Expert: MARK A. HOWELL - 8/26/2009

Question
I'm looking to join the army and after basic continue AIT as a scout. I was wondering if it is possible for me to be a scout for just 2 years, be inactive reserve, and still leave the army with financial help for college. Also is there an enlistment bonus for recon scouts because I figured it would be a hard job to fill?

Thank you for your time.

Answer
Eric,
I don't know why you're looking at such a plan but there are several flaws with it.

1.  First of all, with a 2 year enlistment you won't get a bonus.  The more years you give the military the bigger the bonus.  Most all bonuses start with 3-year enlistments and go to 6 years.

2.  The Army Reserves is a different component than the Army.  You can't just switch back and forth between the two.

3.  College education benefits depend upon how long you serve.  The longer you serve the more they'll pay.

4.  Not all of the 190 Army MOSs, or "Military Occupation Specialties" have an enlistment bonus.
Below are the MOSs pertaining to Recon and their current enlistment bonus:

Infantryman (MOS 11B).
Every infantry battalion has a scout section which is considered the most high speed part of a battalion.  Long-Range Patrol Scout (LRPS) teams are composed of 11Bs.  Granted it's tough to get into LRPS but they conduct recon, and are really high speed.  11B Infantryman and 11C Indirect Fire Infantryman are running up to $14,000 for a 6 year enlistment.

Armor Cavalry Scout (MOS 19D)
19D, $2000 to $6,000 enlistment bonus depending upon how many years you enlist for (3, 4, 5, or 6 years)

Besides 19D Cavalry Scout the entire 18 series MOS (Special Forces) deals a lot with recon.
Special Forces bonus for a 6 year enlistment is currently $16,000.

If your ultimate goal is to let the Army pay for your education, it's easier to just stay active-duty.  There are some programs where they'll send you to college full-time and pay for it entirely, if you graduate and serve as an officer.

You need to talk to a recruiter and explain your goal so he can help you.

Colonel H