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.
