Posted on Jan 30, 2019
I signed up for 6 years in Army Reserve, but I don't see the bonus in my contract. Can someone help me understand why?
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where am I supposed to see the bonus? I only heard the guy at MEPS verbally saying 13000 dollars but I don't see it in my contract. does it mean that I am not receiving any bonus at all?and i signed up in the army for free? please I need some answers. anyone?
Posted 6 y ago
Responses: 5
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1) I can't see the contract, but I doubt your leaving right away. So you got time to figure things out.
3) Did your MOS change while at MEPS? If so that could affect a bonus. If not and everything is the same then.....
3) You need to have a "come to Jesus" chat with your recruiter. Ask him where the bonus paperwork is in your contract.
Now, keep in mind, you have a reservation contract and not an actual contract. Until you go back to MEPS, you're not under an enlistment contract. A bunch of people will tell you otherwise to include your recruiter, but if you decide to walk at this point, you can. That's why they do the contract that way. But when you go back to MEPS ask about the bonus, if things aren't the way you were expecting or it doesn't feel right, don't be afraid to walk.
3) Did your MOS change while at MEPS? If so that could affect a bonus. If not and everything is the same then.....
3) You need to have a "come to Jesus" chat with your recruiter. Ask him where the bonus paperwork is in your contract.
Now, keep in mind, you have a reservation contract and not an actual contract. Until you go back to MEPS, you're not under an enlistment contract. A bunch of people will tell you otherwise to include your recruiter, but if you decide to walk at this point, you can. That's why they do the contract that way. But when you go back to MEPS ask about the bonus, if things aren't the way you were expecting or it doesn't feel right, don't be afraid to walk.
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SGT Chris Padgett
Oh no! Bonus' are spelled out! Not all MOS's get a bonus. If you don't have a contract that spells out the amount and conditions of payment, you won't get a bonus. I can't stress enough that you need to have a bonus in writing. I've seen kids come in, thinking they had a bonus coming and, in fact counting on it, only to find out a recruiter or career counselor at MEPS didn't submit the paperwork. That's a bad way to start a career, upset that you got messed over. It's okay to be patriotic, but don't be willing to give up something you were promised. A re-enlistment bonus may never come your way.
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PVT (Join to see)
im messed up. I still hope that my recruiter will have a good news for me before I ship. I really appreciate your response, sir. God bless you, God bless America.
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SGT Chris Padgett
Keep us updated. Your recruiter should be able to get you an answer by close of business tomorrow.
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The DD4 is your contract, but the bonus is never written on the DD4. The bonus is located in an addendum for Reserves and the DA3286 on the Active Duty contract. The other thing you have a picture of is just a training reservation.
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PVT (Join to see)
I think I don't have an addendum. I asked a friend recruit to show me what it looks like in her paper and it shows PN:5000;School allowance"20000 something like that and I don't have it. I feel unfair. why would the people in MEPS do that? aren't all the recruits entitled to receive any amount when enlisted?
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SFC (Join to see)
PVT (Join to see) you don't have the addendum doesn't mean that your contract doesn't contain adeendums. If your counselor said 13000 then there's no reason to believe it's not on there. Just ask for a copy of your entire contract.
Why you think all recruits are entitled to the same thing is beyond me. You're not all qualified the same, you didn't all receive the same scores, pick the same jobs, go to the same units, are not eligible for the same clearances or have the same level of education. The bonus you received is what you qualified for based on your selected job, your qualifications, and the length of enlistment.
The Army is not fair, it is a meritocracy.
Why you think all recruits are entitled to the same thing is beyond me. You're not all qualified the same, you didn't all receive the same scores, pick the same jobs, go to the same units, are not eligible for the same clearances or have the same level of education. The bonus you received is what you qualified for based on your selected job, your qualifications, and the length of enlistment.
The Army is not fair, it is a meritocracy.
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SFC (Join to see)
PVT (Join to see) - No, you enlisted for 6 years in the Reserves. It says it right on your contract. The remaining two years of your military service obligation will be served in the IRR if you don't reenlist later.
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Your contract reservation looks a bit different then mine, but I did see my enlistment bonus on it before and after I enlisted. I'll give you a picture for reference. I had to sign off on my bonus at MEPS before I swore in and was told the usual and that the army reserved the right to withhold all of my bonuses if I was considered an "unsavory participant" and was given separate paperwork for each one. If you didn't do any of this at MEPS then you probably didn't receive your bonus. All I can really offer you is my insight on the matter, so I'm sure all the people on this thread know the proper steps to remedy something like this.
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