question about enlistment bonuses

[Engineerjet]

Let me start off by saying I obviously am not joining for the money. I would like to know though, how I would determine if my MOS comes with an enlistment bonus? I've always been told, make sure it is in the contract so when I asked my recruiter about enlistment bonuses this is what he pretty much told me.

We usually let people pick the MOS first without telling them if it comes with the enlistment bonus. Then after they finish MOS school we'll tell them, hey by the way you got a little extra coming your way due to the enlistment bonus.

This does not make sense to me since the purpose of the enlistment bonus is to add incentive for people to take certain MOS's. I swear in tomorrow and go into DEP. Is it too late for me to ask about this? In short, arent you suppose to find out about the enlistment bonus beforehand?

Again, if the bonus is available I would like to try getting it. Its not a matter of money but if it is available then why not claim it?

[doc h fmf]

You Better Hurry Up You Are 27 Years Old And Getting Close To The Cut Off Age Goodluck In What Ever You Choose To Do

[lamanognr86]

What is your MOS?

[Stuffs]

When you enlist you are open contract I believe, you usually lock in your job slightly after, or maybe a little later depending on when you ship. My recruiter never really locked in my job, and I'm glad because I changed my mind and just changed it to HY (2600, 1800, or 2100) hope I get 2100 ground weapons ordinance..hope..hope..

Also I think either before or after boot camp you have a chance to make sure that your job is correct and have another chance to change it and ask about the bonus. -- I don't have confirmation on that but I remember reading it or hearing it somewhere, sorry If I'm wrong, maybe someone else knows.

I know the job category I'm in has a 10k bonus..but that's the only one that was open that had 2100 in it...
(you will pick a job category probably with your job in it, and then you get a chance at getting that job or another job in the category, based on the Corps's needs...though you do get a wishlist, and your proficiency in school can help from what I've read, but I'm not sure on that one)

Here's a list I found of MOS areas with bonuses

Electronic Maintenance Enlistment Bonus (28XX)
- $5,000
-5yr active term required (if you signed open contract for 4yrs this contract will change it to 5years)

Aviation Operations Enlistment Bonus (70XX) ...I Think..
- $4,000
-5yr active term required (if you signed open contract for 4yrs this contract will change it to 5years)

Public Affairs Enlistment Bonus (43XX)
-$4,000
-4yr active required

Fire Direction Control Specialist Enlistment Bonus (08XX) *more commonly referred to as artillery*
-$6,000
-4yr active required

Cryptologic Linguist Enlistment Bonus (26XX)
-$4,000
-5yr active term required (if you signed open contract for 4yrs this contract will change it to 5years)

Aviation Electronics Enlistment Bonus (63XX/64XX)
-$4,000
-5yr active term required (if you signed open contract for 4yrs this contract will change it to 5years)
Source: http://usmilitary.about.com/od/marin...bonus.-ulZ.htm

I'm pretty sure the values are higher because I saw higher numbers on the sheet I was picking my job from, and I know for sure my contract has 10k..

The numbers may or may not be accurate but those are the usual fields for bonus..

p.s. ..the bonus you receive IS taxable so you will lost quite a chunk of is. Just letting you know so it doesn't come to a surprise to you if you had plans for all of that cash. :P

[lamanognr86]

Too late for you. If there is a bonus for a certain MOS, it would show it in the contract. My MOS came with a big bonus, but most people didnt receive it due to lack of knowledge. In other words, they got screwed. I guess my recruiter liked how amazing of an applicant I was

[Apache]

So you are amazing ?
Arent we blessed !

[Stuffs]

No, I'm pretty sure he's still open contract, so he probably hasnt signed his MOS contract yet, at least most people I've seen haven't signed it until after open contract...

But on that not I'm not sure that if you sign your open contract as reserve if you can resign as active....more questions for your recruiter.