Should instructors receive special duty pay?
SFC,
I don't think that there should be a special pay across the board. There are plenty of Soldiers around the Army as a whole that put in hours that are just as long. If anything create and give the AIT instructors and NCOA instructors a badge that they can wear and allow them recieve the same type of lasting recognition that the Drill Sergeants and Recruiters do.
As an instructor myself I
am certified to instruct WLC, ABIC, and SGIT. All of my certifications
come from USASMA and not TRADOC. I applaud the approach to the badge but
USASMA doesn't recognize the same levels of instruction that TRADOC does; SSGL
is merely an E7 para, pos and line and not an award. I wasn't able to see
any figures in the new regulation and I assume that the badge is still for
local use only. As an AGR reserve WLC instructor I taught the 15 day POI
for three years working roughly 13-15 hours a day in some cases (During PT and
training evals mostly) and spent the night in the field 4 days a month. I
never received any special duty pay or wore a badge. Special duty assignment
pay (SDAP) is designed for people who perform special duties that require more
skill then other positions; it does not necessarily compensate for extra money
or time spent. I do feel that being an instructor qualifies for SDAP.
An instructor position, like DS, Retention, and Recruiter is a position
that can be taken away through relief cause NCOERs or incidence of poor
performance / legal actions. The Soldier
just leaves the 00G and returns to their CMF. Let's face it, some people
cannot teach or facilitate a class room in an appropriate manner in which
learning is conducive. If an instructor badge is implemented it should be
awarded at the end of ABIC since this is the ASI awarding course with temporary
where and permanently awarded after meeting Army wide standards (not TRADOC,
USASMA, Local ets.) over a given length of time. This guidance should also
be placed in an AR and not a Command Regulation. I would however ware a permanent award if it
was offered to me. In my opinion the ASI 8 really sets Soldiers apart
from the pack when being considered for promotion and will be easily noticed in
a DA photo as apposed to being missed on an ERB. I’m not a badge chaser… just a realist who
understands that every bit counts when working for a retirement.
Please someone correct or assist me if I am way off on the TRADOC vs. USASMA bit. I have been out of that world since 2011 and have not really kept up with too many changes.
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