Does anybody know why the military gives huge enlistment bonuses ?

military.com ^

[detrie768]

The military gives enlistment bonuses of up to $40000

[detrie768]

Does anybody know why the military gives huge enlistment bonuses when other organizations do not ?

[flynmudd]

College funds.

[NautiNurse]

What "other organizations" are you referring to?

[lonestar67]

I think it is because they are awesome.

[SmithL]

Yes, I know.

[mnehring]

Other organizations (businesses) do.. There are some highly specialized fields that are very competitive and a 'sign on' bonus often makes the difference in getting employees...

I would argue that the military has some of the highest specialized fields and they have to compete with the private sector for these people..

[Hegemony Cricket]

I'm sorry, that information is strictly on a need-to-know basis...

[Steel Wolf]

You're going to have to be a little more specific. Some organizations do give large signing bonuses. What apples are you comparing these oranges to?

[politicalwit]

...military gives huge enlistment bonuses when other organizations do not ?

Are you referring to other military branches or private companies?

[Plains Drifter]

To retain people in the military career fields that they the military deem important and necessary to our national security.

[atomicpossum]

'May be eligible' for bonuses 'up to..'

In other words, if you have very specific, special skills that the military is very eager to get, you might meet the requirements for a large cash inducement. But, quite likely, not.

[Gay State Conservative]

Who are you? You signed up to FR only a few months ago and this is your *second* post.Perhaps you can tell *us* why *you* think the Armed Forces offer enlistment bonuses.

[BufordP]

Depending on the AFSC (Air Force) or MOS (Army) the private sector equivalent job may be considerably more profitable. Bonuses are offered for those career fields to entice the serviceman/woman to re-enlist and stay in.

Dollar amounts are determined by rank/grade at time of re-enlistment, the number of years you re-enlist for (4-6 years), and the zone re-enlistment bonus factor. Zone factor is determined by how many years you've served at time of re-enlistment. Zone A: 4-6 years, Zone B: 6-10 years, Zone C: 10-14 years.

Also, the Zone factor is sort of an arbitrary number that the manpower/personnel guys think they need in order to adequately entice.

Bonuses are paid 50% up front then the remainder of the bonus is divided by the number of years you re-upped for and paid on the anniversary of your re-enlistment.

[jennyjenny]

What makes you think other organizations don't?

[aft_lizard]

My original MOS had an enlistement bonus of 7500 back in 1991, tahts not including GI Bill or SLRP. That was actually one of the highest back then, anyways they do that to entice people into specialized fields. So say Jimmy sixpack wants to enlist and become infantry but he scored really high on his ASVAB and qualifies for a tough MOS that is in need of people the bonus would entice him to switch.

[Horatio Gates]

Probably the same reason I got a Free Republic sign-up bonus. Ask Jim Rob about it.

[Spruce]

Because the people that receive those bonuses are worth every damn penny they get!

[USMCWife6869]

Guess what...some MOSs even get ***shock and gasp*** reenlistment bonuses.

The Marine Corps is giving EVERY MARINE who is elegible for reenlistment (full 4 year contract) and does so $10,000 this fiscal year, regardless of the MOS. They announced it a month or so ago, and it's retroactive to the beginning of this fiscal year (October 1, 2006). Again ***shock and gasp***.

[Tijeras_Slim]

Because up-armored moose don't come cheap.

[SmithL]

Oh, you must have a premium membership.