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Hours after President Donald Trump announced that U.S. military members would receive a one-time payment for their duty and service, the Coast Guard is doing the same.
U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Wednesday authorized “Devotion to Duty” payments to recognize Coast Guard members’ “exceptional service and success in 2025.” The one-time $2,000 Special Duty Payment is said to be an acknowledgement of members’ “tremendous dedication, bravery and innovation” demonstrated throughout what Noem described as a year of transformation for the Coast Guard.
The payment is estimated to be about $1,776 after taxes, a USCG spokesperson told Military.com. These payments were purposefully announced at the same time as one-time “Warrior Dividend” payments. USCG said Coast Guard members are receiving the “Devotion to Duty” payment in lieu of the “Dividend.”
“The men and women of the U.S. Coast Guard have demonstrated unparalleled heroism this year as the service transforms to meet the demands of the 21st century and ‘Make America Safe Again,’” Noem said in a statement. “Under President Trump’s leadership, the U.S. Coast Guard has been defending our maritime borders, stopping the flow of deadly narcotics and illegal immigration into our country, and countering America’s adversaries in the Western Hemisphere and around the world— and they’ve been shattering records in the process.
“I am so proud of what our Coast Guard has achieved this year. We want to show our country’s profound appreciation for their devotion to duty and the countless sacrifices they make to protect our nation.”
Who Is Receiving Payments, And When
USCG told Military.com that the one-time payments are all being distributed before Christmas, with some payments already distributed as of Dec. 18. These payments will be taxed.
“The men and women of the U.S. Coast Guard have demonstrated unparalleled heroism this year as the service transforms to meet the demands of the 21st century and ‘Make America Safe Again.’”
The “Devotion to Duty” payments will adhere to the following eligibility requirements:
- Active duty Coast Guard members in paygrades O-6 and below who are on active duty through Dec. 31, 2025.
- Cadets are not eligible.
- Service members not entitled to basic pay are not eligible.
- Reserve service members on active duty for 31 or more consecutive days as of Dec. 31, 2025.
USCG added that the terms and eligibility requirements for this payment mirror those used for the “Warrior Dividend.”
“The secretary’s [Noem] announcement is a powerful affirmation of what our leadership team witnesses every day: the unwavering dedication of the Coast Guard workforce,” Acting Vice Commandant Admiral Tom Allan said in a statement. “The performance of our members—on the water, in the air, and at our shore units—is the very bedrock of our nation’s maritime security.”
‘Warrior Dividend’ Promise
Noem’s announcement comes on the heels of her boss’ promise, made during a national televised speech on Wednesday evening, to dole one-time $1,776 “Warrior Dividend” payments to all U.S. service members.
Trump said “nobody deserves” the payments more than the troops.
On Thursday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said in a video posted on social media that the “Warrior Dividend” payments will be tax-free and issued to more than 1.45 million service members “in the coming days.”
“This has never happened before, every member of our military from E-1 to O-6,” Hegseth said.
UPDATED: This story was updated with comments from USCG.
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12 Comments
The ‘Devotion to Duty’ payment is a well-deserved recognition of the sacrifices that Coast Guard members make to protect our nation, and I think it’s a great way to show our country’s appreciation for their service.
The fact that the ‘Devotion to Duty’ payment is being given to recognize Coast Guard members’ ‘tremendous dedication, bravery and innovation’ demonstrates the high level of respect and appreciation that the government has for their service.
I’m skeptical about the timing of the ‘Devotion to Duty’ payment, which is being distributed before Christmas, and whether it’s more of a political move than a genuine recognition of Coast Guard members’ service.
The ‘Devotion to Duty’ payment is a great morale booster for Coast Guard members, and I think it will have a positive impact on their motivation and dedication to their work.
I’m interested in knowing more about the ‘transformation’ of the Coast Guard that Secretary Noem mentioned, and how the ‘Devotion to Duty’ payment fits into this larger context.
I’m curious to know how the ‘Devotion to Duty’ payment will be taxed, as the article mentions it will be estimated to be about $1,776 after taxes, and how this will affect the take-home pay for Coast Guard members.
The one-time $2,000 Special Duty Payment, also known as the ‘Devotion to Duty’ payment, is a well-deserved recognition of Coast Guard members’ exceptional service and success in 2025, and I’m glad to see it being distributed before Christmas.
The fact that the ‘Devotion to Duty’ payment is being given in lieu of the ‘Warrior Dividend’ payment raises questions about the differences between the two and why the decision was made to replace one with the other.
Perhaps the ‘Devotion to Duty’ payment is more tailored to the specific needs and achievements of Coast Guard members, whereas the ‘Warrior Dividend’ is more general.
The eligibility requirements for the ‘Devotion to Duty’ payment, which include active duty Coast Guard members in paygrades O-6 and below, seem fair, but I wonder if there are any plans to expand this to other members of the Coast Guard in the future.
It’s possible that the eligibility requirements will be revisited in the future, but for now, it’s a good start to recognize the service of those who are eligible.
As someone with family members in the Coast Guard, I’m grateful for the recognition of their dedication and bravery, and I think the ‘Devotion to Duty’ payment is a great way to show appreciation for their service.