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Thousands of captains take cash incentive

More than 7,500 active-duty captains have taken advantage of a new Army incentive program designed to keep more young officers in uniform, according to Human Resources Command.

To date, HRC has paid more than $200 million to these captains and processed more than 7,500 contracts. On average, 150 applications arrive at HRC each day.

Rolled out Sept. 13, the incentives include up to $35,000 in cash, assignment options, graduate school assistance and other education opportunities.

More than 18,000 captains are eligible for these bonuses. Of the 7,500 who responded, 95 percent have chosen the cash option, HRC said. Depending on the branch into which the officer was initially accessed, he or she can qualify for $25,000, $30,000 or $35,000 in exchange for three more years of service.

If a contract is submitted without errors, the cash option typically is approved within 48 hours, and payments are received in an average of seven days, according to HRC. Some officers were paid within 96 hours.

Other incentives depend on factors such as the orders process and duty station availability.

The program is available to captains with dates of rank of April 1, 2002, through Nov. 1, 2007, who entered active duty in the following basic branches: air defense, adjutant general, armor, aviation, chemical, engineer, field artillery, finance, infantry, military police, ordnance, quartermaster, signal and transportation.

Plans are in place to open the program to captains in other year groups later this fiscal year, Army leaders have said.

The incentives also are available to officers in the nurse corps and select categories of the medical service corps who were promoted April 2, 2002, through Nov. 1, 2007. Promotable first lieutenants of the Army Competitive Category who are members of year group 2004 also become eligible when promoted to captain.

The incentives are not available to Reserve officers, warrant officers, members of the special branches or captains who have been primary-zone candidates for promotion to major.

Also ineligible are officers enrolled in college under the Expanded Graduate School Program.