Just wondering, specifically from the stand point from the Career Counselor's on the forum since they probably hear some more verifiable rumors than others, can we expect more decreases in bonuses in the future such as the one that happened in March? Just wondering because of my circumstances (25F reclass) I have to wait until July - September time frame to reenlist and I'm just wondering if I should expect to pull down even less than what I can expect now for 25N's. Thanks AR!
The Army's budget for bonuses is running dry. Prior to decreasing the bonuses, the Army was paying $2.5 million per day in bonuses; the Army currently pays $700,000 per day in bonuses ... and the number reenlistments only slipped slighly.
I expected as much but that is certainly an interesting statistic you referenced. Can we expect the bonuses to return to the "normal" amounts, or at least more than they are now, in October (start of the new fiscal year). I only ask because I know you are aware of my situation (25F reclassing to 25N, done with school in September) and I'm just wondering if it would benefit me to wait the extra month after I am MOS qualified as a 25N to reenlist right then in September or to wait the extra month and look at the October 2009 (is there usually one posted during this time?) SRB amounts. Thanks again AR, I'll keep you posted on my situation.
Originally posted by ness1e: Can we expect the bonuses to return to the "normal" amounts, or at least more than they are now, in October (start of the new fiscal year).
The "normal" amounts you refer to are actually less than the correct amounts. When the Enhanced Program was initiated, the bonus amounts were increased by nearly 60% ... instead of the Army basically cutting the Soldiers off at the knees by taking the bonus amounts back, they are gradually decreasing them back to pre-Enhanced bonus levels.
I've heard a rumor (one of many) that the bonuses are set to go up again in June/July 2008 - is this true?
JandJ, if you read above AR already commented on this this.
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Yes, you can expect bonus decreases very soon.
The Army's budget for bonuses is running dry. Prior to decreasing the bonuses, the Army was paying $2.5 million per day in bonuses; the Army currently pays $700,000 per day in bonuses ... and the number reenlistments only slipped slighly.
Although it's unfortunate like AR said the Army is still apparently reaching its retention goals even with them offering less so it only makes sense for them to continue to lower it back to the "pre-Enhanced" amounts. As long as they don't start taking away Airborne school options I'll be happy regardless =)
My husband is SF/Ranger and all that jazz... I think the current reenlistment bonuses for him are not taking into account how qualified he is; I mean, he has soooo much training and the military has invested so much in him to make him what he is (which, frankly, is one of the best the military has to offer), it only makes sense that they raise the bonuses to compete with outside markets. He could go contracting and make way more than what the military can pay him; a good bonus would help the Army keep him. A reasonable person, which I feel that I am, would think that this huge corporation, this Army corporation, would want to hold on to their investment. Especially since there was just an article released stating how the Army is short on SF men.
Now, my question was addressing the rumors regarding possible reenlistment bonus increases scheduled for June/July 2008.... I want to know if anyone has heard the same rumors (and I did read the previous postings, my question was a new one).
If anyone knows anything that would be great. I'm just a wife that's trying to help plan our future - just like a lot of Army wives out there.
Originally posted by JandJ: A reasonable person, which I feel that I am, would think that this huge corporation, this Army corporation, would want to hold on to their investment.
The truth is, the Army would benefit much more by allowing your husband to ETS instead of paying him a retirement for the rest of his life.
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Originally posted by JandJ: I want to know if anyone has heard the same rumors (and I did read the previous postings, my question was a new one).
Special Forces (18 series MOSs) bonuses will probably never decrease/go away...especially the Critical Skills Retention Bonus.
By benefit, do you mean not pay him as much? By not offering senior soldiers a reason to stay in, its cheaper for the Army to replace him/her with a lower ranking soldier than it is to keep them through retirement.
Now, my question was addressing the rumors regarding possible reenlistment bonus increases scheduled for June/July 2008.... I want to know if anyone has heard the same rumors (and I did read the previous postings, my question was a new one).
I don't see how this is a new question. Since June/July 2008 is in the near future and the Army, due to meeting their retention goals as discussed above, has no reason to increase the SRB, then I think it is fair to assume that there will NOT be an increase in June/July. Especially since it is the end of the fiscal year. I believe that was the point trying to be made.
Originally posted by whyme: By benefit, do you mean not pay him as much? By not offering senior soldiers a reason to stay in, its cheaper for the Army to replace him/her with a lower ranking soldier than it is to keep them through retirement.
Why pay your husband for the rest of his life when they can replace him with another Soldier who is younger? The bonuses usually decrease the closer a Soldier gets to retirement. As for the most part somebody with 15 or 16 years in will likely just stay in very rarely will you see them up and get out.
Your husband is SF but the money they spent on him is already gone versus how much money he will make the rest of his life thru retirement.
Career Soldiers don't really care much about bonuses as we were going to stay in anyway.
My husband is a young guy.... I never said he's close to retirement. He's only been in 5 years; enough time for all of his training and a couple of deployments. He's an experienced SF man but not ancient - although we know "ancient" SF men that received 150K last year to reup, and they are men that plan on retiring from the military. So the argument that it's cheaper to just replace him doesn't really hold in this case. I'm still of the opinion that, considering all of his training and not too mention his college education, $13500 to reup is still way on the slim side. Especially considering that the Army just released a statement saying how they don't have enough SF men; it would behoove the Army to increase the bonuses to try to retain men like my husband.
I just reenlisted to reclass to Cav Scout and while they may not do all the extreme stuff that SF does from what I understand they still do some dangerous stuff and I didnt get a bonus. So maybe yall should just be happy with $13500, free medical, free food and free housing. But thats just my opinion.
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