This article by Matthew Adams originally appeared on Stripes.com. Stars and Stripes serves the U.S. military community by providing editorially independent news and information around the world.
WASHINGTON — The Navy is offering bonuses of up to $100,000 to explosive ordnance disposal officers who stay in the service for an additional four years, according to a new service policy.
Eligible lieutenants can sign up for a two- or four-year bonus after six years of completed service, according to the policy issued Oct. 10. They can sign a four-year contract to score a $72,000 bonus or agree to $12,500 annually for two more years of service. Those who sign on for another two years after that can receive another two-year incentive, totaling $50,000 in four years.
Lieutenant commanders could earn $100,000 in bonuses if they agree to four more years in the Navy after logging 10 years of service. An eligible commander could also sign a two-year contract for a total of $30,000. The two-year option also allows officers to sign on for another two years at the same rate, totaling $60,000 for four years of service.
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“Service members will receive their initial bonus amount upon agreement acceptance and then in annual anniversary payments through the term of the agreement,” according to the policy.
Officers within one year of eligibility can apply through their commanding officer, who must provide them with a written endorsement.
The last time lieutenants and lieutenant commanders received bonuses was in 2019. Lieutenants were either offered $20,000 annually for four years of additional service or $15,000 annually for three years. The bonuses were offered after completing seven years of service.
Lieutenant commanders after 12 years could sign up for a three-year bonus. The first-year bonus was $22,000, followed by $12,000 for the remainder of the contract.
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