When does a service member's entitlement to flight deck pay typically begin?

A service member's entitlement to flight deck pay typically begins upon arrival at a designated flight deck position. This policy reflects the nature of flight deck operations, which require both specialized training and assignment to specific roles within the flight operations environment.

Only after a member has successfully completed the necessary training and has been assigned to a position where they are actively engaged in flight deck operations does the entitlement to flight deck pay take effect. This ensures that the additional pay reflects the responsibilities and risks associated with working on a flight deck, rather than being granted automatically upon enlistment or simply by completing training.

Flight deck pay is intended to compensate service members for the unique challenges and hazards present on an aircraft carrier's flight deck, such as the high noise levels, the need for quick decision-making, and the physical demands of working in close proximity to moving aircraft. Thus, it aligns with military pay policy to grant entitlements based on actual duty assignments and responsibilities.