Military members are entitled to special pay for diving duty for periods during which they are:
- Assigned by orders to diving duty;
- Required to maintain proficiency as a diver by frequent and regular dives; and
- Either actually performing diving duty while serving in an assignment for which diving is a primary duty; or meeting the requirements to maintain proficiency while serving in an assignment that includes diving duty other than as a primary duty.
Military personnel are entitled to diving duty pay of up to $240 for officers and up to $340 for enlisted per month, though rates vary according to job and service. In time of war, the president may suspend diving duty pay.
Qualifications for Diving Duty Pay
Army
Generally, an Army member must be a rated diver in accordance with AR 611-75 and be assigned to:
- A Table of Organization and Equipment or Table of Distribution and Allowance position in a Skill Classification/MOS, Special Qualification Identifier, or Additional Skill Identifier specified in AR 611-75; or
- A position designated as diving duty by the deputy chief of staff for personnel.
Diving duty pay in the Army ranges from $110 for students assigned to a diving school (enlisted and officer) to $340 for master divers (enlisted) and $240 for marine diving officers.
Navy and Marine Corps
Members must be designated divers, be assigned to diving duty under competent orders, and maintain their qualifications for diving.
Diving duty pay in the Navy ranges from $150 a month for students assigned to a diving school (enlisted and officer) to $340 for enlisted master divers and SEAL delivery vehicle operators; and $240 for diving officers.
In the Marine Corps, diving duty pay ranges from $150 a month for students assigned to a diving school (enlisted and officer) to $215 for combatant divers (enlisted and officer).
Air Force
Airmen must:
- Successfully complete an approved DoD course for underwater swimmers.
- Be under orders for diving duty as authorized by their major command.
- Meet the other qualification standards prescribed by current Air Force instructions.
Diving duty pay in the Air Force ranges from $110 a month for scuba divers (enlisted); to $150 for pararescue divers (enlisted) and officers assigned to diving duty.
Coast Guard
An officer or enlisted member is entitled to diving duty pay if:
- Assigned by orders to diving duty; and
- Required to maintain proficiency as a diver by frequent and regular dives.
Coast Guard diving duty pay ranges from $150 for students assigned to a diving school and divers second class (enlisted); to $340 for master divers (enlisted) and $240 for diving officers.
More Information
The Defense Finance and Accounting Service maintains detailed diving duty pay charts for the DoD services. The Coast Guard publishes its rates separately.
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