MCO 7220.12R - Special Duty Assignment Pay (SDAP) Program

Scope

MCO 7220.12R establishes the Marine Corps Special Duty Assignment Pay Program. The order assigns responsibilities, defines the SDAP-eligible billets, sets the SD-1 through SD-6 rate structure, and prescribes procedures for designating, paying, and terminating SDAP. The order implements DoDFMR Volume 7A Chapter 8, DODI 1304.27, and 37 USC 307 at the service level.

Audience

• S-1 personnel, IPAC pay clerks, and disbursing technicians processing SDAP transactions.
• Commanders designating billets, certifying continued eligibility, and terminating SDAP for cause.
• Marines serving in designated billets, drill instructor, recruiter, Marine Security Guard, security forces, embassy security, and formal school instructor duty.

Operative content

• Eligibility triggers at the join date per paragraph 4.a(2)(c). The billet must appear on the SDAP-eligible billet list, and the rate level, SD-1 through SD-6, follows the position assessment.
• Annual certification. Commanders at O-5 and above certify the continued qualification of every Marine drawing SDAP, annually during the anniversary month, per paragraph 5.b with MARADMIN 628/20. The Z3 training event code reports the certification, and a missed recertification terminates the pay.
• Continuation rules per paragraph 5.f. SDAP continues through TAD up to 90 days, through leave other than terminal leave, and for one year from first hospitalization under Pay and Allowance Continuation per paragraph 5.f.(7). Turnover continues SDAP for the outgoing Marine up to 90 days per paragraph 5.d.
• Termination per paragraph 5.h. Reclassification out of the SDA-designated MOS terminates SDAP on the reclassification date, documented by command letter to the OMPF. A level reduction or designation termination from higher authority announces 60 days in advance per paragraph 5.g.
• Tax treatment per paragraph 5.i. SDAP is excluded from FICA withholding and subject to federal income tax withholding, paired with Volume 7A Chapter 45.
• The unit runs a monthly SDAP audit, roster against billet authorizations and LES records, with the designation letter signed by the unit commander.

Connection to higher policy

• 37 USC 307. The statutory authority.
• DODI 1304.27. The DoD SDAP framework.
• DoD 7000.14-R DoDFMR Volume 7A Chapter 8. The pay computation and SD-level rules.

Connection to Marine Corps doctrine and lower policy

• MARADMIN 628/20, with 380/14 and 302/17. Certification and program updates riding between revisions.
• MCTFS PRIUM paragraphs 90201 and 90202. The transaction reporting for SDA pay.
• MCO 1326.6. Special duty screening feeding the billets.

Status

Active. The R revision published 2013-08-07 per the MCPEL and remains current. Exceptions to the order route through the chain to DC M&RA. Confirm rate levels against the current MARADMIN before processing, rates move by message.