Posted on Sep 25, 2023
Should I get my Congresswoman involved with my not having received my Reserve signing bonus?
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Hello Everyone!
I have been having a lot of issues with receiving my Bonus and I am on the verge of trying to get my Congresswoman involved, but before I do, I want to see if anyone has any insight into other steps that can be taken, I might have overlooked.
I served, originally, as a Chemo in the Active Army for 4 years. After my Active Duty contract ended, I was looking to get out but stay in Europe (where I was stationed) to start a master's degree. I talked to a Reserve recruiter who told me of an option where I could transfer branches and receive a $10,000 bonus on top of it.
It sounded too good to be true... But I went for it.
I decided to stay in Germany while also transferring to the reserves and changing branches to MI. In my reserve contract, the only stipulation to receiving this $10,000 bonus is to complete MICCC within two years of being in the Reserve (I will be going to Ft Huachuca in a week to complete the course which leaves me with 6 months to spare).
In preparation, I started doing the necessary paperwork to apply for the bonus and sent it off to my unit who eventually sent it to HRC. Upon HRC receiving it, they discovered that I do not meet the qualifications to receive any bonus. In regulation, it turns out, I must complete a minimum of 8 years total service before I can be offered any bonus.
This was news to me, especially because I signed a contract stating I was entitled to the bonus, and the main reason I stayed with the Army here in Europe, was because of the bonus that was offered.
I found that information out 8 months ago and have gone through every avenue I could, with my unit's G1, G8, my unit's JAG, IG (who told me they can't help with this issue), and ACTS (where my application for review of my contract has sat unread for the last 6 months).
I don't know what to do.
If anyone has any suggestions, contacts, or leads, I would greatly appreciate it.
-1LT Robinson
I have been having a lot of issues with receiving my Bonus and I am on the verge of trying to get my Congresswoman involved, but before I do, I want to see if anyone has any insight into other steps that can be taken, I might have overlooked.
I served, originally, as a Chemo in the Active Army for 4 years. After my Active Duty contract ended, I was looking to get out but stay in Europe (where I was stationed) to start a master's degree. I talked to a Reserve recruiter who told me of an option where I could transfer branches and receive a $10,000 bonus on top of it.
It sounded too good to be true... But I went for it.
I decided to stay in Germany while also transferring to the reserves and changing branches to MI. In my reserve contract, the only stipulation to receiving this $10,000 bonus is to complete MICCC within two years of being in the Reserve (I will be going to Ft Huachuca in a week to complete the course which leaves me with 6 months to spare).
In preparation, I started doing the necessary paperwork to apply for the bonus and sent it off to my unit who eventually sent it to HRC. Upon HRC receiving it, they discovered that I do not meet the qualifications to receive any bonus. In regulation, it turns out, I must complete a minimum of 8 years total service before I can be offered any bonus.
This was news to me, especially because I signed a contract stating I was entitled to the bonus, and the main reason I stayed with the Army here in Europe, was because of the bonus that was offered.
I found that information out 8 months ago and have gone through every avenue I could, with my unit's G1, G8, my unit's JAG, IG (who told me they can't help with this issue), and ACTS (where my application for review of my contract has sat unread for the last 6 months).
I don't know what to do.
If anyone has any suggestions, contacts, or leads, I would greatly appreciate it.
-1LT Robinson
Army Reserve Elements
Military Intelligence
HRC
Recruiting
Germany
Posted 1 y ago
Responses: 6
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I highly recommend you review your contract. There is nothing your congress person can do if you signed something that states you serve 8 years in the reserves or you must complete branch reclass before being elligible for the bonus. Retention/recruiters are known for not telling the whole truth - their job is to get bodies. It sounds like you have reached out to a number of people ( G1, G8, my unit's JAG, IG) who have already told you the same thing - there is nothing they can do to get you this money. Just like we cannot provide you additional information or a back door to get you the bonus.
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Not to throw rocks but you do know that RA are praying they will get paid on Oct 1. right
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You'll need to have a contract that shows the $10K bonus and the terms of that bonus. That however can be forged in its entirety by retention. So on the other end of that you'll probably need a MilPer or recruiting memo for the period you signed to show the policy of said bonus (the authority authorizing the bonus).
If there is no authority authorizing the bonus then that's that. If there is no signature on a contract at the time of your commission or package that claims as such (using the authority memo/MilPer) then you are dead in the water, because you would have basically signed a contract without that as a condition.
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I hear your plight. I personally got said bonus for $10K for 92A. My two peer LT's at the time that literally commissioned in the same month into the same unit as me (we all were different PLs) as me DID NOT get that bonus.
My retention NCO set me up, and the administrative process I pushed my paperwork through once I was done with BOLC magically worked. I had two things in hand. My direct commission application with the $10K referenced with my signature on it, and the signature of a officer (I think it was a Major) that was part of that paper work. Then there was a MilPer at the time as the authority.
My peers did not have that paperwork in hand, but that said, we were all different commissioning sources to boot. I was Direct, one was ROTC, and the other was Green to Gold.
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Oh, forgot to mention you'll need proof of your commission, and proof you finished BOLC, and possible proof you are in a slot that the bonus requires (and not a generic 01A slot) usually a memo from your first line commander.
If there is no authority authorizing the bonus then that's that. If there is no signature on a contract at the time of your commission or package that claims as such (using the authority memo/MilPer) then you are dead in the water, because you would have basically signed a contract without that as a condition.
*********************
I hear your plight. I personally got said bonus for $10K for 92A. My two peer LT's at the time that literally commissioned in the same month into the same unit as me (we all were different PLs) as me DID NOT get that bonus.
My retention NCO set me up, and the administrative process I pushed my paperwork through once I was done with BOLC magically worked. I had two things in hand. My direct commission application with the $10K referenced with my signature on it, and the signature of a officer (I think it was a Major) that was part of that paper work. Then there was a MilPer at the time as the authority.
My peers did not have that paperwork in hand, but that said, we were all different commissioning sources to boot. I was Direct, one was ROTC, and the other was Green to Gold.
****************
Oh, forgot to mention you'll need proof of your commission, and proof you finished BOLC, and possible proof you are in a slot that the bonus requires (and not a generic 01A slot) usually a memo from your first line commander.
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