Origin Of Military Bonuses
The practice of war-time military bonuses began in 1776, as payment for the difference between what a soldier earned and what he could have earned had he not enlisted. The practice derived from English legislation passed in the 159293 session of Parliament to provide medical care and maintenance for disabled veterans and bonuses for serving soldiers.
In August 1776, Congress adopted the first national pension law providing half pay for life for disabled veterans. Considerable pressure was applied to expand benefits to match the British system for serving soldiers and sailors but had little support from the colonial government until mass desertions at Valley Forge that threatened the existence of the Continental Army led George Washington to become a strong advocate.
In 1781, most of the Continental Army was demobilized. Two years later, hundreds of Pennsylvania war veterans , then the nation’s capital, surrounded the State House, where the U.S. Congress was in session, and demanded back pay. Congress fled to Princeton, New Jersey, and several weeks later, the U.S. Army expelled the war veterans from Philadelphia. Congress progressively passed legislation from 1788 covering pensions and bonuses, eventually extending eligibility to widows in 1836.
The Veterans of Foreign Wars continued to press the federal government to allow the early redemption of military service certificates.
How’s The Training Like
It all begins with basic military training which covers basic skills as a soldier, such as weapon handling and individual field craft. This training lasts for nine weeks and is split into three phases:
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Orientation and team building
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Learning and development
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Transformation and achievement
The training aims to enhance the recruit’s physical and combat fitness. At the same time, it also serves to hone the cognitive abilities of thinking like a soldier, including understanding why and what they are doing.
Army Signing Bonuses Available
Non-prior service enlistment bonus amounts are based on the MOS and the number of years one is enlisting for. If you are a recruit who is about to join the military and have highly sought-after skills or qualify for challenging jobs within the military , you could also be eligible for an enlistment bonus or a “signing bonus” just for joining the military. Some of these one-time special bonuses can be as high as $40,000.
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What Skills Are Important In The Army
There are many essential military skills, and these are a few of the soft skills:
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Teamwork: when work in the military consists of squads, platoons, companies and bigger units of people, being a cooperative and supportive team player is critical. It can help the entire group advance towards their goal and complete their tasks well.
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Communication: when lives may be in danger, it’s especially crucial to communicate clearly and concisely. This is particularly so in times of crises or high-stress environments, which you can expect to encounter in this role.
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Problem-solving: be it tactical issues, logistical challenges or social problems within your team, you may find yourself constantly having to generate unique solutions.
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Integrity: especially when this role concerns the safety of the country and its people, military personnel are entrusted with confidential information. Integrity is of utmost importance in managing such sensitive information.
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Army Bonuses To Take Advantage Of In 2021

Recruits start earning the moment they join basic training.
There are many other ways to earn additional cash through the Armed Forces in addition to Basic Pay.
The Army offers one-time bonuses for several things such as:
- Prior Service Enlistment Bonus
- Airborne Enlistment Bonus
You can earn thousands in Army bonuses based on your Military Occupational Speciality and special training that you complete.
Soldiers can also receive added pay for completing special training, taking on another responsibility, or having served in the Armed Force beforehand.
Recruits start receiving pay the moment they reach boot camp.
The initial payment for new recruit Army bonuses is made upon arrival at your first duty station, after completing basic training and AIT training.
The remaining bonus amount is earned in two annual increments.
Keep in mind that Army bonuses change frequently based on the needs of the military branch.
Speaking with a local Army recruiter can provide you with more details on special pay and bonuses:
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How Much Are Military Bonuses Taxed
The yearly taxable income from your military pay is your gross pay minus your retirement pay, plus any tax free allowances, plus the taxable portion of housing allowance, plus nontaxable pay. The taxable portion of your housing allowance is the amount of the allowance that exceeds the established monthly rate for housing in your area. This amount is also subject to federal income tax. The taxable portion of your non-taxable pay is the amount of the allowance that exceeds the established monthly rate for your pay grade and the number of dependents you have. For example, a service member with a basic pay of $1,500 per month and two dependents. The established monthly rate for that persons pay grade is $800. So, the taxable portion of the service members housing allowance is $750 = $750.) The taxable portion of the service members non-taxable pay is $200 = $300.) The tax on that $1,900 for the year would be $43.37 ..
The Army Enlistment Bonus Just Got A Massive Bump
$50,000. Thats easily a years salary for most average Americans. Now, new Army enlistees can get that money as a sign-on bonus for joining the Armed Forces.
Earlier in January, the US Army announced a new set of US Army incentives, which includes the massive Army enlistment bonus of $50,000 for new recruits.
Before 2022, the US Army signing bonus could not exceed $40,000, but many new Soldiers may have received even less than that.
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Join Today & Earn Up To $115k Text Navybonus To 764764 For Information*
For a limited time, active duty Future Sailors who leave for boot camp before January can earn up to $115K. Reserve duty Future Sailors who leave for boot camp before January may qualify for bonuses up to $25K.
High school seniors who enter the Delayed Entry Program before December and graduate from high school prior to leaving for boot camp starting in June are eligible for a $10K bonus.
A College Credit bonus of up to $8K is also available for active duty Future Sailors with college credit from post-secondary accredited institutions.
Chat with a recruiter to find out more.
*Text HELP for help. Msg & data rates may apply.
Va National Guard Sign
Currently, there are only three career fields in the Virginia National Guard with a sign-on bonus and 13B is the only one with a $20,000 bonus. The other two career fields are 11B Infantryman with a $12,500 bonus and 88M Motor Transport Operator with a $7,500 bonus. Individuals may qualify for bonuses for other factors of when they leave for training but those are the only three career fields with signing bonuses.
And what is the reason for this new Military Operation Specialty being added to the list? According to Col Todd Hubbard, chief of staff for the Virginia Army National Guard, The Army is expanding our artillery force, and Virginia is part of this effort. Over the past few years, we have fielded the most modern guns we have ever seen. The M119A3 105mm howitzer and the M777A2 155mm howitzer are the same as used by our active duty counterparts, plus the fire control systems are fully digitized with the latest technology.
Cannon Crewmember is under the field artillery career field, field 13. The primary mission for field artillery units is to support infantry and tank units in combat by providing effective fire support on enemy troops and vehicles. Cannon Crewmembers are the soldiers who load and fire howitzers, sets fuse and charge on a variety of munitions, including high explosive rounds, laser-guided projectiles. To qualify for this career field you must score a 93 on the aptitude area of the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery tests.
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Army Bonuses For 2022
There are many advantages to joining the United States Army.
Did you know that you can also receive special pay for serving the country?
The U.S. Army offers signing bonuses and other opportunities to receive financial incentives based on the type of service.
Learn more about the Army bonus list with incentives that could earn you hundreds or thousands more in special pay!
How Army Bonuses Are Paid Out
In the U.S. Army, soldiers complete a number of tasks to receive a bonus. Typically, a soldier qualifies for a bonus after performing a task that is particularly challenging or important. This could include being the first to cross a dangerous river or being a member of a special forces unit. In other situations, a soldier may qualify for a bonus simply by completing a tour of duty. One of the most common ways bonuses are awarded is through a signing bonus. Soldiers who join the Army typically receive a substantial signing bonus. In many cases, soldiers receive a signing bonus before they even begin their first training session. In other situations, the bonus is paid out in installments over the course of a soldiers first several months in the Army..
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Army Offers $50k Enlistment Bonus To New Recruits
FORT BENNING, Ga. – The U.S. Army is offering its largest enlistment bonus ever. $50,000 will be available for highly skilled recruits signing a six year active duty contract.
Previously, the monetary incentive capped at $40,000. The demand to fill critical career fields amid the pandemic is at an all-time high, therefore, the Army has hiked up the price by ten thousand dollars.
According to Lieutenant Colonel David Hensel, those critical jobs can range from being an infantry soldier, dealing with missiles, running radio, or cyber work.
Lieutenant Colonel Hensel says the Army is competing with civilian employers to offer better incentives to attract more people to the Army.
A lot employers right now are offering a lot of incentives from signing bonuses to educational benefits, said Lieutenant Colonel Hensel. A lot of the things that traditionally have been almost exclusive domain of the military.
Lieutenant Colonel Hensel says while anyone up to age 34 can join the military without a waiver, they are really looking to attract the people ages 17 to 24.
Copyright 2022 WTVM. All rights reserved.
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As Of July 1 2021 The Army National Guard Will No Longer Offer Re

Amount Non-Prior Service Enlistment Bonus 6 year enlistment, minimum AFQT 31, authorized MTOE/Medical TDA unit, E4 and below, top 10 MOS $12,500 Off Peak Bonus 6 year enlistment, minimum AFQT 31, authorized MTOE/Medical TDA unit, E4 and below, ships for training between Oct and Apr within same fiscal year $5,000 Prior Service Enlistment Bonus 3 or 6 year enlistment, less than 16 years time in service, authorized MTOE / Medical TDA unit, E7 and below $7,500 – $20,000 Enlisted Affiliation Bonus 3 or 6 year enlistment, less than 16 years time in service, contract in critical Military Occupational Skill , E7 and below $5,000 – $20,000 In connection with initial appointment as an Officer and upon completion of OBC and assignment in a Critical Military Occupation $10,000 Warrant Officer Accession Bonus is suspended — Officer Affiliation Bonus is suspended — Warrant Officer Affiliation Bonus is suspended — Qualified medical professionals who access into the NYARNG Up to $75,000
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Army Offers $50000 Signing Bonus
RENO, Nev. – Public service announcements hope to recruit men and women between 17 and 34 years of age to enlist in the U.S. Army.
Another option, one-on-one contact with a local recruiter.
Staff Sergeant Pablo Martinez says he talks to local high school students every week and hopes his personal story about the Army may spark some interest.
For instance, before entering the armed forces, he was scared of heights.
So that was one of the fears for me height, says Sergeant Martinez. And they taught me how to do it. They taught me how to professionally jump out of helicopters, he says.
But now the Staff Sergeant has more of an incentive for potential recruits to chew on. A $50,000 dollar signing bonus for those who qualify for certain career opportunities within the Army.
Occupations would include radar repairers, or motor transport operators. The $50,000 dollars would not be handed over all at once. Typically, the first installment would appear the first year of service with others to follow over a six-year enrollment period.
The bonus is just one aspect of signing up with the Army says Staff Sergeant Martinez, there are other benefits which come with serving in the Army as well.
Travel, like you said, the medical the GI bill, you got your VA benefits the Army provides, says Sergeant Martinez. While $50,000 dollars is a lot of money.
The opportunity to serve your country.
For more information contact Staff Sgt. Pablo Martinez at 775-829-2769 or 775 232-8748
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How Are Army Bonuses Paid Out
You wont receive your Army enlistment bonus immediately. The Army needs to make sure youre committed to your role in serving the country and that youre not just in it for the money.
Once you complete basic training and career-specific training, youll receive your first payment of $10,000. Following this payment, youll receive an annual sum of up to $10,000 per year until your Army enlistment bonus is fully paid.
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What Does A Bonus Mean In The Army
A bonus in the military is a monetary incentive paid in addition to the soldiers basic pay. An example of a bonus would be basic allowance for housing which is an incentive to make living off post more affordable to soldiers. Bonuses can be paid because of a soldiers length of service, an award for a particular type of achievement, or just to recruit a specific skill or job that is in demand. Many soldiers also receive career incentives that are essentially bonuses that they claim when they reenlist and go back to school..
Army Leaning Into Sign
The Army has multiple offers for sign-on bonuses right now. There is a small list of jobs in the Army National Guard that offer a $20,000 sign-on bonus with a six-year enlistment. These special bonuses available are dependent on what state you are in and what the critical need jobs are in the state. The Virginia National Guard recently added a new career field to their list of sign-on bonuses with the lucrative $20,000 bonus. It is for 13B Cannon Crewmembers. Typically, where theres a great need or demand for skill, theres a greater chance for more money. And the military is similar to industry, with a willingness to offer more incentives.
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Benefits For The Virginia National Guard
In addition to firing the most lethal weapon in the U.S. Army, there are a number of other benefits of serving in the Virginia National Guard as a 13B. State and federal tuition assistance provide up to $11,000 per year for use at colleges, universities, or trade schools, with additional benefits like the Montgomery GI Bill Kicker providing a monthly stipend up to $350. There is also low-cost health, life, and dental insurance available for both single Soldiers and families. A student loan repayment program is also available and can pay up to $50,000 on existing federal student loans.
Do you think you have what it takes to be a 13B? Your career starts with 10 weeks of Basic Combat Training followed by seven weeks of advanced training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. At the training, you will learn how to calculate targets, how to handle ammunition, artillery tactics, and how to operate the gun system.
Field artillery is responsible for shaping the battlefield, explained Hubbard. And right now, with a new signing bonus for FY22 might be the perfect time to join the Virginia Army National Guard.
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Difference Between Enlistment Bonus And Re
An enlistment bonus is different from a re-enlistment bonus in that the latter are offered to military enlisted personnel at the end of their previous enlistment period. These re-enlistment bonuses also depend on the service member’s rank, rate, or MOS , and the needs of the military for keeping certain qualifications. If you have a critically needed skill, your re-enlistment bonus could be significant.
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How To Check Army Bonus Status
The easiest way is to use the Armys online portal. Log in using your DEERS account info, and then click on Army Bonus in the Pay and Benefits tab drop-down menu. You can find out when you can expect your ARCOM and SRB payments, and when CIB payments will be made. If you have questions, the Army has a page with a comprehensive list of frequently asked Army Bonus questions..
Army Loan Repayment Program

Another hidden advantage of serving the military that most people dont talk about is the means to finance your education.
The military is really good about providing financial aid to students looking to get vocational certificates or college degrees.
The Army will repay up to $65,000 of your current outstanding student loan debt as an enlistment bonus.
There are requirements for the Army Loan Repayment Program bonus which youll need to discuss with a local recruiter.
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