🎖️ Drill Pay Calculator 2026
Military Reserve & National Guard Pay
Calculate your reserve drill weekend and annual training pay
What is Drill Pay?
🎖️ Drill Pay Explained
Drill Pay (Inactive Duty Training pay) is compensation for Reserve and National Guard members who perform weekend drills. One drill period equals 4 hours of training. A typical drill weekend includes 4 drill periods (2 per day).
Formula: Drill Pay = (Monthly Base Pay ÷ 30) × Number of Drill Periods
Enlisted Ranks
Warrant Officers
Officers
🎖️ Your Drill Pay Estimate
📋 Pay Breakdown
| Component | Calculation | Amount |
|---|
Drill Pay Formulas
Single Drill Period Pay
Drill Weekend Pay
Annual Training (AT) Pay
- Select Your Pay Grade: Enlisted (E-1 to E-9), Warrant (W-1 to W-5), or Officer (O-1 to O-7).
- Enter Years of Service: Longevity affects base pay—more years = higher pay.
- Choose Drill Schedule: Standard is 4 periods per weekend, 12 weekends per year.
- Add Annual Training: Most reservists have 15 days of AT per year.
- Review Results: See per-drill, weekend, and annual pay estimates.
2026 Monthly Base Pay Chart (Selected Ranks)
| Pay Grade | <2 Years | 4 Years | 8 Years | 12 Years | 20 Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E-1 | $2,008 | $2,008 | $2,008 | $2,008 | $2,008 |
| E-4 | $2,597 | $2,878 | $3,010 | $3,010 | $3,010 |
| E-5 | $2,833 | $3,190 | $3,428 | $3,609 | $3,609 |
| E-6 | $3,093 | $3,544 | $3,822 | $4,102 | $4,324 |
| E-7 | $3,578 | $4,062 | $4,389 | $4,635 | $5,065 |
| O-1 | $3,826 | $4,281 | $4,281 | $4,281 | $4,281 |
| O-3 | $4,961 | $5,864 | $6,605 | $7,108 | $7,556 |
| O-5 | $6,418 | $7,573 | $8,248 | $9,015 | $9,775 |
💡 Full 2026 pay tables available at Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS).
Drill Period Confusion Explained
| Term | Duration | Pay | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Drill Period | 4 hours | 1/30 of monthly pay | Basic unit of drill pay |
| MUTA 4 | 2 days | 4 drill periods | Standard drill weekend |
| MUTA 5 | 2.5 days | 5 drill periods | Extended weekend |
| MUTA 6 | 3 days | 6 drill periods | Long weekend drill |
| MUTA 8 | 4 days | 8 drill periods | Maximum weekend type |
| Annual Training | 15+ days | Daily base pay | Active duty pay rate |
Official Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
One drill period = 1/30 of your monthly base pay. For an E-5 with 4 years, that's about $106 per drill period, or $424 for a standard 4-period weekend.
MUTA = Multiple Unit Training Assembly. MUTA 4 is a standard drill weekend with 4 periods (2 per day for 2 days). You're paid for 4 drill periods.
Standard is 12 weekends (48 drill periods) plus 15 days Annual Training. Some units may have more or fewer based on mission requirements.
Yes, drill pay is taxable federal income. However, if your drill is in a combat zone, that pay may be tax-exempt. State tax rules vary.
AT is typically 15 days of active duty training per year. You're paid daily base pay (monthly ÷ 30) plus BAH and BAS if qualified.
Generally no BAH for regular drill weekends. You may receive BAH during Annual Training (30+ consecutive days) or when on active duty orders.
Base pay increases with years of service (longevity). An E-5 with 10 years earns more per drill than an E-5 with 2 years. Pay steps occur at 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, and 26 years.
Yes! Each drill period = 1 retirement point. A standard year (48 drills + 15 AT days + membership) = 78+ points. You need 50 points/year for a "good year" toward reserve retirement.
You won't be paid for missed drills. Multiple unexcused absences can lead to discharge. Notify your unit ASAP if you can't attend—rescheduled drills may be possible.
Yes, federal drill pay is identical for all reserve components (Army Reserve, National Guard, Navy Reserve, etc.). The base pay table is the same.
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Last Updated: January 2026