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Active-duty military, National Guard, and Reserve members receive their military pay twice a month—on the 1st and 15th.
However, if either payday falls on a weekend or holiday, payments are made on the last business day before the 1st or 15th.
Your Leave and Earnings Statement (LES) is typically available for download through myPay on the DFAS website about 7 days before the official military pay date for each pay period.
Table of Contents
When Does the Military Get Paid?
- Mid-Month Pay – Covers earnings from the 1st through the 15th of the month.
- End-of-Month Pay – Covers earnings from the 16th through the end of the month.
Pro Tip: Always review your Leave and Earnings Statement (LES) from DFAS to confirm your pay, deductions, and entitlements. Staying informed helps avoid surprises and ensures your finances stay on track.
When Does DFAS Issue Military Leave and Earnings (LES) Statements?
The Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) issues Leave and Earnings Statements (LES) twice each month for active duty, National Guard, and Reserve members.
- Mid-Month Military LES Release Dates – Available about 7 days before mid-month pay (around the 7th or 8th of the month).
- End-of-Month Military LES Release Dates – Available about 7 days before the end-of-month pay (around the 23rd or 24th of the month).
Pro Tip: Service members can access their LES statements online through myPay, the DFAS self-service portal. Reviewing your LES regularly helps ensure your pay, deductions, and entitlements are accurate.
What Banks Offer Military Early Pay Options in 2025?
Certain banks and credit unions offer early direct deposit, giving military members access to their pay 1 to 2 business days early, which is a huge benefit for budgeting and cash flow.
Popular banks and credit unions with early direct deposit for military include:
- USAA – Military pay available up to two business days early.
- Service Credit Union – Offers early pay options for military up to two business days early.
- Frontwave Credit Union – Provides early pay options for military up to two business days early.
- Navy Federal Credit Union – Military pay available up to one business day early with a Free Active Duty Checking™ account.
- Armed Forces Bank – Features military early pay, allowing access to funds up to one business day early.
2025 Military Pay Dates and Military LES Dates
| Military Pay Period | Mid-Month Military Pay Day | Military LES Release Date | End-of-Month Military Pay Day | Military LES Release Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 2025 | Jan. 15 | Jan. 8 | Jan. 31 | Jan. 24 |
| February 2025 | Feb. 14 | Feb. 7 | Feb. 28 | Feb. 21 |
| March 2025 | Mar. 14 | Mar. 7 | Apr. 1 | Mar. 25 |
| April 2025 | Apr. 15 | Apr. 8 | May 1 | Apr. 24 |
| May 2025 | May 15 | May 8 | May 30 | May 23 |
| June 2025 | June 13 | June 6 | July 1 | June 24 |
| July 2025 | July 15 | July 8 | Aug. 1 | July 25 |
| August 2025 | Aug. 15 | Aug. 8 | Aug. 29 | Aug. 22 |
| September 2025 | Sept. 15 | Sept. 8 | Oct. 1 | Sept. 24 |
| October 2025 | Oct. 15 | Oct. 8 | Oct. 31 | Oct. 24 |
| November 2025 | Nov. 14 | Nov. 7 | Dec. 1 | Nov. 24 |
| December 2025 | Dec. 15 | Dec. 8 | Dec. 31 | Dec. 24 |
2025 Military LES Dates Calendar (Download or Print)
Click the link or button below to download or print our official 2025 Military LES Dates Calendar PDF:
2025 Military Pay Dates and Military LES Dates: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When does the government pay military members?
Military pay dates are the 1st and 15th of each month. However, if the 1st or 15th falls on a weekend or holiday, pay is deposited on the preceding business day. For 2025, you can refer to the military pay dates and LES calendar above for specific details.
What happens if the 1st or 15th falls on a weekend or holiday?
If the 1st or 15th falls on a weekend or federal holiday, your pay will be deposited on the preceding business day. For example, if the 15th is a Saturday, your pay will be deposited on the previous Friday.
When are military LES available on myPay?
DFAS issues Leave and Earnings Statements (LES) twice each month for active duty, National Guard, and Reserve members. Mid-month LES statements are typically available about 7 days before mid-month pay, around the 7th or 8th of the month. End-of-month LES statements are released about 7 days before the end-of-month pay, around the 23rd or 24th of the month. Service members can access their LES statements online through myPay, the DFAS self-service portal. It’s a good practice to regularly review your military LES to ensure your pay, deductions, and entitlements are accurate.
What banks offer early pay deposits for military members?
Several banks and credit unions offer early direct deposit options in 2025, allowing military members to access their pay 1 to 2 business days early. This benefit helps with budgeting and improves cash flow management. Popular institutions providing early pay options include USAA, which offers military pay up to two business days early, and Service Credit Union, which also allows early pay up to two business days early. Frontwave Credit Union provides similar benefits, offering early pay up to two business days in advance. Meanwhile, Navy Federal Credit Union credits military pay one business day early for members with a Free Active Duty Checking™ account. Armed Forces Bank also features military early pay, enabling access to funds up to one business day early.
What is the official 2025 military pay raise?
Under the newly negotiated National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), U.S. military personnel will see substantial pay increases starting January 1, 2025. Enlisted service members ranked E-4 and below will receive a 14.5% pay raise, while those ranked E-5 and above, including officers, will see a 4.5% increase. Service members can review the Official 2025 Military Pay Chart to determine their updated monthly base pay based on rank and years of service.
About the Author
Brian Reese
Brian Reese is a world-renowned VA disability benefits expert and the #1 bestselling author of VA Claim Secrets and You Deserve It. Motivated by his own frustration with the VA claim process, Brian founded VA Claims Insider to help disabled veterans secure their VA disability compensation faster, regardless of their past struggles with the VA. Since 2013, he has positively impacted the lives of over 10 million military, veterans, and their families.
A former active-duty Air Force officer, Brian has extensive experience leading diverse teams in challenging international environments, including a combat tour in Afghanistan in 2011 supporting Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.
Brian is a Distinguished Graduate of Management from the United States Air Force Academy and earned his MBA from Oklahoma State University’s Spears School of Business, where he was a National Honor Scholar, ranking in the top 1% of his class.
