SDAP and Assignment Incentive Pay - S-1 Procedural Page

Role and responsibility

The unit commander designates the Marine to the SDAP-eligible billet per MCO 7220.12RMCO 7220.12R and signs the designation letter. The IPAC pay clerk cuts the SDAP transaction in MCTFS through UD-MIPS per MCTFSPRIUMMCTFSPRIUM. The S-1 chief tracks the SDAP roster against the designated billets and runs the monthly audit. The S-1 officer signs by direction on SDAP routing. Higher headquarters (HQMC RFM) sets SDAP eligibility, rate levels, and program scope. AIP designations route through HQMC M&RA for the specific assignment per DoDFMR Vol 7ADODFMR Vol 7A Chapter 15.

Source documents flow from the SDAP designation letter signed by the unit commander per MCO 7220.12R, the gaining unit assignment order, the SDAP-eligible billet identification, the SDAP rate level (SD-1 through SD-6), the AIP assignment designation for AIP-coded assignments per Chapter 15, and the prior MCTFS pay history. SDAP and AIP outputs include the MCTFS pay start, the documented KSD packet, the verified LES at the correct rate, the monthly audit record per MCO 7220.12R, the pay stop on duty change, and the audit trail.

Per MCO 7220.12R, SDAP-eligible billets include drill instructor, recruiter, Marine Security Guard, Marine Corps Security Force, Marine Embassy Security Group, instructor duty at formal schools, and other designated billets. Per DoDFMR Vol 7A Chapter 8, SDAP rates run SD-1 through SD-6 based on position assessment. Per Chapter 15, AIP applies to specific assignments designated by the Secretary of the Navy.

Trigger events

• Marine reports to an SDAP-eligible billet per MCO 7220.12R.
• Marine assignment carries an AIP designation per Chapter 15.
• SDAP-eligible billet vacates triggering pay stop.
• Marine transfers out of the SDAP billet.
• Disciplinary action triggers SDAP termination per MCO 7220.12R.
• Monthly SDAP audit cycle.
• LES surfaces unexpected SDAP rate.
• IGMC audit-internal-controls inspection cycle.

Processing workflow

1. Receive the SDAP designation order or AIP assignment order. The IPAC pay clerk receives from the gaining unit, the chain of command, or the HQMC monitor record.
2. Validate the billet. Per MCO 7220.12RMCO 7220.12R, the billet appears on the SDAP-eligible billet list. Verify the position assessment matches the designation.
3. Determine the SDAP rate level. Per DoDFMR Vol 7ADODFMR Vol 7A Chapter 8 and MCO 7220.12R, the rate runs SD-1 through SD-6 based on position assessment. Drill instructors, recruiters, MSG, and security forces carry distinct rate levels.
4. Validate AIP eligibility. Per Chapter 15, AIP applies to specific Secretary-designated assignments. The unit confirms the assignment carries the AIP code.
5. Build the KSD packet. Stage the designation letter, the gaining unit order, the SDAP rate authority, and the prior MCTFS history.
6. Cut the pay start in UD-MIPS. Per Appendix E and MCTFSPRIUM, submit the SDAP or AIP pay start at the assigned code. Apply the effective date per the report date or billet assumption date.
7. Verify LES. The next LES carries the SDAP or AIP at the correct rate. Discrepancies route to disbursing.
8. Track SDAP duration. Per MCO 7220.12R, SDAP runs while the Marine holds the designated billet. The S-1 chief tracks against the unit roster.
9. Cut the pay stop. On duty change, transfer out of the SDAP billet, qualification loss, or disciplinary action per MCO 7220.12R, cut the pay stop.
10. Run the monthly SDAP audit. Per MCO 7220.12R, the unit audits the SDAP roster against the billet authorizations and the LES records.

Systems of record and forms

Systems

• MCTFS. Holds SDAP and AIP pay records.
• UD-MIPS. Cuts SDAP and AIP transactions per Appendix E.
• LES. Validates pay rate.
• Unit SDAP Roster. Tracks designated Marines and their rates.
• HQMC Monitor System. Sources the SDAP-eligible billet structure.

Forms

• SDAP Designation Letter. Signed by the unit commander per MCO 7220.12R.
• AIP Assignment Order. Per Chapter 15 and Secretary of the Navy designation.
• KSD Packet. Local format documenting eligibility.
• Monthly SDAP Audit Record. Per MCO 7220.12R.
• SDAP Termination Memorandum. Per duty change or disciplinary action.

Common pitfalls

• SDAP paid for a billet not on the eligible list. Per MCO 7220.12RMCO 7220.12R, only designated billets carry SDAP.
• Wrong rate level applied. Per MCO 7220.12R rate schedule, the position assessment drives the rate.
• SDAP continued past billet vacancy. The S-1 cuts the pay stop on departure.
• SDAP termination missing for cause. Per MCO 7220.12R, disciplinary action triggers SDAP termination.
• Monthly audit skipped. Per MCO 7220.12R, the unit audits monthly.
• AIP applied without Secretary designation. Per DoDFMR Vol 7A Chapter 15, AIP requires designation for the assignment.
• Effective date wrong. The effective date flows from the report or billet assumption date per the chapter and the order.
• KSD packet incomplete. Each pay carries supporting documentation.

Decision points

• SDAP rate level. The position assessment drives SD-1 through SD-6 per MCO 7220.12R.
• SDAP versus AIP. SDAP runs against designated billets per MCO 7220.12R. AIP runs against Secretary-designated assignments per Chapter 15. Some Marines hold both for different qualifying assignments.
• Termination timing. SDAP terminates on duty change, transfer, qualification loss, or disciplinary action. The effective date flows from the triggering event.
• Concurrent pay rules. Per DoDFMR Vol 7A Chapter 1 and Chapter 8 cap rules, SDAP runs concurrent with most other special pays. The unit verifies the cap on multiple concurrent pays.

Authority

This sub-page sits under MCO 7220.12RMCO 7220.12R Special Duty Assignment Pay Program and DoDFMR Vol 7ADODFMR Vol 7A Chapter 8 (SDAP) and Chapter 15 (AIP). DODI 1304.27 covers DoD-level SDAP framework. 37 U.S.C. 307 (Special Duty Pay) and 37 U.S.C. 307a (Assignment Pay or Special Duty Pay) set statutory authority. MCTFSPRIUMMCTFSPRIUM covers MCTFS transactions. MCO P1070.12KMCO P1070.12K covers OMPF documentation.

Related references

• MCO 7220.12R. Marine Corps SDAP Program.
• DoDFMR Vol 7A Chapters 8 and 15. Parent DoD SDAP and AIP frameworks.
• DODI 1304.27. DoD SDAP policy.
• 37 U.S.C. 307 and 307a. Statutory authority.
• MCTFSPRIUM. MCTFS transactions.