Hegseth Boosts Paratrooper Pay, Vows to Restore Military’s Warrior Ethos

In a rousing address to the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth unveiled a boost in pay for Army paratroopers, signaling a renewed focus on the military’s core strength. Speaking during All American Week, Hegseth announced that hazardous duty incentive pay, or jump pay, will jump from $150 to $200 per month. Jumpmasters, the elite trainers of the airborne, will pocket an extra $150 monthly, a first in over two decades.

Hegseth’s speech wasn’t just about dollars. He doubled down on restoring the military’s warrior ethos, emphasizing combat readiness and merit-based standards. "We’re stripping away distractions and getting back to what makes our forces lethal," he declared, promising that President Trump’s vision prioritizes equipping troops better than any fighting force worldwide. The 82nd, he said, sets the bar for this no-nonsense approach.

The Pentagon’s decisions, Hegseth stressed, keep soldiers and their families at the forefront. From budgets to deployments, the focus is on ensuring paratroopers are ready for the toughest missions in the toughest places. He took a swipe at past administrations, pointing to global chaos—like the war in Ukraine and the Afghanistan withdrawal—as evidence of wavering American strength. "We’re done wondering where our leadership is," he said. "America First means peace through strength."

Hegseth’s commitment to a colorblind, merit-driven military resonated with the crowd. "Black, white, male, female—it doesn’t matter. We’re building warfighters, not checking boxes," he said, rejecting identity politics in favor of readiness and accountability. With global threats rising, this back-to-basics strategy aims to reassert U.S. deterrence.

Closing with a nod to the 82nd’s storied legacy, Hegseth honored their grit and readiness. "You show the world what American paratroopers are made of," he said, leaving no doubt that the division’s future missions will be backed by historic investments.