• FAQs for Commissioned Corps Instructions (CCI) 642.01, “Hazardous Duty Pay” and 642.03, “Special Duty Pay”

  CCI 642.01, "Hazardous Duty Pay"

  What are the major changes in CCI 642.01, “Hazardous Duty Pay?”

  This Instruction consolidates three previous policies that authorized HDP; Commissioned Corps Personnel Manual (CCPM) CC22.3.4, “Hazardous Duty Incentive Pay for Duty Involving Dangerous Viruses and Bacteria” dated 9 April 1984, CC22.3.5, “Hazardous Duty Incentive Pay for Duty Involving Toxic Pesticides,” dated 25 September 1984, and CC22.3.1, “Noncrew Flight Pay,” dated 13 April 1982.

  What types of HDP does CCI 642.01 cover?

  This Instruction authorizes HDP for officers assigned to duties involving toxic pesticides, live dangerous viruses or bacteria, flights (as non-crew member), diving, hostile fire, and duty in designated imminent danger locations.

  	Eligibility	Procedures to apply
  HDP for Toxic Pesticides	Section 6-1.	Section 8-1.
  HDP for Virus/Bacteria	Section 6-2.	Section 8-1.
  HDP for Flight Pay	Section 6-3.	Section 8-2.
  HDP for Dive Pay	Section 6-4.	Section 8-3.
  Hostile Fire Pay (HFP)	Section 6-5.	Section 8-4.
  Imminent Danger Pay (IDP)	Section 6-5.	Section 8-5.

  Can I receive HDP for multiple hazardous duties performed in the same pay period?

  Yes. An officer may receive up to three separate HDP payments for assignment to duties related to: toxic pesticides, dangerous viruses and bacteria, non-crew flights, and diving. An officer can receive HDP concurrently with either Hostile Fire Pay (HFP) or Imminent Danger Pay (IDP), but not both. (See CCD 151.07, Sections 6-2. through 6-5.)

  I was deployed to work in a hospital in response to a viral pandemic for 29 days plus 2 days of travel to and from the deployment site. Can I receive HDP-Viruses/Bacteria for this deployment?

  No. An officer must be assigned to qualifying duties for a minimum period of 30 consecutive days, not including travel time. The 30 days begins when the officer reports to the actual location (e.g., lab, hospital) to perform the duties that satisfy the eligibility. The duties must relate directly to the viral or bacterial pandemic response.

  Do officers qualify for HDP only while on deployment/temporary duty (TDY)?

  No. Officers whose primary duties meet the eligibility criteria outlined in Section 6. may also receive HDP (see Section 8-1.a.).

  What are the USPHS Commissioned Corps rates for HDP-Flight Pay?

  The USPHS Commissioned Corps does not set HDP-Flight Pay rates. The officer will receive the HDP-Flight Pay rates established by the Operational Division (OPDIV)/Staff Division (STAFFDIV)/non-HHS organization for which the officer conducts flight duty.

  I flew a total of 3 hours in September. Can I receive HDP-Flight Pay for these hours?

  No, an officer must conduct a minimum of four non-crew flight hours per month to receive HDP-Flight Pay. However, CCI 642.01 allows officers to apply previous hours flown during the last 5 preceding months, that have not already been used to qualify for HDP-Flight Pay, to qualify for the 4-hour requirement (see Section 6-3.a.) For example, if an officer flew 2 hours in June and 2 hours in July, the officer would receive HDP-Flight Pay in July only.

  How do I know if I am assigned to an Imminent Danger Pay (IDP) location?

  Officers can refer to the Financial Management Regulation, Volume 7A, Chapter 17 for a full list of qualifying IDP locations as the Secretary of Defense has the legal authority to determine IDP locations.

  I served at an IDP location for 3 days. Can I receive IDP for this service?

  Yes, there is no minimum day requirement for IDP. The policy authorizes the officer to receive IDP on a daily prorated basis for 1/30^th of the monthly rate.

  While deployed in an IDP location, my unit was in close proximity to an explosion. Can I receive both IDP and Hostile Fire Pay (HFP)?

  No. An officer cannot receive IDP and HFP concurrently. The officer could receive IDP for the eligible days prior to the date of the explosion and then HFP for the date of the explosion and up to three months of qualifying hospitalization.

  CCI 642.03, "Special Duty Pay”

  How is Special Duty Pay (SDP) different from Hazardous Duty Pay (HDP)?

  HDP is authorized for duties performed in a hazardous setting, as defined in CCI 642.01, while SDP is authorized for specialized duties, as defined in CCI 642.03.

  What types of SDP does CCI 642.03 cover?

  This Instruction authorizes SDP for officers assigned to crew member flights, career sea duties, and designated Hardship Duty Pay locations.

  	Eligibility	Procedures to apply
  Aviation Incentive Pay (AIP)	Section 6-1.	Section 8-2.
  Career Sea Pay (CSP)	Section 6-2.	Section 8-3.
  Hardship Duty Pay-Location	Section 6-3.	Section 8-4.

  Can I receive payment for multiple special duties performed in the same pay period?

  Yes. An officer may receive any Special Duty Pay concurrently with other pays. However, some restrictions apply, see CCI 642.03, Sections 6-1.d and 6-3.c.

  I was deployed to ship duty for a ship docked outside the continental United States. When will my Career Sea Pay (CSP) begin?

  Since the USPHS Commissioned Corps will not credit time for sea duty nor pay CSP to officers enroute to or from ships outside the continental United States or when onboard a ship for transportation purposes (see Section 6-2.c.). The CSP will begin the day the officer reports to the ship for duty, provided the ship is not at its home port.

  What are the rates for CSP?

  The USPHS Commissioned Corps does not set CSP rates. The CSP rates established by the OPDIV/STAFFDIV/non-HHS organization where the ship is maintained.

  How do I know if I am assigned to a Hardship Duty Pay location?

  Officers can refer to the Financial Management Regulation, Volume 7A, Chapter 17 for a full list of qualifying Hardship Duty Pay locations.

  I am eligible for the Hardship Duty Award, can I also qualify for Hardship Duty Pay-Location?

  There are separate legal authorities for awards and pay. The two are not connected, so receiving one does not affect your ability to qualify for the other; you must qualify separately.

  TYPES OF HAZARDOUS AND SPECIAL DUTY PAYS

  TYPES OF HAZARDOUS AND SPECIAL DUTY PAYS
  	AUTHORITY	SUMMARY	EXAMPLE
  HDP-Toxic Pesticides	37 U.S.C. § 351(a)(2)	Provided to officers with duties in entomology, pest control, pest management, or preventative medicine functions where the primary duties involve application of certain fumigants	An officer is deployed to work in a laboratory where the use of phosphine is part of their primary duties
  HDP-Viruses/Bacteria	37 U.S.C. § 351(a)(2)	Provided to officers with duties that involve laboratory work that utilizes live dangerous viruses and bacteria, or duties related to the response to an urgent or emergency public health care need that the Secretary states was caused by a virus or bacteria	An officer is deployed to assist with patient care in an Indian Health Services hospital due to a recent COVID-19 surge
  HDP-Flight Pay	37 U.S.C. § 351(a)(2)	Provided to officers with non-crew member flight duties	An officer is assigned as a flight nurse while assisting the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement with a deportation
  HDP-Dive Pay	37 U.S.C. 351(a)(2)	Provided to officers with diving duties	An officer is assigned as a diving instructor for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Diving Program
  Hostile Fire Pay (HFP)	37 U.S.C. 351(a)(1)	Provided to officers with duties that place them directly or in proximity to hostile fire	An officer is deployed to respond to an emergency public health care need in a country facing civil unrest and the officer’s unit is in close proximity to a hostile explosion
  Imminent Danger Pay (IDP)	37 U.S.C. 351(a)(3)	Provided to officers with duties that place them in a designated IDP location	An officer is deployed to respond to an emergency public health care need in Colombia
  Aviation Incentive Pay (AIP)	37 U.S.C. 334(a)	Provided to officers with crew member flight duties	An officer is assigned as a flight surgeon while assisting the U.S. Coast Guard with the transportation of a detainee
  Career Sea Pay (CSP)	37 U.S.C. 352(a)	Provided to officers with duties that are ship or ship-based	An officer is permanently assigned to a NOAA ship to perform duties related to marine medicine
  Hardship Duty Pay-Location	37 U.S.C. 352(a)	Provided to officers with duties that place them in a designated Hardship Duty Pay-Location	An officer is deployed to respond to an emergency public health need in Liberia

  Last Updated: 7/26/23
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