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Bigger recruit bonuses kick in Tuesday

The Army has increased the ceiling for some enlistment bonuses, while offering special seasonal bonuses of up to $15,000 for recruits who ship to basic training on short notice.

Changes to the Enlistment Bonus program for the active component take effect Tuesday and apply to the inventory of bonus specialties announced May 11.

Standard enlistment bonuses are available to qualified applicants with no military service or fewer than 180 days of active federal service, and who score in the top 50 percent of the armed forces entrance exam.

Under the May 24 changes, the total bonus amount for two-year enlistments increased from $6,000 to $15,000, and for a three-year enlistment from $10,000 to $25,000.

The ceiling for enlistments of four, five or six years remains $40,000.

Initial bonus payments will be made upon completion of specialty training and arrival at a soldier’s first duty station, and will not exceed $10,000.

The remainder of the bonus will be paid in annual increments over the length of the enlistment.

Soldiers who do not complete their initial term of service must refund any unearned portion of their bonus.

Seasonal bonuses of $3,000 to $15,000 are available to qualified applicants who enter service to fill priority training seats as determined by the “Request” training reservation system used by recruiters.

Seasonal bonuses are for new contracts (no delayed-entry program applicants), but may be combined with other recruiting incentives.