There are many opportunities to earn money in the Army in addition to basic pay. Bonuses may be available for new recruits, Soldiers, and officers who select specific Army jobs, complete special training, assume extra responsibilities, or have served in the military before.

Active Duty Soldiers - Bonus opportunities to active duty Soldiers as incentives to develop or maintain certain skills and/or at various stages of their career.

New Recruits - Upon enlistment into the Army, new recruits may be eligible for cash enlistment incentives if they enlist for certain skills and meet the mental and physical qualifications for the particular skill. The bonuses depend upon availability of the skill training.

Active Army Enlistment Bonus: Qualified active duty recruits may be eligible for a combination of bonuses totaling up to $50,000. The maximum bonus for a three, four, five, or six-year contract is based on periodic updates and is subject to change. Recruiters will have the most up to date bonus information.

Civilian Acquired Skills Bonus: Current Army applicants who possess or are interested in gaining specific skills that the Army needs, such as expertise in persuasion, foreign languages, or technical explosives, may be eligible for bonuses up to $40,000.

High Demand MOS: Applicants who enlist for three or more years in the following jobs may qualify for additional seasonal bonuses ranging from $3,000 to $15,000. Current (subject to change based on Army requirements) high demand MOSs include:

• 18X (Spec Forces; Elementary Lang Proficiency)

• 37F (Psychological Operations Specialist)

• 25P (Microwave Systems Operator-Maintainer)

• 35M (Human Intelligence Collector: Lang Proficiency)

• 14P (Air Missile Defense Crew Member)

• There are over 50 jobs the Army is still looking for: https://www.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs/career-match/browse-jobs.html

35P Cryptologic Linguist Bonus: Qualified individuals who speak certain foreign languages may receive an enlistment bonus of up to $40,000.

Critical Skills Retention Bonus: A Service member who is serving in a designated critical area can receive a Critical Skills Retention Bonus (CSRB) if an agreement is signed to remain on active duty for at least one year. A Retention Bonus is not authorized for members who have completed more than 25 years of active duty or who will complete their 25th year of active duty before the end of the period of active duty for which the bonus is being offered. Qualifying Professions will be listed on the Human Resource Command MILPER Message website: https://www.hrc.army.mil/milper/all

Reenlistment Bonus: A Soldier currently serving in the Army may be eligible for a reenlistment bonus, provided the Soldier:

• has completed at least 17 months of continuous active duty (other than for training)

• is qualified in a military skill designated as critical

• reenlists for a period of at least three years

The bonus is paid to Soldiers in their Reenlistment window or who reenlist to meet an HQDA imposed Service Remaining Requirement (SRR). The bonus amount is determined based on the critical demand of the MOS or skill, and the amount of additional service the Soldier reenlists for.

Quick Ship Bonus: A Soldier could earn up to $40,000 just for reporting to Basic Training within 30 days of enlistment. This bonus can be combined with other enlistment bonuses.

Ranger Bonus: Qualified Soldiers may receive a bonus of up to $20,000 after completing the Ranger Indoctrination program and reporting to their first permanent duty station.

For more information about Bonuses, please visit the following Websites maintained by the Department of Defense:

National Guard – Bonus Information:
https://www.nationalguard.com/bonuses

Listing of MOS names by number:
https://www.milsuite.mil/book/docs/DOC-155054

DoD Financial Management Regulation:
https://comptroller.defense.gov/Portals/45/documents/fmr/Volume_07a.pdf

Bonuses: Earning Extra Money:
https://www.goarmy.com/benefits/while-you-serve/bonuses.html

Bonuses Immediately Available:
https://www.goarmy.com/enlistment-bonuses.html

DoD Instruction 1304.31, Enlisted Bonus Program:
https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodi/130431p.PDF

U.S. Army Reserve Incentives:
https://www.usar.army.mil/Resources/US-Army-Reserve-Incentives-Program/

USAR FY22 SRIP Policy #22-03 (CAC Required):
https://www.milsuite.mil/book/docs/DOC-1172652