Diving Duty Pay

Start Here If You Are New to Diving Duty Pay

Diving Duty Pay is the HDIP category for Marines designated as divers performing diving duty. It pays up to $240 per month for Marines maintaining proficiency through frequent and regular dives. The qualifying Marine Corps communities are narrow but well-defined.

This page walks you through Diving Duty Pay from your seat as a General Marine. By the end you will know.

• What qualifies as diving duty for HDIP purposes
• Marine Corps qualifying communities (Reconnaissance, Force Recon, EOD, combat engineers in dive billets)
• The maximum rate ($240/month) and how it interacts with the 3-HDIP-per-month cap
• The lapsed-qualification rule that stops the pay
• Master Diver Skill Incentive Pay (MDSIP) for senior diving billets

Every fact on this page comes from DoD 7000.14-R Volume 7ADoD 7000.14-R Volume 7A Chapter 11 (July 2025) and Title 37 U.S.C.Title 37 U.S.C.

What Diving Duty Pay Is

Per DoD 7000.14-R Volume 7ADoD 7000.14-R Volume 7A Chapter 11 paragraph 2.1, the Secretary concerned is allowed to pay HDIP to Marines required by competent orders to participate in diving duty as part of their primary duty.

Eligibility

Per Chapter 11 paragraph 2.2, a Marine entitled to basic pay is eligible for diving duty HDIP for periods during which they are.

• Assigned by competent orders to the duty of diving.
• Required to maintain proficiency as a diver by frequent and regular dives.
• Either performing diving duty in an assignment where diving is a primary duty, OR meeting proficiency requirements while serving in an assignment that includes diving other than as a primary duty.

Marine Corps Qualification

Per Chapter 11 paragraph 2.4.2, Marines must be designated divers, assigned to diving duty under competent orders, and maintain qualifications for diving.

Common Marine Corps qualifying communities.

• Reconnaissance Marines (MOS 0321) and Reconnaissance officers in qualifying billets.
• Force Reconnaissance.
• EOD Marines (MOS 2336 enlisted, MOS 2305 officer) trained as divers.
• Combat engineers in dive billets (MOS 1371 with secondary diver designation).
• Marine Special Operations Command (MARSOC) Critical Skills Operators with diver qualification.

Maximum Rate

Per Chapter 11 paragraph 2.5.1, diving duty HDIP is paid at a rate of not more than $240 per month.

Specific rates vary by qualification level and Service-specific tables (Tables 11-2 through 11-9 in Chapter 11). The DTMO publishes current rates at the Diving Duty Pay Rates table on DFAS.MIL.

Per Chapter 11 paragraph 2.5.2, Service regulations are not allowed to vary criteria or rates for payment of diving duty HDIP between officers and enlisted Marines.

Three-HDIP-Per-Month Restriction

Per Chapter 11 paragraph 2.7.1, although a Marine is allowed to perform more than three hazardous duties in a month, a Marine is not allowed to receive simultaneous payments for more than three HDIP duties in a month. A Marine receiving diving duty incentive pay is not allowed to receive more than two other HDIP payments from the hazardous duties listed in Chapter 22 (aviation) and Chapter 24 (other than flying).

A common Marine Recon billet draws diving HDIP plus parachute HDIP (military free fall, $225). Total. $240 + $225 = $465/month from two HDIPs. The third HDIP slot remains available for an additional category if the Marine performs and is qualified.

Lapsed Qualification

Per Chapter 11 paragraph 2.7.2, no Marine is entitled to special pay for performing diving duty after diving qualifications have lapsed. Upon requalification, no payments are made for the period of the lapsed qualification.

The qualification lapse is typically tied to medical disqualification (chamber failure, ear/sinus issues), failure to maintain dive currency, or revocation of dive qualification by the school of qualification. The pay stops when the qualification lapses, even if the Marine is still in the dive billet.

Master Diver Skill Incentive Pay (MDSIP)

Per Chapter 11 paragraph 3.0, Master Diver Skill Incentive Pay is a separate incentive for senior diving billets. The Master Diver designation is awarded to senior divers meeting specific years of diving experience, performance, and qualification thresholds.

Authority and Eligibility

Per Chapter 11 paragraphs 3.1 and 3.2, MDSIP is paid to Marines holding the Master Diver designation under specific Service regulations. Marine Corps Master Diver designation criteria are in Service-specific procedures.

Payment

Per Chapter 11 paragraph 3.4, MDSIP is paid in addition to diving duty HDIP for Marines holding both the diving qualification and the Master Diver designation.

Repayment

Per Chapter 11 (cross-referencing Chapter 24 paragraph 2.3.3 and Volume 7A Chapter 2), a Marine receiving diving duty pay who fails to satisfy eligibility requirements is subject to having the pay terminated. Repayment of overpayment follows Title 37 U.S.C. section 373Title 37 U.S.C. section 373 and DoD FMR Volume 16DoD FMR Volume 16 Chapter 3. The Pay Problems and Fixes page on this site covers the recoupment framework.

Verifying Diving Duty Pay on the LES

A monthly LES check confirms the diving duty entry.

Step 1. Pull Your LES

Through MyPay each payday.

Step 2. Verify the Diving Duty Line

The LES shows diving duty HDIP as a line item under Entitlements. Common abbreviation. HDIP-DIVE or DIV.

If the rate looks low, verify your specific qualification level (the DTMO rate table breaks rates down by qualification, e.g., First Class Diver, Second Class Diver, etc.).

Step 3. Resolve Discrepancies

Coordinate with your S-1. Standard correction routes through the reporting unit (I&I S-1 with direct UD/MIPS access, or a battalion S-1 routing through their PAC) to DFAS Marine Corps Pay.

Common Questions Marines Ask

I am a Recon Marine and I am between dive cycles. Am I still drawing diving pay?

Per Chapter 11 paragraph 2.2, diving duty HDIP requires proficiency through frequent and regular dives. If your unit's dive currency requirements are still met, the pay continues. If you have lapsed qualification (failed to meet currency), the pay stops per paragraph 2.7.2.

I am EOD-qualified and I am drawing demolition pay ($150/month). Can I also draw diving pay if I am dive-qualified?

Yes, subject to the three-HDIP-per-month cap. Per Chapter 11 paragraph 2.7.1 and Chapter 24 paragraph 2.4, you are allowed up to 3 HDIP payments per month. Demolition + diving = 2 HDIPs, which is under the cap.

I lapsed my dive qualification due to a medical issue. Will diving pay restart automatically when I requalify?

The pay stops at the lapse and restarts on the date of requalification. Per paragraph 2.7.2, no back-pay is made for the lapsed qualification period. The reporting unit submits the requalification date to restart the pay.

I am being PCS'd to a non-dive billet. Do I keep my diving pay?

No. Per Chapter 11, diving duty HDIP requires assignment by competent orders to diving duty. PCSing to a non-dive billet stops the pay. The new billet's HDIP profile applies.

What is the difference between diving duty HDIP and Master Diver Skill Incentive Pay?

Diving duty HDIP (paragraph 2.0) is paid for performing diving duty. MDSIP (paragraph 3.0) is paid for holding the senior Master Diver designation. A Master Diver in a diving billet draws BOTH diving duty HDIP AND MDSIP. The two are stackable.

Where to Go for Help

Routing by Issue

• Diving qualification lapse and recovery. The school of dive qualification (typically a Naval Special Warfare or Navy Diving and Salvage Training Center program). Coordinate restart documentation with your S-1.
• Master Diver designation. Service-specific criteria with the school of qualification.
• LES corrections for diving pay. Your S-1 routes through DFAS Marine Corps Pay.
• DFAS Marine Corps Pay direct contact. Phone 1-888-332-7411 (DSN 312-571-9450 from overseas).

Where to Go Next on This Site

• Pay and Entitlements landing page lists all the pay topics.
• Hazardous Duty Incentive Pay covers the parallel HDIP categories (parachute, demolition, flight deck).
• Pay Problems and Fixes covers the recoupment framework if pay continues after qualification lapse.

Related Roles

• Leaders verify Marines' dive qualification status and ensure currency requirements are tracked.
• Admin at S-1 processes diving pay starts, stops, and Master Diver designation upgrades through the reporting unit.
• Commanders certify diving billet assignments and oversee the unit's dive program qualification standards.

Diving Duty Pay recognizes the qualification and the constant proficiency requirement. Maintain currency, work the LES corrections fast if a lapse-and-restart cycle hits, and stack with other HDIP categories up to the 3-per-month cap.