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

What HFP and IDP Are

Per 37 USC 31037 USC 310 and DOD FMR Volume 7ADOD FMR Volume 7A Chapter 10, two related pays compensate members exposed to combat or hazardous duty.

Hostile Fire Pay (HFP)

Pay for actually being exposed to hostile fire.

• Applies when member is subjected to hostile fire or explosion
• $225 per 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
• $225 per month (same rate as HFP)
• Activated by area designation, not actual hostile fire exposure

Combined Pay

A member never draws both HFP and IDP simultaneously.

• The pay is structured so member receives one or the other based on situation
• Single $225 per month rate
• Often referred to combined as "HFP/IDP"

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 pay is monthly. One day in the month qualifies for the full $225.

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
• Monthly $225 pay activated

Step 4 - Verify EDFR

Confirm processing within 5 business days.

• HFP/IDP posts at $225
• Member sees pay on next LES

Step 5 - Verify Continuation

During deployment.

• Pay continues monthly
• No partial month adjustment for full month presence
• One-day-in-month standard for monthly payment

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/IDP pays $225 monthly
• CZTE excludes pay from federal income tax
• 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. Partial month confusion. One day in qualifying status earns full $225. Some PAC clerks pro-rate incorrectly.

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 rate matches DOD FMR ($225 standard)
• 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.