Posted on Nov 22, 2013

Should instructors receive special duty pay?

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Instructors put a lot of hours in teaching important skills to young and senior Soldiers.  I was an instructor at WLC in the Army Reserves and missed meals and had to pay for things that I normally would not have to pay for.  As a recruiter a few years back I didn't really have to pay for as much and almost always had the time for meals.  I am not saying recruiters shouldn't get Special Duty Pay, all I am asking is should they add instructors to the list of duty positions that are entitled to Special Duty Pay?

Posted >1 y ago

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Responses: 15

SGM (Join to see)

Posted >1 y ago

When the Drill Sgt's took their hats off in AIT (2008), I was a new Instructor...we came in at 5, woke up the Soldiers, did PT with them, marched them to chow, taught them all day, marched them to chow at night, tucked them in. Worked 7-8 days a week (It was 6 months before I had a 2 day weekend) and pulled duty 8 times a month as well. As an Instructor we received no special pay, no permanent badge (unlike DS and Recruiters) and no respect from anybody. It was a long three years.

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1LT (Join to see)

Posted >1 y ago

Having worked with Marine Corps officers, I very much like how they handle this problem. Being selected as an instructor of Marines in any capacity is considered a favorable personnel action which puts you ahead of other Marines. Being selected for instructor duty is very favorable, and very competitive, in that individuals who receive this duty are recognized as some of the best in their field, and it reflects into their promotions. For NCO's we see a similar favorable response to those who receive Drill Sergeant duty. We offer tremendous career incentives to the Drill Sergeant. Now I recognize our need for instructors is much larger than the Marine Corps, and as such we can't afford to be as selective in choosing instructors - but there must be away that to create greater incentives to be an instructor so that soldiers will volunteer rather than be voluntold for the duty and I think it begins with rating instructor time more favorably on that soldiers overall career progression than it is now.

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SSG (Join to see)

Posted >1 y ago

SFC,

I don't think that there should be a special pay across the board. There are plenty of Soldiers around the Army as a whole that put in hours that are just as long. If anything create and give the AIT instructors and NCOA instructors a badge that they can wear and allow them recieve the same type of lasting recognition that the Drill Sergeants and Recruiters do.

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CSM Mike Maynard

>1 y

Take a look at TRADOC Reg 600-21. There is an Army "Instructor Badge" program now.

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SSG (Join to see)

>1 y

CSM, The latest update that was published did in fact include a badge and a recognition program. Unfortunitly the only personnel who will authorized the wear of any badge or be able to achieve higher levels i.e. basic, senior, master are those who teach at NCOA's. I am currently an instructor at Fort Eustis we have an internal program but once we PCS, ETS or RET we are no longer entitled. The new TRADOC REG had a lot of hopes up around here. However I greatly appreciate the feedback and assistance.

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Lt Col Luis A. Rojas

>1 y

The Air Force also has an Air Education Training Command "Instructor Badge" as well as a "Master Instructor Badge".

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MSG Michael Shannon

>1 y

As an instructor myself I
am certified to instruct WLC, ABIC, and SGIT. All of my certifications
come from USASMA and not TRADOC. I applaud the approach to the badge but
USASMA doesn't recognize the same levels of instruction that TRADOC does; SSGL
is merely an E7 para, pos and line and not an award. I wasn't able to see
any figures in the new regulation and I assume that the badge is still for
local use only. As an AGR reserve WLC instructor I taught the 15 day POI
for three years working roughly 13-15 hours a day in some cases (During PT and
training evals mostly) and spent the night in the field 4 days a month. I
never received any special duty pay or wore a badge. Special duty assignment
pay (SDAP) is designed for people who perform special duties that require more
skill then other positions; it does not necessarily compensate for extra money
or time spent. I do feel that being an instructor qualifies for SDAP.
An instructor position, like DS, Retention, and Recruiter is a position
that can be taken away through relief cause NCOERs or incidence of poor
performance / legal actions. The Soldier
just leaves the 00G and returns to their CMF. Let's face it, some people
cannot teach or facilitate a class room in an appropriate manner in which
learning is conducive. If an instructor badge is implemented it should be
awarded at the end of ABIC since this is the ASI awarding course with temporary
where and permanently awarded after meeting Army wide standards (not TRADOC,
USASMA, Local ets.) over a given length of time. This guidance should also
be placed in an AR and not a Command Regulation. I would however ware a permanent award if it
was offered to me. In my opinion the ASI 8 really sets Soldiers apart
from the pack when being considered for promotion and will be easily noticed in
a DA photo as apposed to being missed on an ERB. I’m not a badge chaser… just a realist who
understands that every bit counts when working for a retirement.

Please someone correct or assist me if I am way off on the TRADOC vs. USASMA bit. I have been out of that world since 2011 and have not really kept up with too many changes.

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Should instructors receive special duty pay?

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