Reenlistment bonus cap raises; extended to 91 AFSCs

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Chad Padgett
  • 436th AW Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  A recent change to the Selective Reenlistment Bonus program increased the number of Air Force Specialty Codes set to receive an SRB to 91 and doubled the cap of the maximum amount to $90,000.

Reenlistment bonuses are divided into four zones. Zone A is for 17 months to six years of service, Zone B for six to 10 years of service, Zone C for 10 to 14 years of service and Zone E for 18 to 20 years of service.

A reenlistment bonus is determined by the person's monthly salary multiplied by the amount of years they reenlist and then multiplied by a career modifier.

"Some of the modifiers go as high as seven and the Active Duty members can reenlist for up to six years," said Airman 1st Class Laura Vidot, 436th Force Support Squadron career development representative.

The reenlistment bonus is subject to taxes. Once taxes are taken out, half the money is given to the Airman and the rest is given as an annual fixed payment for the rest of the reenlistment time.

"A majority of cases have a one-time fee for federal taxes, usually 25 percent, and they might also have to pay state taxes," said Staff Sgt. Robert Jones, 436th Comptroller Squadron noncommissioned officer in charge of military pay. "The payments made across a person's enlistment are done by fiscal year and not calendar year. The individual won't receive a payment the last year of their enlistment."

While some career fields may offer sizeable reenlistment bonuses, it is important that military members wait until the money is in their account before making any plans, according to Sergeant Jones.

"One important tip is for people to not count on the money," said Sergeant Jones. "It can take a little while between when people are expecting to receive the money to when they do. If you buy something large, and there are slowdowns in the system, it could put the Airmen in a bind. They should always wait to see the money in the bank account before they spend it."

The bonuses are only available to members reenlisting, and they can only reenlist within 90 days of their date of separation.

"There are some exceptions," said Staff Sgt. Juvy Kolesnikov, 436th Force Support Squadron career development supervisor. "If they get promoted, have Permanent Change of Station orders, or have any service directive allowing them to reenlist before their 90 day window."

While members have up to 90 days to reenlist, the 436th Force Support Squadron personnel office recommends turning in the paperwork sooner rather than later.

"On average it takes about 10 days to process reenlistment paperwork," said Staff Sgt. Eric Kelley, 436th Force Support Squadron career development supervisor. "This is especially important if they want a reenlistment bonus because there are no set dates for changes. A bonus could be available one day and gone the next."