Note: Military budgets operate off of the "fiscal year," which runs from 1 October to 30 September. For example, Fiscal Year 2007 is from 1 October 2006 to 30 September 2007.
However, that does not mean that military pay changes occur at that time.
Due to the wording that Congress uses in the annual Military Appropriations Act, and the Military Authorization Act, most military pay increases do not begin until the beginning of the calendar year (i.e., January 1st).
The Military Appropriations Act, and the Military Authorization Act must be passed by Congress and signed into law by the President each year, before it can be implemented by the Department of Defense.
The Military Appropriations Act reserves (allocates) money for the Department of Defense. The Military Authorization Act tells DOD how to spend the money. Both acts must be passed and signed into law before DOD can implement them.
Fiscal Year 2008 Pay Charts
What Congress Has in Store for You in 2008
The FY 2008 Military Authorization Act is now law. It was signed into law by the President on January 28, 2008. Here's a look at the major pay and benefit changes for 2008.
Base Pay
Basic Pay Charts for Calendar Year 2008. Basic pay rates were increased 3.5 percent over 2007 rates.
Housing Allowance
Military members who are authorized to reside off-base at government expense are provided a monthly housing allowance, known as "Basic Allowance for Housing, or "BAH." Here are the BAH rates for 2008.
Overseas Housing Allowance
Active duty members who are stationed overseas (except for Alaska and Hawaii), and are authorized to live off base at government expense, do no receive a Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH). Instead, they receive a different allowance, called Overseas Housing Allowance, or OHA.
Food Allowance (BAS)
Basic Allowance for Sustenence (BAS) is a monthly monetary food allowance for military members when it is impractical to consume "free" government meals in the dining facility (chow hall).
Annual Salary Charts
Average annual salaries for active duty military personnel.
Guard and Reserve Drill Pay
The 2008 Guard and Reserve Drill Pay includes an across-the-board 3.5 percent payraise, effective on January 1, 2008.
Guard and Reserve Housing Allowance
Guard and Reserve members on active duty for less than 30 days receive a different type of housing allowance than active duty members. This type of housing allowance is known as Basic Allowance for Housing Reserve Component/Transit, and pays less, on average, than Basic Allowance for Housing.
Reserves Annual Salary Charts
Average annual salaries for members of the U.S. Military Reserve branches.
National Guard Annual Salary Charts
Average annual salaries for members of the Air and Army National Guard.
Child Support Allowance
Special rules/rates apply for active duty members who live in the barracks and pay child support. Such members are not entitled to the regular housing allowance, but may be entitled to a special allowance, called BAH-DIFF.
Combat Zone
A member assigned to or deployed to a combat zone receives "combat pay.". Being assigned to or working in a combat zone triggers also triggers a tax advantage.
CONUS COLA
CONUS (Continental United States) COLA (Cost of Living Adjustment) is paid to military members who are stationed in areas of the United States which are considered to have a significantly higher cost of living than the national average.
Overseas COLA
The Overseas Cost-of-Living Allowance, or COLA, is paid to Service Members to partially offset high costs when stationed overseas (including Alaska and Hawaii).
Hardship Duty Pay
Hardship Duty Pay - Location, or HDP-L is additional compensation paid to service members during assignment in land areas outside the continental United States where living conditions are substantially below the standard compared to the continental United States.
Sea Pay
Military personnel assigned to duty at sea are authorized a special monthly pay.
Submarine Duty Pay
Military members who serve aboard submarines are authorized special compensation, known as "Submarine Duty Pay."
Flight Pay
Military members who are on flying status receive monthly flight pay., Here are the flight pay charts for enlisted members and commissioned/warrant officers who are on flying status.
Jump Pay
Military members who are required to jump out of perfectly good aircraft as part of their military duties are entitled to a special kind of pay, known as "Jump Pay," or "Parachute Duty Pay."
Dislocation Allowance
The Dislocation Allowance is designed to partially reimburse military members for moving a household.
Clothing Allowance
Military members are given an annual clothing allowance for the replacement and maintenance of military uniforms.
Retirement Pay
These charts show the monthly retirement pay for active duty members who retire during 2008. Military personnel can retire after 20 years of active duty service.
Involuntary Separation Pay
Many military members who are involuntarily separated from the military are entitled to involuntary separation pay (severance pay). To be eligible, a military member must have six or more years of active duty, and less than 20 years.
CONUS Per Diem Rates
Military members who perform TDY (Temporary Duty) away from their normal duty stations are authorized to be reimbursed for additional expenses, such as lodging and meals. The military reimburses such expenses in the way of a daily "Per Diem" payment.
OVERSEAS Per Diem Rates
Military members who perform TDY (Temporary Duty) away from their normal duty stations are authorized to be reimbursed for additional expenses, such as lodging and meals. The military reimburses such expenses in the way of a daily "Per Diem" payment.
