Should I wait or take the quick ship bonus? Will there be a bonus of some sort after the new fiscal year?

Michael Clark — Mon, 26 Sep 2022 18:46:07 -0400

So last Tuesday I sat down with my recruiter and we
checked the system I was looking to be a 25B but only
option was 25U. So it was 25U with quick ship bonus of
40K and option 19. Well I wanted to get more info on 25U
MOS. Well I got the needed info and went back Friday to
sign up and they had removed option 19. Well my wife
really wants to go to Germany or Hawaii. So question is
being a week away from army fiscal year should I just wait
for the new year to see if option 19 comes back but my
recruiter says the 40K will be gone. Any words of advice
would be appreciated?

Response by COL Randall C. made Sep 26 at 2022 8:43 PM

COL Randall C. — Mon, 26 Sep 2022 20:43:55 -0400

The bonus could go away at the end of the fiscal year (the current one runs out at the end of the FY), however it is VERY likely that the Army will continue and increase the bonuses.

The Army is only at about 52% of its recruiting goal for the fiscal year - odds are very good that they will throw a lot of incentives to get people to sign up. According to the FY23 budget, the Army is actually looking to decrease the size of the force by about 12k because they are having such a hard time meeting numbers (however, that 12k decrease is about 2.5%, so don't worry that 'the job isn't going to be there').

If I were in your shoes, I'd toss the dice and wait.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 26 at 2022 9:01 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 26 Sep 2022 21:01:19 -0400

Michael Clark $40,000.00 is a lot of money. In your lifetime, you will need money for cars, homes, family, retirement, etc. Learn money management and take the money.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Sep 26 at 2022 10:40 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Mon, 26 Sep 2022 22:40:12 -0400

Look bonuses change like governments in 3rd world countries, even hour by hr. You snooze you lose the bonus. Keep in mind fiscal year runs out Oct.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Sep 27 at 2022 8:23 AM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Tue, 27 Sep 2022 08:23:14 -0400

It is not often you win a lottery in life, ask yourself if you would put 40k on a roulette wheel and let it ride. There is a chance it could go up, there is a chance could go away. As for choice assignments in those locations, tell your wife now that it is the luck of the draw to get to Hawaii and Germany or Italy. Anything is possible. You will find that each decision in the military needs to go into the rear view mirror once you have made it.

This is your call with your wife. We can only tell you what we think.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Sep 27 at 2022 9:28 AM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Tue, 27 Sep 2022 09:28:45 -0400

Bonuses don't last long. They are limited supply and first come first serve. At this point FY23 bonuses and incentives are released and in the open. Anything being processed is going to be processed for FY23 unless you are going to MEPS to put pen to paper before Saturday. Your recruiter is correct that the bonus won't be on the table long.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 27 at 2022 11:34 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 27 Sep 2022 11:34:58 -0400

Bonuses are never predictable. I can say that you will almost certainly never again see a 40k bonus in your entire military career, and you probably won't see it again in the next fiscal year. Bonuses and options are whatever are available at that moment. One of the worst mistakes people make is sitting on it to make a decision, someone who is more ready will snatch that option up in a heartbeat.

Response by CSM William Everroad made Sep 27 at 2022 2:10 PM

CSM William Everroad — Tue, 27 Sep 2022 14:10:46 -0400

Michael Clark, choosing your first career field is a pretty big decision. While you can change your MOS later, it can be difficult and there is an effective window between when your contract obligation ends and when it may be too late based on grade/experience to be competitive.

I suggest you revisit why you chose 25B, and the Army, in the first place. 25B translates to industry far more effectively than 25U. If you plan on getting credentials or certifications while on AD, 25B will help you add experience to your resume. No matter if you are a 4 and out or a careerist, both top out pretty quickly when it comes to broadening and leadership opportunities. I have seen quite a few leave the Army between E-5 and E-7 to take their skills to industry. 25U is a critical MOS, but 25B is becoming important in its own way and the Army is investing in the capability.

Knowing that there is an incentive to choose one over the other, you have to decide if the juice ($40K +option 19) is worth the squeeze in the long run. A career counselor, aka SFC Private RallyPoint Member, can help you navigate what options you have and the impact of the decisions.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 28 at 2022 10:46 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 28 Sep 2022 10:46:10 -0400

The bonus money is taxed and dissappears quickly. Your MOS and duty station will last much longer.