Removal of Imminent Danger Pay

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 04 Jan 2014 06:09:36 -0500

This may cause a lot of hurt feelings, but (if the ArmyTimes is actually accurate) the DoD has revised the Imminent Danger Pay list to remove areas such as Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Serbia and Montenegro. I'm sure many of those who are looking at upcoming deployments to these areas will surely be upset at the loss of the pay, however, as we've shared in previous discussions, we ARE in a time of necessary cutbacks. As much as I hate the thought of LOSING pay when it takes an Act of Congress to get any sort of slight increase, I Completely agree with the removal of Imminent Danger Pay from non-combat areas. It is in my opinion that this should have been done years ago. Why is the same imminent danger pay given to service members in places like Dubai and Bahrain as those who are ACTUALLY in danger like Iraq and Afghanistan? It bothered me then and I'm glad to see that if we have to endure cuts in benefits that HOPEFULLY that come from appropriate places and not from more crucial areas.

I understand that this may upset a few people, my opinion is mine and mine alone, but here are a few sources to review before you become upset over removing Imminent Danger Pay from certain areas like Kuwait. You can clearly read the data pointing the lack of deaths by any hostile action.

http://www.armytimes.com/article/20140103/BENEFITS/301030014/No-more-imminent-danger-pay-20-areas

http://war-on-terror-casualties.findthedata.org/d/b/Kuwait

No more imminent danger pay for 20 areas

The Defense Department has removed 20 areas from its list of locations that qualify for imminent danger pay, effective June 1, potentially affecting tens of thousands of troops.

Response by SGM Matthew Quick made Jan 4 at 2014 10:49 AM

SGM Matthew Quick — Sat, 04 Jan 2014 10:49:13 -0500

The ArmyTimes gets its information from somewhere...here's the actual DoD News Release:

http://www.defense.gov/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=16459

Defense.gov News Release: DOD Announces Recertification Of Imminent Danger Areas

Response by CW4 Laird Culver made Dec 22 at 2014 9:01 AM

CW4 Laird Culver — Mon, 22 Dec 2014 09:01:41 -0500

Andrew, great post and view. You demonstrate a thinking man's point of view and I am certain if you maintain that level-headed outlook your career will thrive. It is absolutely off the mark when imminent danger pay is authorized in allied, peaceful countries. Unless projectiles are flying and bombs are exploding around you, you should not be paid imminent danger pay just as you should not log imminent danger time.

The biggest argument against imminent danger pay in certain locales is if the military receives imminent danger pay in Saudi, Bahrain, Qatar, etc... then why not Germany, Italy, England and all other locations outside of the United States. It is the nature of the job to be deployed overseas, but not all locations are on the frontier and deserving of imminent danger pay.

Besides, if you are going to a location for R&R (Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi...) it can't be on an imminent danger list. That just wouldn't make sense!

Response by SPC Benjamin Smith made Feb 18 at 2015 1:25 AM

SPC Benjamin Smith — Wed, 18 Feb 2015 01:25:48 -0500

My question is how will the removal of IDP affect Kuwait's eligibility for tax-free earnings and the Savings Deposit Program.