Uniformed Services Pay Act of 1981

(Conference report filed in House, H. Rept. 97-265)

Uniformed Services Pay Act of 1981 - Title I: Pay and allowances - Increases for members of the uniformed services according to specified schedules: (1) the monthly basic pay rate varying by pay grade; (2) the basic allowance for subsistence; and (3) the basic allowances for quarters. Increases the monthly pay for cadets and midshipmen.

Increases hazardous duty incentive pay for enlisted members. Includes within duties entitled to incentive pay any duties involving frequent and regular: (1) participation in flight operations on the flight deck of an aircraft carrier; (2) servicing of aircraft or missiles with highly toxic fuels or propellants; (3) exposure to highly toxic pesticides, bacteria, or viruses; and (4) participation in flight by an officer aboard an airborne warning and control system aircraft (AWACS).

Entitles to continuous, monthly aviation career incentive pay specified officers who continue to frequently and regularly perform operational or proficiency flying duty required by orders of officers with over 25 years of officer service. Limits the total amount of aviation career incentive pay an officer may receive during a specified period.

Excludes time spent as an enlisted member of the Navy when determining incentive pay for officers for the frequent and regular performance of operational submarine duty required by orders. Increases the special pay for diving duty. Permits a member to receive both such special pay and incentive pay for hazardous duty if such member is assigned by orders to perform specified duties. Entitles personnel on two-crewed submarines and other vessels to career sea pay while in off-crew status.

Permits an unserved period of an enlistment to be considered as part of an immediately subsequent term of reenlistment for bonus purposes. Requires that such bonus be paid in periodic installments rather than giving the member the option of lump sum payment. Establishes a bonus for enlistment in the Army. Permits nuclear-qualified officers of the naval service to execute a new active-service agreement for one period of not more than four years as specified. Provides an accession bonus for officer volunteers for the surface naval nuclear program.

Permits the payment of special pay to an officer of an armed force who has been certified by the Secretary concerned as having the technical qualifications for detail to engineering or scientific duty. Sets forth the terms and conditions for receiving such pay.

Limits the payment of travel and transportation allowances to members upon separation from service or release from active duty unless such member has served at least 90 percent of the time such member originally agreed to serve. Exempts members who: (1) retire after 18 or more years of service; (2) are placed on the temporary disability retired list; (3) are separated from the service for a medical condition; (4) had their enlistment period reduced; and (5) are discharged for hardship. Limits the amount of reimbursement to allowances payable for transportation to locations within the 48 contiguous states.

Permits the reimbursement of subsistence expenses incurred by a member of a uniformed service and the member's dependents during a period of up to four days while occupying temporary quarters incident to a change of permanent station. Limits the amount of such reimbursement to $110 a day. Permits the advance payment of departure, dependent transportation and dislocation allowances. Authorizes a member of a uniformed service who is denied leave between two tours of duty overseas because of military necessity to use travel and transportation allowances from his current duty station at the first time the member is granted leave.

Permits the payment of allowances to a member of a uniformed service and authorized dependents serving at a specifically designated duty station abroad for transportation to another location abroad having different social, climatic, or environmental conditions than those at the duty station, or to the United States. Permits the payment of roundtrip transportation expenses for a member stationed overseas and authorized dependents incident to emergency leave granted after reasons of personal emergency. Permits the payment of travel and transportation allowances to a member of a uniformed service performing temporary duty away from his permanent duty station to return to such station or another location.

Entitles members of the Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship Program to an initial uniform allowance. Permits members of such program to be advanced up to one month's pay upon reporting for active duty.

Title II: Miscellaneous Administrative Improvements - Increases the number of Reserve Officers' Training Corps scholarships.

Permits the superintendents of the service academies to nominate up to 50 persons a year for appointment as cadets at their respective academies. Requires that West Point cadets be appointed by the President alone.

Authorizes the Secretary of the Navy to prescribe regulations to carry out his functions, powers, and duties. Eliminates per diem for members of the Naval Research Advisory Committee. Eliminates the date by which a nomination by a member of Congress for a vacancy in the Naval Academy must be submitted.

Increases the amount of reimbursement for quarters for a member of the uniformed service on sea duty deprived of quarters on ship. Extends the period of such reimbursement through fiscal year 1982. Limits the total amount of such reimbursement for fiscal years 1981 and 1982.

Amends the Military Selective Service Act to permit persons over 65 to serve on local draft boards.