[PeteB570]

Combat pay requirements were revised a while back. Of course it was revised to give the troops less pay and “save” money.

It used to be if you got in country on the 30th of the month you were paid for the whole month - same if you departed on the 1st or 2nd - you’d get Combat pay for the whole month.

Under the revised program Combat pay is pro rated as per day.

The old way was a nice bone to throw to the troops doing the heavy lifting but was abused by a good number of leadership type folks. They loved to come visit and “be with the troops” and their week long visits just “happened” to span two months pay.

Also the Air Force loved to drop you off the last day of the month and after crew rest fly out on the first. Two months combat pay for 24 hours work.

For what it saved it hurt in morale.

[SuzyQue]

Thanks for the explanation.

[stylin19a]

"For what it saved, it hurt in morale"
thank you for that....well said.

1 in 7 casualties in Afghanistan is by "friendlies".

the whole freaking country is a free-fire zone when it comes to Afghans shooting Americans. the converse is not true.

The whole flippin rock-foresaken place should be covered regarding combat pay and we can live with the abuses.

But, more important...unless we can go Gen. Sherman on their a$$es$, let's get the heck out of there now.

let the Afghans claim the title of having defeated Britain\Russia\US.

[oh8eleven]

Also the Air Force loved to drop you off the last day of the month and after crew rest fly out on the first. Two months combat pay for 24 hours work.
That's why they changed the requirements - to avoid gaming the system, i.e., cheating.
Interesting too that the AF would consider "crew rest" as work.