The Army's 2007 Enlistment Bonus Update
Most cash enlistment incentives may also be combined with either the Army’s Loan Repayment Program or the Army College Fund, but not both.
The Army’s cash bonuses include bonuses for choosing a high demand military occupational specialty (MOS), for selecting a specific date to begin basic training, for being willing to leave for boot camp as soon as possible, for advanced civilian skills, and more.
New Army Ranger Bonus
The Army has announced that they are now offering a new $4,000 cash bonus for qualified applicants who enlist for a select job specialty combined with the Ranger program. This new bonus may be combined with other enlistment bonuses not exceed $40,000.
For example: If you qualify for the Ranger Bonus, Seasonal Bonus and Army Education Bonus you could get up to $20,000.
Increased Airborne Training Bonus
Qualified applicants who enlist for airborne training and a guaranteed airborne assignment in the active Army may be eligible for a $6,000 bonus, depending on the MOS they choose. This bonus may also be combined with other enlistment incentives.
Army Cash Bonuses
The Army’s cash bonuses include bonuses for choosing a high demand military occupational specialty (MOS), for selecting a specific date to begin basic training, for being willing to leave for boot camp as soon as possible, for advanced civilian skills, and more.
The following is a quick summary of the current Army Cash Bonus:
- Seasonal Bonuses – up to $25,000
- High School Sr. Bonuses – $1,000
- National Call to Service Bonus – Combined incentives equal to more than $23,000.
- Prior Service Incentives – up to $20,000
- Army Hi Grad - Education Bonus – up to $6,000
- Airborne Training Bonus - $6,000
- Army Bonus for civilian skills – $5,000
Active Army Seasonal Bonuses
Seasonal bonuses range up to $25,000 depending on the priority of the MOS and an applicant’s willingness to accept an early ship date. With the exeption of the Fire Support Specialist (13F) military occupational specialty which is currently eligible for between $25,000, tThe current range is from $1,000 to $16,000. These bonuses are for applicants with and without prior service who enlist for three or more years. However those with prior service may not be eligible to combine bonuses.
Below are the MOSs that may qualify for the top seasonal bonuses. MOSs marked with an asterisk (*) below require a minimum enlistment of four or more years.
Qualifying jobs for a $16,000 seasonal bonus
- Cannon Crew Member (13B)
- Field Artillary Automated Tactical Data Systems (13D)
- Field Artillary Firefinder Radar Operator (13R)
- Patriot Fire Control Operator (14E)
- Air Defense Tactical Operations Center Operator (14J)
- PATRIOT Launching Station Enhanced Operator/Maintainer (14T)
- Motor Transport Operator (88M)
- Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Specialist (89D)
- Petroleum Supply Specialist (92F)
Qualifying jobs for a $14,000 seasonal bonus
- Infantry Enlistment Option (11X)
- Topographic Analyst ( 21U)
- Microwave Systems Operator-Maintainer (25P)
- Ammunition Specialist (89B)
- Food Service Operations (92G)
- Special Electronic Devices Repairer (94F)
- Radio Repairer (94M)
Qualifying jobs for a $12,000 seasonal bonus
- Linguist (09L)
- Satellite Communications Systems Operator-Maintainer (25S)
- Telecommunications Operator-Maintainer (25D)
- Corrections Specialist (31E)
- Military Intelligence Systems Maintainer/Integrator (31E)
- Signal Support Systems Specialist (25U)
- Psychological Operations Specialist (37F)
- Band Member (42R(n))
- Quartermaster/Chemical Equipment Repair (63J)
- Preventive Medicine Specialist (91S)
- Ammunition Specialist (89B)
- Parachute Rigger (92R)
- Test Measurement and Diagnostic Equipment Support Specialist (94H)
- PATRIOT System Repairer (94S)
- Integrated Family of Test Equipment Operator and Maintainer (94Y)
- Signals Foreign Language Enlistment Option (98XL)
High school senior ship bonus $1,000 bonus
Qualified high school seniors who have already contracted or plan to join the active Army and agree to report for training before Sept. 30 can receive an additional $1,000 cash enlistment bonus, provided they complete high school and receive their diplomas.
This bonus may be combined with other enlistment incentives, up to the maximum $40,000 bonus combination depending on their reservation dates. The high school senior bonus will be paid upon completion of basic combat training or one-station unit training. Payment of all other bonuses for which recruits qualify will begin once they have completed initial entry training.
National Call to Service 15-month Plus Training Option
Individuals who enlist for the 15-month plus training option will be eligible to select one of the following enlistment incentives:
- A cash enlistment bonus of $5,000 payable upon completion of the initial active duty obligation;
- Student Loan Repayment of up to $18,000;
- A monthly education allowance for up to 12 months ($816 per month*); or
- A monthly education allowance for up to 36 months ($408 per month*).
Incentives for prior service applicants
Applicants with previous military service may be eligible for seasonal enlistment bonuses up to $25,000 for enlistments of three or more years in a priority MOS.
Active Army recruits with prior military service who enlist for at least three years in the active Army and report for training before Sept. 30, 2006, may be eligible for a critical shortage enlistment bonus of $5,000. This bonus may be combined with other cash enlistment incentives. (This bonus was implemented for all recruits in May 2005 and restricted to prior service recruits in January 2006).
The maximum bonus combination for prior service applicants is $20,000.
Army Hi-Grad Education Bonuses for Prior Education
The Army offers qualified applicants a cash bonus for previous college experience. Those applicants holding bachelors’ degrees who enlist for two or more years in any MOS can earn $6,000. Associate or two-year degree holders can earn $5,000.
Qualified high school graduates with 60 or more college semester hours can qualify for a $4,000 bonus, and those with 30 to 59 college semester hours can earn $2,000 for joining the U. S. Army.
Airborne training bonus
Qualified applicants who enlist for airborne training and a guaranteed airborne assignment in the active Army may be eligible for a $6,000 bonus, depending on the MOS they choose. This bonus may be combined with other enlistment incentives.
Active Army Bonus for civilian skills
Qualified applicants who already have civilian skills that the Army needs and enlist for three or more years may be eligible for a $5,000 bonus.
To learn more about Army Enlistment Bonuses and Incentives including how cash enlistment bonuses are paid check out the Army Enlistment Bonus Overview. Contact your local Army Recruiter for a current list of High Priority Military Occupational Specialties.
