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BEAR program updates
The Bonus Extension and Retraining program was updated Feb. 20 for soldiers in overstrength military occupational specialties who retrain and re-classify in a shortage MOS. Soldiers serving under the BEAR program may have up to 24 months of previously obligated service forgiven, provided they re-enlist for the Regular Army re-up option within 90 days after completing MOS training.
Critical skills option
Soldiers who extend under the provisions of the BEAR program and who hold a critical skill (see Table 1) may be entitled to a lump-sum bonus as follows:
12-23 mos. 24-35 mos. 36-47 mos. 48-59 mos. 60+ mos.
Zone A
Pfc. $2,000 $3,000 $4,500 $6,000 $7,500
Spc. $3,000 $4,000 $5,000 $6,500 $8,500
Sgt. $4,000 $5,000 $6,000 $8,000 $10,500
Staff sgt. $5,000 $6,000 $8,000 $10,500 $12,500
 
Zone B
Sgt. $5,000 $7,000 $8,000 $11,000 $14,000
Staff sgt. $6,000 $8,000 $11,000 $14,000 $16,000
 
Zone C
Spc. $2,000 $3,500 $5,000 $6,500 $8,500
Sgt. $3,000 $4,500 $6,000 $8,000 $10,500
Staff sgt. $4,000 $5,000 $7,500 $10,500 $12,000
 
Table 1: Critical skills
The following MOSs are designated as critical skills for the BEAR program:
MOS Description/Rank SRB Zone
13R Field artillery firefinder radar operator (E-3 through nonpromotable E-4) A and B
14S Air/missile defense crew member (E-3 through nonpromotable E-4) A and B
15J OH-58D armament/electrical/avionics system repairer (E-3 through nonpromotable E-4) A and B
21Y Geospatial engineer (E-3 through promotable E-4) A, B and C
25N Nodal network operator-maintainer (E-3 through nonpromotable E-4) A and B
25P Microwave systems operator-maintainer (E-3 through promotable E-4) A, B and C
25U Signal support systems specialist (E-3 through promotable E-4) A, B and C
46R Public affairs broadcast specialist (promotable E-4 through E-5) A, B and C
88M Motor transport operator (E-3 through nonpromotable E-4) A and B
92F Petroleum supply specialist (E-3 through promotable E-5) A, B and C
 
Special critical skills option
Soldiers who extend under the provisions of the BEAR program and who reclassify to a special critical skill (see Table 2) may be eligible for a bonus as follows:
12-23 mos. 24-35 mos. 36-47 mos. 48-59 mos. 60+ mos.
Zone A
Pfc. $3,000 $5,000 $8,000 $10,000 $12,500
Spc. $6,000 $8,000 $10,000 $12,500 $16,000
Sgt. $8,000 $9,500 $11,000 $13,500 $18,000
Staff sgt. $9,500 $11,000 $13,500 $17,500 $20,000
 
Zone B
Spc. $6,000 $8,500 $10,000 $13,000 $17,500
Sgt. $8,000 $10,000 $12,000 $14,000 $18,500
Staff sgt. $9,500 $12,000 $14,000 $18,500 $21,000
Zone C
Spc. $8,000 $10,000 $12,000 $14,000 $18,500
Sgt. $9,500 $12,000 $14,000 $18,500 $21,000
Staff sgt. $11,000 $15,000 $17,500 $23,000 $27,000
 
Table 2: Special critical skills
MOS Description/Rank SRB Zone
09L Interpreter/translator (E-5 through E-6) A, B and C
13D Field artillery automated tactical data specialist (E-3 through nonpromotable E-4) A and B
18B Special Forces weapons sergeant (E-4 through E-7) A, B and C
18C Special Forces engineer sergeant (E-4 through E-7) A, B and C
18D Special Forces medical sergeant (E-4 through E-7) A, B and C
18E Special Forces communications sergeant (E-4 through E-7) A, B and C
18F Special Forces assistant operations and intelligence sergeant (E-7 only) A, B and C
21P Prime power production specialist (E-4* through promotable E-5) A, B and C
25Q Multichannel transmission systems operator-maintainer (E-3 through E-5) A, B and C
25S Satellite communications operator-maintainer (E-3 through nonpromotable E-4) A and B
35H Common ground station analyst (E-3 through nonpromotable E-4) A and B
35L Counterintelligence agent (E-5 through E-6) A, B and C
35M Human intelligence collector (E-6 only) A, B and C
35N Signals intelligence analyst (E-3 through E-6) A, B and C
35P Cryptologic linguist (E-3 through E-6) A, B and C
37F Psychological operations specialist (E-4 through E-6) A, B and C
38B Civil affairs specialist (E-4 through E-7) A, B and C
68W Health care specialist (E-3 through nonpromotable E-4) A and B
89D Explosive ordnance disposal specialist (E-3 through promotable E-4) A, B and C
*Note: Specialists must meet the criteria of the Special MOS Alignment Promotion Program and be qualified to be promoted to sergeant before re-enlistment.