Where is my enlistment bonus, will I ever see it?

2015-07-31T12:33:14-04:00

When I enlisted, I signed with a $12500 bonus and would become eligible for 50% of it after AIT completion. Once I outprocessed from my RSP unit I was told I should receive said cut in 30-45 days...(I outprocessed in April). I went to my first drill with my new unit in May, they found out that I was never released from my RSP unit so it was as if I was still in training. That brought up a few issues, there would be a delay in drill pay because I couldn't in process, I couldn't get my gear, Tricare thought I was still on active duty orders (they told me I was showing on active orders until Oct 2015) & lastly my bonus. Finance (of course) forgot to fix it so after having to remind a SFC at my unit I received my May drill pay a month later. I continued waiting for my bonus and staying in touch with my unit on it. It was apparently "looked into" & I was told to check back if I hadn't received it by 20 June. I followed up again a week ago & I got passed off to someone not even in the same unit as me. He said he put in an email about it and to check back this week. I called & got his voicemail & he hasn't returned my call.

1. Is this delay typical?
2. What do I have to do to push this thru. I realize my bonus isn't top priority for everyone in my armory, but it's pretty important in my house since we live pay check to pay check.

Response by CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 31 at 2015 12:42 PM

2015-07-31T12:42:59-04:00

I would suggest that you get your CoC involved in this. A stringently delivered inquiry from your 1SG or SGM may yield some more fruitful results than your going it alone.

I have found in my career, somehow when one's pay is messed up, they conveniently forget. When I have had pay in my favor, they will snatch the last penny up likety-split!

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 31 at 2015 12:46 PM

2015-07-31T12:46:10-04:00

Go to your Coc as CMSgt McGirr stated. People have a tendency to move with a bit more haste when they have a 1SG or CSM breathing down their necks.

Response by SGT Kristin Wiley made Jul 31 at 2015 12:56 PM

2015-07-31T12:56:46-04:00

Not to cast doubt, but I would double check your paperwork to ensure you did sign for the $12,500 bonus. If everything's in good order, I would talk to finance directly. If they can't give you the proper information use your chain of command.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 31 at 2015 2:27 PM

2015-07-31T14:27:37-04:00

This does happen from time to time. Seeing how you got a drill pay I am relieved that came through. That is a really good sign. But happens when there is one glitch in the system it triggers a lot more. But what a lot of us fail to realize is that there are secondary triggers too. When A happened it causes B, C, and D to happen. But when D happens it triggers E and F. So when they fix A, B, C, and D sometimes E and F aren't found right away.

The worst happened to me while I was on active duty training. I was coded for attending a drill while on orders. I didn't get paid for a month and a half. The pay sometime is very complicated and the bonus pay outs depends on the pay system being correct. If not it may not pay it out. Just know that you will get your money. It might be a few weeks late but you will get it.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 31 at 2015 5:09 PM

2015-07-31T17:09:18-04:00

I would suggest you keep an eye on your TSP. A friend of mine was asking about his bonus after getting to the unit, only to find out that his TSP allocation for "bonus" was set to 100%, just a thought.

Response by MSgt Marvin Kinderknecht made Jul 31 at 2015 5:44 PM

2015-07-31T17:44:36-04:00

Yes mam, don't &*^%$ with my money. I had to see a Capt White in Finance. when we met she said " Hi. I'm Capt White but I'm black". OKAAAA1

Response by SGT John Rauch made Jul 31 at 2015 6:05 PM

2015-07-31T18:05:50-04:00

nearly every incoming soldier in my unit (including myself) had to go to brigade finance to get this taken care of, I'm not sure how your unit works, but there is paperwork and process that has to be done in order to get your bonus once you arrive at your unit. the bonus doesn't just start automatically, its almost like the army hopes you will forget about it and they wont have to pay up. don't expect to get the full $12,500 either, I had a $35,000 signing bonus that I received in installments over 4 years, the first 3 years after taxes, I ended up getting around $7,500 out of 10 grand.

Response by SrA Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 15 at 2015 12:13 AM

2015-09-15T00:13:03-04:00

An update on my bonus "progress". Yep, that means I still haven't received it yet...

Well, my original orders were for a rear d position, orders got changed before I in processed since there wasn't a rear d so I went to the S2. Because of the change in orders, it said I was no longer for my bonus. So, everything had to be redone (maybe orders & a contract - not 100%). It got resubmitted and yet again was denied, this time not by incentives but the pay system rejected it. Now it's to figure out why & resubmit it.

Although progress is being made I feel like I'm treading water on this & im never going to see it. A guy I went through training with hadn't received his either, his unit kept pushing it aside because they were getting ready to deploy. He contacted IG & he had his bonus in 3 days. I hate to contact the IG because I feel my unit is trying...but I should've had it 4 months ago.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 5 at 2015 7:09 AM

2015-12-05T07:09:40-05:00

When I did my first re-enlistment, I was eligible for a bonus of 4,500, and I received all 3,300 (after taxes) together as one lump sum.

Now that I am doing my second re-enlistment, I am eligible for a bonus of 11,100 (tier 5, 60 months, 35F Airborne Position), and just received approximately 4100. I am not sure why, as 8,250 should have been the approximate bonus after a 25% tax.

This is the first I have heard of the "you will receive half your bonus now and the other half annually". Can anyone provide me the regulation to verify that statement, as I didn't receive my bonus in the past like this, or provide me any further information regarding my situation? Thanks!

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 4 at 2018 11:19 AM

2018-07-04T11:19:36-04:00

I am still waiting on my bonus and I have less than a year left. It's definitely discouraging, however when it comes time to reenlist, I will keep this in mind.