A pay cut is coming for Marines who plan to work as drill instructors, security guards, or in other special duty assignments. That's because the Marine Corps is slated to slash Special Duty Assignment Pay (SDAP) starting Oct. 1.
According to a Marine Corps news release, the move was made to help the Corps save $35 million over the next five years.
Marine Corps compensation chief 1st Lt. John Krahling said making the decision to cut SDAP wasn't made in haste:
“We spent significant time evaluating all relevant factors before making a final decision on the changes. As the Department of Defense and Marine Corps move into a more resource-constrained environment, we must fully evaluate each of our programs by weighing total costs and benefits of the current programs.”
Marines currently working as embassy guards, drill instructors, recruiters, and on other special duty assignments don't have to worry - the pay cut will only affect Marines who begin serving special duty after Oct. 1.
But Stars and Stripes reports Marines who become subject to the pay cuts...
...will be placed at lower SDAP levels than their predecessors. However, some servicemembers impacted by the reductions will later be bumped up one SDAP tier after serving 12 months in their new billets, depending on their assignment.
SDAP provides enlisted servicemembers with extra compensation for taking on duties that are "extremely difficult or carry an unusual degree of responsibility," according to the Defense Department. The money is intended to attract high-quality troops to fill key billets.
SDAP currently ranges from $75 to $450 per month, according to the following pay scale:
Level 1: $75Level 2: $150
Level 3: $225
Level 4: $300
Level 5: $375
Level 6: $450
But, the U.S. gives billions of dollars in foreign aid to world's richest countries
The U.S. is providing hundreds of millions of dollars of foreign aid to some of the world's richest countries.
The Congressional Research Service released the report last month which shows that in 2010 the U.S. handed out a total of $1.4bn to 16 foreign countries that held at least $10bn in Treasury securities.
Four countries in the world's top 10 richest received foreign aid last year with China receiving $27.2m, India $126.6m, Brazil $25m, and Russia $71.5m.
Around the world: Barack Obama on the Great Wall of China. Last year China received $27.2m in foreign aid from the U.S.
Mexico also received $316.7m and Egypt $255.7m.
And yet despite the massive outgoings in foreign aid, the receiving countries hold trillions of dollars in U.S. Treasury bonds.
Concerned: Senator Coburn said the policy was 'dangerous'
China is the largest holder with $1.1trillion as of March, according to the Treasury Department.
Brazil held $193.5bn, Russia $127.8bn, India $39.8bn, Mexico $28.1bn and Egypt had $15.3bn.
Foreign aid is earmarked for causes including HIV/AIDs prevention, combating weapons of mass destruction, fighting tuberculosis, and counter-terrorism efforts.
The news has caused grave concern, with Senator Tom Coburn, R-Okla, who requested the report seen by Fox News, calling the policy 'dangerous'.
In a written statement Senator Coburn said: 'Borrowing money from countries who receive our aid is dangerous for both the donor and recipient.
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