37 U.S.C. § 307a: Special pay: assignment incentive pay

The Secretary concerned may pay incentive pay under this section to a member of a uniformed service who performs service, while entitled to basic pay, in an assignment designated by the Secretary concerned. Incentive pay payable under this section may be paid on a monthly basis, in a lump sum, or in installments. The Secretary concerned may require a member performing service in an assignment designated under subsection (a) to enter into a written agreement with the Secretary in order to qualify for the payment of incentive pay on a monthly basis under this section. The written agreement shall specify the period for which the incentive pay will be paid to the member and, subject to subsection (c), the monthly rate of the incentive pay. The Secretary concerned shall require a member performing service in an assignment designated under subsection (a) to enter into a written agreement with the Secretary in order to qualify for the payment of incentive pay on a lump sum or installment basis under this section. The written agreement shall specify the period for which the incentive pay will be paid to the member and, subject to subsection (c), the amount of the lump sum, or each installment, of the incentive pay. The maximum monthly rate of incentive pay payable to a member on a monthly basis under this section is $3,000. the maximum monthly rate authorized under paragraph (1) at the time of the written agreement of the member under subsection (b)(2); and the number of months in the period for which incentive pay will be paid pursuant to the agreement. the product of (i) a monthly rate specified in the written agreement of the member under subsection (b)(2) (which monthly rate may not exceed the maximum monthly rate authorized under paragraph (1) at the time of the written agreement), and (ii) the number of months in the period for which incentive pay will be paid; divided by the number of installments over such period. If a member extends an assignment specified in an agreement with the Secretary under subsection (b), incentive pay for the period of the extension may be paid under this section on a monthly basis, in a lump sum, or in installments in accordance with this section. A member who enters into an agreement under this section and receives incentive pay under the agreement in a lump sum or installments, but who fails to complete the period of service covered by the payment, whether voluntarily or because of misconduct, shall be subject to the repayment provisions of section 303a(e) of this title . Incentive pay paid to a member under this section is in addition to any other pay and allowances to which the member is entitled. temporary duty performed by the member pursuant to orders; or absence of the member for authorized leave, other than leave authorized for a period ending upon the discharge of the member or the release of the member from active duty. No agreement under this section may be entered into after December 31, 2018 . The Secretary of a military department may pay assignment incentive pay under section 307a of title 37 , United States Code, to a member of a reserve component under the jurisdiction of the Secretary for each month during the eligibility period of the member determined under subsection (b) during which the member served for any portion of the month in a combat zone associated with Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom in excess of 22 months of qualifying service. The eligibility period for a member extends from January 1, 2005 , through the end of the active duty service of the member in a combat zone associated with Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom if the service on active duty during the member’s most recent period of mobilization to active duty began before January 19, 2007 . The monthly rate of incentive pay payable to a member under this section is $1,000. For purposes of this section, qualifying service includes cumulative mobilized service on active duty under sections 12301(d), 12302, and 12304 of title 10, United States Code, during the period beginning on January 1, 2003 , through the end of the member’s active duty service during the member’s most recent period of mobilization to active duty beginning before January 19, 2007 .”