BEAR PROGRAM how long do l have to extend?

Question

Hey people, l was thinking to re-class thru the bear program but its kind of confussing the way it says about extending your contract.
how long do l have to extend?
it says that l have to extend so at the end of my trainning to have 24 months left, but l talk to my retention NCO and he says that l have to extend for 4 years... anyone knows?

Answer 1

You have to extend to cover the time spent in school, and the mandatory time in service requirement you have to meet in your new MOS. This differs from MOS to MOS. For EOD, for instance, you have to extend for the 10 months it takes you to finish the school + 26 months you need to spend as an EOD tech once you graduate.

If they try to extend you for longer, tell them to screw off, as this digs into your bonus (when you complete training and re-up, they backdate your actual re-enlistment from the day you initially signed the contract) and may extend you a good number of months beyond the minimum required to serve.

Go check the relevant MILPER messages, as a lot of Retention NCOs are kind of fuzzy on the whole BEAR program as they don't deal with it often.

Answer 2

go to stayarmy.com
. Purpose. To provide information on the objectives of the Bonus Extension and Retraining (BEAR) program.

2. Facts.

a. The BEAR program is a segment of the Army Reenlistment Program. It allows qualified soldiers an opportunity to extend their reenlistment for formal retraining into shortage Selective Reenlistment Bonus (SRB) MOS. Upon completion of retraining, a BEAR program participant is awarded the new PMOS, reenlists, and is paid an SRB in the new PMOS.

b. BEAR program participants must otherwise be eligible for the SRB (AR 601-280, Chapter 6).

c. Objectives of the BEAR Program are:

(1) Retrain qualified soldiers who would otherwise separate from the Army.

(2) Retrain qualified soldiers into shortage SRB MOS that are experiencing NCO shortages.

d. Approved BEAR MOS are announced by MILPER message along with the SRB Program.

e. AR 601-280, Chapter 6 provides guidance for processing BEAR program applications.



WARNING! WARNING! WARNING!
BEAR PROGRAM INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE
AT ANY TIME. PLEASE VISIT YOUR
SERVICING CAREER COUNSELOR
FOR ANY BEAR PROGRAM RELATED QUESTIONS.

CURRENT BEAR MESSAGE


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Answer 3

im pretty sure it wholefully depends on the MOS you chose. you will extend less time for infantry then you would to become a blackhawk crewchief b/c of the cost the army pays for your training.