Sailors can get up to $90,000 to ship over

[unhappycamper]

A $90,000 Selective Re-enlistment Bonus is now available to sailors in critical ratings and skills. SEALs, explosive ordnance disposal technicians and 10 separate nuclear power Naval Enlisted Classifications are eligible.


Sailors can get up to $90,000 to ship over
By Mark D. Faram - Staff writer
Posted : Wednesday Oct 3, 2007 19:04:31 EDT

Sailors in critical ratings and skills are now eligible for a $90,000 Selective Re-enlistment Bonus — the highest payout of any military service — effective immediately.

The award level is being offered to some SEALs, all sailors in the explosive ordnance disposal rating, and those with any of 10 nuclear power naval enlisted classifications. All previously qualified for bonus at the $75,000 level.

The expansion has afforded thousands of other sailors in various ratings the chance to move up into the $60,000 and $75,000 payout levels, while bringing sailors in new ratings the chance to claim a $45,000 award, as well.

The $90,000 payout was announced in an Oct. 2 Naval Administrative message. That same update saw increases in payout potential for 184 rating and pay grade combinations — 46 of which were new to the program.

On the downside, sailors in 72 NECs will see a decrease in payout, including some being dropped from the list altogether.

“This is for those sailors who have the critical skills we need most,” said Rear Adm. Mike LeFever, head of manpower plans for the Navy’s chief of personnel in Arlington, Va., about the new levels. “We are operating in a market-driven environment, and we have to be willing to pay the market price to keep folks in.”


Rest of article at: http://www.navytimes.com/news/2007/10/navy_srb_boost_071003w/

[Zywiec]

1. When I got my enlistment bonus in the '80's, it was $3000

I was 18 years old and thought I was rich!!!

$90,000 to re-enlist? I can't see how many people could turn that down unless they had a better offer from Blackwater.(Which of course for the SEALs, they might)

[unhappycamper]

2. I took a blast of six in 1966 for $10K.

I wound up in Chu Lai in 1967. And Chu Chi in 1970.

[soothsayer]

3. Sounds like all the skills you'd need for an Iran attack

[fasttense]

4. So why don't farmers and restaurateurs

who depend on illegal immigration labor think this way? Or how about those IT corporations who can't get enough HB1 visas?

“We are operating in a market-driven environment, and we have to be willing to pay the market price to keep folks in.”

[TahitiNut]

5. It's easier to spend OPM.

:shrug:

[Captain Hilts]

6. The navy was ordered to lower #of sailors by 10K a year. nt

[Cirque du So-What]

7. I received $3273.12 in 1978 for the two last years of my enlistment

and I had to participate in a class-action lawsuit, file about three miles of paperwork, and wait an entire year beyond the original payout date to realize justice. My six-year enlistment included this bonus as part of the incentive package to draw recruits, but then the Navy decided they didn't want to pay the money to the thousands of personnel affected.

The Navy (and presumably any other branch of the military) will change the rules and move the goalposts on a whim - regardless of its legality - and leave those affected hung out to dry. Explanation for their actions is strictly optional on their part. That leaves class-action lawsuits as the only recourse when the military deems it appropriate to slip its enlistees the green weenie.

Consequently, I would advise anyone considering shipping over for these enticing sums of money to take into account the possibility that the Navy could - at any time - pull the rug out from under their earlier promises.