Should I accept a $17k bonus for a 4-year contract as a 13J in the Army? Is it worth it? Should I gamble?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 13 Dec 2018 22:17:24 -0500

I reserved a 13J job with my recruiter today for a 17k enlistment bonus for 4 years active duty. I'm having a second thought of cancelling this job to see if are there any other higher bonus available for me. Should I take this 17k bonus for 4 years? Is it worth it? Should I gamble?

Response by PVT Mark Zehner made Dec 13 at 2018 10:29 PM

PVT Mark Zehner — Thu, 13 Dec 2018 22:29:46 -0500

Only you can answer that!

Response by SGT Chris Stephens made Dec 13 at 2018 10:57 PM

SGT Chris Stephens — Thu, 13 Dec 2018 22:57:36 -0500

What do you want to do? If you want to be in field artillery as a 13J, then that's what you do. If you're looking for something more, like something in a field you'd like to have a career in, then cancel the job. Don't get too wrapped up in the bonus. You're going to figure out a way to waste all of the money anyways, no matter what your bonus is, so you might as well make sure you're in a job that you would actually enjoy day-to-day.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Dec 14 at 2018 12:21 AM

LTC Jason Mackay — Fri, 14 Dec 2018 00:21:39 -0500

SPC Private RallyPoint Member what alternative are you considering that is slowing you down? If you don't want to be a soldier no amount of money makes it worth it.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 14 at 2018 1:06 AM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 14 Dec 2018 01:06:01 -0500

SPC Private RallyPoint Member You do not pick a job based on a bonus. Forget the bonus, and take the job that interests you.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 14 at 2018 2:00 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 14 Dec 2018 02:00:56 -0500

If your goal is to get a bonus, 17k is pretty much the best you're likely to get.

More importantly, if your goal is to pick the highest bonus, you're in for rough 4 years.
Don't let your greed lead you. All that glitters isn't gold.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 14 at 2018 2:37 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 14 Dec 2018 02:37:28 -0500

As others are saying, 17k is very good. I got nothing for my initial enlistment, and my following two re-enlistments totaled together were still lower than what you are getting upfront.

There's nothing wrong with chasing a bonus; that is why the military has them there, to entice those with differing motivations. Don't gamble with it though. Opportunities change very frequently, even once you are in the military. You are getting a very good deal, bonus-wise.

Response by Maj John Bell made Dec 14 at 2018 11:01 AM

Maj John Bell — Fri, 14 Dec 2018 11:01:16 -0500

Well... Let's see, we know virtually nothing about you. Give us some context. Otherwise free advice is worth exactly what you paid for it.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 14 at 2018 11:30 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 14 Dec 2018 11:30:11 -0500

Whatever you do dont do it for the money. Trust me i reclassed from a 11c to a 13m and received 27k. If i could go back i would. Usually if there is a big bonus means nobody wants to do the mos. For my mos its only 4 duty stations that you can go to. Which is why nobody wants to do it.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 14 at 2018 5:50 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 14 Dec 2018 17:50:41 -0500

To be honest with you, I would find a job that you can use in the civilian world after the military...... 2. The 17k bonus sounds good, but when you break it down since this is a bonus back in garrison instead of down range, it won't be tax free. Out that 17k, uncle Sam probably will take 2k in taxes which leaves you with 15k. They will give you 7,500 up front...... then the other 7,500 will be split on the 2nd and 4th year of contract which is 3,750 apiece, but dont forget that will be taxed too........ so in the end, it's not really worth it....... if you do the true breakdown of a bonus, it's not worth it......... In my whole career, I only accepted 1 bonus downrange which was by force.............. but it was tax free

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Dec 14 at 2018 7:59 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Fri, 14 Dec 2018 19:59:31 -0500

Bonuses com and go, and sometimes completely disappear. Are joining to serve the Nation or make money? If its the later then do us all a favor and stay out. This is not a 9-5 lifestyle, sleep comfortably in your own bed, etc. It is more of a calling than a career.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 14 at 2018 8:25 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 14 Dec 2018 20:25:13 -0500

Like everyone has already said, that’s a decision that only you can make.

If you’re any bit interested in that job, then jump on it. If it’s just the money, I’d stay away.

And like someone tried to say before, that bonus will be taxed, and they sometimes change the way they’re dispersed. So keep that in mind.

Let us know what you decide and what job you take.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 15 at 2018 7:22 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 15 Dec 2018 07:22:24 -0500

Best advice is to focus on the job you want. I was stuck between two jobs, both with higher bonuses than that for four years and I chose the lower of the two because that was the job I truly wanted. If you join for money, you will always regret not waiting until higher bonuses came along. Also, since you haven't gone through basic or even enlisted yet, you haven't earned the title PVT or the job 13J so I would remove it.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 16 at 2018 3:30 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 16 Dec 2018 15:30:52 -0500

Do it for glory not money