What would be a fair enlistment bonus for entering the air force? I don't want to sound like a greedy, unpatriotic guy, but there are some things I want to pay for soon. How much money is average and fair?
2007-03-02 04:47:24 · 10 answers · asked by World Expert 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
My husband enlisted a year ago, and as far as I know the airforce no longer offers enlistment bonuses because they are down sizing. More people apply to join then they are accepting right now so why would they give you a bonus? However, if you join and then re-enlist after your four or six years is up the standard bonus is 10,000 dollars. Oh and as for you wanting to pay for some things, you really won't be able to spend that much your first 8 weeks in basic (I think they just changed it from 6-8weeks) and they set you up in housing and you only pay like 250 a month to eat at the dining facility, if your single you'll have plenty of money to spend.
2007-03-02 16:32:43 · answer #1 · answered by Sara R 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is no "fair" as this implies that you are bargaining. You get what you get depending on job specialties that they pay more to fill or if you qualify for them. Generally the higher bonuses are given out for things like airborne linguist, pararescue or such. In these you have to be smart and tough.... a rare combination so no guarantee that you will finish the school in the first place. Other high bonus levels are people who are smart enough to say work on super technical jobs.
Yes the Army is the same and does have some higher bonuses but the same rules apply. Though they do have more across the board bonuses. The Air Force does not have to pay as much because anyone who can do these select jobs realizes that $12,000 is not squat but what is more important is quality of life for years.
Either way you don't get your bonus until you have completed all of your training, been assigned to a duty station and even then you could wait 90 days for it. Months. The pay taxes.
If you have things to pay bear in mind that when in training you will have little need for money. You could make a deal with your parents or somebody to front you the money or as you send your checks home they can pay off things. Plus most lenders, car companies, mortgage companies, etc. have provisions fo people going on active duty and you can make arrangements in many cases. They are more than happy to do so as they know where to find you if you default so they know they will get their money.
As a young airman or soldier you won't really need money. Free rent, free food, etc. A lot of people spend this money on buying electronics or going out and partying. By all means have fun but try to bank a good chunk. You will have an opportunity to suddenly have a huge chunk in the bank after a few years.
What I am saying is don't base your future (education, quality of life, if you stay in or what you will do after) be based on just a little money. And that is what it is in the scale of things. And think about what it is you want to do. When I joined in the 80s the bonus was only $3000, it was paid in increments and my father explained this all to me since he was career Air Force. I waived the bonus and got $15,000 dollars toward education good for 10 years in my contract, not taxed. That with matching education stuff I had enough to pay for college and had saved enough to put a serious down payment on a house. Sure I had fun but once in a while I decided to just save my money.
Whatever you do enjoy the world and life you will be entering by joining the military.
2007-03-02 05:48:09 · answer #2 · answered by jackson 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The air force gerally doesn't give out enlistment bonuses. they need people that want to be there not just want to join to get cash. The re-enlistment bonuses are quite nice, though!
My husband joined 3 years ago and turned down a sizeable bonus in a career field he didn't want. Instead he ended up with a job he loves but no bonus. I think he made the right choice :0)
2007-03-02 07:28:41 · answer #3 · answered by mustangsally76 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
LOL. Dude, "fair" is any bonus you get. That's why it's called a bonus. It's not something you're entitled to.
Most jobs don't even have bonuses. The ones that do, usually have bonuses because they're short of people. Which means that you need to consider carefully why that job would have a bonus -- is it an especially dangerous, difficult, or just dull job?
If you get offered more than $3,000 and you like the job, I'd go with that. But don't let the bonus decide what job you take.
2007-03-02 07:12:23 · answer #4 · answered by around_the_world_jenny 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
as far as i know just anyone doesnt get a bonus. you need to have some sort of skill that the Air Force is in need of. if you have a skill that the Air Force is short of then you might deserve a bonus, but still not much. the Air Force is trying to cut personnel currently so they can buy more aircraft and other necessary equipment. I think they will pass on someone demanding a bonus with no desired skills.
2007-03-03 11:05:54 · answer #5 · answered by Vettepilot 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i'm uncertain no rely if that's a foul theory or not, yet i comprehend that's very undemanding. i'm stepping into open familiar additionally, and that i comprehend an stunning style of human beings who're, and who already did. those i comprehend that already did ended up with their strategies-blowing a million or 2 interest possibilities as quickly as at elementary. I surely have additionally been informed that they infrequently ever provide out scientific jobs until now elementary; i wish for a scientific interest besides. according to the guy above-- the air tension contracts out jobs like janitors---no person interior the air tension surely has that as a job, aside from in elementary of coarse.
2016-10-17 02:45:16 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
IMHO I don't agree with entry bonuses. If you can't enlist without having a carrot hanging in front of you, then you don't belong in the military. I understand that you want to get some stuff paid off, but can you honestly say that you want to join because you have 100 percent devotion and dedication to the United States. If you can honestly answer that with a yes, then welcome. You are needed here.
2007-03-02 04:52:17 · answer #7 · answered by J S 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Does the Air Force have enlistment bonuses? I thought they were down sizing.
2007-03-02 04:50:52 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
FAIR???? You are lucky to get anything. If there is a program you are eligible for that offers an enlistment bonus you will get it. That's that, there isn't anything about being fair. This isn't your allowance from your mom or anything.
2007-03-02 08:43:07 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
For 6 year, $12,000. But the Army is Up to $40,000.
2007-03-02 04:53:17 · answer #10 · answered by JimFinSC 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋