By USAREC Public Affairs Office
For the first time the Army is offering a “quick ship” bonus of $35,000 in all career fields for new recruits.
The quick ship bonus has been updated effective June 17, 2022, to now give $35,000 instead of the previous $25,000 to future Soldiers who to basic training within 45 days of signing a four-year contract. The bonus has also extended the timeline to give more flexibility for the future Soldier.
“Recruiting in the current environment is a challenge, and we have positions we need to fill right now,” said Maj. Gen. Kevin Vereen, who leads the U.S. Army Recruiting Command based here. “Our Army is counting on us to fill these training vacancies quickly, so we are able to offer incentives to gain interest in critical career fields.”
Additionally, the 2-year enlistment option, also known as Option 26, is available to eligible applicants. In order to receive the $10,000 bonus, the enlistee must agree to enlist for the number of years plus training and delayed entry and is required to serve their 2 years in the Regular Army followed by serving 2 years in either the Army National Guard or Army Reserve.
“Future Soldiers who have enlisted and are shipping in July, August or September are authorized to renegotiate their contract to ship earlier but they are limited to the training seats available,” Patricia “Trish” Crowe, the Enlistment Eligibility Processing Division Chief with USAREC said. “For instance, a future Soldier who enlisted in the Delayed Entry Program in May, who selected Infantry with a ship date of 6 September, can renegotiate their contract and select an MOS (job/training seat) that is available to ship in the next 45 days, and is authorized the $35,000.”
The quick ship bonus can be added on top of other incentives being offered for certain career fields. Applicants have the potential to receive up to $50,000 total in combined enlistment incentives. They also receive other standard Army benefits like housing allowances, health coverage, college tuition and family support services.