JohnP
12-30-2008, 11:11 AM
Big bonuses aimed at specialized soldiers
By Jim Tice - Staff writer
Posted : Monday Dec 29, 2008 7:13:38 EST
Despite pending cuts in the Selective Re-enlistment Bonus program, senior NCOs in several priority specialties again are being targeted for career extension incentives of up to $150,000.
Changes to the Critical Skills Retention Bonus program took effect Dec. 22, the first update to this program since Feb. 1.
Sixteen military occupational specialties, including all MOSs of the Special Forces career management field, are eligible for CRSB incentives of $8,000 to $150,000.
Renewal of this priority program comes just days after the Army announced across-the-board cuts in the regular SRB program and Bonus Extension and Retraining, or BEAR, program on Jan. 1.
These programs are targeted at first-term and midcareer soldiers with fewer than 15 years of service.
The CSRB program is targeted at senior NCOs in priority specialties who are at or near retirement eligibility.
Most specialties in the CSRB program require extensive training and experience, and all play critical roles in the war on terrorism.
Career management field 18, Special Forces, has the largest bonuses, with lump-sum payments of $18,000 to $150,000 for sergeants first class and above who agree to service extensions of two to six years.
Soldiers who meet the specialty, rank and service requirements of the Dec. 22 CSRB chart qualify for a bonus if they meet the criteria of Army Regulation 601-280 (Army Re-enlistment program) without regard to their retention control point.
Additionally, soldiers must have fewer than 23 years of active service as of the approval date of their request.
By Jim Tice - Staff writer
Posted : Monday Dec 29, 2008 7:13:38 EST
Despite pending cuts in the Selective Re-enlistment Bonus program, senior NCOs in several priority specialties again are being targeted for career extension incentives of up to $150,000.
Changes to the Critical Skills Retention Bonus program took effect Dec. 22, the first update to this program since Feb. 1.
Sixteen military occupational specialties, including all MOSs of the Special Forces career management field, are eligible for CRSB incentives of $8,000 to $150,000.
Renewal of this priority program comes just days after the Army announced across-the-board cuts in the regular SRB program and Bonus Extension and Retraining, or BEAR, program on Jan. 1.
These programs are targeted at first-term and midcareer soldiers with fewer than 15 years of service.
The CSRB program is targeted at senior NCOs in priority specialties who are at or near retirement eligibility.
Most specialties in the CSRB program require extensive training and experience, and all play critical roles in the war on terrorism.
Career management field 18, Special Forces, has the largest bonuses, with lump-sum payments of $18,000 to $150,000 for sergeants first class and above who agree to service extensions of two to six years.
Soldiers who meet the specialty, rank and service requirements of the Dec. 22 CSRB chart qualify for a bonus if they meet the criteria of Army Regulation 601-280 (Army Re-enlistment program) without regard to their retention control point.
Additionally, soldiers must have fewer than 23 years of active service as of the approval date of their request.