Soldier Fuming Over Changes To Pay, GI Bill

A Colorado Springs soldier is speaking out after a Department of Defense policy change.

He chose to remain anonymous because he is currently in the military and is preparing to deploy later this year, but shared some documentation with KRDO NewsChannel13.

In an email from the soldier’s superiors, it is detailed that military members used to get $225 a month no matter how long they were in a hazardous zone, like Afghanistan. Now, soldiers will only get an additional $ 7.50 a day for the exact number of days spent at the location.

Previously, a soldier would be eligible for a full month’s hazard pay even if they were only there for one day.

However, the soldier we talked to said officers were the only ones likely to take advantage of the old formula, and usually during a change of command.

The changes, which went into effect February 1, will also affect soldiers who use the G.I Bill. Now, housing allowances are prorated too.

So, if a soldier is a full time student, they will not get money for living expenses, like paying rent, when school is out of session.

The soldier we talked to is a full-time student and will be deploying soon, and he said the changes will be creating major problems in his life in and out of the military.

It is important to point out that if a soldier is in a hazard zone for a full month, they will still get the full $225 in hazard pay.