Pentagon to give troops day off instead of cash for frequent tours

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Pentagon said on Wednesday it would give U.S. troops time off rather than cash bonuses when deployed more frequently than expected, but insisted the decision was not linked to budget woes.

"The budgets and constraints on the budgets were not binding or determinative in this," said Michael Dominguez, the Defense Department's principal deputy under secretary for personnel. "We weren't concerned about the budget"...

Under the new Pentagon policy, active-duty troops will get one day off for every month troops are deployed early. The number of days off increases as other thresholds are met.

Troops already receive $1,000 in extra pay for each month of extended deployment beyond one year. That compensation program continues.

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