Joined June 27th still waiting for prior service bonus

[mrmp1967]

I singed all papers on June 27th and since than have been told many different things on my prior service bonus. First I heard that I would get the 15,000 the first day than I have heard half on the first day and now I hear I have to wait 45 days to get any of the bonus. Well the 45 days have past and still NO bonus! Now if I wait until the end of the month that would be 45 business days. Could someone please tell me how long it takes to get this bonus and if you can't tell me how long it takes who do I need to get a hold of to find out. I don't seem to be able to get any straight answers from anyone.

[formerknighthawk136]

From what I was told, service members will get their bonus when they are MOSQ'ed.

[Rhughes]

That is what I was told as well. But what i am unsure of and I have heard differing stories also is that you receive half after you are MOSQ'd then the ohter half on your 3rd anniversary. But another question I had was this, If when I enlist I am MOSQ'd due to a MOS conversion from the Navy do I reeive the first half then or after I attend WTC?

[michael_paschal]

Well, now I'm scared. I was put off first that non-prior service receive more than prior service. I do not understand why prior service receive less. Afterall, we have already been trained. Why less?

I've also heard that non-prior service receive it all at once..lump sum. But prior service still have to take half and half..that is if they get it at all. Who has the real scoop?

[METHOS]

That is not true, the part about non-priors getting a lump sum. You get half after you complete bct/ait then the rest in the 3rd anniversary. It says so in my contrtact.

[AbnMtn]

Methos,

If you still can not get a straight answer from the reps in your unit, contact your state education office to find out what's holding up your bonus.

[allsopx]

I enlisted first half of July, been to 2 drills, and still haven't gotten my first part of my prior service bonus, or been paid for my drills!

[marine]

I am curious about this. Time is money. That is loss of interest potential and that means loss of a lot of money.

Negating taxes for illustration:

$ 7,500 at 3.75 percent in a simple 30-Day CD makes about $280
Compounded over three months is about $ 873 dollars.

Are you sure it says payable at the time of enlistment? There must be some caveat somewhere or else the delay potentially cost a grand!

Any recruiter know the guidelines? I want to make sure if I mention to a potential Soldier that they MAY qualify for a bonus I am telling them the proper terms.



In any event, this Soldier needs to be paid promptly. I reco you go through your chain of command.

I have noticed several pay issues drills, bonuses, etc.

Can anyone fill me in on the reasons for the delays or the regulations? I am quite certain there are legitimate operational reasons, just want to ensure I know what they are……

[britz15g]

Go to or call your finance office, they are the ones that enter the info for payment and if your having problems getting paid for your drills, you need to talk to them anyway.

SSG Ritz

[DISAPPOINTED]

I enlisted first half of July, been to 2 drills, and still haven't gotten my first part of my prior service bonus, or been paid for my drills!

I JOINED IN APRIL 2006 AND HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY PART OF THE BOUNS, NOR HAVE MOST OF THE GUYS THAT I WENT THROUGH BOOT-CAMP WITH.'

I FEAR THAT THIS IS JUST ANOTHER LIE THAT WE ARE IN STORE FOR.

I HAVE STOPPED SEVERAL OF MY BUDDIES AND EVEN MY BROTHERS FROM JOINING.

I WAS 100% BEHING THE GUARD/ARMY, NOW I FEEL BETRAYED.

[sgtblack82]

wow this is tough:


First off for non-prior service and im sure prior service re-enlisting you must complete basic for non-prior service, and ait for prior as well prior to recieve any bonus. You wont get paid for drill if your paper work is still held up at meps, for your enlisting or re-enlisting meaning the dont consider you for any money until your mos-qued, however you should be getting paid for drill that silly dont show up if they dont pay you. Your bonus is not one lump sum, its usually lumped it to percents buy the your contract. A new soldier enlisting lets say gets 20,000 non-prior service bonus. the soldier gets 50% after completion of basic training and ait. Then he gets around 20% after two years. And the lat 30% is your sixth or 8 year. This is also taxed. So if you get 10,000 after basic ait then you probaly taking home 8,500 after taxes. For prior service its 15,000 dollar bonus, I agree with you on this one prior service should get more maybe the army would retain. The prior service bonus probaly works the same way in percentage. It took me 3-4 months or more to get my first 50% and then it went quicker. The military doesnt work fast with giving money, they hope you miss drill get u out. To answer your question if you dont recieve anything withing 3 months yell at meps, call everyday. Ask to speak to the base commander. Check with your unit and ask them to see what holding it up

[WIBecky74]

I'm non prior. Eight year contract. (six year drilling) 15k bonus. Enlisted 20061310. Ten months of RSP then 20 weeks bct/ait including holiday break.

My paperword states:

Half of my 15k bonus shortly after completing AIT, other half three years into my contract, RSP counts towards the three years. Of course the payments are minus taxes taken out. By the end of bct/ait, I will know my direct deposit is working. I will give the ARNG 60 days (although I think 30 days should be sufficient) after my last day of AIT and then if I do not see half the bonus, I will follow my chain of command.

[career_counselor]

Don't feel betrayed! You just need to find the right person to ask about your situation. You need to find out who your Battalion Retention NCO is. There are numberous others who should have access to iMarc, but each state should have BN Retention NCOs in place by now as directed by NGB (National Guard Bureau). This NCO can find out when payments are scheduled for and what may be holding them up. If you can't find such a person, get ahold of the state education office as others have suggested. Good luck!

[shvrx]

I am prior service also, just signed the papers yesterday so it is fresh in my mind. I had to initial a part in my packet, it explains very clearly how my bonus should come to me. It titled Section III Bonus Amounts and payments.
Hopefully you are able to locate your copy, perhaps there is something you have not completed yet ( ie MOS school ).

Utilize your chain of command, with that direction you should be able to reach someone who is able to get the ball rolling for you.

good luck