AARGHH, sometimes I hate the military

[JTRipper]

So, our First Sergeant tell us yesterday that the rules for re-enlistment have changed. As of now (I assume) there are no more re-enlistment bonuses. You can only re-enlist for 2 years, and you can't re-enlist until you have 1 year or less until your ETS.

What makes me angry is that I bought my car figuring about $6-10k (which is about right for my MOS), added to the fact that 1 month after my re-enlistment window would have opened, I will be deployed, which would mean tax free. Now I have to wait until I get back from deployment to re-enlist for absolutely nothing. And added to that, It will take me an extra year to pay off my car now, at the ridiculous payments I'm making, which I didn't mind because it was supposed to be paid off by the time i got back anyway.

GAAAHHHH

[/rant]

[MikeEast]

Talk about a fine way to really motive the troops, eh?

Dumba$$es will never learn apparently - I was involved in the "USS VRB" lawsuit back in the 70's, they dropped the Variable Reenlistment Bonuses (VRB) so my (mandatory) reup after 4 years (for 6 total) that I'd signed up for when I enlisted (to get the 'DS' rating).

Instead of about 10-12K it turned into a month-per-year, which sucked. We found out about a class-action lawsuit and got involved, I canvassed the entire Carrier for eligble guys and we 'won'. I say 'won' because if you were in the suit you got paid after the lawyers did and from a special fund out of Washington - with NO taxes taken out. If you were affected but not a participant, you got paid the 'regular' route, with taxes out..

It cost the Navy about 100 million, enough for a destroyer, and the year after I got out it made tax time a REAL surprise.

I feel yer pain dude...

Mike

[lou1355]

Sounds like someone on high is not interested in growing an experienced military populated by experienced veterans.

[viper3ez]

dont worry man, it would change.

remember bonuses change almost every month.

once a few people get out and reenlistment drops, bonuses come back.

they used the threat in my old unit to scare peeps into re-upping early but i always told them it'll come back and it always did in a matter of a few months

[FlyByU]

Ya, I got hammered by the SRB crap back in the day. Kinda worked out though, got out and moved on to bigger and better things.

The reenlistment bonus's change all the time, its all based on which career fields are in need, nothing new here.

[JTRipper]

Oh, and I forgot to mention, anyone E-6+ or 10+ time in Service automatically has to go indefinite.

And I just hope it changes before I leave Afghanistan, so I can get my bonus tax free...

[viper3ez]

thats not new, you usually lose your ETS date after 10 yeas but some loop holes allow some people to have ets dates past that but that has been the norm to the best of my knowledge.

the E-6 part may be new

Oh, and I forgot to mention, anyone E-6+ or 10+ time in Service automatically has to go indefinite.

And I just hope it changes before I leave Afghanistan, so I can get my bonus tax free...

[x_HAWAII RT]

I was indefinate when I hit 10 years, now going on 14 years in Dec. I am sure there are quite a few things you may disagree with...it's the military. The way I see it, I'm lucky to be in and have a stable job, matter of fact come June 1, 2010, yes, 2010 I'm getting promoted from E-6 to CWO2, I can't complain.

I hope all works out for you. Stay safe on your deployment.

[uglyman8]

Yea, I agree it will all change again 4 or 5 times.....just look at the Army Times...they are paying for guys/gals to MOS jump. And some of the bonuses are pretty big...like $27k big. Plus automatic rank. Not bad, but I'm stayin' 11 B.

[CrazyTTCharger]

just stick it out bro, i'm a civvy and i miss the military even though there's a lot of b.s., you shouldn't be in for the money but the brotherhood and experiences you would never encounter as a civvy. I want to choke the hell out of my peers all of the time, at least in the Army your peers are your brothers.

[LX HEMI]

cry me a river. I've been in for 10 years and I've never gotten a SRB or an inital Enlist bonus. Hell the Navy is giving all my jobs to civilians and pushing my rate (mos) out. We're being told to crossrate if we want to make the Military a career or get out and apply as a civilian. The Military is trying to become a business and it's all about the money. They're not giving bonuses to rates/mos's that are not mission critical. The only rates getting bonuses in the Navy right now are Seals, EOD, Divers, and Nucs. Believe me, the old ways of SRB's are a thing of the past. This isn't a "give it a month and things will come around". The militay is down sizing and getting rid of the slackers that have skated by for years to just ride out 20 years to retire. First we saw a couple of months ago, "no more short term extentions", then "PTS for all reenlistment zones", and now a couple of weeks ago, "no SRB's". If your not good for business then you're out.

[tattooed]

luckily i snuck in right before they closed the srb doors. but it is pretty much gone period navy wide now. i should have done six instead of four but they wouldnt let me due to higher tenure. go figure the cycle after i re upped i finally pick up e5.

[ephines]

Experience has shown me that it will change as they realize they screwed up .

[Truth Kid]

Have you actually talked to your reenlistment NCO? I'm 18 months out and the bonuses aren't there, but they're throwing schools and assignments at me like I'm worth a million bucks

[bac n black]

r
Retired from the Navy in 98. The military is taking this stand now because it has an unlimited amount of people that want to join because of the economy. People are begging to get in now. When things improve outside, then things will improve inside. This is no the first time this has happened.