Several specialties in the field artillery, air defense, communications, military intelligence, medical, supply and electronic maintenance and calibration career fields are eligible for enlistment bonuses of up to $40,000 under recent changes to the Regular Army enlistment incentives program.
The changes primarily are limited to non-prior service applicants who have traditional high school diplomas and who score in the top 50 percent of the armed forces entrance exam.
Included among the changes announced in late-August are updated requirements for the Loan Repayment Program, an enlistment option worth up to $65,000 for top-quality applicants who are paying off college debt.
Qualified applicants can receive a traditional enlistment bonus, or funds under the Loan Repayment Program, but not both.
During the past year, the recruitment of quality young people has become increasingly difficult because of the national economic recovery, which has spurred civilian employment opportunities, and a corresponding decline in the propensity of young people to look to the military when planning for their future.
"There has been a decrease in the proportion of youth who think the military can help them earn money for college and provide for an attractive lifestyle," Maj. Gen. Jeffrey Snow, commander of Army Recruiting Command, recently told Army Times.
Recruiters also are challenged by the fact that fewer than 70 percent of the youth in their target market of 17- to 24-year-olds qualify for military service, either because of legal problems or educational, medical or physical limitations.
Despite the drawdown, which is projected to reduce the size of the active force by 40,000 soldiers by 2018, recruiters are being tasked to enlist about 60,000 young people annually for the Regular Army, and another 17,000 for the Army Reserve.
Recruiters are on track to make this year's Regular Army mission, but could miss the Army Reserve goal by 2,000, according to Recruiting Command projections. The delayed-entry pool, a kind of recruit stockpile for the coming year, is about 7,000 soldier candidates shy of the Army's goal.
Applicants for the Loan Repayment Program must be non-prior service and have top-tier education credentials and entrance exam scores, and agree to enlist for at least three years. For eligible MOS and other details, interested persons should contact an Army recruiter.
This special incentive provides for the repayment by the government of designated portion of an outstanding higher education loan from approved programs, agencies or institutions.
The designated portion paid by the government, including principal and interest, will not exceed one-third of the maximum amount of the applicant's total loan (up to $65,000) or $1,500, whichever is greater for each year of service. More information about LRP is on the MyArmyBenefits site.
For detailed information about the LRP, access http://myarmybenefits.us.army.mil/Home/Benefit_Library/Federal_Benefits_
Page/College_Loan_Repayment_Program_(LRP).html?serv=228
Other updates to the Enlistment Incentives Program include:
- Ranger bonuses of $5000 and $10,000 are available to qualified applicants who successfully complete the Ranger Assessment and Selection Program, and who are assigned to a Ranger unit. For details, contact an Army recruiter.
- MOS 35M (human intelligence collector) is authorized a five-year $30,000 bonus or a six-year $40,000 bonus for applicants who are proficient in these priority languages: Arabic Modern Standard, Arabic Lebanese, Arabic Iraqi, Arabic Egyptian, Arabic Libyan, Arabic Tunisian, Arabic Moroccan, Korean, Russian, Chinese Mandarin and Persian Farsi. The Army also has requirements for 35M soldiers who are airborne-qualified and who speak French.
- Initial bonus amounts will be determined by the Army, but will not exceed $10,000, with the remaining amount to be paid in annual increments over the period of the enlistment contract. Total bonus amounts will not exceed $20,000 for a three-year enlistment, $25,000 for a four-year, $30,000 for a five-year and $40,000 for a six-year enlistment.
- The Army’s Civilian Acquired Skills Program has been suspended.
