expected of you, I'm not sure about that. Yes, there are many additional responsibilities and requirements as a commander, but that is part of the job. I personally know a few commanders that have had to deal with combat deaths - in those cases, I'd agree to something additional. Not that money will alleviate the issue, but that is truly above and beyond, having seen what my comrades have gone through.

In the Guard, at least in my state, there were relatively few commands compared to the available officers, so there was a waiting line for command.

Response by SFC Michael Jackson, MBA made Mar 3 at 2015 4:22 PM

2015-03-03T16:22:04-05:00

Sure, I consider it special duty pay. We pay additional for Drill Sergeants, Recruiters, Linguist, people of flight status, jump status, dive status, etc...We should pay our 1SG, CSMs, and Commanders