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Enlistment bonuses boosted for all MOSs

The Army has boosted enlistment bonuses for all military occupational specialties and will continue, at least through December, to pay up to $20,000 to recruits who agree to report to basic training within 30 days of enlistment. Recruits can combine bonuses, but the maximum payout remains $40,000.

Under the new enlistment bonus level, for example, a recruit who signs up to be a truck driver (88M) for a six-year term can earn $35,000, plus another $5,000 if he ships to basic training in 30 days.

The 88M MOS is one of several Level I MOSs included in the new enlistment bonus schedule. The other Level I MOSs are 13D (field artillery automated tactical data system specialist), 18X (Special Forces recruit), 25U (signal support systems specialist) and 92F (petroleum supply specialist).

Level I and II MOSs qualify for $20,000 seasonal bonuses. Level 3 MOSs are worth $15,000 in seasonal bonuses, while jobs in Levels 4 through 8 are worth $6,000 for recruits who ship within 30 days.

Recruits in all MOSs who ship in 31 to 60 days can earn $3,000.

Deferred enlistment

Another program introduced Oct. 1 is the deferred enlistment bonus for high school seniors who enlist and enter the delayed entry pool.

The DEP consists of recruits who have enlisted but have not shipped to basic training. They have up to a year to ship, and recent efforts to meet immediate recruiting goals have depleted the DEP.

The new bonus program is for seniors who enlist in any MOS for three or more years and score in Categories I-IIIB on the aptitude test. They will receive $1,000 for each month or part of a month served in the DEP, for a maximum of 13 months.

An additional $1,000 is added to the total amount when the recruit receives his high school diploma, which means participants in the program could earn up to $14,000.

They cannot, however, combine this program with a seasonal bonus, and recruits who fail to graduate or ship to basic on their contracted date will lose their bonus.

Soldiers already in the DEP will have their deferred enlistment bonus calculated from Oct. 1 until their active duty date.

Other bonuses available to recruits include money for applicants with civilian acquired skills or college credits or completed degrees.