Army reinstates bonus for active-duty GIs who re-enlist while in war zones

[lebkuchen]

ARLINGTON, Va. — Effective immediately, active-duty soldiers who re-enlist while deployed to Kuwait, Iraq or Afghanistan will receive a tax-free, lump-sum bonus, which for most will exceed $5,000, Army officials said Thursday.

The bonus is the much-anticipated reinstatement of a flat rate, $5,000 sign-up stipend that was in effect for just two weeks in late September.

The bonus expired Sept. 30, when the Army’s fiscal 2003 funds ran out for the program. Since then, Army officials have been working to secure funds to continue the bonus, which was a highly effective re-enlistment tool.

http://www.estripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=19414

Comment: If it was so "highly effective," why did the DoD have to reinstate it? When DoD first implemented it, our soldiers had just 11 days to decide. 'Course, it helps when your pay is all screwed up and your spouse can't pay the rent back home.

[PartyPooper]

1. I reckon they're stalling the "draft" for as long as possible.

The U.S. is bribing or buying off everyone else, so, why not U.S. soldiers in a crisis situated in a war zone?

:eyes:

[lebkuchen]

2. It was "generous" of the DoD to formulate a potential bonus increase

over the initial flat rate when the DoD really didn't have to, considering the flat rate had been so "successful" the first time around.