Flight engineers, loadmasters, and sensor operators are among the 3,700 Airmen who will no longer receive special duty assignment pay (SDAP) starting in fiscal 2024, according to the Air Force. The cuts will be phased out gradually, with affected communities receiving half their prior amount through fiscal 2024 before losing it entirely in fiscal 2025. The full list of affected job specialties was leaked on a Facebook page, including flight engineers, loadmasters, sensor operators, and others.
Key points:
- Removal of SDAP: The Air Force has identified 33 job specialties that will no longer qualify for special duty assignment pay starting in fiscal 2024. This includes flight engineers, loadmasters, sensor operators, and other positions.
- Phased-out reduction: Affected communities will continue to receive half their previous SDAP amount until fiscal 2024, after which they will lose the pay entirely in fiscal 2025.
- Leaked list: An unofficial Facebook page leaked the full list of affected job communities. The Air Force confirmed the authenticity of the leaked image and provided additional details on which communities were added to the SDAP program and which would have reduced rates.
- New additions and reductions: The Air Force added job specialties such as Material Management, Bomber Airborne Maintenance Support, United States Air Force Academy Enlisted Faculty Instructor, and Special Missions Support to the SDAP program. Additionally, some job specialties will have their SDAP rates reduced but will still receive a 90-day grace period before the cuts take effect.
- Cost-saving measures: The Air Force aims to save $4.04 million on the SDAP program in fiscal 2024 while including 70 job specialties and approximately 29,800 Airmen for $92.2 million.
Source: https://www.airandspaceforces.com/usaf-jobs-losing-special-duty-pay/
