Obama Cuts Hazard Pay for Soldiers Serving in Harm’s Way

Gateway Pundit ^ | 2/6/12 | Jim Hoft

[Nachum]

They will now only get the $7.50 daily proration for the individual days they are actually serving in harm’s way instead of for the whole month. (DOD)

Barack Obama cut pay for military men and women serving in harm’s way starting this month. The Army Times reported:

Starting this month, some troops will begin receiving less Imminent Danger Pay when a new policy takes effect that will prorate the standard $225 monthly IDP stipend.

Under the new policy, troops will be paid only for the actual days they spend in the danger pay location, defense officials said Thursday.

Under the previous policy, troops who spent any portion of the month in a danger pay location received danger pay for the entire month.

The proration amounts to $7.50 per day. So, for example, if a service member spends only 7 days of the month in Afghanistan, he or she will have only $52.50 in Imminent Danger Pay added to their paycheck.

Doug Ross reminds us:

This follows efforts by the president to make veterans pay for their own health insurance — even those injured in combat — and his calls last month for raises for millions of federal paper-pushers.

[TheGunny]

Ill tell you what clears it up for me soldier, is that it is abundantly clear that you don't know what in the hell you are talking about! A) there are no FOB’s in Kuwait, B) Almost EVERY so called FOB in AFG is subject to indirect fire, and C) the determination of what area is or isnt a “combat zone” is way the hell above your pay grade. I never said that the “pro-rated” approach wasnt a good one, I think it is. Let me offer you a bit of education...a rifle slinging grunt isnt the only hazardous endevor in a combat zone! There are plenty of support roles and many in aviation that make the mission even possible...that is before grunt shit like yourself attempts to kick in a door! Those guys (again) are sitting in those FARP’s and FOB’s living and dying for each other and for their country. Dont break your arm patting yourself on the back for doing your f’ing job!

[And2TheRepublic]

Got to love your obvious and deliberate condescending tone.

I never said there were FOBs in Kuwait. I was merely using Kuwait as an example of what I believe is an abuse of Imminent Danger pay. I also use the term FOB loosely to represent all camps and bases as many in the Armed Forces do this. I know the difference between them.

In one one of my first posts (the one that inspired you to respond to me), I clearly stated that the bad part of this policy could potentially be that many people other than grunts like myself, are in harms way are deserving of such extra pay. But i can only assume you skipped over that part.

You assume a lot, overlook much, and act is if another human being can’t have an opinion other than your own.

If such beliefs are above my pay grade, wouldn’t your single minded approach to attack mine be above your pay grade as well?

Like my tagline states: People like freedom of speech, but only when it’s sweet to their ears.

Maybe you should get off that high horse of yours.

[And2TheRepublic]

I agree with you.

This change keeps things generally honest in regards to collecting imminent danger pay. You only get paid for the days you were in country. There is nothing wrong with that and saves quite a bit, I’m sure.

[Salman]

They are not even pretending to be on our side any omre.

[chargers fan]

These two agree with the President

As do I. I can't tell you how sick I grew watching what I termed "war tourists" come to Afghanistan for a few days, then go to Germany for a few days, then back to Afghanistan for a few days, etc and get the full paycheck. I believe this is a smart way to save money and common sense.

[gortklattu]

As he pulls troops out of combat zones this may be a moot issue soon.

But, after the effects of his leadership are fully realized, my neighborhood in Southern California may be a hazardous pay area.