CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia National Guard has released details on how soldiers serving in support of Operation Lone Star are compensated.
Around 50 Guard members volunteered for border patrol duty, assisting the Texas National Guard. They are currently there.
The Guard put out information about their pay in a Thursday afternoon news release.
The Guard said while on state active duty, National Guard members receive a minimum daily pay of $100. The policy provides the lowest-ranking member on any SAD deployment with a daily pay of $100.
Operation Lone Star is different from the typical deployment. The lowest-ranking soldiers are receiving $140.00 per day in base pay and benefits. For the duration of the 37-day deployment, that totals $5,180.00 for the mission. Some enlisted soldiers in the upper ranks are earning up to $254.73 per day, or a total of $9,425.01, and our highest-ranking members of the officer corps are making $377.53 per day, or a total of $13,968.61.
According to a news release from the WVNG, U.S. Census data reports the average annual income for West Virginians is $28,761.00, or $2,396.75 per month. For Operation Lone Star, the lowest-ranking members on the deployment are earning $5,180.00 per month. On an annual basis, that would total $62,160.00, while also receiving free meals and lodging.
In addition to base pay, lodging, and meal benefits while on deployment in Texas, Operation Lone Star soldiers receive per diem compensation for seven days (6 days full per diem, 1 day partial) and travel mileage from and to the home of record.
“While the total compensation package being provided to some of our Soldiers and Airmen may not equal that of some other state Guard units deployed in support of Operation Lone Star, we are providing everything we can for our troops within the limitations of the State Code of West Virginia and applicable DoD pay and allowance regulations,” stated Adjutant General Bill Crane. “We are incredibly proud of the men and women of our One Guard family who stepped up and volunteered for this critical mission, and we know they are serving and representing our state with honor and valor.”
Prior to deployment for Operation Lone Star, soldiers received written and verbal information during the Joint Reception, Staging, Onward Movement, and Integration (JRSOI) briefings about pay and benefits they would be eligible for while on SAD status. The information included details about the first paycheck for the mission to be administered on August 25, 2023, and that no member would receive less than $100 per day during deployment. The first paycheck includes the initial two-week service window and an additional week for processing through the state pay system. Additionally, pay and benefits information is being provided to all deployed members to individually address any issues or concerns they may have before the conclusion of Operation Lone Star.