Am I eligible for a bonus for enlisting as prior service into a different branch?

SPC Onel Cruz — Sun, 23 Dec 2018 21:52:25 -0500

Im a prior service Marine going into the Army Reserve into one of those on demand MOS’s. On the website it says that there’s bonuses for that specific MOS but the recruiters are telling me that I may not get one.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 23 at 2018 11:00 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 23 Dec 2018 23:00:48 -0500

I did the same thing, but I went active. I was told that the bonus is the chance to go back active duty. So, I wouldn’t hold my breath for a bonus man tbh

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 24 at 2018 7:34 AM

SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 24 Dec 2018 07:34:57 -0500

It all depends. When I switched over in 2008 they had prior service bonus which I received 20k for. For the reserves the only bonus I know that has been constant throughout the years is joining the Drill Sgt unit and the bonus usually varies depending on the time of year from 7k to 15k.

Response by CPL Sarah Verity made Dec 24 at 2018 12:24 PM

CPL Sarah Verity — Mon, 24 Dec 2018 12:24:00 -0500

You can negotiate the terms of your contact. I had a 92Y supply clerk contact in 2003. I was offered $50K from a college fund and the recruiter said I would get an extra 3K cash bonus if I went airborne. You can ask about things like airborne, air assault, etc. Being added in for bonuses. Not sure what your tier is. I was a tier 1 recruit so I got lots of bonus money offered.

Response by SPC Joe Frailey made Dec 24 at 2018 4:24 PM

SPC Joe Frailey — Mon, 24 Dec 2018 16:24:10 -0500

It's highly doubtful. When I came back in January the Career Counselor at MEPS all but laughed when I asked about a bonus even though I signed for a critical shortage MOS.