Members of the U.S. Coast Guard will receive a one-time payment of $2,000 this month, designated as a “Devotion to Duty” payment. Announced on Thursday, the bonus recognizes the service’s commitment during a demanding year marked by significant operational challenges, including heightened migrant and drug interdictions, increased Arctic patrols, and rapid acquisitions of new ships and aircraft.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem praised the Coast Guard’s achievements, stating, “Under President Trump’s leadership, the U.S. Coast Guard has been defending our maritime borders, stopping the flow of deadly narcotics and illegal immigration into our country and countering America’s adversaries in the Western Hemisphere and around the world.” She emphasized the service’s “tremendous dedication, bravery and innovation” in accomplishing their missions.
The $2,000 payment is $224 more than what other branches of the military will receive through a similar initiative known as the “Warrior Dividend.” However, unlike the Department of Defense’s payments, which are associated with housing subsidies, the Coast Guard’s bonus will be subject to taxes. As a result, members are expected to receive approximately $1,776 after taxes.
The funding for this payment will come from the Coast Guard’s allocation in the Fiscal Year 2026 continuing resolution, a funding bill signed into law on November 12, 2023, which ended the recent government shutdown. While officials have not disclosed the specific account from which the funds will be drawn, the Department of Defense’s payments have been linked to housing subsidies as outlined in legislation passed on July 4.
Eligibility for the Devotion to Duty payment extends to all active-duty Coast Guard members at the rank of captain and below who remain on duty through the end of December. Reserve members on active duty for 31 or more consecutive days as of December 31, 2023 will also qualify. Notably, cadets at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and service members not entitled to basic pay are excluded from this bonus.
Additionally, Coast Guard members have the option to opt-out of the payment by notifying their service via email by January 31. Those who choose to opt-out will still receive the payment, but it will be recouped subsequently.
The announcement and details surrounding the bonus reflect the U.S. Coast Guard’s recognition of its personnel’s hard work and dedication during a period of significant operational demands and challenges.
