If I received the first portion an enlistment bonus (16k), but get medically retired, will I be able to ever see the other half?

2020-03-02T22:45:12-05:00

So if I’m getting medically retired, and I had an enlistment bonus (16k), and I’ve received the first portion, will I be able to ever see the other half?

Response by SGT Eric Davis made Mar 2 at 2020 11:44 PM

2020-03-02T23:44:21-05:00

How many years of service you have? Are you getting medically retired or medical discharged?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 2 at 2020 11:51 PM

2020-03-02T23:51:34-05:00

If you are being medically retired/separated, you will likely not see the remainder of the bonus was to be dispersed over the remainder of your contract. If it was to be lump sum, you would see it

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 3 at 2020 8:29 AM

2020-03-03T08:29:31-05:00

depends on how your contract is worded. I got a reenlistment bonus with the first half up front and the second half after 3 years. I got commissioned a couple of weeks shy of the 3 year mark so I never got the 2nd half of the bonus.

Response by 1SG Jeremy Evans made Mar 4 at 2020 11:51 AM

2020-03-04T11:51:59-05:00

When I was a recruiter, (some time back) it was common for the bonus to be paid as half after completion of training, and then the remainder was divided and paid annually on your entrance anniversary. If its still the same way, you will only be paid the divided portion of your remaining bonus if you reach your yearly time in service milestone.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 4 at 2020 12:12 PM

2020-03-04T12:12:23-05:00

I don’t like answering questions with questions, but if you’re being medically retired, do you think you’ve earned/deserve the other half of your enlistment bonus?

Response by Cpl Tou Lee Yang made Mar 5 at 2020 3:46 PM

2020-03-05T15:46:30-05:00

I know a guy who got $60k reenlistment bonus. He got $30k tax free (because we were floating around the Persian Gulf) up front and within a few weeks of that money hitting his account, his wife (now ex-wife) took everything and left him. He was depressed and got out medically for an injury (word was that he intentionally injured himself). He had to pay back the $30k bonus that was paid to him. Hopefully you won't have to.