I have deployed numerous times to Kosovo, Kuwait and Iraq and have asked this same question.

I am told there is legislation going through congress to have a part of
our pay be nontaxable, however that legislation has been “going through
congress” for several years and thus far no action.

I was told we are such a small group of persons that the folks in
gongress don't worry about us because we are not a large body of
people.

I beg to differ as all DOD and DAC personnel make up a pretty large block of people deploying to Hostile Fire Zones.

One of the DOD personnel I work with was recently killed in a mortar attack in Iraq so I guess we ARE in a hostile fire zone.

Another point is when we do deploy, we are given orders, just like the
soldiers we support and are expected to remain in the Hostile Fire Zone
even if the soldiers are evacuated.