Expert: Rod Powers - 8/10/2006

Question
Hello..
 My step son said his friend signed up for the service for 20 years, is that possible?  AND he was also given a $20,000 bonus (that i might believe) over time NOT at once and before you serve 1 day of boot camp?  please let me know.. thanks, cara

Answer
Hi Cara,

I'm afraid it's not possible to sign up for a 20 year enlistment.

Everyone who signs up for the military for the first time incurs a total 8 year service obligation. Whatever time is not spent on active duty is spent in either the Reserves or a program called the IRR (Individual Ready Reserves).

In the Reserves, one must perform drill (duty) one weekend per month, and two weeks per year). In the IRR, one doesn't get paid, but must remain available to be recalled to active duty (full time duty), in the event their services are needed during wartime or National Emergency.

For example, let's say someone enlists in the active duty Army for 4 years (the most standard active duty enlistment programs). If that person elected to separate from the active duty Army at the end of their four-year active duty period, they would then have to spend 4 years in either the active reserves, or the IRR (the member's choice).

There is no such thing as a 20 year enlistment. Period. Some jobs require a longer active duty commitment than other jobs (those jobs which require extensive training), but the maximum active duty enlistment period (for any job) is six years.

Each of the services have enlistment bonuses, for jobs that they find are "hard to fill." The maximum bonus amounts and the payment schedule depends on the service.  In fact, for some active duty jobs, the Army will give up to $40,000.

However, none of the services pay before basic training.  In fact, none of the services pay a dime until the member finishes basic training and military job training.  Even then (for most services), payment is not made all at once, but rather 50 percent upon graduation from job training, with the remaineder evening divided in annual payments during the remainder of the enlistment.

Not a dime of an enlistment bonus is paid before graduating from military job training. That's "standard" for all the branches.

For more information about the United States Military, feel free to visit my military information website at: http://usmilitary.about.com

Hope this helps!

Rod Powers
http://usmilitary.about.com