When exactly do I get the first half of my sign on bonus?

2019-01-23T11:29:15-05:00

Asking for a friend. He got a sign on bonus and he asked me and I don't know either. Does he get it after he complete BT and AIT and is stationed or when he gets stationed?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 23 at 2019 11:37 AM

2019-01-23T11:37:30-05:00

If memory serves, the first half of an enlistment bonus is paid after completion of AIT and all paperwork submitted to DFAS.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 23 at 2019 12:04 PM

2019-01-23T12:04:02-05:00

Once they finish AIT and arrive at their first Duty station it is part of their in processing

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 23 at 2019 12:22 PM

2019-01-23T12:22:01-05:00

His enlistment contract will tell him the terms for his incentives. There are addendums to the contract stating terms. For mine, it is 50% after MOSQ which is getting qualified in your MOS aka graduating AIT. 25% at 3 years and 25% at 5 years. Terms may vary. I just know what mine are. The GIMS system has been down for a while and bonuses are not being paid out on time. When I realized mine wasn't paid out, I asked my leadership. They told me it tends to take 90 to 120 after MOSQ for the bonus to get paid. He should refer to his contract, graduate and be patient. If it takes a long time for his bonus to show up. He should speak with his FLL(first line leader) about it and they can look into it for him.

Response by SPC Chris Ison made Jan 23 at 2019 1:40 PM

2019-01-23T13:40:08-05:00

I think it depends on WHY you got the enlistment bonus. The army offers like 2000 for just joining that should be paid after BT; Any bonus that is MOS specific should be paid out after AIT, as you have to finish school for that bonus.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 23 at 2019 4:59 PM

2019-01-23T16:59:43-05:00

Also, I think the Active Duty pays enlistment bonus in one lump sum now.

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 23 at 2019 6:19 PM

2019-01-23T18:19:00-05:00

Just make sure you do it when you arrive to your unit. I thought I had to wait to the end of my contract and now they say I can't get the bonus because it expires after a year.

Response by SGM Steve Wettstein made Jan 23 at 2019 10:42 PM

2019-01-23T22:42:57-05:00

The last I knew was that they get 1/2 after completing AIT and then they get a percentage of it every year at the anniversary of the re-enlistment/enlistment.