War Department Increases Two Hazard Pays for First Time in Nearly a Quarter Century

View Online War Department Increases Two Hazard Pays for First Time in Nearly Quarter Century Oct. 1, 2026 |  By Matthew Olay The War Department announced an increase in hostile fire pay and imminent danger pay today for the first time since 2002.  A memorandum released by Tim Dill, assistant secretary of war for manpower and Reserve affairs, states hostile fire pay will be issued at a full monthly rate of $450, which doubles the previous $225 rate, and imminent danger pay will increase to $275 from $225 monthly, effective today.  The memo was authored and signed in mid-July, but the increase in hazard pay appropriations goes into effect at the start of the new fiscal year.  "Those who face combat deserve higher compensation that reflects the risks that they willingly undertake on behalf of our nation," said Anthony J. Tata, undersecretary of war for personnel and readiness. "Raising imminent danger and hostile fire pays for the first time in two decades is a step toward recognizing that sacrifice."  Per the undersecretary of war (comptroller)/chief financial officer's financial management regulation, a service member is entitled to hostile fire pay when the service member "performs duty in a hostile fire area … is exposed to a hostile fire event … is on duty during a month in an area in which a hostile event occurred that placed the member in grave danger of physical injury; or … is killed, injured or wounded by a hostile fire event."  A service member is entitled to imminent danger when "[the service member] is subject to the threat of physical harm or imminent danger based on civil insurrection, civil war, terrorism or wartime conditions in a designated foreign area," according to the same regulation.  The new memo tasks the services with coordinating with the Defense Finance and Accounting Service to ensure service members don't receive concurrent hostile fire pay and imminent danger pay for the same period of service.  Under 37 U.S. Code § 351, the War Department is authorized to increase hostile fire pay and imminent danger pay to the new levels, and the secretary of war is authorized to establish any amount up to the statutory ceiling, according to a statement from Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell.  The department always encourages service members and their families to consult local finance offices or their command financial specialists to learn how the changes will appear on leave and earnings statements, and to ask finance personnel questions about individual entitlements and eligibility.   Before the last increase in hazardous pay in 2002, pay rates varied by qualifying duty and the service member's rank/pay grade — typically ranging from $100 to $240 per month.

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Statement by Chief Pentagon Spokesman, Sean Parnell, on the Department of War's Historic Increase to Hostile Fire and Imminent Danger Pay

View Online IMMEDIATE RELEASE Statement by Chief Pentagon Spokesman, Sean Parnell, on the Department of War's Historic Increase to Hostile Fire and Imminent Danger Pay Oct. 1, 2026 The Department of War releases updates to Hostile Fire Pay (HFP) and Imminent Danger Pay (IDP), marking the first major adjustment to these special duty pays in more than two decades. The increased rates are designed to appropriately compensate Service members for the varying levels of operational risk they face while serving the United States around the world. The updated policy increases the monthly rate for HFP to $450 and the monthly rate for IDP to $275, effective October 1, 2026. Since October 2002, both HFP and IDP pay have been set at a flat monthly rate of $225. The new tiered model better reflects the differences between serving in an area where danger is possible and facing hostile fire. Application of the new rates: HFP will be issued at the full monthly rate of $450 for any month in which a Service member is exposed to a hostile fire event. IDP will be prorated at $9.16 per day, up to a maximum of $275 per month, based on the number of days a Service member is present in a designated imminent danger area. If an IDP-designated area escalates into active combat, commanders can transition personnel from IDP to HFP immediately. This provides a clear and timely mechanism to acknowledge heightened risk levels. Consistent with Department policy, Service members may not receive both HFP and IDP for the same period of service. Service members and their families are encouraged to consult their command financial specialists or local finance offices for detailed information on how these changes will appear on the Leave and Earnings Statements (LES). Finance personnel will also be available to answer questions regarding individual entitlements and eligibility. The Department, under 37 U.S. Code § 351, is granted statutory authority to increase HFP to a maximum amount of $450 per month and IDP to a maximum amount of $275 per month, as authorized by Congress and outlined in federal law and the National Defense Authorization Act. The Secretary of War is authorized to establish any amount up to the statutory ceiling. The memorandum can be found here.

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Department of War Champions 'Brilliant at the Basics' for Cybersecurity Awareness Month

View Online IMMEDIATE RELEASE Department of War Champions 'Brilliant at the Basics' for Cybersecurity Awareness Month Oct. 1, 2026 Arming warfighters, workforce, and industry partners with actionable cyber defense practices to strengthen security posture and safeguard the mission. The Office of the Chief Information Officer today launched the Department of War's "Brilliant at the Basics" campaign for Cybersecurity Awareness Month. The monthlong initiative reinforces core cybersecurity fundamentals across both Information Technology (IT) and Operational Technology (OT) environments to provide best practices for navigating an evolving threat landscape while maintaining a decisive digital edge. "Cybersecurity starts with the basics," said Honorable Kirsten Davies, Department of War chief information officer. "This Cybersecurity Awareness Month, we are sharing foundational, actionable steps for our warfighters, civilian workforce, and defense industrial base partners to protect our technology ecosystem, both IT and OT. As we pursue innovative technologies, and reintegrate our industrial base, we must also maintain strong cyber fundamentals that protect our people, systems, and mission. Being 'Brilliant at the Basics' is not just a slogan; it is a mission imperative." The campaign will deliver daily posts, actionable tips, and practical resources structured across four weekly themes: Be Aware: Understand digital environments and identify vulnerabilities across connected IT networks, OT infrastructure, and government-furnished equipment. Be Vigilant: Practice proactive security measures including strong authentication, credential hygiene, and anti-phishing tactics to reduce cyber risk. Be Secure: Protect mission-critical data and systems by reducing internet-facing systems, encrypting connections, patching, and ensuring only authorized equipment connects to defense networks.  Be Connected: Champion a culture of collective defense by promptly reporting suspicious cyber activity and promptly responding to cyber tasking orders. Recognizing that small, medium, and nontraditional businesses drive critical innovation for our warfighters, the campaign provides tailored guidance and accessible resources directly to DIB partners. The initiative will also spotlight low-cost and no-cost cybersecurity support programs that align with the IT and OT best practices issued by the Department in July 2026 to support the hardening of the Department's broader industrial base. For more information, daily campaign updates and event schedules, follow the official DoW CIO social media channels and the CIO's website at dowcio.war.gov.

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Today in DOW: Oct. 1, 2026

Today in DOW: Oct. 1, 2026 Open Press Events Secretary of War The secretary has no public or media events on his schedule.   Read More > Deputy Secretary of War The deputy secretary has no public or media events on his schedule.   Read More > Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff The chairman has no public or media events on his schedule.   Read More > Vice Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff The vice chairman has no public or media events on his schedule.   Read More > View All Postings   Contacts Additions and corrections for Today in DOW are invited and should be directed to the press desk by calling +1 (703) 697-5131 or +1 (703) 697-5132. For additional media information click here. Public Inquiries Contact us for more information, if you have questions or for technical support. Media Questions News media representatives with questions for the Department of War may reach our press desk by calling +1 (703) 697-5131. Duty Officer A public affairs duty officer is available 24 hours a day through +1 (703) 697-5131.

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