Current Bonuses and Incentives for Joining the Army

When you join the U.S. Army you might qualify for cash bonuses, assistance with educational expenses, and many other rewards. Listed here are descriptions of the various bonuses and incentives you may be eligible for when you enlist in the U.S. Army.*

Cash Bonuses
Among other rewards, you can receive a cash bonus for being able to go to boot camp ASAP and selecting a specific date to begin basic training. Additionally you will receive a cash bonus if you are recruited for the high demand military occupational specialty (MOS). If you have advanced civilian skills, you may also receive a cash bonus for these skills.

Payment of cash bonuses: If your bonuses exceed $10,000, you receive $10,000 of your bonuses after entry training (Bonuses of less than $10,000 are also paid after entry training). The rest will be paid in yearly increments.

Current Cash Bonuses

• High School Senior – $1000
• Seasonal Quick Ship– up to $10,000
• High priority MOS Enlistment – up to $40,000*
• National Call to Service – $1000
• Prior Education Bonus – up to $8,000
• Airborne Training – $4,000
• Bonus for Civilian Skills – $5,000
• Priority MOS – $5,000
• Prior Service Incentives – up to $20,000
  

*Two MOSs for eligible recruits that qualify for the $40,000 maximum:
Fire Support Specialist (13F)
Radio and Communication Security Repairer (94E)

Most other MOS bonuses range from $6,000 for a 2 year enlistment to $10,000
for a 3-year enlistment. An Army recruiter can inform you of the current bonus information.

Seasonal/Quick-ship Bonus
If you enlist for three or more years regardless of prior service or the lack of prior service, you might be eligible for a Seasonal/Quick-ship bonus of $3,000 to $10,000. The amount of this bonus will vary based on the need for your MOS and your acceptance of an early ship date.

National Call to Service 15-month Plus Training Option
If you enlist for the 15-month plus training option, you will be able to select one of the following:
A cash enlistment bonus of $5,000 that will be paid to you after you complete the initial active duty obligation.

• Up to $18,000 of your student loans repaid.
• 12-month education allowance ($816 a month)
• 36 month education allowance ($408 a month)

Prior College Education Bonuses

If you are enlisted for at least two years in an MOS, you will earn $6,000 for having previously earned a Bachelor’s degree or $5,000 for having previously earned an Associate’s degree.

High school graduates with at least 60 college semester hours receive a $4,000 bonus. High school graduates with 30-59 college semester hours receive $3,000.

Other Education Bonuses:
Student Loan Repayment (up to $65,000): Available for recruits who enlist for three or more years. This program is combinable with MOSs that offer enlistment incentives.
Army College Fund (also known as the GI Bill Kicker): when combined with the Montgomery GI Bill, up to $72,900 (qualified applicants only). College fund is available to active Army members who qualify for certain MOSs. The College Fund raises the amount of the GI Bill payment by up to $950 per month. The amount of payment depends on the number of months you attend school after you leave active duty. For example, a full-time student using the maximum benefit (36 months) of the GI Bill ($38,000) may receive $72,900 in benefits. The College Fund and Montgomery GI Bill are not able to be used along with the Loan Repayment Program.

• 2-year enlistment $36,828
• 3-year enlistment $51,300
• 4-year enlistment $62,100
• 5-year enlistment $69,300
• 6-year enlistment $72,900

Airborne Training Bonus
You may receive a $4,000 bonus (combinable with other incentives) if you qualify for and enlist for airborne training and a guaranteed active Army assignment (depending on your MOS.)

Civilian Skills Bonus
If you have civilian skills the Army requires, and you enlist for three or more years, you may receive a bonus of $5,000.

Other Enlistment Incentives
Accelerated Enlistment Program: A program with limited enrollment that allows you to become an active duty Soldier 15 months after completing training. Speak with an Army recruiter for more information.
Blue to Green Bonus: Enables Navy and Air Force members to continue service and keep military benefits. Should you enlist for three or more years in an MOS with a priority training seat, you may receive a bonus of $10,000 or $15,000. If you choose an MOS in which you have a previous rating or one that converts to an Army MOS, you are not eligible for this bonus.

Additional benefits:

• E-1 through E-5 keep their grade and date of rank.
• All E-5s and above will have their grade and MOS decided by EIS IAW. (E’5s keep current rank unless their MOSs are over strength and they choose not to retrain in an MOS that has E5 entry level training.)
• Training: AFSCs or Rates that convert to Army Military Occupation Specialty (MOS) will undergo only the four week Warrior Transition Course (WTC) instead of the nine-week course used to train Air persons, Sailors, and Coast Guard persons joining the Army.
• Changing to another Army MOS may be an option depending on open training spots and the individual’s credentials.
• Applicants enlisting for an MOS that requires One Station Unit Training (OSUT) will be put into OSUT after WTC.
• Bonuses might be available for certain Military Occupational Specialties that convert from an AFSC or Rate.
• Assignments: may be available for AFSC or Rate that convert to an Army MOS.
• Air Force and Navy personnel will be required to attend the WTC.

Thrift Savings Plan: Currently, new recruits may receive matching funds for a retirement investment plan that is much like a 401K plan. Eligible recruits with no prior service who are enlisted for at least five years in a priority MOS may take part in this plan. The first 5 percent of your savings is matched: 100% for the first 3 percent and 50 percent for the remaining 2 percent. Funds will be matched for all of the first term of enlistment (5-8 years). Other than this original contract period, your funds will not be matched, nor will they be matched if you re-enlist or stop contributing to TSP during your term.
Any soldier may join the standard TSP at any time during enlistment. They can also contribute 100% of basic pay, incentives, and bonuses up to $15,000 (the annual IRS tax-deferred limit).

*If you are eligible for more than one of these incentives, your bonuses will be combined (not exceeding $40,000). Most cash bonuses may be combined with either the Army’s Loan Repayment Program or the Army College Fund, but not with both.