DISCRETION OF SECRETARY OF DEFENSE TO AUTHORIZE RETROACTIVE HOSTILE FIRE AND IMMINENT DANGER PAY.

SEC. 636. DISCRETION OF SECRETARY OF DEFENSE TO AUTHORIZE RETROACTIVE HOSTILE FIRE AND IMMINENT DANGER PAY. Section 310(c) of title 37, United States Code, is amended—(1) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as paragraphs (2) and (3), respectively; and(2) by inserting before paragraph (2), as so redesignated, the following new paragraph (1):“(1) In the case of an area described in subparagraph (B) or (D) of subsection (a)(2), the Secretary of Defense shall be responsible for designating the period during which duty in the area will qualify members for special pay under this section. The effective date designated for the commencement of such a period may be a date occurring before, on, or after the actual date on which the Secretary makes the designation. If the commencement date for such a period is a date occurring before the date on which the Secretary makes the designation, the payment of special pay under this section for the period between the commencement date and the date on which the Secretary makes the designation shall be subject to the availability of appropriated funds for that purpose.”.119 STAT. 3301