question about army enlistment bonus?
922555
I was in the Army for nine years.  Usually what happens is you get a bulk of it up front and then the rest every year on the month that your husband enlisted.  So if he went in in September then every year he will get another lump sum, and then the September after that until it is paid.
939438
call an army recruiter and they will fill you in on all of this information!
42464
the sign on bonus goes by rate (or job) you choose in the military.\nthe national guard is a reserve branch and you will get paid reservist pay.\nyou get paid by rank in the military.  you get more money for housing (which goes by where you are stationed), food, bonuses, time-in-rate (the longer you are in the more money you make), being married, have kids, etc.\nas an e-3 active duty with one kid not married max taxes i bring home about 2500 dollars a month after taxes.  i got a 8000 bonus and when you get a sign on bnus you have to agree to staying in an extra year.\ngo to navy.mil and search for basic pay to get pay rates for all ranks.
243211
well contract depends on what your job is. I'm on a submarine so my intial enlistment was for 4 years with a 12 month extention b/c of long my school was. Now that i've re-enlisted you get to choose from 4 to 6 years all depending on what you want. If you lucky your enlistment will have a bonus
74369
Okay check out the DFAS website below.  Check the pay chart, then check the BAH rates for where you are home stationed (not where you are deployed).  You won't receive BAS since you're deployed.  You will receive family separation pay ($100-150 a month) and hazard duty pay ($?).  Sorry I couldn't be more helpful.  DFAS changed there website again so I'm not sure where the special pay is located on their website.  It used to be so easy to find.
1045899
E-5 is ok pay. Have you been in the service awhile? Civilian pay is always going to be much better. But you have to balance the fact that you don't have any major bills in the service either. Do you have GI Bill? I went back to school after 6 years in the service. Not only do you get full financial aid (because you probably won't be rich - but maybe you are?), but the GI Bill kicks in $1000+ per month for a full time student. That is your money, you spend it as you like. Then you could get a job doing whatever you wanted.\n\nFYI: here in Utah Union Pacific was hiring RR people just to run transfers and do yard work, and they were starting in the $40K's.\n\nAnyways, hope this is helpful, and good luck to you!
411417
The Career Status Bonus is paid in the 15th year of service IF you elect to take a reduced retirement percentage (40% of high-three average at 20 years, increased by 3.5% per year of service beyond 20) with reduced COLA (1% less than other retirees) increases after retirement.\n\nThe bonus is taxable, unless it is received while serving in a combat zone, which further reduces its value.  Most financial planners agree that it is not a good deal for most people.\n\nIgnore the first answer, above.  It's gibberish, probably from a points collector...
711909
The strange thing is that the Army Active Duty Monthly Basic Pay chart lists wages for 0-5's (LTC's) starting at 2 years or less.  Now, I don't think they'd list it if it wasn't a very remote possibility... so I'd say yes... somehow it's possible that 12 years will get it.  (Possibly through a combination of prior service or other merits.)  \n\nI mean, there's probably a way that's not normally exercised.  Like for instance, any soldier who was awarded a Medal of Honor is to be saluted even if he's a PFC enlisted ranks soldier because once he gets the Medal of Honor, he receives also the honorary rank of 0-1 or 2LT, 2nd Lieutenant.\n\nI vote yes.  But I also add to that - no matter what - It CAN'T be easy.
969905
I think this is a good question! Let me try to tackle the facts here, and then I willl explain why it is a good point...\n\nWhen a person enlists - they do so for 8 years no matter what. For example if you enlist for 4 years active duty - it is what is known as a 4x4 enlistment - 4 yrs active / 4 yrs inactive or IRR (Inactive Ready Reserve). You have the option of joining a Reserve unit after that active time and filling out the rest of your contract, or you can just go into the IRR.\n\nDue to the President calling a Partial Mobilization, a 'Stop Loss' goes into affect which can apply to the following... A unit that has been notified it will be deploying, a critical MOS, a by-name list.\nFor example; Jane Smith did 4 yrs active duty, then you joined a Rerve unit when she got out, the reserve unit was notified they will deploy (an alert)...Even though Jane Smith only has 4 months left until she ETS's, she will be retained due to the Stop Loss - she will deploy and be able to get out once the unit returns...In essence she will be held over a year past her ETS date.\n\nThe military is quick to make ammendments to a contract by the secretary of Def's pen. Yet if you break your end of the deal you are punished.... I have been in the military over 10 yrs, and I think this has been the most abusive administration on Soldier's rights that there has ever been. It's a shame because it will damage the military strength and trust for years to come. \n\nPersonally I am calling it quits next year when I ETS - unless of course I am Stop Loss and Deployed again (in which case I will fight it because there is a 24 month cumulative cap that a reservist can be called). I call it a backdoor draft - some call it what they will.
484915
If you serve 20 years on active duty then you typically are qualified to retire and start getting your pension immediately.\n\nIf you spend 20 years in the reserves and you retire you will get a % of your pay at the time of retirement when you reach age 60.  If you retire and remain in the inactive reserves your retirement pay is based on the grade and TIS with every military pay raise that occurred after you retired.
1066544
The contracts depend.  Have you seen any recruiters yet?  I enlisted in the Navy for 5 years.  It was for but I got a $6000 bonus to add another year.  My husband enlisted in the Marine Corps for 5 years because that's what they gave him.  When they get out, people tend to either go back to school or go back home and get a normal job.  More often than not, they re-enlist.  People will swear through out their entire enlistment that will get out.  A week before they get out, they re-enlist.  \nIf you want to prepare, get in shape.  It's more mental than physical.  If you make yourself believe you can do 100 push-ups in to minutes (I mean really convince yourself) you'll do.  I joined the Navy because I was out of shape and didn't' thing I could go through the Marine Corps boot camp.  It was a breeze!  If I could change it, I would have gone Marine.\n\nGO TALK TO A RECRUITER!  Do your own research to so they can't BS you.  If you know anyone who is in or used to be, take them.
1116344
It sounds to me like you have already made up your mind to Serve... Being in the Army Reserves myself, I think there are a few things you should know. \n\nFirst and foremost joining the Reserves does not guarantee that your college debt will be payed off. The fine print of the contract states the Army will pay IF there is the money to pay with.  That means you may not see  anything payed towards your debt and I have seen this happen to a few people especially with this Iraq thing going on.\n\nSecond, depending on what your degree is in, it would benefit you more to go into the Airforce as Active duty. The Airforce is a fraction of the size of the Army so they are able to spend more money per person. This translates into better benefits and better quality living quarters, food service and education. I don't know if it would be better to join before getting your degree, you may want to talk to others who are in the Airforce.\n\nThird, I found my experience in training to be challenging and very valuable but I believe you will benefit just as much no matter which branch you choose. \n\nAs an end note the benefits received by active and former military are being reduced all the time. There is no guarantee a benefit you signed up for will be there so do not make this important life altering decision based on promised benefits. The conflict in Iraq is going to be there when you are done getting your Degree and I have never heard someone say they regretted getting a Degree but I have heard them regret NOT getting the Degree.
64331
I suggest doing some research along with talking to your local recruiters.  Basic pay is the same across the board but it's the special duty pay that may differ.  In terms of moving up the enlisted chain, they all go to E-9.  Army and Marines just have different names but the manner in which you reach higher ranks differ from service to service.  Your drive and dedication will determine how quickly you advance.  Jump at every opportunity to attend special skills schools like Airborne and Air Assult.  Work hard at earning an Expert Infantry Badge.  Volunteer for special duty assignments, if you qualify.  Note my suggestions learn towards Army experience.  So go out, talk to your recruiters, make a decision, get out to the MEPS, take your ASVAB and get rolling.  Oh and if you have the time, take advantage of the tuition assistance and get your degree, just in case infantry doesn't work out.
336335
Scrappy has it pretty much right.  Ask a recruiter.  Be sure to ask your recruiter what his MOS is though, because my recruiter wasn't really in the infantry and didn't know much about it.  Luckily, another recruiter was and could answer all my questions.  Try to speak to someone in an S-2 office.
366005
Alright,  if you dep in then you actually take the oath twice(well most in the army do).  You actually don't owe the military(whatever branch it is) anything until you sign the dotted line.  Once you sign your contract, it's the same as any contract.  The difference is when you break a contract with say a regular privately owned company or buisness you go to court and if you never worked a day or recieved a dime for them the judge will probably say ok see ya later.  This contract is with the government so it's not so easy.  You can't get a Bad Conduct Discharge because you didn't do anything deemed "Bad Conduct" like felony illegal shit.  You would get at worst an under other than honorable conditions discharge which would still prevent you from getting student loans.  However you can appeal to have your discharge upgraded after a period of time.  My brother in law got the boot from the army for dealing drugs and after two appeals he now has an honorable discharge so just to put things in perspective.  Once you report to basic you have the ability to leave relatively painlessly except you will have to pay for the money they spent on you.  Once you graduate BCT(Basic Combat Training) you go into AIT(Advanced Individual Training).  That's when they "own" you.  They don't own you though.  You have one year to try to get a "failure to adapt" chapter.  The basic jist is don't sign unless you want to do it.  Understand what you're getting in to and don't take your recruiters word for gold cause it's there job to make you sign and they're good at it.  Hope this helps
662568
Ok I am to assume that you have already joined...so with that in mind do you already have an MOS assigned? or job? If not make sure the recruiter is aware of your primary int erst and get EVERYTHING put in your contract!!! The recruiter will promise you the world, but when you get to that first duty station or even school, if it isn't in your contract you got screwed! Also have a game plan. The military will pay for college at 100% now there are many ways to do that either attending school before actual service, during  or after by using the GI bill. I suggest before or during so that you actually have a place to eat and sleep while attending otherwise after you might already be married and with child and car pmts, etc and it will be too hard to focus on school when you need income.... also check with your education office as soon as you check in get knowledge of your benefits, because they won't offer unless you ask...
309620
If you're active duty National Guard then you will qualify for Basic Housing Allowance or psossibly an on-post house depending on the length of your active duty contract. If you're just drilling one weekend a month then the answer is no you do not get to stay on base either during drill weekends or the rest of the month. Your unit commander could maybe make an exception to allow you to stay at your unit overnight on drill weekends if they have the facilities and you live far away etc, but its up to his/her discretion. You'll get a better answer going through your chain of command on this type of thing than asking here though :)