Posted on 12/19/2025 8:35:02 AM PST by Miami Rebel
President Donald Trump's promised one-time $1,776 payment for U.S. service members dubbed a “Warrior Dividend” is being framed as both a financial boost and a symbolic gesture tied to the nation’s founding.
The announcement made Wednesday evening during a nationally televised address immediately sparked questions across the force—not just about the money itself but about who actually qualifies, when it would show up on paychecks, whether it would be taxed, and whether it would affect existing pay and benefits.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, in a video posted Thursday morning on X, said the payments will be tax-free and issued to more than 1.45 million service members "in the coming days." He made a mention of payments being issued before Christmas.
He said the payments provide "a whole new modern meaning" to 1776 and the American Revolution, as well as to the current joint force, praising Trump's "unwavering commitment" for the military.
"This has never happened before, every member of our military from E-1 to O-6," Hegseth said.
In the hours after the speech, similar questions repeatedly surfaced across installations, unit group chats, and military family networks. While Hegseth provided some context regarding the tax aspect, most other questions currently remain unanswered.
Trump said the administration plans to issue a one-time $1,776 payment to roughly 1.4 million active-duty and eligible reserve service members, tying the amount to 1776—the year of American independence.
White House officials have said the payment would apply to service members through the rank of colonel (or Navy captain equivalent), but final eligibility rules have not yet been released by the Department of Defense.
Active-duty service members are expected to be the primary eligible group based on Trump’s remarks and historical precedent.
However, no formal eligibility memo has been released....
(Excerpt) Read more at military.com ...
They raised salaries in 2025 (a lot I think) and set to raise them 3.8% in 2026
My father fought in WWI, was wounded, machine gunshot in the leg, lost his hearing, spent a year in hospital in France, walked with a limp the rest of his life.
He received a BONUS of $60.00.
$296 extra every month not enough to pay that tab? Lol
populism <> conservatism
Work with young military, was joking with them yesterday about the windfall and what they were going to do with it - one was going to buy a new set of irons, others were talking about taking trips to other islands - fun use in my opinion...
Because it is more expensive. Trust me, I realize enlisted struggles, but every officer I know is very well off.
Our son got his, $1,776.00
So thankful!!
He said they were all excited, good for morale!
And, since it’s a Trump proposal it’ll get zero Rat support.
Again,nothing...we were left out of covid money,no children’s tax credits or long paid 6 months off of mommy and daddy to stay home with baby,military service done long ago...
If even as much as 1% of those young servicemembers end up investing the money, however wisely, This Guy would be shocked.
Pleased, but shocked.
For the rest, it’ll definitely be Party On, Garth!, until the $1776 is spent in full.
Party like it’s post-Yorktown 1781.
He deserves it.
Please thank him for us.
Thanks, President Trump! And thanks for the two day work week next week as well. Commanding Officers are only authorized to allow 96 hours liberty so we were all tracking to come to work for a few hours on Christmas Eve. But the president can authorize as much liberty as he wants so now we’re getting Wed-Sun off.
Perspective: I once received a $1,000 award for something or other while working. The government spelled it $800
Let’s hope the President is aware of this theft.
Nah, they should go out and enjoy the windfall - otherwise they end up as an old curmudgeon on an obscure website giving “life advice” ...
Well, hell, at least the local economies near military bases will get a nice boost over the holidays.
Livin’ the dream, D.
Thank you.
-OGINJ
Yeah, that $666 a month was HUGE when I was a butterbar in 1976-1978.
You mean the strip clubs, right? LOL
Sadly yes. L to the OL
“They raised salaries in 2025...”
For 2025, the U.S. military received a 4.5% pay raise for all service members starting January 1, with junior enlisted troops (E-1 to E-4/E-5) getting an additional 10% in April, totaling a significant 14.5% for them, a move designed to boost quality of life and retention. This combined raise provides substantial annual increases, potentially $3,000-$6,000 more for junior ranks, on top of housing/allowances, making it one of the largest pay bumps in recent years. And in previous years this was an open invitation to inflation caused by costs being raised for the little guys.
The good part is the current administration is taking an active approach to lowering inflation and trying to stop the middleman from raising costs for products and goods thus making the new amounts more successful. So using the additional funds for a group success is far more accessible.
wy69
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