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 $45,000.

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. Talk to your recruiter for more details.

There are 70 jobs the Army is still looking for: https://www.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs/career-match/browse-jobs.html

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

Selective Retention Bonus (SRB) Program: A soldier currently serving in the Army may be eligible for an SRB if they reenlist in the Regular Army for continued duty in certain military occupational specialties (MOS)/Job Code. Soldiers must have between 17 months and 14 years of active service and will pay out monies for up to, but no more than, 20 years of active service.

Quick Ship Bonus: A soldier could earn up to $15,000 just for reporting to Basic Training within 30 days of enlistment for certain in-demand jobs. 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

Army National Guard Prior Service Bonuses:
https://nationalguard.com/prior-service

Army Reserve Selected Reserve Incentive Program Redesign:
https://www.usar.army.mil/Portals/98/Documents/Incentives/SRIP-ONESHEET-2023-09-13_redesign.pdf

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 FY24 SRIP Policy #24-00:
https://www.usar.army.mil/Portals/98/Documents/Incentives/USAR%20FY24%20SRIP%20effective%2001%20October%202023.pdf