NOTE: To all individuals contemplating an 18X contract - AD or ARNG

Scimitar · 06-21-2009, 14:15

Yes it's not about the money, but you do owe it to yourselves to ensure you are getting everything you deserve.

There are some big changes in US Army Recruiting Command at the moment as well as the ARNG side of the house so this information may change. Do your homework.

Enlistment Bonuses
There are specifically two enlistment bonuses that many recruits are unaware of and with a little forward thinking can become eligible for.

1) Seasonal Bonus
The Army finds it a little hard to fill slots during the 'down season'. For recruits SHIPPING between 1 Oct and 31 May there is currently a $5000 Seasonal Bonus for many MOS incl 18X.

I have talked to a number of applicants who where thinking of the early November ship date (Yes you can choose your own ship date - with in reason), by changing this date by 5 weeks they became eligible for another $5000 enlistment bonus, seems worth it for just 5 weeks and you are helping mother Army.

Your call...do your own homework.

2) Quick Ship Bonus
Again a little sketchy on this but, if you are willing to ship with in 45 days of enlisting you may be eligible for the Quick Ship Bonus which is currently $5000. Again, no need to try and play the system too much here, but if all it takes is a little tweak to get an extra $5000....

HTH.

Scimitar

TDude90 · 06-30-2009, 11:21

I took the ASVAB last week (Scored a 90), after which, my recruiter looked up the nearest availible slot for 18x, which was in January. According to what your saying, I guess I would need to jump on this before the Febuary cutoff to qualify for an enlistment bonus?

Also, the recruiter said the bonus was $6k. Far from the $40k they advertize on all the propaganda, but like you said, this isn't all about the money, or else I'd be trying to get a SEAL contract. SEALs are the only job in any service I've found actually offering the big money.

Scimitar · 06-30-2009, 15:26

I'm surprised the next slot is January, my G2 is that they are struggling to fill 18X slots due to the new demands on the quality of recruits (i.e. No med waivers etc), are you sure of this...?

Feb may not be the cut-off date, do your own research.

The $6k may be the high demand bonus, not the seasonal bonus, do your homework.

The $40k is the maximum combined bonus allowed, all the advertising I've see says this...?

IIRC I signed an 18X contract in 2006 that offered $32k. Gov can't justify big bonuses with the recession.

Don't let the money effect your decision; just don't lose out on $5k cos you didn't know.

For a couple of guys I've talked to already, they where able to push for dates only 5 wks later then they where planning and get the $5k.

It's not about the bonus but seems silly to miss out on $5k if one only has to wait an extra 5 wks.

There have been some very big Bonus changes military wide since April, not sure but there may have been a drop in the SEAL Challenge bonus as well…?

As always policies of this type are complicated and ever changing, do your own homework and tell us what you discover.

Cheers

S

Hostile0311 · 07-01-2009, 05:43

What about a 32 yr old prior service Infantry Marine whose been out for 6 years? With 3 dependents? I think I'd be lucky if I got an 11B contract...much less something like as flashy as an 18X or Ranger contract. I'd count myself lucky if I was one of you young hard chargers gunning for the glory right now. It ain't about the money. Don't get me wrong...the green is good to have. But most of these Ranger, 18X bonuses are only payable upon completion of training I would imagine. And odds are, well lets just say they aren't in your favor. Count yourself lucky for the opportunity to serve your country. With the current recession, a sure thing going down to the recruiter and getting a contract for 4 years isn't a sure thing anymore. They are very picky at the moment from what I've been told. Anyway, if you make the commitment...serve your country well. If your a young lad, a few years in the Grunts starting off will go a long way and never hurt anybody. It'll give you a bit of experience on how the military works as well as a few valuable critical skills and if you have what it takes, I'm sure SF will be there for you should you decide on it. Besides, with the turnover of the 18X'ers I hear about its better for you if your determined in your course and are willing to stay it. No use in wasting Army time and that of your team just to do 4 and out. I would think commitment and dedication to duty, the fight and your team would be a critical factor. Doing 4 years on the Grunt side and then out is one thing, but signing on and then becoming an elite warrior is another. I wish I had it to do all over again. Just my humble .02.

Scimitar · 07-31-2009, 14:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hostile0311

....18X bonuses are only payable upon completion of training I would imagine....

My understanding is that as Off-Peak and Quick-ship bonuses are not tied to your specific MOS, then aslong as you graduate any AIT you will receive them.

S

amatlis · 08-01-2009, 09:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scimitar

My understanding is that as Off-Peak and Quick-ship bonuses are not tied to your specific MOS, then aslong as you graduate any AIT you will receive them.

S

I just talked to a recruiter who said the Off-Peak and Quick-ship bonuses have gone away. Can anyone else confirm? I'm going to MEPS in the next few weeks and wanted to be armed with correct information.

As a separate question, a buddy of mine who went national guard rep-63 and is just now in the Q course *strongly* advised I set up my contract to come home after AIT for a few months to train before going to selection. He mentioned two reasons:

Financial: He said, doing it the split way, you get "Mobilized For Training" orders when you go to selection and Q course - which means significantly more pay and off-barrack housing. He said he is kicking himself in the butt for not doing this. I just wanted to know if others had heard the same and does it make sense to ask for this?
SOPC: His advice was to avoid SOPC if at all possible. He said he was already in shape on his own, but SOPC was a non-stop smoke session for undisciplined people who couldn't work out on their own and didn't help him get in shape for SFAS but rather broke his body down. As an older guy like myself, he said he would have been able to train for selection much more efficiently on his own and allow himself time to recover from injuries.

As MEPS is the last time I will be able to make any decisions about my contract, I respectfully turn to PS.com for information. I already asked my recruiter, and he says he doesn't know anything about off-barrack housing or extra pay for MFT orders. He also says I can't split up my enlistment if I go 11B, because the 19th in West Virginia doesn't support that MOS. According to my recruiter, I would have to choose an MOS supported by the company, which I might consider, but I really have my heart set on going to infantry school at Ft Benning. I would appreciate any information and hopefully this is helpful to others on the board. In anticipation of comments that SF is not about the money or finding an easier way in, I would like to point out that I've already made the decision to forgo my current salary, so why not get as much one can? And regarding avoiding SOPC if it's not effective, I train almost every day in MMA, and we constantly look for the most effective way to train rather than just the hardest because you will become a better fighter if you can continue training every day rather than needing to take time off for injuries, which has happened to me in the past when I trained stupidly.

Again, respectfully looking for information before I sign my contract. I could not find the information with Google-fu or searching the board. Thanks in advance!

tcush · 07-01-2009, 22:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scimitar

new demands on the quality of recruits (i.e. No med waivers etc)

Scimitar, could you expand on this a little? Is there a new policy or directive being sent out to the recruiters/counselors at MEPS? I'm just a little curious as my records are currently with the doctors at MEPS and I was under the impression that if the doctors cleared me, that would be that.

Scimitar · 07-02-2009, 03:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by tcush

Scimitar, could you expand on this a little? Is there a new policy or directive being sent out to the recruiters/counsellors at MEPS? I'm just a little curious as my records are currently with the doctors at MEPS and I was under the impression that if the doctors cleared me, that would be that.

My best man was a USAREC Station Commander, Chatted to him a few weeks ago. This is what I understand....no expert here.

Due to the recession the level of guys separating has dropped significantly and USAREC has already reached its mission for the year. So the order went out to cut back on guys coming in.

Down go Bonuses and Recruiters are only allowed to work 9-5 due to the spate of recruiter suicides. Apparently Med waivers are not enlistable, that may only be for the 18X program?

Word has it that they are even looking at only taking those with at least some university. But….before you panic check with your recruiter.

Also I believe that recruiting year ends September therefore new mission, everything opens up. You will probably see a small rise in Bonuses and some of the restraints loosen.

HTH

Any questions?

Scimitar

tcush · 07-02-2009, 10:38

Thanks. I guess I'll just have to wait and see what happens if I do get the waivers.

PokemonMaster · 01-25-2014, 00:35

I am getting released from the Guard early and getting an 18x contract. Am I eligible for a bonus?

If not then I don't care just going to SFAS is living the dream.

**18C4V** · 01-25-2014, 01:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by PokemonMaster

I am getting released from the Guard early and getting an 18x contract. Am I eligible for a bonus?

If not then I don't care just going to SFAS is living the dream.

You may have to pay back the bonus you got from the guard.

What MOS did you enlist for in the guard, what bonus did you get and did you fulfill your first enlistement?

Kemical · 01-25-2014, 08:15

They laughed when I was asking about bonuses. Money is a little tight in the Army right now. I was told I could get a bonus if I took a job like 35P but even then it was way less then the $40,000 they show on the brochures. I didn't even think to ask about student loan reimbursement, so that might have been a "bonus" that I missed out on. It's not like I'll have time to be runing around spending money anyway so plenty of time to pay that down with my check.

PokemonMaster · 01-25-2014, 11:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by 18C4V

You may have to pay back the bonus you got from the guard.

What MOS did you enlist for in the guard, what bonus did you get and did you fulfill your first enlistement?

I enlisted as 68W. No I did not fulfill my first enlistment. The bonus I got from the guard though was payed out in installments. Half after graduating AIT and the rest periodically. I still have one last installment yet to be received. I was thinking that I would just not get it if I leave early. I ETS in March 2015 btw. But hey money comes and money goes.