Defense secretary announces pay raises for Army paratroopers: 'We have you and your families in mind'

In a speech Thursday in North Carolina to soldiers of the nd Airborne Division Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth pledged to restore what he called the U S military s warrior ethos and stated pay raises for paratroopers Speaking during All American Week at Fort Bragg Hegseth laid out President Donald Trump's vision focused on combat readiness merit-based standards and assets in the American warfighter We re going to bring it back to the basics Hegseth explained We re going to restore the warrior ethos and we are across our formations a standard that s set here every single day According to the Department of Defense Hegseth used the occasion to announce an increase in hazardous duty incentive pay known as jump pay It will rise from to per month for paratroopers and for the first time jumpmasters will receive an additional on top of their existing pay SECRETARY OF THE ARMY DAN DRISCOLL ARMY UNVEILS MODERNIZATION PLAN BECAUSE NO LOBBYIST EVER WON A WAR' For the first time in years we are increasing jump pay Hegseth declared Not only are we increasing jump pay but jumpmasters are going to receive an additional a month in incentive pay He added Here s to our paratroopers our jumpmasters who do the intricate things in demanding places that majority of Americans can never imagine Hegseth stated the crowd that troops remain the focus of every major Pentagon decision Inside the corridors of the Pentagon you are on our minds with the decisions we make in budgets in planning in deployments in orders in reorganizations We have you and your families in mind HEGSETH ORDERS REVIEW OF MILITARY FITNESS AND GROOMING STANDARDS 'OUR ADVERSARIES ARE NOT GROWING WEAKER'In his remarks Hegseth shared a core defense strategy promoted by Trump prioritize readiness reject identity politics and reassert American deterrence We will focus on readiness on training on warfighting on accountability on standards Black white male female doesn t matter We re going to be colorblind and merit-based warfighters just like you are here in the nd This return to fundamentals Hegseth argued is necessary to rebuild the force and deter growing global threats President Trump is committed to historic investments inside our formations Our promise to you is that when the nd Airborne is deployed you will be equipped better than any other fighting force in the world Drawing a contrast with prior administrations Hegseth referenced global instability including the war in Ukraine the Oct terrorist attack on Israel and the U S withdrawal from Afghanistan Unfortunately for a number of years the world watched and wondered where American leadership and American strength was he noted By putting America first we will reestablish peace through strength Hegseth closed by honoring the legacy and future of the nd CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Like those who came before you you keep showing the world the stuff you re made of Because we know you are ready for the major work that lies ahead The Army office of Masses Affairs did not right now return Fox News Digital's request for comment