The U.S. Army is restructuring its paid parachutist positions to sharpen its warfighting edge, focusing training and resources on critical forces to strengthen operational proficiency and effectiveness. This change supports the Army’s ongoing transformation efforts to concentrate resources on decisive capabilities.
The decision follows a 16-week comprehensive study initiated last year, which determined the previous structure significantly exceeded operational requirements and detracted from the readiness of airborne Soldiers where it was needed most. Unit authorizations for personnel and equipment have been updated for fiscal year 2026 to reflect this new structure. Pay adjustments for affected Soldiers will take effect October 1, 2025.
More than 22,000 airborne positions have been reclassified as ineligible for jump pay. Soldiers in these roles will no longer participate in airborne training or operations at their assigned units and will no longer receive hazardous duty incentive pay.
However, Soldiers qualified as static-line parachutists and serving in designated airborne roles will see a $50 increase to their monthly hazardous duty incentive pay, bringing their total parachutist pay to $200. Qualified Jumpmasters serving as jumpmasters will also receive a newly approved special duty assignment pay of $150 per month, beginning October 1.
The Army will continue to train Soldiers from across the force at the U.S. Army Airborne School to maintain airborne-qualified personnel in our broader formations. These Soldiers remain critical to filling airborne authorizations and sustaining ready and lethal airborne units.
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