Big bonuses aimed at specialized soldiers

[unhappycamper]

Extra cash for some troops
16 MOSs are eligible for incentives up to $150K


Big bonuses aimed at specialized soldiers
By Jim Tice - Staff writer
Posted : Monday Dec 29, 2008 7:13:38 EST

Despite pending cuts in the Selective Re-enlistment Bonus program, senior NCOs in several priority specialties again are being targeted for career extension incentives of up to $150,000.

Changes to the Critical Skills Retention Bonus program took effect Dec. 22, the first update to this program since Feb. 1.

Sixteen military occupational specialties, including all MOSs of the Special Forces career management field, are eligible for CRSB incentives of $8,000 to $150,000.

Renewal of this priority program comes just days after the Army announced across-the-board cuts in the regular SRB program and Bonus Extension and Retraining, or BEAR, program on Jan. 1.

These programs are targeted at first-term and midcareer soldiers with fewer than 15 years of service.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/12/army_critical_bonuses_122908w/%2e

[Eagle_Eye]

1. Selective Re-enlistment Bonus = Open Bribe to engage in activities one would detest

NAVY
If you are mediocre, it pays to stay in.

[Phred42]

2. A Draft makes a lot of sense now.

It will assure that more American's have a dog in any fight they try to start, and, the military will have all the meat it needs.

[TahitiNut]

3. Careful ... the folks in the peanut gallery's cheap seats will drown you in their spittle

I've advocated universal national service for my whole life ... and a universal (male, female, gay, straight) draft at ANY time our military is engaged in ANY kind of combat. The 1971 draft is close ... just include EVERYONE in the lottery. (In Viet Nam, I never saw a job a woman couldn't do.)

[hardtravelin]

5. I disagree

I've been in a volunteer Army for many years, now. I shudder to think of all the drawbacks to this plan.

[Phred42]

6. Good - Those also are reasons we need a permanent Draft

Everyone should have a dog in the fight - every time.

It's the best way, maybe the only way to make sure we really need any give War.

The only thing that stopped Vietnam was the end of the 2-S deferment. Once ANY male between the ages of 18 an 35(? I forget what the upper limit was at that time) was in jeopardy EVERYONE was forced to THINK about it.

[hardtravelin]

4. Bonuses are going down except for Special Operations

There is a brain drain when it comes to these guys. The target audience here is the senior NCO who has been in the special operations community for at least 6-8 years.

Although the problems with Blackwater have cut down on the work as contractors, this is what has really drained the Army of experienced people. A guy makes about $3000 a month, and sees contractors paying $500-$1000 a day. It's blood money, though. A lot of guys who do the contractor thing end up coming back in.