Enlistment Bonus and SMP

[driven2xcess]

I have been talking with a National Guard Recruiter and had a couple of things that I wanted to verify. I am looking at enlisting and then going into the SMP program. My recruiter has told me that if I go into the SMP program that I would waive my enlistment bonus. Is this true? I would enlist in either case but the enlistment bonus would be nice to have to pay off some debt. Also, I have been talking about trying to go through airborne school and ranger school. What are the odds that I will actually be able to attend these schools through the National Guard? My MOS will be 11B so that should help and I usually stay in very good physical condition so my fitness scores should be competitive. Also I have 59 college hours so I will be enlisting as an E-3 if that would make a difference. Is there anything I could do to try to increase my chances of going to airborne and ranger school? I didn't know if fitness scores, going to ROTC, and my MOS would be enough. Any help you would be able to give would be very much appreciated. Jeremy

[matthew.ritchie]

If you enlist for a bonus, then you must serve at least 12 months in that bonus unit/MOS before becoming an SMP. Otherwise, you'll pay back the first portion of the bonus. Ask your Recruiter to review SRIP 07-01. Once you become an SMP obviously you won't get any future bonus payments under that enlisted contract.

The Guard can send you to additional training if (1) your duty position requires it, (2) you demonstrate that you have what it takes to pass, and (3) funding is available. If you're an SMP, you have virtually no chance of getting any Guard-funded schools, since your job does not require any specialized training. After commissioning in the Guard, however, as a combat arms officer you have a strong chance of getting Ranger school if you ask.

[WaterRooster]

I thought that when you SMP you were still part of that unit. You still have your MOS and are participating in drills. So you are still able to collect your Bonus. You lose it when you commission because your guard contract becomes voided. So basically If you were SMP, make sure you make it 3 years so you can collect all of it.

Yes/No?

[matthew.ritchie]

I thought that when you SMP you were still part of that unit. You still have your MOS and are participating in drills. So you are still able to collect your Bonus. You lose it when you commission because your guard contract becomes voided. So basically If you were SMP, make sure you make it 3 years so you can collect all of it.

Yes/No?

No. Refer to SRIP 07-01, which is the controlling policy document for incentives. Enlisting for a bonus means that you agree to serve honorably in a specific unit and/or MOS. Changing to SMP means a change of duty status, and thus changes bonus eligibility.

Unfortunately I can't post SRIP 07-01 here, because it exceeds the file size limitation.

[WaterRooster]

Could you link to it? I woul dlike to see it, if you dont mind

[matthew.ritchie]

Could you link to it? I woul dlike to see it, if you dont mind

The only sites where I know it's posted are password-protected. There's nothing secret in it, so perhaps you can ask your local Recruiter to show it to you.