37 U.S. Code § 352. Assignment pay or special duty pay

(a) Assignment or Special Duty Pay Authorized.—

The Secretary concerned may pay assignment or special duty pay under this section to a member of a regular or reserve component of the uniformed services who—

(1) is entitled to basic pay under section 204 of this title or compensation under section 206 of this title; and

(2) performs duties in an assignment, location, or unit designated by, and under the conditions of service specified by, the Secretary concerned.

(b) Maximum Amount and Method of Payment.—

(1) Lump sum or installments.—

Assignment or special duty pay under subsection (a) may be paid monthly, in a lump sum, or in periodic installments other than monthly, as determined by the Secretary concerned. If paid monthly, the Secretary concerned may prorate the monthly amount of the assignment or special duty pay for a member who does not satisfy the eligibility requirement for an entire month to reflect the duration of the member’s actual qualifying service during the month.

(2) Maximum monthly amount.—

The maximum monthly amount of assignment or special duty pay may not exceed $5,000.

(3) Maximum lump sum amount.—

The amount of a lump sum payment of assignment or special duty pay payable to a member may not exceed the amount equal to the product of—

(A) the maximum monthly rate authorized under paragraph (2) at the time the member enters into a written agreement under subsection (c); and

(B) the number of continuous months in the period for which assignment or special duty pay will be paid pursuant to the agreement.

(4) Maximum installment amount.—

The amount of each installment payment of assignment or special duty pay payable to a member on an installment basis may not exceed the amount equal to—

(A) the product of—

(i) a monthly rate specified in the written agreement entered into under subsection (c), which monthly rate may not exceed the maximum monthly rate authorized under paragraph (2) at the time the member enters into the agreement; and

(ii) the number of continuous months in the period for which the assignment or special duty pay will be paid; divided by

(B) the number of installments over such period.

(5) Effect of extension.—

If a member extends an assignment or performance of duty specified in an agreement with the Secretary concerned under subsection (c), assignment or special duty pay for the period of the extension may be paid on a monthly basis, in a lump sum, or in installments, consistent with this subsection.

(c) Written Agreement.—

(1) Discretionary for monthly payments.—

The Secretary concerned may require a member to enter into a written agreement with the Secretary in order to qualify for the payment of assignment or special duty pay on a monthly basis. The written agreement shall specify the period for which the assignment or special duty pay will be paid to the member and the monthly rate of the assignment or special duty pay.

(2) Required for lump sum or installment payments.—

The Secretary concerned shall require a member to enter into a written agreement with the Secretary in order to qualify for payment of assignment or special duty pay on a lump sum or installment basis. The written agreement shall specify the period for which the assignment or special duty pay will be paid to the member and the amount of the lump sum or each periodic installment.

(d) Reserve Component Members Performing Inactive Duty Training.—

A member of a reserve component entitled to compensation under section 206 of this title who is authorized assignment or special duty pay under this section may be paid an amount of assignment or special duty pay that is proportionate to the compensation received by the member under section 206 of this title for inactive-duty training.

(e) Relationship to Other Pay and Allowances.—

Assignment or special duty pay paid to a member under this section is in addition to any other pay and allowances to which the member is entitled.

(f) Repayment.—

A member who receives assignment or special duty pay under this section and who fails to fulfill the eligibility requirements under subsection (a) for receipt of such pay shall be subject to the repayment provisions of section 373 of this title.

(g) Termination of Authority.—

No agreement may be entered into under this section after December 31, 2020.

(Added Pub. L. 110–181, div. A, title VI, § 661(a)(2), Jan. 28, 2008, 122 Stat. 173; amended Pub. L. 111–84, div. A, title VI, §§ 614(7), 618(c), Oct. 28, 2009, 123 Stat. 2354, 2356; Pub. L. 111–383, div. A, title VI, § 614(7), Jan. 7, 2011, 124 Stat. 4237; Pub. L. 112–81, div. A, title VI, § 614(7), Dec. 31, 2011, 125 Stat. 1450; Pub. L. 112–239, div. A, title VI, § 614(7), Jan. 2, 2013, 126 Stat. 1777; Pub. L. 113–66, div. A, title VI, § 614(7), Dec. 26, 2013, 127 Stat. 781; Pub. L. 113–291, div. A, title VI, § 614(8), Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 3401; Pub. L. 114–92, div. A, title VI, § 614(8), Nov. 25, 2015, 129 Stat. 839; Pub. L. 114–328, div. A, title VI, § 614(8), Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2159; Pub. L. 115–91, div. A, title VI, § 614(8), Dec. 12, 2017, 131 Stat. 1422; Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VI, § 611(d)(7), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1797; Pub. L. 116–92, div. A, title VI, § 611(d)(7), Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 1426.)

Amendments

2019—Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 116–92 substituted “December 31, 2020” for “December 31, 2019”.

2018—Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 115–232 substituted “December 31, 2019” for “December 31, 2018”.

2017—Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 115–91 substituted “December 31, 2018” for “December 31, 2017”.

2016—Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 114–328 substituted “December 31, 2017” for “December 31, 2016”.

2015—Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 114–92 substituted “December 31, 2016” for “December 31, 2015”.

2014—Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 113–291 substituted “December 31, 2015” for “December 31, 2014”.

2013—Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 113–66 substituted “December 31, 2014” for “December 31, 2013”.

Pub. L. 112–239 substituted “December 31, 2013” for “December 31, 2012”.

2011—Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 112–81 substituted “December 31, 2012” for “December 31, 2011”.

Pub. L. 111–383 substituted “December 31, 2011” for “December 31, 2010”.

2009—Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 111–84, § 618(c), inserted at end “If paid monthly, the Secretary concerned may prorate the monthly amount of the assignment or special duty pay for a member who does not satisfy the eligibility requirement for an entire month to reflect the duration of the member’s actual qualifying service during the month.”

Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 111–84, § 614(7), substituted “December 31, 2010” for “December 31, 2009”.

Additional Assignment Pay or Special Duty Pay Authorized for Members Agreeing To Serve in Afghanistan for Extended Periods

Pub. L. 111–84, div. A, title VI, § 619, Oct. 28, 2009, 123 Stat. 2357, provided that:

“(a) Authority to Provide Additional Assignment Pay or Special Duty Pay.—

The Secretary of Defense may provide assignment pay or special duty pay under section 352 of title 37, United States Code, in excess of the maximum amount of monthly or lump sum assignment or special duty pay authorized under subsection (b) of such section, to members of the Armed Forces (particularly members who achieve language proficiency at levels and in languages specified by the Secretary of Defense) who agree to serve on active duty in Afghanistan for a minimum of three years. The assignment period required by the agreement shall provide for reasonable periods of leave.

“(b) Reporting Requirements.—

The Secretary shall submit to Congress an annual report on the use of the authority provided under subsection (a) during the preceding year, including—

“(1) the number of members of the Armed Forces receiving assignment pay or special duty pay under section 352 of title 37, United States Code, in excess of the maximum amount otherwise authorized under such section; and

“(2) an assessment of the impact of the use of such authority on the effectiveness and efficiency in achieving the United States mission in Afghanistan.

“(c) Duration of Authority.—

The authority provided by subsection (a) to offer additional assignment pay or special duty pay under section 352 of title 37, United States Code, expires on December 31, 2012. The expiration of such authority shall not affect the terms or duration of any agreement entered into before that date to provide additional assignment pay or special duty pay under such section.”