$140K Enlistment Incentive Maximum for Nukes
On, June 15, 2023, Navy Recruiting Command released its fifth enlistment bonus (EB) update for Fiscal Year 2023. The new EB guidance effective date is June 18, 2023, and it supersedes the April 4, 2023 release which actual effective date was April 1, 2023.
Starting tomorrow and until superseded, the Enlistment Bonus for Source Rate (EBSR) for the Nuclear Power Program (Nuke) is increased from $38,000 to $50,000. The total enlistment bonus cap for Nukes has been raised from $50,000 to $75,000. All other ratings remained capped at $50,000.
Also starting tomorrow, the Special Warfare Operator (SO-ATF) rating is once again eligible for Enlistment Bonus for Source Rating, and the Master-at-Arms (MA) rating is eligible for an Enlistment Bonus for Shipping amount of $15,000.
Enlistment Bonus and Student Loan Repayment Examples:
- For the Nuclear Power Program Only: the maximum enlistment bonus one can receive in combination is $75,000. For example, if a person joins the Navy during the effective dates of this message and ships to boot-camp during the period August 2023 or September 2023 in the Navy nuclear power program (Nuke), minimally, they would be entitled to Enlistment Bonus for Source Rate (EBSR) AND Enlistment Bonus for Shipping (EBSHP). The EBSR amount for Nukes who join and ship during this time frame are authorized $50,000, and an EBSHP of $25,000. The total amount authorized for payment would be $75,000. Additionally, if the same Nuke was also eligible for the Navy Student Loan Repayment Program (LRP), the total combined maximum amount that can be realized is $140,000 ($75K max for EB and $65K max for LRP) because EB and LRP are stackable!
- For Nukes and all other ratings: for those shipping to boot-camp in August or September of 2023 reaching the total non-nuke enlistment bonus (EB) cap of $50,000 is possible. For example, the max total EB that can be realized for non-Nukes is via the SECF program and the Information Systems Technician-Submarine Advanced Technical Field (ITS-ATF) rating is $58,000 ($15K for EBSR, $35K for EBSHP, and a max of $8K for EBCC). They would receive $43K after boot-camp graduation ($35K for EBSR and max $8K for EBCC if eligible), and because the maximum EB allowed for non-Nukes is $50,000, the remaining $7K after completing the requirements for EBSR would be paid out. For the Nukes, if they were also eligible for the maximum EBCC, they would have a total bonus amount of $83,000, but it would be capped at the $75,000; however, the EBCC does potentially change the time frame you would actually receive the cash. EBSHP and EBCC are payable at boot-camp graduation, so the Nuke would receive $33,000 after boot-camp graduation, and the remaining $42K per OPNAVINST 1160.9A.
- Yes, enlistment bonuses are taxed.
Current Enlistment Bonus Status
- Enlistment Bonus for Source Rate (EBSR): Authorized (see chart below).
- Enlistment Bonus for Physical Screening Test (EBPST): Not authorized.
- Enlistment Bonus for Physical Fitness Assessment (EBPFA): Not authorized.
- Enlistment Bonus for High School (EBHS): Authorized (see chart below).
- Enlistment Bonus for College Credit (EBCC): Authorized (see chart below).
- Enlistment Bonus for Shipping (EBSHP): Authorized (see Active Duty and Reserve charts below).
- Student Loan Repayment Program (LRP) Policy: Authorized (see chart below).
Prior Service members, either Navy or Other Services (must have an eligible RE-Code for reenlistment), re-enlisting into active duty are eligible for bonuses. They must enter active duty in pay grade E-4 or below, meet specific bonus eligibility and did not receive a bonus in their first enlistment. Additionally, Navy Prior Service Members must have been separated from active duty for at least 12 months prior to shipping to be eligible for bonuses.
The Navy's Current Enlistment Bonuses
If a Sailor is reclassified while attending training, the Enlistment Bonus for Source Rate (EBSR) is determined by the effective enlistment bonus message at the time of reclassification. If Enlistment Bonus for Shipping (EBSHP), Enlistment Bonus for College Credit (EBCC), and/or Enlistment Bonus for High School (EBHS) are listed in the old contract, they are transferred to the new contract with the same amount(s) listed in the original enlistment bonus message.
Enlistment Bonus for Source Rate (EBSR)
For any Future Sailors initially classified or reclassified on or after June 18, 2023 into the following ratings would be eligible for the Enlistment Bonus for Source Rate (EBSR).
| Rating | Ship Month | FY | EB | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AIRR-ATF | October-September | Any | $15,000 | 3,6 |
| CTI-ATF | October-September | Any | $15,000 | 5 |
| CTN-ATF | October-September | Any | $5,000 | 2 |
| EOD-ATF | October-September | Any | $15,000 | 5,6 |
| HM-ATF | October-September | Any | $15,000 | 2 |
| ITS-ATF | October-September | Any | $15,000 | 2 |
| MMS-5YO | October-September | Any | $10,000 | 2 |
| MT-AEF | October-September | Any | $5,000 | 2 |
| ND-ATF | October-September | Any | $15,000 | 5,6 |
| Nuke | October-September | Any | $50,000 | 1 |
| SB-ATF | October-September | Any | $15,000 | 4,6 |
| SO-ATF | October-September | Any | $15,000 | 4,6 |
| SECF-5YO | October-September | Any | $15,000 | 2 |
If a Service Member is reclassified while attending training (boot-camp or “A” school), the Enlistment Bonus for Source Rate (EBSR) bonus amount is determined by the current effective message at the time the reclassification is completed.
EBSR Notes:
- See OPNAVINST 1160.9A, The Enlistment Bonus Program instruction, for payment guidance.
- EBSR earned and payable upon graduation from “A” or “C” school.
- For Navy aviation rescue swimmer (AIRR) advance technical field (ATF), payment occurs after graduation from Naval Aircrew Candidate School (NACCS), “A” school, Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS) training, and after arrival at first permanent duty station.
- For Special Warfare Boat Operator (SB) ATF, the payment occurs following graduation from the crewman qualification training (CQT).
- For Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) ATF, payment occurs following EOD "A" school. For Navy Diver (ND) ATF, payment occurs following Dive "A" school. For Cryptologic Technician Interpretive (CTI) ATF, payment occurs following Language "A" school and first duty station qualification training in the designated language. For Special Warfare Operator (SO) ATF, payment occurs following graduation from SEAL Qualification Training (SQT).
- Must have earned the rating Navy Enlisted Classification (NEC) and have a security clearance.
Enlistment Bonus High School (EBHS)
Effective June 18, 2023, any SY-2024 high school senior (11S) written and scheduled to ship in June or July 2024 for an Active Component rating is authorized EBHS. The 11S applicant must be enrolled and attending a Tier 1 traditional high school at the time of the initial contracting date. To remain eligible, they must graduate high school, and receive a Department of Defense Civilian Education code of 12L (High School Graduate with 12 years of education), prior to shipping to boot-camp. To be eligible, the high school senior must have a 31QT or higher on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB).
| Component | Program | Ship Months | FY | EBSHP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Active Duty | Any | June or July | 2024 | $10,000 |
Eligibility for EBHS only exists while the Future Sailor is in the Delayed Entry Program. EBHS is earned and payable upon graduation of boot-camp and may not be recouped due to reclassification or separation.
Enlistment Bonus for College Credit (EBCC)
Active Component recruits enlisting on or after June 18, 2023 in any rate/program with college credit from a postsecondary accredited institution can receive Enlistment Bonus for College Credit (EBCC). EBCC is payable and earned upon graduation from Navy boot-camp.
EBCC can be combined with EBSR, EBSHP, and EBHS.
| Program | Ship Months | FY | EBCC | NOTES |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Any | October-September | Any | $5000 | (1, 2) |
| Any | October-September | Any | $8000 | (1, 3) |
| Any | October-September | Any | $3000 | (1, 4) |
| Any | October-September | Any | $5000 | (1, 5) |
| Any | October-September | Any | $2000 | (1, 6) |
| Any | October-September | Any | $3000 | (1, 7) |
| Any | October-September | Any | $4000 | (1, 8) |
| Any | October-September | Any | $6000 | (1, 9) |
| Any | October-September | Any | $7000 | (1, 10) |
Enlistment Bonus College Credit (EBCC) Notes:
- Eligibility for EBCC only exists while the Future Sailor is in the Delayed Entry Program. EBCC is earned and payable upon graduation of Recruit Training Command (boot-camp) and may not be recouped due to reclassification or separation.
- For Associates Degree.
- For Bachelor Degree or greater.
- For 1yr vocation.
- For 2yr vocation.
- For 12-23 semester hours.
- For 24-47 semester hours.
- For 48-71 semester hours.
- For 72-95 semester hours.
- For 96 or greater semester hours.
Enlistment Bonus for Shipping (EBSHP -- Active Duty)
Any newly classified or reclassified active duty applicant who ships to boot-camp in the months listed in the chart is authorized a minimum of $10,000 EBSHP. Select ratings listed in the chart can receive up to $35,000. A minimum of a 31QT on the Armed Services Vocational Battery (ASVAB) is required for EBSHP.
| Program | Ship Month | FY | EBSHP | NOTES |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AC-5YO | August or September | 2023 | $25,000 | (1,2) |
| AECF-AEF | August or September | 2023 | $25,000 | (1,2) |
| AIRR-ATF | August or September | 2023 | $25,000 | (1,2) |
| AV-5YO | August or September | 2023 | $25,000 | (1,2) |
| CSS-5YO | August or September | 2023 | $25,000 | (1,2) |
| CTI-ATF | August or September | 2023 | $25,000 | (1,2) |
| CTM-AEF | August or September | 2023 | $25,000 | (1,2) |
| CTN-ATF | August or September | 2023 | $25,000 | (1,2) |
| CTR-SG | August or September | 2023 | $25,000 | (1,2) |
| CTT-AEF | August or September | 2023 | $25,000 | (1,2) |
| CTT-SG | August or September | 2023 | $25,000 | (1,2) |
| EOD-ATF | August or September | 2023 | $25,000 | (1,2) |
| HM-ATF | August or September | 2023 | $25,000 | (1,2) |
| HMDH-SG | August or September | 2023 | $25,000 | (1,2) |
| IS-ATF | August or September | 2023 | $25,000 | (1,2) |
| IT-ATF | August or September | 2023 | $25,000 | (1,2) |
| IT-SG | August or September | 2023 | $25,000 | (1,2) |
| ITS-ATF | August or September | 2023 | $35,000 | (1,2) |
| MA-SG | August or September | 2023 | $15,000 | (1,2) |
| MMS-5YO | August or September | 2023 | $25,000 | (1,2) |
| MN-SG | August or September | 2023 | $25,000 | (1,2) |
| MT-AEF | August or September | 2023 | $25,000 | (1,2) |
| ND-ATF | August or September | 2023 | $25,000 | (1,2) |
| NUKE | August or September | 2023 | $25,000 | (1,2) |
| RP-SG | August or September | 2023 | $25,000 | (1,2) |
| SB-ATF | August or September | 2023 | $25,000 | (1,2) |
| SECF-5YO | August or September | 2023 | $35,000 | (1,2) |
| SO-ATF | August or September | 2023 | $25,000 | (1,2) |
| STG-5YO | August or September | 2023 | $25,000 | (1,2) |
| STG-AEF | August or September | 2023 | $25,000 | (1,2) |
| Any | June or July | 2023 | $10,000 | (1,2) |
| Any | August or September | 2023 | $10,000 | (1,2) |
Active Duty EBSHP Notes:
Note 1: Eligibility for Enlistment Bonus for Shipping (EBSHP-Active Duty) only exists while the Future Sailor is in Delayed Entry Program. EBSHP is earned and payable upon graduation of Recruit Training Command and may not be recouped due to reclassification or separation.
Note 2: The intent of this EBSHP is to fill shipping gaps in the months June 2023 through September 2023.
Enlistment Bonus for Shipping (Reserve)
New Accession Training (NAT) is designed to reduce critical Navy Reserve Selected Reserve (SELRES) manning shortfalls. NAT is not an authorized enlistment option for prior service veterans or members of any Reserve Component. The only exception is for applicants that have served in the armed forces, but were released from such service before completing the basic training requirements of the armed force of which the person was a member and their service was characterized as either honorable or uncharacterized. Enlistment in the NAT program is for a period of eight years with six years in SELRES status and the final two years in the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR). See your local recruiter for more details about the New Accession Training Program!
The Training and Administration of the Reserves (TAR) Program are members of the Navy Reserve who serve in a full time capacity with the responsibility to train and administer the Navy Reserve. Enlisted TAR personnel serve in many diverse and demanding billets both on ship and ashore.
A minimum of a 31QT on the Armed Services Vocational Battery (ASVAB) is required for EBSHP.
| Rating | Program | Ship Months | FY | EBSHP | NOTES |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Any | NAT | August or September | 2023 | $20,000 | (1,2) |
| Any | NAT | June or July | 2023 | $10,000 | (1,2) |
| Any | TAR | August or September | 2023 | $25,000 | (1,3,4) |
| Any | TAR | June or July | 2023 | $10,000 | (1,3,4) |
Reserve EBSHP Notes:
Note 1: Eligibility for Enlistment Bonus for Shipping (EBSHP-Reserve) only exists while the Future Sailor (FS) is in Delayed Entry Program (DEP). EBSHP-Reserve is earned and payable upon graduation of Recruit Training Command and may not be recouped due to reclassification or separation.
Note 2: The intent of this New Accession Training (NAT) EBSHP-Reserve is to fill shipping gaps in June 2023 through September 2023. Only newly contracted NAT applicants are eligible. FS already in the DEP on the effective date of this message are not eligible for NAT EBSHP-Reserve amount listed in the chart.
Note 3: The intent of this Training and Administration of the Reserves (TAR) EBSHP-Reserve is to fill shipping gaps in June 2023 through September 2023. Only newly contracted TAR applicants are eligible. FS already in the DEP on the effective date of this message are not eligible for TAR EBSHP-Reserve amount listed in the chart.
Note 4: Training and Administration of the Reserve (TAR) previously known as Full Time Support (FTS).
Navy Student Loan Repayment Program
The Navy maintained the Student Loan Repayment Program (LRP) for any Future Sailor initially classified or reclassified on or after June 18, 2023.
Active Component Enlisted Loan Repayment Eligibility:
Participants are eligible for Loan Repayment Program (LRP) if they ship in any month of any Fiscal Year (FY). Participants in rates listed below are eligible (for specific loan debt eligibility, see your Navy recruiter).
| Program | Ship Months | FY | EBSHP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Any | October-September | Any | $65,000 |
Future Sailors must access to Active Component and have the Loan Repayment Program (LRP) listed as a guarantee in their current Annex to DD Form 4 (Enlistment Guarantee/NAVCRUIT 1133/52) in order to maintain eligibility. LRP can be combined with all other Enlistment Bonus types.
The LRP Manager oversees the application and payment process. Additional good to know information concerning the Loan Repayment Program:
- Applicants must have an ASVAB score of 50 AFQT or above.
- Approximately 25% of the payment will be withheld for tax purposes.
- Applicants must submit a DD Form 2475, "DOD EDUCATIONAL LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAM (LRP) ANNUAL APPLICATION", for each payment.
- Applicants will receive an Approval Letter with instructions.
- Applicant will receive a W-2 to calculate taxes withheld.
For post-accession inquiries, the LRP Manager is responsible for determining LRP eligibility. Sailors that accessed without LRP in their contract are ineligible to receive LRP as a result of reclassification.
With the possible enlistment bonuses, the Student Loan Repayment Program, and allowances (if eligible — Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH), Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS), Family Separation Allowance (FSA), etc.), and the 2023 military basic pay and billet pay (Navy Sea Pay, Sub Pay, Hazardous Duty, Flight Pay, etc.), 30 days paid vacation, Tuition Assistance, medical and dental benefits for the entire family (spouse/children), etc., your first few years of service could net a greater level of compensation never before experienced for those serving. This should be at least enough incentive to call your local recruiter for more information!
Funding for the National Defense Authorization Act of 2023, signed into law on December 23, 2022, which provides authorization for military operations including enlistment bonuses, is dependent on congressional appropriations to obligate funds. If funds are not available, the applicant will be required to sign a statement during job classification at the Military Entrance Processing Station. When legislation restores funding, the job classifiers can then restore incentives based on the effective message at the time of the original classification.
Page written and maintained by NCCM Thomas Goering, USN (Retired).
