Space Force announces results of inaugural SDAP board

  • Published
  • By SAF/PA Staff Writer
  • Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs
The Space Force has completed its inaugural service-specific Special Duty Assignment Pay board using a new board process to ensure appropriate distribution based off the SDAP definition.
The SDAP board focused on ensuring appropriate career fields and specialties are compensated at the appropriate level based on the complexity, difficulty and degree of responsibility required of the duty.
During the review, 14 recertifications were addressed. Three rules were found to not apply to Guardians in FY24 and were not recertified. The review was made agnostic of budgetary funding.
Four initial packages were reviewed; two were approved, one was rolled into an existing rule, and one was not approved based on the package not adequately meeting outlined SDAP criteria. Two rules were reorganized and added by Space Force leadership due to the nature of the rule applying to members of the board. No board member voted for a rule in which would affect the member themselves.
Rules for Guardians will be included as part of the Department of the Air Force SDAP Table, beginning at rule 501. A total of 14 Rules for Guardians were approved, including recertifications.
The SDAP board used specific criteria IAW DAFI 36-3012, Military Compensation, and DoDI 1304.27, Award and Administration of Special Duty Assignment Pay, when reviewing each request. To be considered, the specialty and individual assignment must meet one or more of the following criteria:
  • Duties require extremely demanding personal effort to ensure mission accomplishment
  • Position requires greater responsibility or difficulty beyond what is normally expected for the member’s grade
  • Position/duties require special qualifications met through rigorous screening and/or special schooling

To view the full special duty assignment pay list and program updates visit here.