Is my son eligible for the 11X option 40 signing bonus?

SGT Shannon Mauldin — Wed, 05 Jun 2019 11:21:28 -0400

I I have attached a photo of an article that came out in the Army Times in January 2019. It discusses a new bonus for soldiers coming in to be an Army Ranger. It also mentions soldiers that are already in basic training being able to get this bonus. My son enlisted for the 11X option 40 contract back in September and he leaves for basic training on July 1. So he’s done the normal, been in the delayed entry program and will be leaving for his training in July. I have asked his recruiter to fix it so that he can get this bonus added to his contract because clearly if soldiers that are in already in Boot Camp can get it my son should be able to get this bonus as well since he is technically only in the delayed entry program now and the recruiter has blown me off. I understand how bonuses usually work but if they are going back and offering it to 11x soldiers in boot camp I think he should qualify. Please take a look at the article. Can any of you give me advice on this subject. When my son goes to MEPs for his final check out and his actual swearing in into the regular Army he should be able to have his contract amended and the bonus added.Am I way off base here? Any advice is appreciated! TIA

Response by SGT Javier Silva made Jun 5 at 2019 12:02 PM

SGT Javier Silva — Wed, 05 Jun 2019 12:02:10 -0400

SGT Shannon Mauldin Anything that is not in the contract does not exist. Period. No matter what an article may mention. The DoD will not honor anything unless it is in the contract. Do you have a copy of his current delayed entry contract? Read the contract, including the additional documents. Having worked in an administrative department, I can take a look at it. Yes, your son, not you, can request that their contract be amended; however, he will have to be prepared to either swear in or walk-away if they are not willing to amend the contract. If your child will be 18 or over on the day of his contract, you will have ZERO say in his contract. Even as delayed entry, your son has no requirement to show up on the day is he is supposed to be at MEPS. Delayed entry's only advantage is that it counts towards the required eight-year (8) military service obligation.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2019 12:30 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 Jun 2019 12:30:33 -0400

This may be an example of taking one piece of media information and using it as a singular basis for a course of action. Love the AT, but they are terrible. A simple google search revealed this bonus option is 75th Ranger Regiment recruitment option. You have to go through their track to obtain it. So a regular recruiter probably cannot help you anyway. I would imagine it’s something similar to when I enlisted and originally tried to get in as a linguist ISO Special forces. The recruiter would have to put you in touch with a 75th Ranger Regiment recruiter. The bonus is for 11x with a Ranger contract if they lock in a slot with 75th. It isn’t for an 11x who gets the ranger option and then goes into the regular Army. So my advice would be get with 75th RR POC and see if they can help. Also, I see on the actual site there are pre-qualifications that have to be met. A couple of them are higher than are usually required by a traditional infantryman like the ability to immediately obtain a Secret clearance and a GT of 105 or above. The email contact is [login to see] . Good luck!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2019 12:58 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 Jun 2019 12:58:15 -0400

Army times is affectionately known as the Army Enquirer. Your son will have whatever bonus he's eligible for written into his contract at the time he ships. Bonuses aren't something that are negotiated, if it is available he is authorized it, and if he's authorized it he gets it.
There is about 5 to 10 percent chance your son passes rasp, so it's probably a moot point. But as his mother, there's nothing that you can do for him, he has to sign his contract on his own