Last week, in his prime-time address to the nation, President Donald Trump announced that the 1.5 million U.S. military service members would receive a “Warrior Dividend” of $1,776 to both thank them for their military service and to commemorate the 250 years that the U.S. military has been defending the nation.
“Tonight, I am … proud to announce that … 1,450,000 military service members will receive a special, we call, ‘Warrior Dividend’ before Christmas,” Trump said during the White House speech to the nation. “In honor of our nation’s founding in 1776, we are sending every [service member] $1,776.”
Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed that military personnel would receive the bonus.
“1776; as you know, our great nation was founded in the crucible of revolution in that year,” Hegseth said in a video posted to social media. “Now, as we enter the Christmas season, some 250 years later, we are proud to provide ‘1776’ with a whole new modern meeting for our joint force.”
The Coast Guard Will Receive A Devotion of Duty Payment
A day after Trump’s address, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem confirmed that the U.S. Coast Guard personnel would also receive a one-time “Devotion of Duty” payment.
Although the United States Coast Guard is a branch of the United States military, it is one of the eight uniformed services, and it operates under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security during peacetime. It previously operated under the Department of Transportation from 1967 to 2003, and before that was under the Department of the Treasury from its inception.
Coast Guardsmen aren’t eligible for the warrior dividend but will still receive a bonus of approximately $2,000, with an expected take-home pay of approximately $1,776 after taxes. As with the Pentagon’s dividend, it is for active duty and qualifying reservists.
“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,” said Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem.
“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,” Noem added. “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.”
According to DHS, the payments will be processed in December 2025 based on the following eligibility:
- Active duty Coast Guard members in paygrades O-6 and below who are on active duty through December 31, 2025.
- Cadets are not eligible.
- Service members not entitled to basic pay are not eligible to receive the Devotion to Duty Payment.
- Reserve service members on active duty for 31 or more consecutive days as of December 31, 2025.
“The Secretary’s announcement is a powerful affirmation of what our leadership team witnesses every day: the unwavering dedication of the Coast Guard workforce,” added Acting Vice Commandant Admiral Tom Allan. “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. It is a privilege to lead such a talented team of men and women, and we thank the Secretary for this meaningful recognition.”
High-ranking officers Won’t Receive the Warrior Dividend
Much like the Coast Guard’s Devotion of Duty bonus, active duty military personnel in the pay grades of 0-6 and below and on active duty, as well as certain reserve service members, will be eligible for the warrior dividend. With both bonuses, general officers and flag officers won’t be eligible.
The administration has not explained why those with stars on their shoulders are excluded, but the starting pay for an O-7 is around $11,117.70 a month. That pay is supplemented by other allowances, such as the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) and the Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS), which significantly increase total earnings.
