Like other services,
the Army offers monetary incentives to enlist into
Military Occupational Specialties (MOSs or
jobs). This Web page provides a general
reference for various bonus entitlements
currently being authorized in the Army. The
following guidelines outline the various
rules and policies currently in use for the various Army bonuses;
ENLISTMENT BONUSES
:
Entitlement
is based on the enlistment contract the member signs at the time of
recruitment. The bonus entitlement amount is determined by the
Military Occupation Specialty (MOS) selected and number of years
obligated\enlisted for.
REENLISTMENT
BONUSES:
Entitlement
occurs and is based on when the member signs the contract and
actually reenlists. The amount of entitlement is determined by the
bonus multiplier assigned to the MOS held by the member as of the
date of reenlistment, current pay grade\rank, the monthly basic pay
for member's current rank and years of longevity, and the number of
years reenlisted for.
BONUS
EXTENSION AND RETRAINING (BEAR)
BONUS:
Under the
BEAR Program, a member extends for the purpose of learning a new
MOS. The member must usually extend for the school and the SRB
bonus multiplier for the new MOS in effect at the time of the
extension. After the member completes training and has been awarded
the new MOS, he/she reenlists and receives the bonus. Under the
provisions of the BEAR Program, the member may have up to 24 months
of previously obligated extension service waived when computing the
bonus entitlement, provided the reenlistment occurs within 90 days
of graduating from the MOS-producing school.
CAREER
SERVICE BONUS:
Entitlement
is $30,000. The member must have signed an initial contract on or
after August 1, 1986, and can apply at 14 years 6 months of
service. Payment cannot be issued until on or after their 15 year
anniversary date of active duty service. Members can change their
mind, revoke the election up until reaching the 15 year anniversary
date of active duty service. At that point, the decision on file
becomes irrevocable. If initial application is made on or after the
15 year anniversary date of active duty service, initial
application becomes irrevocable as soon as the member signs it.
Entitlement is contingent upon remaining in service on active duty
until a minimum of twenty years active duty service is
achieved.
CRITICAL
SKILLS RETENTION
BONUS:
The effective
date of entitlement is determined by the Retention Branch at Human
Resources Command. It is based on all known service obligations
already in effect for the member. The effective date is specified
in paragraph one of the approval memorandum. It is also the
effective date of the payment. Rules governing this payment are
announced in applicable MIL PER messages and may be viewed in your
servicing military personnel
office.
