I have yet to receive my enlistment bonus from the NG. How should I go about getting it?

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 24 Dec 2020 10:55:08 -0500

I enlisted in the TXNG with a 6 year contract and as 11b so I qualified for a 20k bonus. Its on my contract and everything and I was told I would receive it 30 days after completing OSUT. However, I have yet to receive anything and that money is of great need right now. Its been over 7 months now. Is there anyone specific I should talk to or do any of you with more experience have any tips? Thank you

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 24 at 2020 3:08 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 24 Dec 2020 15:08:44 -0500

When you talk to your first line leader you need to have in hand:
1) Your contract stating the specifics of your bonus
2) Documentation that you completed your initial training now qualifying you for payment

With that in hand your chain of command should be able to submit a pay action on your behalf.

Nothing is "automatic".

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 24 at 2020 4:08 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 24 Dec 2020 16:08:17 -0500

I know in the Reserves it is not always automatic. We have a packet we sent to finance and the bonus team that verifies the Soldier met their initial obligation (completing training) and the payment begins. Take your paperwork to your S1 or administrative full time support and ask what the process is for bonuses. If they don't know, you can submit a pay inquiry.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 24 at 2020 11:27 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 24 Dec 2020 23:27:34 -0500

I would go to finance. I'm active and went to finance because it wasn't automatic. Finance will give you a checklist of documents you need to print off and bring to them. After you do that you get the bonus money in less than 2 weeks. The documents you print off of your iperms.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Dec 24 at 2020 11:36 PM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Thu, 24 Dec 2020 23:36:31 -0500

Talk with your leadership and S1. Should be an easy fix if the documentation is correct

Response by Capt James Burgess made Dec 24 at 2020 11:39 PM

Capt James Burgess — Thu, 24 Dec 2020 23:39:08 -0500

Keep pushing your boss and 1SGT & read your signing bonus contract - it should indicate the requirements & delivery times. [NG HR, RET]

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 25 at 2020 3:02 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 25 Dec 2020 03:02:31 -0500

I’m Reserve, my Unit Admin just needed to send up my bonus addendum and I was good.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 25 at 2020 3:24 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 25 Dec 2020 15:24:11 -0500

Have you talked to your Readiness NCO yet?
For your bonus to pay out, your Readiness NCO needs to log into your bonus case in the Guard Incentives Management Program, (GIMS) ensure your contract and bonus addendum are there, check off that you are qualified for payment, then the state incentives manager for TX ARNG has to check off that your are qualified, then the bonus review at Camp Robinson AR as to check off, then NGB, then DFAS as to review and initiate payment. From start to finish these steps can take 4-12 months.
Your Readiness NCO can log into GIMS and see what step your bonus is at right now.
If your RNCO is unwilling to do so, he either failed to initiate it and is embarrassed or worse, does not know how to do that or does not have access to GIMS, in which case you immediately go to your CO and 1SG to have that situation rectified while they also request a BDE Retention NCO or the state incentives manager do your RNCOs job for him.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Dec 25 at 2020 3:41 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Fri, 25 Dec 2020 15:41:52 -0500

Who has been or should have been helping you?

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 25 at 2020 4:25 PM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 25 Dec 2020 16:25:30 -0500

Tried asking your first line NCO?