My son entered DEP a few months ago and ships next summer. After he joined DEP his recruiter told him about a $1000 a month DEP bonus he would receive and he said that he was automatically enrolled in the program and no one needed to do anything. The DEP bonus does not show up in any contract and his recruiter said he doesn't need to worry about it because it will show up in his contract next summer. Should he get some kind of documentation regarding this bonus? Thanks for any help.

Not sure if there has been an update or if this program has been extended, but ...

MILPER MESSAGE NUMBER: 06-136
ENLISTMENT INCENTIVE PROGRAM CHANGE EFFECTIVE 9 MAY 2006
Issued: [05/08/2006]...

A. HQDA MSG DAPE-MPA 05-08-06, SUBJ: ENLISTMENT INCENTIVE PROGRAM CHANGE EFFECTIVE 9 MAY 2006.
B. CHAP 5 AR 601-210, CHAP 5 AR 601-280.
1. THIS MILPER MESSAGE WILL EXPIRE NLT 9 MAY 2007.
2. POLICY: CONTAINED IN REF B.
3. ADDITIONAL GUIDANCE FOR USAREC: TO AVOID FUTURE CLAIMS OF ERRONEOUS OR UNFULFILLED COMMITMENTS, REQ CDR USAREC ENSURE RECRUITERS AND MEPS PERSONNEL ARE KNOWLEDGEABLE OF THE CONTENTS OF THIS MESSAGE.
4. ADDITIONAL GUIDANCE FOR DFAS: TO AVOID FUTURE CLAIMS OF ERRRONEOUS OR UNFULFILLED COMMITMENTS, REQ CDR DFAS ENSURE THAT ALL FAO’S ARE KNOWLEDGEABLE OF THE CONTENTS OF THIS MESSAGE.
5. RULES:
A. EFFECTIVE 9 MAY 06 A $1000 ENLISTMENT BONUS INCENTIVE IS AVAILABLE TO HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS EITHER IN THE DELAYED ENTRY PROGRAM (DEP) OR NEW ENLISTMENTS. THIS BONUS WILL BE AWARDED ONLY TO SENIORS WHO COMPLETE HIGH SCHOOL AND RECEIVE A DIPLOMA. ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS WILL BE HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS CURRENTLY IN THE DEP OR ENLISTING IN THE ARMY WHO DEPART FOR INITIAL ENTRY TRAINING ON OR BEFORE 30 SEPTEMEBR 2006. APPLICANTS MUST BE IN TEST SCORE CATEGORY I-IIIB.
B. THIS BONUS ENTITLED “HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR SHIP BONUS” MAY BE ADDED TO ANY EXSISTING INCENTIVE (EB, SEASONAL BONUS OR ACF) IN THE CONTRACT OF ANY GRADUATING SENIOR WHO MEETS THE CRITERIA ABOVE. THE $1000 “KICKER” WHEN ADDED TO ANY EXISITING CASH INCENTIVES IS STILL SUBJECT TO THE STATUTORY $40,000 CAP UNLESS APPLICANT WAS IN THE DEP PRIOR TO 18 JANUARY 2006 IN WHICH CASE THE $20,000 CAP APPLIES.
C. THE HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR SHIP BONUS WILL BE PAID UPON GRADUATION FROM BASIC OR OSUT TRAINING. ALL OTHER BONUS INCENTIVES WILL BE PAID IAW WITH CURRENT BONUS PAYMENT POLICY.
6. HRC POC FOR THIS MESSAGE IS MR. BROPHY, DSN 221-4182, EMAIL BROPHYM@HOFFMAN.ARMY.MIL

I've pasted in the message here. It says that the request system is being modified but it doesn't say anything about issuing a new contract or documentation that the bonus is being calcualted

FROM UM 07-204: Effective 1 October 2007, All High School Seniors in
TSC I-IIIB enlisting in the Delayed Entry Program (FSTP) for any MOS and
three or more years TOS will be eligible for a bonus to be computed as
follows: $1,000 for each month or part of a month. An additional $1,000
will be added to the total amount upon successful High School
graduation. The total DEB bonus may not exceed $14,000. This bonus can
be added to any MOS bonus listed in paragraph 8 of UM 07-204, to the
ACF program. This bonus may not be combined with the seasonal bonus.
Failure to attain a high School diploma or to ship on the contracted
date will negate this bonus. High School seniors currently affiliated
with the ARNG or USAR selected reserves are not eligible for this
program. Note: High School seniors currently in the DEP PRIOR to 1
October 2007 will receive the DEB computed from 1 October 07 until their
active duty date. The REQUEST system is currently being modified to
permit changes in contracts for those who were in the DEP prior to 1
October. This DEB bonus for current DEP members will be computed during
final processing for active duty. No retroactive DEB bonus will be
permitted for time in the DEP prior to 1 October 2007.

Seems there should be something in writing for your son.

I am in the program and I have it in my contract I ship out Jan 8 of next year I never got mine in writing but it was in my contract when i went to meps.

So, Joshjames, it was in the contract when you went to MEPS for the first time? I'm curious because the recruiter said it would be in his contract when we went to MEPS for the second time (when he finally ships).

quote:

Originally posted by ArmyReenlistment:
Seems there should be something in writing for your son.

Do you have any idea who I would ask about this? The recruiting office are nice enough guys but they don't seem like they always have all the best information and they just keep on saying things like "don't sweat it." It makes me nervous.