Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced a pay raise for Army paratroopers during remarks to current and former members of the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, NC this week.
Hegseth made the announcement during the 82nd’s All American Week, a four-day event that brings past and present paratroopers together to celebrate their service through competitions and camaraderie.
[Photo above: Army paratroopers assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division conduct a parachute jump at the Sicily Drop Zone, Aug. 21, 2024. Army photo by Vincent Levelev]
“I’ve got a bit of an announcement today that might be of interest to this community,” Hegseth said to the formation of soldiers.
“For the first time in [decades], here [as] the secretary of defense, through the secretary of the Army, we are increasing jump pay,” Hegseth said, eliciting an enthusiastic response from the crowd.
Hazardous duty incentive pay — commonly referred to as “jump pay” — is set to increase from $150 per month to $200 for rank-and-file paratroopers.
Additionally, Hegseth added, jumpmasters — the senior paratroopers responsible for training and teaching the techniques for jumping from aircraft — will receive an additional $150 per month on top of the $150 in HDIP they already earn.
