Bonuses top $32 million for Soldiers reenlisting in Iraq during six-month program

Photo By Sgt. Kristin Kemplin | 'It shows Soldiers there are bonuses being given and the Army is doing everything it can to keep good Soldiers in the military,'  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

06.09.2006

Courtesy Story

363rd Public Affairs Detachment

CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq " Although the six-foot wide check can not be cashed in any bank, the $32 million total shown on its face represents the actual amount of bonus money awarded to Soldiers who reenlisted in Iraq between October 1 and April 30.

"It shows Soldiers there are bonuses being given and the Army is doing everything it can to keep good Soldiers in the military," said Command Sgt. Maj. Ronald Riling, Multi-National Division " Baghdad. "They deserve the bonus money. We can't pay our Soldiers enough for the sacrifices they give for their country."

Riling and MND-B commander, Maj. Gen. J.D. Thurman, took a picture of the $32 million check with Sgt. Maj. Arlene Horne, retention sergeant major, 4th Infantry Division, symbolizing the money that "Uncle Sam" has given to the 4th Inf. Div. in reenlistments.

The 4th Inf. Div. retention team has been working tirelessly to reenlist Soldiers since the Army launched a highly-popular bonus program, said
Horne. The Selective Reenlistment Bonus Fiscal Year

Expiration-of-Term-of-Service program began after the division deployed for Operation Iraqi Freedom. On January 6, active-duty Soldiers who reenlisted with a contractual ETS date of October 1 through April 30 were offered up to a record-breaking $22,500 individually, tax-free, if they met all re-enlistment requirements.

"Some Soldiers don't get the opportunity to receive a bonus when they reenlist because their military occupational specialty doesn't offer it " but here they do," said Staff Sgt. Coleman.

Often, higher bonus money incentives are reserved for Soldiers in "critical" MOS's and Soldiers serving in an over-strength MOS usually do not qualify for bonus money upon reenlisting at Fort Hood, Texas, added Coleman.

When the division landed in Kuwait, all that changed " any Soldier meeting basic reenlistment requirements, regardless of MOS, was entitled to the bonus money.

The initial amount of Soldiers wanting to reenlist was amazing, said Coleman. The 4th Inf. Div.'s retention office had to set up a 24-hour operation for the three weeks the division was in Kuwait to handle the constant long lines of Soldiers wanting to reenlist, said Horne.
Word quickly spread around the division about the phenomenal bonus incentives and more than 2,500 Soldiers took advantage of the opportunity. When the bonus money awarded to Soldiers capped $32 million in April, the retention sergeant major said she knew "4th Infantry Division was going to break some retention records."

Since April, the amount awarded to Soldiers has surpassed $35 million and continues to grow as Soldiers cash in on the opportunity to invest in their futures.

"The bonus money gives these Soldiers a chance to make investments, put away money for their children's college funds, or buy a new car," said Riling. "But I don't think our Soldiers reenlist solely for the money.

Our Soldiers reenlist because of good leadership and because they want to serve their nation."

Riling praised the retention staff, saying "I have never seen a Soldier turned away in our division by our retention counselors."

The Retention Team is off to a strong start in the second half of the fiscal year. Although the FY ETS bonus expired on April 30, there are still bonus programs available to Soldiers wanting to reenlist, said Coleman.

The Inventory Bonus is still available and awards up to a $15,000 reenlistment bonus (which may increase to $40,000 for certain jobs). The deployment bonus of $15,000 is also available.

For further information on reenlisting, contact the 4th Inf. Div. Retention
Office by phone at DSN [phone] or VOIP 242-4115, or stop by their office, located behind the Camp Liberty Ironhorse Oasis dining facility, between 8:30 a.m. and 8:30 p.m. daily.

National Guard and Reserve Soldiers should contact the retention offices on Camp Victory for information on reenlistment incentives. Guard: DSN phone [phone]; Reserve: DSN phone [phone].

• Date Taken: 06.09.2006
• Date Posted: 06.09.2006 10:42
• Story ID: 6740
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ