I have a soldier who wants to go officer but doesn't want to pay back her college loan repayment plan. I saw awhile back that if you re-enlist you get to keep your bonus if you go OCS. Is this true? And if so does is she covered? She would make a great officer but it wouldn't be worth leaving all that free money. That's why she re-enlisted to begin with.
Those are 2 totally differant things. The student loan repayment, pays towards the soldiers loan ONCE a yr. One a certain date of the yr it pays a percentage off its loan off, then again on that same date the NEXT YR.
A re-enlistment bonus is a ONE TIME lump sum payment for specific MOS, paid at the time of re-enlistment.
Posts: 554 | Location: San Antonio, TX (AMEDD Center and School) | Registered: 23 November 2006
If you accept a commission you generally have to pay back part of re-enlistment bonus. By the way - a re-enlistment bonus is NOT always a one time lump sum. It is usually split. HALF of the bonus is a lump sum up front, and the rest of it is divided over the remaining years of the contract. So if you re-enlisted a year ago for $10,000 on a 4 year contract, you would only have collected $6,000 ($5,000 up front and $1,000 after the first year). So, taking a commission would cost you $6,000
No JerryS you are wrong, thats how it used to be but not anymore. I recently researched this topic prior to re-enlisting indefinite and accepting a large LUMP SUM bonus. If DA selected for a WOCS or OCS a soldier does not , I repeat, does not have to pay back one penny. And, BTW, all reenlistment bonuses now are lump sum. I just got mine in the bank tommorow. The WOCS selection list comes out in two weeks. If I made it and go WO then I do not have to pay back any of the bonus money. Same rule applies to OCS. Its in the Reenlistment and Retention Regualtion.
Posts: 12 | Location: Fort Polk, LA | Registered: 31 January 2007
Originally posted by JerryS: If you accept a commission you generally have to pay back part of re-enlistment bonus. By the way - a re-enlistment bonus is NOT always a one time lump sum. It is usually split. HALF of the bonus is a lump sum up front, and the rest of it is divided over the remaining years of the contract. So if you re-enlisted a year ago for $10,000 on a 4 year contract, you would only have collected $6,000 ($5,000 up front and $1,000 after the first year). So, taking a commission would cost you $6,000
Your incorrect.
SRB bonuses (re-up bonuses are pain in LUMP SUM) Hence they wont be paid back. Been this way now for what 2,3 yrs or so. The half up front, and rest spaced out every yr....has been done with for about 2 YEARS NOW. JerryS.....What you desribed is like 2005 and before information.
Posts: 554 | Location: San Antonio, TX (AMEDD Center and School) | Registered: 23 November 2006
I signed up in the reserves in December 2006. Came back in as an E-4 (plan to go to be accepted to OCS within one year from now), received an MOS-qualified bonus of $15k. I received half in February & will receive the remaining in installments as per my contract. So it looks like I'll be paying back some of that first half?
"Try not to draw the enemy's fire. It irritates everyone around you."
Posts: 77 | Location: Oklahoma City, OK | Registered: 04 June 2007
Okay, after my research as to JerryS's response, I am in the situation of my clock ticking (re-enlistment) and waiting on class date for OCS. SRB is great but according to JerryS's response (whether paid lumpsum or not), AR 601-280, 5-13 Recoupment from soldiers who fail to complete....part a-c, definitely means that bonus receipients will pay back what was paid. The only one you don't pay back is the "unearned" bonus portion because it is left reserved in case you don't commission at all. So, going back to JerryS, no, SRB are paid in lumpsum today, however, you are correct and it is clearly stated in the Regulation (AR 601-280)that a "paid bonus" will be refunded by the soldier who does not complete its obligated service. It is in the introduction of 5-13. The only time you are exempted is part c. which clearly states, "Recoupment of an unearned bonus is not required if the soldier is separated to permit acceptance of a coomission or warrant appointment or to enter a program leading to a commission or warrant appointment. Entitlement to additional unpaid bonus is suspended and will terminate upon commissioning or appointment. However, the entitlement to additional unpaid bonus will be reinstated and paid on a pro rata basis if the soldier is not commissioned or appointed and returns to enlisted status in the same bonus MOS". There you have it, VERBATIM! Unless, there is something new that came up, please let me know and what Regulation you can cite. Money is great! But I too need to be careful, because it will cost me!
Posts: 3 | Location: Germany | Registered: 15 November 2006
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