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VOLUME 7A, CHAPTER 3: “SPECIAL PAY – OFFICERS ONLY”
SUMMARY OF MAJOR CHANGES
Changes are identified in this table and also denoted by blue font.
Substantive revisions are denoted by an asterisk (*) symbol preceding the section,
paragraph, table, or figure that includes the revision.
Unless otherwise noted, chapters referenced are contained in this volume.
Hyperlinks are denoted by bold, italic, blue, and underlined font.
The previous version dated July 2022 is archived.
PARAGRAPH
7.1
7.2
References

EXPLANATION OF CHANGE/REVISION
Updated the Nuclear Officer Accession Bonus to $75,000.
Updated the Nuclear Officer Continuation Bonus to $75,000.
Updated to reflect current statutes and supporting references.

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PURPOSE
Revision
Revision
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Table of Contents
VOLUME 7A, CHAPTER 3: “SPECIAL PAY – OFFICERS ONLY” ........................................ 1
1.0
1.1
1.2
2.0
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4
2.5
2.6
2.7
2.8
2.9
3.0
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4
3.5
3.6
3.7
4.0
4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4
4.5
4.6
4.7
5.0
5.1
5.2
5.3
5.4
5.5

GENERAL ..................................................................................................................... 4
Purpose ........................................................................................................................... 4
Authoritative Guidance .................................................................................................. 4
GENERAL BONUS AUTHORITY FOR OFFICERS .................................................. 4
Authority ........................................................................................................................ 4
Eligibility........................................................................................................................ 5
Additional Guidelines .................................................................................................... 5
Payment Method ............................................................................................................ 6
Amount ........................................................................................................................... 6
Specific Rule for Designated Military Skills or Career Fields ...................................... 7
Repayment...................................................................................................................... 8
Service Obligations ........................................................................................................ 8
Non-Availability ............................................................................................................ 9
ACCESSION BONUS ................................................................................................... 9
General ........................................................................................................................... 9
Additional Accession Bonus Eligibility Requirements................................................ 10
Restrictions ................................................................................................................... 10
Amount ......................................................................................................................... 11
Payment Method .......................................................................................................... 11
Non-Availability .......................................................................................................... 11
Duration of Authority................................................................................................... 11
RC AFFILIATION BONUS ........................................................................................ 11
General ......................................................................................................................... 11
Additional RC Affiliation Bonus Eligibility Requirements ......................................... 11
Additional Guidelines .................................................................................................. 12
Amount ......................................................................................................................... 12
Payment Method .......................................................................................................... 12
Non-Availability .......................................................................................................... 12
Duration of Authority................................................................................................... 12
RETENTION BONUS ................................................................................................. 12
General ......................................................................................................................... 12
Additional Retention Bonus Eligibility Requirements ................................................ 13
Restrictions ................................................................................................................... 13
Amount ......................................................................................................................... 14
Payment Method .......................................................................................................... 14
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Table of Contents (Continued)
5.6
5.7
6.0
6.1
6.2
6.3
6.4
6.5
6.6
6.7
7.0
*7.1
*7.2
7.3
7.4
8.0
8.1
8.2
8.3
8.4

Non-Availability .......................................................................................................... 14
Duration of Authority................................................................................................... 14
TRANSFER BONUSES .............................................................................................. 14
Intra-Service Transfer .................................................................................................. 14Inter-Service Transfer .................................................................................................. 15
Restrictions ................................................................................................................... 16
Amount ......................................................................................................................... 16
Payment Method .......................................................................................................... 16
Non-Availability .......................................................................................................... 16
Duration of Authority................................................................................................... 16
SPECIAL PAYS FOR NUCLEAR-QUALIFIED OFFICERS (NAVY ONLY) ........ 17
Nuclear Power Accession Bonus Program .................................................................. 17
Nuclear Officer Continuation Bonus (COBO) ............................................................. 17
Nuclear Career Annual Incentive Pay (AIP) ................................................................ 18
Prototype Shift Engineer Incentive Pay (SEIP) ........................................................... 18
COMMAND PAY ....................................................................................................... 19
Purpose ......................................................................................................................... 19
Eligibility...................................................................................................................... 19
Amount ......................................................................................................................... 19
Restrictions ................................................................................................................... 19

Table 3-1. Intra-Service Transfers that Allow Bonuses ........................................................... 20
Table 3-2. Inter-Service Transfers that Allow Bonuses ........................................................... 20*REFERENCES ........................................................................................................................ 21

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CHAPTER 3
SPECIAL PAY – OFFICERS ONLY
1.0

GENERAL

1.1

PurposeThe Secretaries of the Military Departments may pay a bonus or special pay to persons orofficers, as appropriate, to support accession and retention efforts for a designated military
specialty, career field, unit, grade, or to meet some other condition or conditions of service imposedby the Secretary of the Military Department concerned. This chapter establishes policy pertaining
to the payments of bonuses or special pay in support of accession and retention efforts.
1.2

Authoritative Guidance

The pay policies and requirements established by DoD in this chapter are derived primarily
from and prepared in accordance with the United States Code (U.S.C.). Due to the subject matterin this chapter, the list of authoritative sources is extensive. The specific statutes, regulations, andother applicable guidance that govern each individual section are listed in a reference section at
the end of the chapter.
2.0

GENERAL BONUS AUTHORITY FOR OFFICERS

2.1

Authority

Title 37, U.S.C., section 332 (37 U.S.C. § 332) and the DoD Instruction (DoDI) 1304.34,
General Bonus Authority for Officers, dated July 11, 2016, provides the general bonus authority
for bonuses referenced in sections 3.0, 4.0, 5.0, and 6.0. The Secretaries concerned may pay thesebonuses to a person, member, or officer in the Military Services who:
2.1.1. Accepts a commission or appointment as an officer in a Military Service;
2.1.2. Affiliates as an officer with a Reserve Component (RC) of a Military Service;
2.1.3. Agrees to remain on active duty (AD) or in an active status for a specified period as
an officer in a Military Service;
2.1.4. Transfers between the Regular Component and the Ready Reserve of the same
Military Service, or vice versa; or
2.1.5. Transfers from a Regular Component or the Ready Reserve of a Military Service toa Regular Component or the Ready Reserve of another Military Service, subject to the approval of
the Secretary with jurisdiction over the Military Service to which the member is transferring.

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Eligibility

In accordance with paragraph 2.1, the Secretary concerned may only pay a bonus to aperson or officer who:
2.2.1. Signs a written agreement with the Secretary concerned to serve for a specified
period in a designated career field, skill, unit, or grade, or meets some other condition or conditionsof service imposed by the Secretary;
2.2.2. Successfully completes training and becomes qualified in a designated skill or
career field, if completion of such training and technical qualification forms the basis for which
the bonus is paid;
2.2.3. Qualifies pursuant to any additional criteria prescribed by the Secretary concerned;
2.2.4. Meets any additional eligibility criteria outlined in sections 3.0, 4.0, 5.0, and 6.0;
2.2.5. Is not in receipt of an accession, retention, reserve affiliation, or transfer bonus, inaccordance with 37 U.S.C. Chapter 5, Subchapter I, for the same activity, skill, or period ofservice;
2.2.6. Will not exceed the mandatory retirement or high-year tenure date during thespecified period of obligated service for which the bonus is paid; and2.2.7. Is not serving a service obligation, except as noted in paragraph 2.8.
2.3

Additional Guidelines

2.3.1. An officer is not eligible for a bonus, under DoDI 1304.34, if previously discharged
or released from AD or military service in an active status based on a determination of misconduct,
substandard duty performance, or moral or professional dereliction.
2.3.2. In accordance with 37 U.S.C. § 371, an officer may not receive a bonus or incentive
pay under 37 U.S.C. Chapter 5, Subchapter I and 37 U.S.C. Chapter 5, Subchapter II, for thesame activity, skill, or period of military service.
2.3.3. An officer may receive only one bonus pursuant to paragraph 2.1 for the duration of
the service obligation period, unless explicitly exempt in statute or DoDI 1304.34.
2.3.4. An officer may not receive more than $300,000 (or $150,000, in the case of a
non-Active Guard Reserve officer in the RC) in combined bonus payments authorized under
DoDI 1304.34 during the course of the officer’s career. The Military Service may not exceed thesepayment caps unless specifically authorized by the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Manpower
and Reserve Affairs (ASD (M&RA)).

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2.3.5. An officer receiving pre-commissioning compensation in accordance with
10 U.S.C. § 2106, and 10 U.S.C. § 2107 and 10 U.S.C. § 2107a, or financial assistance through aloan repayment program under 10 U.S.C. § 16201, 10 U.S.C. § 16301, 10 U.S.C. § 16302, or
10 U.S.C. § 16303, is not eligible for a bonus pursuant to DoDI 1304.34 until the military service
obligation (MSO) is completed.
2.3.6. An officer receiving a bonus in accordance with 37 U.S.C. § 333 and37 U.S.C. § 334, is not eligible for a bonus pursuant to DoDI 1304.34 for the same skill and periodof service.
2.3.7. An officer receiving a bonus in accordance with 37 U.S.C. § 335, is not eligible fora bonus pursuant to DoDI 1304.34 for the same period of obligated service.
2.3.8. Existing bonus contracts under 37 U.S.C. Chapter 5, Subchapter I, will remain in
effect through the preexisting termination dates.
2.4

Payment Method

2.4.1. The Secretary concerned will establish the method of payment for the bonus (i.e.,
lump sum or periodic installments).
2.4.2. The Secretary concerned may make payment based on training milestones,
proportional length of service, or lump sum. However, the Secretary will not pay an officer any
portion of a skill bonus before awarding of the military skill specialty, if completion of suchtraining and technical qualification forms the basis for which the bonus is paid.
2.4.3. Officers will receive their initial bonus payments based on the terms and conditionsof their bonus agreements.
2.5

AmountThe bonus amount paid by the Secretary concerned will be fixed on acceptance of theagreement by the Secretary and may only be paid prospectively. The bonus paid may not exceed
the following amounts, unless otherwise approved by the ASD (M&RA):
2.5.1. $60,000 for a minimum 4-year service obligation for an officer or person who
accepts a commission or appointment as an officer in a Military Service, as described insubparagraph 2.1.1;
2.5.2. $10,000 for a minimum 3-year service obligation for an officer, as described insubparagraph 2.1.2;
2.5.3. $25,000 for each year of obligated service as an officer in a Regular Component for
retention, as described in subparagraph 2.1.3;

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2.5.4. $12,000 for each year of obligated service as an officer in an RC for retention, as
described in subparagraph 2.1.3; or
2.5.5. $10,000 for a transfer, as described in subparagraphs 2.1.4 and 2.1.5.
2.6

Specific Rule for Designated Military Skills or Career Fields

The following are specific procedures, requirements, and conditions related to anaccession, affiliation, retention, or transfer bonus paid to an officer for a period of obligated service
in a designated military skill or career field:
2.6.1. The period of obligated service will include normal skill progression, as defined by
the Secretary concerned (e.g., attending courses in professional military education) and any otheradvanced training or education related to a designated military skill.
2.6.2. The Secretary concerned may pay a conversion bonus to an officer who agrees toconvert to a designated military skill in which there is a shortage of trained and qualified officers.
The bonus may be payable in a lump sum upon approval and completion of the conversion training
by the Secretary concerned.
2.6.2.1. The officer must agree to serve for not less than 3 years on AD or in an
active status in the Selective Reserve (SELRES) in that military skill or career field.
2.6.2.2. The officer must serve in the pay grade of O-3 or below with no more than
8 years of commissioned military service at the time the officer enters into the conversion contract,
as computed in accordance with 37 U.S.C. § 205.
2.6.2.3. The officer must have completed all service obligations previously
incurred for receipt of an accession or retention bonus, in accordance with 37 U.S.C. § 332, or
critical skills retention bonus, in accordance with 37 U.S.C. § 355, at the time the officer begins
training for conversion to the new skill.
paragraph 5.4.

2.6.2.4. The bonus amount may not exceed the retention bonus amounts listed in

2.6.3. Officers receiving skill-based bonuses are expected to serve in an assignment for
which the skill is required. For service obligations of at least 36 months, the Secretary concerned
may curtail the assignment requirements to a period of 2 years based on the needs of the MilitaryService. The Secretary concerned will establish assignment criteria and procedures that limit thecircumstances in which such a period of obligated military service may be curtailed and will
specify such other appropriate conditions of military service, consistent with 37 U.S.C. § 332(b)(2)and paragraph 2.2. Additionally, the Secretary will:2.6.3.1. Ensure that military personnel centers identify, monitor, and review suchobligated military service curtailments;

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2.6.3.2. Approve any curtailment of the assignment criteria that involves more than
one consecutive assignment in a military skill other than that which was designated for purposesof the bonus. This responsibility may be delegated no lower than the grade of major general orrear admiral (upper half); and2.6.3.3. Ensure that any request for curtailment is:concerned; and2.6.3.3.1. Clearly justified based on the needs of the Military Department
2.6.3.3.2. Not granted on a routine basis.

2.7

Repayment

A person or officer who receives a bonus in accordance with 37 U.S.C. § 332, and fails tocomplete the period of obligated service or other conditions of service specified in the writtenagreement for which the bonus is paid, must repay any unearned portion of the bonus in accordancewith the provisions of 37 U.S.C. § 373 and Chapter 2.
2.8Service Obligations

2.8.1. An officer who has a service obligation is not eligible for a bonus under DoDI
1304.34, except when the officer:
2.8.1.1. Serves his or her initial service obligation incurred at time ofcommissioning or appointment in accordance with DoDI 1304.25, “Fulfilling the Military Service
Obligation (MSO);”
promotion;

2.8.1.2. Incurs a service obligation due to a permanent change in duty station or

2.8.1.3. Incurs a service obligation for attending and completing professional
military education or government-funded education courses (this exception does not apply toundergraduate education); or
benefits.

2.8.1.4. Incurs a service obligation as a result of transferring Post 9-11 GI Bill2.8.2. For the situations described in subparagraphs 2.8.1.1 through 2.8.1.3, the service
obligations may run concurrently for bonuses offered under DoDI 1304.34.
For
subparagraph 2.8.1.4, the Secretary concerned will determine if the service obligation is
concurrent or consecutive.
2.8.3. Excluding the situations described in subparagraph 2.8.1:

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2.8.3.1. The Military Department may offer a bonus under DoDI 1304.34 up to
1 year from completion of an officer’s service obligation.
obligation.

2.8.3.2. The bonus may not be paid until completion of the previous service

2.8.3.3. The service obligation for a new bonus will begin on the date of theagreement or completion of a previous service obligation, whichever date is later.
2.9

Non-Availability

2.9.1. Officers of the SELRES who incur a period of authorized absence approved by the
Secretary concerned or are transferred to the Standby Reserve in accordance withDoD Directive 1200.7, will have their bonuses suspended during this period and will not be
entitled to bonus payments. The Secretary concerned will determine this period of time on acase-by-case basis.
2.9.2. The Secretary concerned may reinstate RC officers in the bonus program who aresubsequently reassigned in the SELRES to a skill for which they had previously contracted, if theyextend their MSO so they are able to serve the full original bonus agreement period.
2.9.3. Officers’ entitlement to subsequent payments will resume on the adjusted
anniversary date of satisfactory and creditable SELRES service, as appropriate. The Secretaryconcerned will adjust the anniversary date for periods of authorized absence. Failure to meetreinstatement criteria in a capacity that was previously agreed on will result in termination of thebonus and in repayment, as appropriate.
3.0

ACCESSION BONUS

3.1

GeneralAn accession bonus offers a monetary incentive for a person (including a Service member)to accept a commission or appointment as an officer and serve for a specified period on AD or inan active status in a Military Service.
3.1.1. An accession bonus is authorized when an individual executes a written agreement
and agrees to serve for a minimum 4-year period in:
3.1.1.1. A designated military skill or career field;
3.1.1.2. A unit;
3.1.1.3. A grade; or3.1.1.4. Some other role that meets a condition or conditions imposed by the
Secretary concerned.
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3.1.2. The procedures described in sections 2.0 and 3.0, as well as any additional
conditions and requirements prescribed by the Secretary concerned, govern the award andadministration of an accession bonus.
3.2

Additional Accession Bonus Eligibility Requirements

In addition to meeting the minimum eligibility requirements listed in paragraph 2.2, aneligible person must:
3.2.1. Meet the qualification standards listed in DoDI 1304.26 for a commission or
appointment;RC;

3.2.2. Be an initial recipient of a commission or appointment in a Regular Component or

3.2.3. Have completed all previous service obligations incurred as a result of receiving abonus or special pay while serving as an enlisted Service member or Reserve Officer Training
Course cadet or midshipmen;
3.2.4. Not have received:
2107a;

3.2.4.1. Pre-commissioning compensation under 10 U.S.C. §§ 2106, 2107, and3.2.4.2. Financial assistance through a loan repayment program in accordance with
10 U.S.C. §§ 16201, 16301, 16302, or 16303; or
3.2.4.3. An accession bonus in accordance with 37 U.S.C. § 324 and37 U.S.C. § 330; and3.2.5. Accept a service obligation on AD or in the SELRES for at least 4 years.
3.3

Restrictions

3.3.1. An officer may receive only one officer accession bonus during a career. An officer
accessed from the enlisted ranks is eligible for an accession bonus as an officer or warrant officer.
3.3.2. An officer reappointed in a Military Service after resignation or termination of acommission or appointment from an earlier period of military service is not eligible for anaccession bonus.
3.3.3. An officer may not receive an accession bonus and a transfer bonus for the same
period of military service.
3.3.4. An officer may not receive an accession bonus and an affiliation bonus for the same
period of military service.
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Amount

The amount of an accession bonus under DoDI 1304.34 may not exceed $60,000 for aminimum 4-year period of obligated service, nor may it exceed an annual amount of $15,000.
3.5

Payment Method
The method of payment will be consistent with paragraph 2.5.

3.6

Non-Availability
In the event an RC officer becomes unavailable, the provisions in paragraph 2.9 will apply.

3.7

Duration of Authority

Unless reauthorized by Congress, an officer accession bonus may not be paid after the datelisted on the Duration of Authority table, located on DFAS.MIL, unless an officer accessionagreement was entered into prior to the date on the table.
4.0

RC AFFILIATION BONUS

4.1

GeneralThe RC affiliation bonus offers a monetary incentive for an officer to affiliate with the
SELRES of a Military Service.
4.1.1. The bonus is authorized when an officer affiliates with the SELRES of a MilitaryService and agrees to serve for a specified period of not less than 3 years of obligated service in a
military skill designated critical by the Secretary concerned or not less than 3 years of obligatedservice in a specific SELRES unit or officer pay grade to meet manpower shortages in the specific
SELRES unit or officer pay grade. Additionally, the Secretary concerned may, with the officer’s
consent, convert the officer to a designated career field or military skill in which there is a shortageof trained and qualified personnel.
4.1.2. The procedures described in sections 2.0 and 4.0, as well as any additional
conditions and requirements prescribed by the Secretary concerned, govern the award andadministration of an RC affiliation bonus.
4.2

Additional RC Affiliation Bonus Eligibility Requirements

In addition to meeting the minimum eligibility requirements in paragraph 2.2, an eligible
officer must execute an agreement to serve as an officer in the SELRES for a service obligation ofat least 3 years and have fewer than 15 years of qualifying military service towards a regular or
non-regular retirement, in accordance with DoDI 1215.07. The officer must also:
4.2.1. Be serving in the Ready Reserve or Standby Reserve of a Military Service; or
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4.2.2. Be serving or have served in the Regular Component for a period of more than
30 days and have been released under honorable conditions.
4.3

Additional Guidelines

4.3.1. Individuals may receive more than one affiliation bonus in a career, though not forthe same military skill, grade, or unit.
4.3.2. An officer may receive an affiliation bonus and transfer bonus as long as the officer
serves the service obligations for each bonus consecutively. See section 6.0 for additional
information on transfer bonuses.
4.3.3. Officers signing up for an affiliation bonus and a transfer bonus at the same time
will incur an additional 12-month service obligation rather than an additional 24-month service
obligation, as otherwise prescribed. The minimum service obligation for an officer receiving bothbonuses is 4 years.
4.4

Amount

The maximum affiliation bonus may not exceed $10,000 for a minimum 3-year service
obligation.
4.5

Payment Method
4.5.1. The method of payment will be consistent with paragraph 2.5.

4.5.2. An affiliation bonus begins to accrue on the date the eligible officer is assigned to aunit or position in the SELRES.
4.6

Non-Availability
In the event an RC officer becomes unavailable, the provisions in paragraph 2.9 will apply.

4.7

Duration of Authority

Unless reauthorized by Congress, an officer affiliation bonus may not be paid after the datelisted on the Duration of Authority table, located on DFAS.MIL, unless an officer affiliationagreement was entered into prior to the date on the table.
5.0

RETENTION BONUS

5.1

GeneralA retention bonus under DoDI 1304.34 provides a monetary incentive that may be offeredby the Military Department to retain adequate numbers of qualified officers.

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5.1.1. Specifically, the bonus may be used by the Military Department to obtain thevoluntary extension of an officer’s service in exchange for an agreement to serve for a specified
period in a designated military skill, career field, unit, or grade or to meet some other condition orconditions imposed by the Military Department concerned.
5.1.2. The procedures described in sections 2.0 and 5.0, as well as additional conditions
and requirements prescribed by the Secretary concerned, govern the award and administration of
the retention bonus.
5.1.3. In order to meet the designated military skill or career field criteria, the Secretaryconcerned may, with the officer’s consent, convert the officer to a designated career field or
military skill in which there is a shortage of trained and qualified personnel.
5.1.4. Officers appointed into a Military Service after a period of disenrollment, discharge,or separation who meet the eligibility requirements in paragraphs 2.2 and 5.2 may be eligible fora retention bonus.
5.2

Additional Retention Bonus Eligibility Requirements
In addition to the eligibility requirements in paragraph 2.2, an eligible officer must:

5.2.1. Have completed a minimum of 4 years of active commission service or qualifying
service for an RC officer, in accordance with DoDI 1215.07; and5.2.2. Agree to remain on AD or in an active status for a period of at least 2 years.
5.3

Restrictions

5.3.1. An officer is not eligible for a retention bonus if, at the start of the period ofadditional obligated service, the officer:
5.3.1.1. Has between 16 and 19 years of active commissioned service or qualifying
service, in accordance with DoDI 1215.07 for an RC officer; or
5.3.1.2. Is retirement eligible with more than 22 years of active commissioned
service or qualifying service in accordance with DoDI 1215.07.
5.3.2. The service obligation for a retention bonus may not extend an officer’s service
beyond 25 years of active commissioned service or qualifying service, in accordance with
DoDI 1215.07 for an RC officer.
5.3.3. Officers who have transferred their Post-9/11 GI Bill or Montgomery
GI Bill-SELRES education benefits to a dependent or spouse in accordance with DoDI 1341.13,
are eligible for a retention bonus as specified in DoDI 1304.34. The Secretary concerned will
determine if the service obligation for both the retention bonus and GI Bill transfer is served
concurrently or consecutively.
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AmountThe Secretary of the Military Department may prorate bonus amounts for retention requests
greater than 2 years. The additional service time will be calculated on a monthly basis at a rateequal to 1/12th the annual amount. The maximum retention bonus may not exceed:
5.4.1. $25,000 for each year of obligated service in a Regular Component; or
5.4.2. $12,000 for each year of obligated service in an RC.
5.5

Payment Method
The method of payment will be consistent with paragraph 2.5.

5.6

Non-Availability
In the event an RC officer becomes unavailable, the provisions of paragraph 2.9 will apply.

5.7

Duration of Authority

Unless reauthorized by Congress, an officer retention bonus may not be paid after the datelisted on the Duration of Authority table, located on DFAS.MIL, unless an officer retention
agreement was entered into prior to the date on the table.
6.0

TRANSFER BONUSES

6.1

Intra-Service Transfer

The Intra-Service transfer bonus provides a monetary incentive for an officer to transferfrom the Regular Component of a Military Service to the Ready Reserve (and vice versa, however
mobilization does not constitute an intra-service transfer) of the same Service to meet manningrequirements. The Secretaries concerned may pay a bonus to an officer who agrees to transferfrom the Regular Component to the Ready Reserve (and vice versa) and agrees to serve for a
specified period in a designated military skill, career field, unit, or grade, or to meet otherconditions imposed by the Secretary concerned.
6.1.1. The procedures described in section 2.0 and paragraph 6.1, as well as any additional
conditions and requirements prescribed by the Secretary of the Military Department concerned,
govern the award and administration of the transfer bonus.
6.1.2. All transfers among Military Service components will be conducted in accordancewith DoDI 1300.04.
6.1.3. To be eligible for an intra-service transfer bonus, an officer must meet the following
additional eligibility requirements:

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6.1.3.1. The officer has fulfilled all service obligations satisfactorily within theofficer’s current Regular Component or RC;
6.1.3.2. The officer meets the qualification criteria for the transfer bonus of theRegular Component or RC of the Military Service to which the officer is transferring;
6.1.3.3. The officer must agree to remain in the component of the Military Service
for which the transfer bonus is offered for a minimum of 2 years; and6.1.3.4. The officer must have fewer than 15 years of active time.
6.1.4. Affiliation and Transfer Bonus
6.1.4.1. The Secretaries concerned may offer an intra-service transfer bonus in
conjunction with an affiliation bonus.
6.1.4.2. Officers receiving both bonuses incur an additional 12-month service
obligation for a minimum service obligation of 4 years.
6.1.4.3. Table 3-1 lists the intra-service transfers for which the Military
Departments may offer a bonus.
6.2

Inter-Service Transfer

The Inter-Service transfer bonus provides a monetary incentive for an officer to transfer toanother Military Service to meet manning requirements of that Military Service. The Secretaries
concerned may pay a bonus to an officer who agrees to transfer to and serve in another MilitaryService for a specified period in a designated military skill, career field, unit, or grade or to meetsome other condition(s) imposed by the Secretary of the gaining Military Department.
6.2.1. The procedures described in section 2.0 and paragraph 6.2, as well as any additional
conditions and requirements prescribed by the Secretary of the Military Department concerned,
govern the award and administration of the transfer bonus.
6.2.2. Transfers between Military Services include officers transferring from the RegularComponent or the Ready Reserve of a Military Service to the Regular Component or the ReadyReserve of a different Military Service.
6.2.3. Officer transfers between Military Services will be conducted in accordance with
DoDI 1300.04.
6.2.4. In order to successfully transfer, an officer must:
transferring;

6.2.4.1. Qualify for retention in the Military Service to which the officer is

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6.2.4.2. Have fulfilled all MSOs satisfactorily within the officer’s current RegularComponent or RC;
6.2.4.3. Meet the qualification criteria established by the Secretary of the Military
Department with jurisdiction over the Military Service to which the officer is transferring;
6.2.4.4. Agree to sign a written agreement to remain in the Military Service forwhich the transfer bonus is offered for a minimum 3-year period; and6.2.4.5. Have fewer than 15 years of active service time.
6.2.5. Affiliation and Transfer Bonus
6.2.5.1. The Secretary concerned may offer an inter-service transfer bonus in
conjunction with an affiliation bonus.
6.2.5.2. Officers receiving both bonuses incur an additional 12-month service
obligation for a minimum MSO of 4 years.
6.2.5.3. Table 3-2 lists the inter-service transfers for which a bonus may be offered.
6.3

Restrictions

An officer receiving separation pay in accordance with 10 U.S.C., Chapter 59, is not
eligible for a transfer bonus.
6.4

AmountA transfer bonus may not exceed $10,000.

6.5

Payment Method
The method of payment will be consistent with paragraph 2.5.

6.6

Non-Availability
In the event an RC officer becomes unavailable, the provisions of paragraph 2.9 will apply.

6.7

Duration of Authority

Unless reauthorized by Congress, an officer transfer bonus may not be paid after the datelisted on the Duration of Authority table, located on DFAS.MIL, unless an officer transfer
agreement was entered into prior to the date on the table.

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7.0

SPECIAL PAYS FOR NUCLEAR-QUALIFIED OFFICERS (NAVY ONLY)*7.1

Nuclear Power Accession Bonus Program
7.1.1. Eligibility

7.1.1.1. Nuclear Officer Accession Bonus. An accession bonus is payable toofficers or prospective officers who are selected for officer naval nuclear- propulsion training andexecute a written agreement to participate in a program of training for duty in connection with thesupervision, operation, and maintenance of naval nuclear propulsion plants. Payment is authorized
upon acceptance of the written agreement.
7.1.1.2. Nuclear Career Accession Bonus. Officers who are on AD and who
successfully complete the nuclear propulsion-training program, leading to qualification for duty inconnection with the supervision, operation, and maintenance of naval nuclear propulsion plants,are eligible for payment of the nuclear career accession bonus.
7.1.2. Payment. Payment procedures and bonus rates for this program are contained in
Chief of Naval Operations Instruction (OPNAVINST) 7220.11J paragraph 7.c, paragraph 8.b, andenclosure 1 paragraphs 1.a and 1.b.
7.1.3. Repayment. An officer, who receives an accession bonus and does not commenceor satisfactorily complete the nuclear power training, will be subject to the repayment provisionsof 37 U.S.C. § 373, and Chapter 2.
7.1.4. Duration of Authority. A nuclear power accession bonus may not be paid to any
person after the date on the Duration of Authority table. No payments will be made after thetermination date unless the entitlement commenced prior to that date.
*7.2

Nuclear Officer Continuation Bonus (COBO)

7.2.1. Entitlement. The Secretary of the Navy may pay Nuclear Officer COBO tonuclear-qualified officers who agree to remain on AD for a specified period beyond their existing
service obligation.
7.2.2. Eligibility. Officers who meet the criteria defined in OPNAVINST 7220.11J are
eligible to receive COBO upon acceptance of their written agreement to remain on AD inconnection with supervision, operation, and maintenance of naval nuclear propulsion plants.
7.2.3. Payment. The amount payable may not exceed $75,000 for each 12-month period.
The payment procedures, rates and effective dates are contained in the governing regulation,
OPNAVINST 7220.11J, paragraph 9.c and enclosure 1 paragraph 1.c.
7.2.4. Repayment. An officer who receives a bonus and fails to complete the period of
obligated service or other conditions of service specified in the written agreement for which the

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bonus is paid, may be subject to repayment of any unearned portion of the bonus in accordancewith the provisions of 37 U.S.C. § 373, Chapter 2, and OPNAVINST 7220.11J.
7.2.5. Duration of Authority. A nuclear officer continuation bonus may not be paid to any
person after the date on the Duration of Authority table. No payments will be made after thetermination date unless the entitlement commenced prior to that date.
7.3

Nuclear Career Annual Incentive Pay (AIP)

7.3.1. Purpose. The Secretary of the Navy may pay Nuclear Career AIP to nuclear-trained
and nuclear-qualified officers who are on AD and who complete their initial service requirement,
and to nuclear-trained and nuclear-qualified limited duty and warrant officers who serve in an
assignment with duties in connection with direct supervision, operation, or maintenance of naval
nuclear propulsion plants.
7.3.2. Eligibility. AIP is paid annually to nuclear-trained and qualified officers who
remain on AD for a specified period and who meet the eligibility criteria set forth in
OPNAVINST 7220.11J.
7.3.2.1. Warrant Officers in pay grades W-2 through W-5 and Officers in pay
grades O-1 through O-6 are eligible for AIP. Officers serving in a period of obligated service
associated with paragraph 7.2 are not eligible for AIP during that period of their obligated service.
7.3.2.2. In order to be eligible for AIP (or a pro rata portion thereof), for any
nuclear service year, an officer must be qualified for duties in connection with the supervision,
operation, and maintenance of naval nuclear propulsion plants on 30 September.
7.3.3. Payment. Under 37 U.S.C. § 333(d)(1)(B), Nuclear Career AIP may not exceed$25,000 for each 12-month period of qualifying service. The current payment procedures andrates are contained in the governing regulation, OPNAVINST 7220.11J paragraph 10.c andenclosure 1 paragraph 1.d.
NOTE: An officer of the U.S. Navy who is not on AD on the last day of a nuclear service year
may be paid AIP on a pro rata basis if otherwise qualified, unless termination of AD or loss ofqualifications was voluntary or was the result of his own misconduct.
7.4

Prototype Shift Engineer Incentive Pay (SEIP)

7.4.1. Entitlement. The Secretary of the Navy may pay SEIP to nuclear-trained andnuclear-qualified officers who have completed their initial service requirement and remain on AD
for a specified period while maintaining current technical qualifications, as approved by the
Secretary, for duty in connection with the supervision, operation, and maintenance of naval nuclear
propulsion plants.
7.4.2. Eligibility. Nuclear-trained submarine and surface warfare officers who meet thecriteria defined in OPNAVINST 7220.11J, are eligible to receive SEIP while assigned to a
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qualifying billet and qualified for duty in connection with the supervision, operation, andmaintenance of naval nuclear propulsion plants.
7.4.3. Payment. Officers who meet the eligibility criteria for SEIP in OPNAVINST
7220.11J paragraph 11.a are eligible for SEIP at the start of their shift engineer tour. The payment
procedures and monthly rate is specified in OPNAVINST 7220.11J, paragraph 11.b andenclosure 1 paragraph 1.e.
7.4.4. Repayment. An officer, who fails to commence or satisfactorily complete a shiftengineer tour will be subject to the repayment provisions of 37 U.S.C. § 373 and Chapter 2.
Specific exclusions from recoupment are listed in OPNAVINST 7220.11J.
8.0

COMMAND PAY

8.1

PurposeCommand pay is designed to recognize officers assigned as commanding officers inoperational leadership positions of unusual responsibility which are of a critical nature to a MilitaryService. The Secretary concerned may designate positions under his or her jurisdiction that are
authorized command pay.
8.2

Eligibility

Secretaries concerned will establish eligibility criteria based on Service-specific needs but
will consider paygrade, level of responsibility, and the operational nature of the assignment.
8.3

AmountSecretaries of the Military Departments concerned will establish monthly rates, but theamount of command pay per month will not exceed $150.
8.4

Restrictions

8.4.1. No more than 10 percent of the number of officers on AD in a Military Service inpaygrades O-4 through O-6 may be paid command pay.
8.4.2. Command pay is not authorized for more than one officer per unit, except for thedates of assumption of and relief from command.

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Table 3-1. Intra-Service Transfers that Allow Bonuses
Intra-Service Transfer
FROM
TO
AC
IRR
AC
IRR
AC
SELRESIRR
SELRESIRR
AC
SELRESAC
SELRESIRR
SELRESSELRES
AC – Active Component

YOS
>8
<8
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
Any
N/A

Bonus
Transfer
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
No
No

Affiliation
No
No
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
Yes

Service Obligation
Years
2
N/A
4
3
2
2
N/A
3

IRR – Individual Ready Reserve
YOS – Total Years of military service
Table 3-2. Inter-Service Transfers that Allow Bonuses
Inter-Service Transfer
FROM
TO
AC
AC
AC
IRR
AC
IRR
AC
SELRESIRR
SELRESIRR
AC
SELRESAC
SELRESIRR
SELRESSELRES
AC – Active Component

YOS
<15
>8
<8
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
Any
N/A

Bonus
Transfer
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes

IRR – Individual Ready Reserve
YOS – Total Years of military service

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Affiliation
No
No
No
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
Yes

Service Obligation
Years
3
3
N/A
4
4
3
3
N/A
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*REFERENCES
CHAPTER 03 – SPECIAL PAY – OFFICERS ONLY
1.0 – GENERAL
37 U.S.C. § 332(a)2.0 – GENERAL BONUS AUTHORITY FOR OFFICERS

2.7

37 U.S.C. § 332(a)DoDI 1304.34, July 11, 2016, paragraph 3.1
37 U.S.C. § 373

3.0 – ACCESSION BONUS
37 U.S.C. § 332(a)(1)
DoDI 1304.34, July 11, 2016, paragraph 3.2
4.0 – RC AFFILIATION BONUS
37 U.S.C. § 332(a)(2)
DoDI 1304.34, July 11, 2016, paragraph 3.3
5.0 – RETENTION BONUS
37 U.S.C. § 332(a)(3)
DoDI 1304.34, July 11, 2016, paragraph 3.4
6.0 – TRANSFER BONUSES

6.1
6.2
6.3

37 U.S.C. § 327
37 U.S.C. § 332(a)(4) & (5)DoDI 1304.34, July 11, 2016, paragraph 3.5(a)DoDI 1300.04, July 25, 2017, paragraph 3.1
DoDI 1304.34, July 11, 2016, paragraph 3.5(b)DoDI 1300.04, July 25, 2017, paragraph 3.2
10 U.S.C., Chapter 59

7.0 – SPECIAL PAYS FOR NUCLEAR-QUALIFIED OFFICERS
7.1
7.1.2
7.2

37 U.S.C. § 333(a)(1)
OPNAVINST 7220.11J, April 25, 2023, paragraph 8
37 U.S.C. § 333(d)(1)(A)
37 U.S.C. § 333(a)(2)
OPNAVINST 7220.11J, April 25, 2023, paragraph 9
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7.4

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37 U.S.C. § 333(b)OPNAVINST 7220.11J, April 25, 2023, paragraph 10
37 U.S.C. § 333(b)OPNAVINST 7220.11J April 25, 2023, paragraph 11

8.0 – COMMAND PAY
37 U.S.C. § 352
DoDI 1340.26, Incorporating Change 1, January 11, 2019,
paragraph 4.2
Table 3-1

DoDI 1304.34, July 11, 2016, Table 1

Table 3-2

DoDI 1304.34, July 11, 2016, Table 2

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