Hostile Fire Pay and Imminent Danger Pay (HFP/IDP)

What HFP and IDP Are

Per 37 USC 35137 USC 351 and DOD FMR Volume 7ADOD FMR Volume 7A Chapter 10, two related pays compensate members exposed to combat or hazardous duty.

Current Rates

MARADMIN 433/26MARADMIN 433/26 sets both rates effective 1 October 2026.

Hostile Fire Pay (HFP)

Pay for being exposed to hostile fire.

• Applies when member is subjected to hostile fire or explosion
• $450 per month, effective 1 October 2026
• Not prorated. One qualifying event earns the full month
• Activated at the moment of hostile fire exposure

Imminent Danger Pay (IDP)

Pay for assignment to designated imminent danger areas.

• Applies when member is assigned to area DOD designates as imminent danger
• $275 per month ceiling, effective 1 October 2026
• Prorated daily against actual time in the area at $9.16 per day
• Activated by area designation, not actual hostile fire exposure

HFP and IDP Carry Different Rates

A member never draws both HFP and IDP for the same month.

• The pay is structured so member receives one or the other based on situation
• The HFP monthly amount exceeds the IDP monthly ceiling by $175
• Often referred to combined as "HFP/IDP" on the LES, but the underlying entitlement is one or the other

Determine HFP or IDP before you determine the rate. Treating the two as interchangeable produces a $175 error every month.

Eligibility for HFP

A member receives HFP when meeting these.

• On active duty
• Subjected to hostile fire or explosion in the performance of duty
• HFP designation by command

The actual exposure is the trigger. Member exposed to hostile fire on a single day in a non-IDP-designated area receives HFP for that month.

Eligibility for IDP

A member receives IDP when meeting these.

• On active duty
• Assigned to a DOD-designated imminent danger area
• Member is in the area for at least one day of the month
• Specific area designation per DOD instruction

The area designation is the trigger. Areas include specific operational zones, embassy posts, and other locations.

DOD-Designated IDP Areas

Per DODI 1340.09DODI 1340.09 and current MARADMINs, areas are designated for IDP based on threat assessment.

• Areas of active military operations
• Specific embassy duty locations with elevated threat
• Specific contingency operations
• Areas with documented hostile activity

The DOD-designated area list updates periodically. Always reference current designations.

When HFP/IDP Pays

The pay activates when.

• Member's location is on the IDP-designated list (IDP)
• Or member is exposed to hostile fire (HFP)
• Member is in qualifying status for at least one day during the month

The two pays compute differently. HFP is not prorated, so a single qualifying event earns the full monthly amount. IDP is prorated daily under MCTFSPRIUM section 90701MCTFSPRIUM, so one day in a designated area earns one day of IDP, not the full month.

Performance Steps for HFP/IDP Processing

Step 1 - Identify Deployment or Assignment

Pull member's orders.

• Identify deployment dates
• Identify deployment location
• Verify location designation (IDP or not)

Step 2 - Verify Designation

Cross-reference DOD-designated IDP list.

• Member location on current IDP list
• Or member experienced hostile fire (HFP)
• Verify command verification

Step 3 - Process UD/MIPS Transaction

Apply HFP/IDP via UD/MIPS.

• Specific transaction code per MCTFSCODESMAN
• Effective date when member entered qualifying status
• HFP posts the full monthly amount. IDP posts the daily prorated amount
• Confirm the rate against the Current Rates table before submitting

Step 4 - Verify EDFR

Confirm processing within 5 business days.

• HFP posts at the full monthly rate for the month
• IDP posts at the daily rate times the days in the designated area
• Member sees pay on next LES

Step 5 - Verify Continuation

During deployment.

• Pay continues monthly
• HFP repeats at the full monthly rate for any month carrying a certified event
• IDP recomputes each month against the actual days in the designated area

Step 6 - Stop at Return

When member returns from deployment.

• Stop HFP/IDP retroactive to last day of qualifying status
• Verify accurate end date
• Process via UD/MIPS

Combat Zone Tax Exclusion (CZTE) Coordination

HFP/IDP often pairs with CZTE for the same area.

• HFP pays the full monthly rate. IDP pays the daily prorated amount
• CZTE excludes pay from federal income tax
• For officers, the CZTE monthly ceiling equals the highest enlisted basic pay rate plus the HFP or IDP the officer draws. The 1 October 2026 increase raises that ceiling
• Different programs but often co-occur
• Each has its own designation and processing

CZTE is detailed in its own page.

HFP/IDP and Other Pays

HFP/IDP coordinates with other deployment pays.

HFP/IDP and HDP-L

• HDP-L for hardship location
• HFP/IDP for combat zone
• Both may apply if location qualifies for both
• Each is independent

HFP/IDP and FSA

• FSA for family separation over 30 days
• HFP/IDP for combat zone
• Both apply during deployment
• Independent allowances

HFP/IDP and CSP

• CSP for sea duty
• HFP/IDP for combat zone
• Both may apply if Marine is on combat-zone sea duty
• Independent allowances

Common HFP/IDP Errors

These hit during PAC processing.

1. HFP/IDP not started at deployment. Member arrived in IDP-designated area but pay never started. Process retroactive start.
2. HFP/IDP continues after return. Member returned from deployment but pay continues. Critical error. Stop retroactive to return date.
3. Wrong location designation. Member at location not on current IDP list. Verify and correct.
4. HFP applied for non-hostile-fire incident. HFP requires actual hostile fire exposure. IDP is the area-based pay. Verify.
5. Proration applied to the wrong pay. HFP is never prorated. One certified event earns the full month. IDP is always prorated daily per MCTFSPRIUM section 90701. Prorating HFP underpays. Paying IDP as a flat month overpays.
6. Prior rate applied to a current month. Both rates changed on 1 October 2026. A service month on or after that date pays $450 HFP or up to $275 IDP.

Audit Implications

HFP/IDP is audit-relevant.

• HFP/IDP after return creates significant overpayment
• Wrong location designation creates pay where none should apply
• Multiple month overpayment compounds quickly
• Coordination with CZTE creates complex audit chains

PAC accuracy on HFP/IDP supports unit audit posture.

Documentation Required

For HFP/IDP actions, PAC needs.

• Deployment orders showing destination
• Command verification of arrival in IDP area
• Command verification of return date
• HFP-specific incident documentation if applicable

Quality Control

Before submitting HFP/IDP transactions.

• Verify location on current IDP-designated list
• Verify deployment dates accurate
• Verify the rate matches the Current Rates table
• Verify HFP posts unprorated and IDP posts prorated against actual days
• Verify start and end dates precise

Coordination Touchpoints

HFP/IDP processing touches.

• Member's deploying unit: For deployment dates and orders
• Combatant Command: For specific deployment IDP designations
• DOD designation lists: For current IDP areas
• DFAS: For pay processing questions

Recent Designation Changes

DOD updates IDP-designated areas based on threat assessments.

• New areas added when threats emerge
• Areas removed when threats diminish
• MARADMINs and DOD instructions document changes
• Always reference current designation when processing

Related Roles

HFP/IDP affects every deploying Marine.

• Marines verify HFP/IDP on LES during deployment.
• Leaders at deploying units track member arrival and return dates for processing.
• Commanders ensure unit deployment processing routes timely to PAC.