The Gun Counter

Bonuses up to $90K
But if you’re re-enlisting, beware: Openings are limited
By Dan Lamothe - Staff writer
Posted : Tuesday Oct 21, 2008 12:00:18 EDT

If you’re thinking of re-upping, now’s the time to decide.

The Corps is offering a total of $469.5 million through its Selective Re-enlistment Bonus program in fiscal 2009, with Marines receiving up to $90,000 to sign a four-year contract. But boatspaces — the open slots in a given military occupational specialty — are limited, and when an MOS is closed, only Marines in a few high-demand MOSs will be granted waivers.

Boatspace requirements have not been finalized, said Maj. Shawn Haney, a Manpower and Reserve Affairs spokeswoman, but “given solid retention achievement to date, we anticipate some MOSs will close.”

The number of boatspaces and the size of the bonuses available both provide clues to how competitive an MOS is, officials said.

More..............

• Marines completing their first enlistment who are interested in 51 high-demand MOSs, such as reconnaissance, communications-electronics, intelligence and explosive ordnance disposal, may qualify for First-Term Alignment Program lateral moves, making them eligible for big-time bonuses. A first-term lance corporal, for example, could get $61,500 to lat-move into recon (0321) or become a military fire support man (0861) or unmanned aerial vehicle avionics technician (6314).

Combinations of re-up bonuses and kickers may exceed $90,000 — for instance, a qualified recon sergeant who agrees to stay for two more years would technically qualify for $99,500 — but nothing more than $90,000 will be paid out.