37 U.S.C. § 308b (PAY AND ALLOWANCES OF THE UNIFORMED SERVICES)
§ 308b. Special pay: reenlistment bonus for members of the Selected Reserve
(a) Authority and Eligibility Requirements.—
The Secretary concerned may pay a bonus under subsection (b) to an enlisted member of a reserve component who—
(1) has completed not more than 20 years of total military service; and
(2) reenlists or voluntarily extends an enlistment for a period of at least three years in a designated military skill, or in a designated unit, as determined by the Secretary concerned, in the Selected Reserve of the Ready Reserve of an armed force.
(b) Bonus Amounts; Payment.—
(1) The amount of a bonus under this section may not exceed $15,000.
(2) Bonus payments authorized under this section may be paid in either a lump sum or in installments. If the bonus is paid in installments, the initial payment shall be not less than 50 percent of the total bonus amount. The Secretary concerned shall prescribe the amount of each subsequent installment payment and the schedule for making the installment payments.
(3) Any portion of a term of reenlistment or extension of enlistment of a member that, when added to the total years of service of the member at the time of discharge or release, exceeds 24 years may not be used in computing the total bonus amount under paragraph (1).
(c) Waiver of Condition on Eligibility.—
In the case of a reenlistment or voluntary extension of enlistment by a member of the armed forces that is entered into as described in subsection (a) while the member is serving on active duty in Afghanistan, Iraq, or Kuwait in support of Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom, the Secretary concerned may waive so much of subsection (a)(2) as requires that the skill or unit in which the member reenlists or extends an enlistment be a designated skill or designated unit determined by the Secretary concerned.
(d) Payment to Mobilized Members.—
A member entitled to a bonus under this section who is called or ordered to active duty shall be paid, during that period of active duty, any amount of the bonus that becomes payable to the member during that period of active duty.
(e) Repayment.—
A member who does not complete the term of enlistment in the element of the Selected Reserve for which the bonus was paid to the member under this section shall be subject to the repayment provisions of section 303a(e) of this title.
(f) Regulations.—
This section shall be administered under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense for the armed forces under his jurisdiction and by the Secretary of Homeland Security for the Coast Guard when it is not operating as a service in the Navy.
(g) Termination of Authority.—
No bonus may be paid under this section to any enlisted member who, after December 31, 2018, reenlists or voluntarily extends his enlistment in a reserve component.
(Added Pub. L. 95–79, title IV, § 403(a)(1), July 30, 1977, 91 Stat. 330; amended Pub. L. 95–485, title IV, § 403, Oct. 20, 1978, 92 Stat. 1614; Pub. L. 96–342, title VIII, § 805(b), Sept. 8, 1980, 94 Stat. 1095; Pub. L. 97–295, § 3(2), Oct. 12, 1982, 96 Stat. 1303; Pub. L. 99–145, title VI, § 643(a), Nov. 8, 1985, 99 Stat. 652; Pub. L. 100–180, div. A, title VI, § 626(b), Dec. 4, 1987, 101 Stat. 1104; Pub. L. 101–189, div. A, title VI, §§ 613, 652(b)(1), Nov. 29, 1989, 103 Stat. 1446, 1461; Pub. L. 101–510, div. A, title XIII, § 1322(c)(4), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1672; Pub. L. 102–484, div. A, title VI, § 612(d), Oct. 23, 1992, 106 Stat. 2421; Pub. L. 103–160, div. A, title VI, § 612(a), Nov. 30, 1993, 107 Stat. 1680; Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title VI, § 611(a), Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2782; Pub. L. 104–106, div. A, title VI, § 611(a), Feb. 10, 1996, 110 Stat. 359; Pub. L. 104–201, div. A, title VI, § 611(b), Sept. 23, 1996, 110 Stat. 2543; Pub. L. 105–85, div. A, title VI, §§ 611(b), 621, Nov. 18, 1997, 111 Stat. 1785, 1790; Pub. L. 105–261, div. A, title VI, § 611(b), Oct. 17, 1998, 112 Stat. 2038; Pub. L. 106–65, div. A, title VI, § 611(b), Oct. 5, 1999, 113 Stat. 649; Pub. L. 106–398, § 1 [[div. A], title VI, § 621(b)], Oct. 30, 2000, 114 Stat. 1654, 1654A–151; Pub. L. 107–107, div. A, title VI, § 611(b), Dec. 28, 2001, 115 Stat. 1135; Pub. L. 107–296, title XVII, § 1704(c), Nov. 25, 2002, 116 Stat. 2314; Pub. L. 107–314, div. A, title VI, § 611(a), Dec. 2, 2002, 116 Stat. 2567; Pub. L. 108–136, div. A, title VI, §§ 611(a), 617, 626(b), Nov. 24, 2003, 117 Stat. 1500, 1503, 1507; Pub. L. 108–375, div. A, title VI, §§ 611(a), 618(b), Oct. 28, 2004, 118 Stat. 1946, 1949; Pub. L. 109–163, div. A, title VI, §§ 621(a), 630, 687(b)(15), Jan. 6, 2006, 119 Stat. 3294, 3297, 3330; Pub. L. 109–364, div. A, title VI, § 611(a), title X, § 1071(e)(7), Oct. 17, 2006, 120 Stat. 2247, 2401; Pub. L. 110–181, div. A, title VI, §§ 611(a), 619(a)–(c), Jan. 28, 2008, 122 Stat. 148, 151; Pub. L. 110–417, [div. A], title VI, § 611(a), Oct. 14, 2008, 122 Stat. 4484; Pub. L. 111–84, div. A, title VI, § 611(1), Oct. 28, 2009, 123 Stat. 2352; Pub. L. 111–383, div. A, title VI, § 611(1), Jan. 7, 2011, 124 Stat. 4236; Pub. L. 112–81, div. A, title VI, § 611(1), Dec. 31, 2011, 125 Stat. 1449; Pub. L. 112–239, div. A, title VI, § 611(1), Jan. 2, 2013, 126 Stat. 1775; Pub. L. 113–66, div. A, title VI, § 611(1), Dec. 26, 2013, 127 Stat. 779; Pub. L. 113–291, div. A, title VI, § 611(1), Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 3399; Pub. L. 114–92, div. A, title VI, § 611(1), Nov. 25, 2015, 129 Stat. 837; Pub. L. 114–328, div. A, title VI, § 611(1), Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2157; Pub. L. 115–91, div. A, title VI, § 611(1), Dec. 12, 2017, 131 Stat. 1421.)
heading: Editorial Notes
heading: Amendments
text: 2017—Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 115–91 substituted “December 31, 2018” for “December 31, 2017”.
2016—Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 114–328 substituted “December 31, 2017” for “December 31, 2016”.
2015—Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 114–92 substituted “December 31, 2016” for “December 31, 2015”.
2014—Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 113–291 substituted “December 31, 2015” for “December 31, 2014”.
2013—Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 113–66 substituted “December 31, 2014” for “December 31, 2013”.
Pub. L. 112–239 substituted “December 31, 2013” for “December 31, 2012”.
2011—Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 112–81 substituted “December 31, 2012” for “December 31, 2011”.
Pub. L. 111–383 substituted “December 31, 2011” for “December 31, 2010”.
2009—Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 111–84 substituted “December 31, 2010” for “December 31, 2009”.
2008—Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 110–181, § 619(a), substituted “an enlistment for a period of at least three years” for “his enlistment for a period of three years or for a period of six years”.
Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 110–181, § 619(b), substituted “may not exceed $15,000.” for “may not exceed—
“(A) $15,000, in the case of a member who reenlists or extends an enlistment for a period of six years;
“(B) $7,500, in the case of a member who, having never received a bonus under this section, reenlists or extends an enlistment for a period of three years; and
“(C) $6,000, in the case of a member who, having received a bonus under this section for a previous three-year reenlistment or extension of an enlistment, reenlists or extends the enlistment for an additional period of three years.”
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 110–181, § 619(c), substituted “Waiver of Condition on Eligibility” for “Condition on Eligibility” in heading, struck out par. (2) designation before “In the case” and “paragraph (1)(B) or” after “may waive so much of”, and struck out par. (1) which read as follows:
“(1) To be eligible for a second bonus under this section in the amount specified in subsection (b)(1)(C), a member must—
“(A) enter into the subsequent reenlistment or extension of an enlistment for a period of three years not later than the date on which the enlistment or extension for which the first bonus was paid would expire; and
“(B) still satisfy the designated skill or unit requirements required under subsection (a)(2).”
Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 110–417 substituted “December 31, 2009” for “December 31, 2008”.
Pub. L. 110–181, § 611(a), substituted “December 31, 2008” for “December 31, 2007”.
2006—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 109–163, § 630(a), substituted “20 years of total military service” for “16 years of total military service”.
Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 109–163, § 630(b), added par. (3).
Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 109–163, § 687(b)(15), as amended by Pub. L. 109–364, § 1071(e)(7), amended heading and text of subsec. (e) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “A member who receives a bonus under this section and who fails, during the period for which the bonus was paid, to serve satisfactorily in the element of the Selected Reserve of the Ready Reserve with respect to which the bonus was paid shall refund to the United States an amount that bears the same ratio to the amount of the bonus paid to the member as the period that the member failed to serve satisfactorily bears to the total period for which the bonus was paid.”
Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 109–364, § 611(a), substituted “December 31, 2007” for “December 31, 2006”.
Pub. L. 109–163, § 621(a), substituted “December 31, 2006” for “December 31, 2005”.
2004—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 108–375, § 618(b)(1)(D), struck out concluding provisions which read as follows: “may be paid a bonus as provided in subsection (b).”
Pub. L. 108–375, § 618(b)(1)(A), in introductory provisions, substituted “The Secretary concerned may pay a bonus under subsection (b) to an enlisted member” for “An enlisted member”.
Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 108–375, § 618(b)(1)(B), substituted “not more than 16 years” for “less than 14 years”.
Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 108–375, § 618(b)(1)(C), substituted period for semicolon at end.
Subsec. (b)(1)(A). Pub. L. 108–375, § 618(b)(2)(A), substituted “$15,000” for “$5,000”.
Subsec. (b)(1)(B). Pub. L. 108–375, § 618(b)(2)(B), substituted “$7,500” for “$2,500”.
Subsec. (b)(1)(C). Pub. L. 108–375, § 618(b)(2)(C), substituted “$6,000” for “$2,000”.
Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 108–375, § 618(b)(3), amended par. (2) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (2) read as follows: “Any bonus payable under this section shall be disbursed in one initial payment of an amount not to exceed one-half of the total amount of the bonus and subsequent periodic partial payments of the balance of the bonus. The Secretary concerned shall prescribe the amount of each partial payment and the schedule for making the partial payments.”
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 108–375, § 618(b)(4)(A), struck out “; Limitation on Number of Bonuses” after “Eligibility” in heading.
Subsec. (c)(2), (3). Pub. L. 108–375, § 618(b)(4)(B), redesignated par. (3) as (2) and struck out former par. (2) which read as follows: “A member may not be paid more than one six-year bonus or two three-year bonuses under this section.”
Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 108–375, § 611(a), substituted “December 31, 2005” for “December 31, 2004”.
2003—Subsec. (c)(3). Pub. L. 108–136, § 626(b), added par. (3).
Subsecs. (d), (e). Pub. L. 108–136, § 617, added subsec. (d) and redesignated former subsec. (d) as (e). Former subsec. (e) redesignated (f).
Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 108–136, § 617(1), redesignated subsec. (e) as (f). Former subsec. (f) redesignated (g).
Pub. L. 108–136, § 611(a), substituted “December 31, 2004” for “December 31, 2003”.
Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 108–136, § 617(1), redesignated subsec. (f) as (g).
2002—Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 107–296 substituted “of Homeland Security” for “of Transportation”.
Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 107–314 substituted “December 31, 2003” for “December 31, 2002”.
2001—Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 107–107 substituted “December 31, 2002” for “December 31, 2001”.
2000—Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 106–398 substituted “December 31, 2001” for “December 31, 2000”.
1999—Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 106–65 substituted “December 31, 2000” for “December 31, 1999”.
1998—Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 105–261 substituted “December 31, 1999” for “September 30, 1999”.
1997—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 105–85, § 621(e)(1), inserted heading.
Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 105–85, § 621(a), substituted “14 years” for “ten years”.
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 105–85, § 621(b), amended subsec. (b) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (b) read as follows: “The bonus to be paid under subsection (a) shall be—
“(1) an initial payment of—
“(A) an amount not to exceed $1,250, in the case of a member who reenlists or voluntarily extends his enlistment for a period of three years; or
“(B) an amount not to exceed $2,500, in the case of a member who reenlists or voluntarily extends his enlistment for a period of six years; and
“(2) a subsequent payment of not to exceed $416.66 upon the completion of each year of the period of such reenlistment or extension of enlistment during which such member has satisfactorily participated in training with his unit.”
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 105–85, § 621(c), amended subsec. (c) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (c) read as follows: “No member shall be paid more than one bonus under this section.”
Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 105–85, § 621(d), amended subsec. (d) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (d) read as follows: “A member who fails to participate satisfactorily in training with his unit during a term of enlistment for which a bonus is being paid to him under this section shall refund an amount equal to the amount by which the amount of such bonus exceeds the product of—
“(1) the number of months during that term of enlistment during which such member participated satisfactorily in training with his unit; and
“(2) $69.44.”
Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 105–85, § 621(e)(2), inserted heading.
Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 105–85, § 621(e)(3), inserted heading.
Pub. L. 105–85, § 611(b), substituted “September 30, 1999” for “September 30, 1998”.
1996—Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 104–201 substituted “September 30, 1998” for “September 30, 1997”.
Pub. L. 104–106 substituted “September 30, 1997” for “September 30, 1996”.
1994—Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 103–337 substituted “September 30, 1996” for “September 30, 1995”.
1993—Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 103–160 substituted “September 30, 1995” for “September 30, 1993”.
1992—Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 102–484 substituted “September 30, 1993” for “September 30, 1992”.
1990—Subsecs. (e) to (g). Pub. L. 101–510 redesignated subsecs. (f) and (g) as (e) and (f), respectively, and struck out former subsec. (e) which read as follows: “The Secretary of defense shall submit a report to the Congress every three months listing the units of the Selected Reserve of the Ready Reserve which have been designated by him for purposes of subsection (a)(3) and stating the number of members of the Selected Reserve of the Ready Reserve who at the time of such report are serving a term of enlistment for which a bonus is being paid under this section.”
1989—Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 101–189, § 652(b)(1), struck out at end “The first such report shall be submitted not later than December 31, 1977.”
Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 101–189, § 613, substituted “September 30, 1992” for “September 30, 1990”.
1987—Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 100–180 substituted “September 30, 1990” for “September 30, 1987”.
1985—Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 99–145, § 643(a)(1)(A), substituted “$1,250” for “$450” in subpar. (A) and “$2,500” for “$900” in subpar. (B).
Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 99–145, § 643(a)(1)(B), substituted “$416.66” for “$150”.
Subsec. (d)(2). Pub. L. 99–145, § 643(a)(2), substituted “$69.44” for “$25”.
Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 99–145, § 643(a)(3), substituted “September 30, 1987” for “September 30, 1985”.
1982—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 97–295 substituted “service” for “services”.
1980—Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 96–342 substituted “September 30, 1985” for “September 30, 1980”.
1978—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 95–485, § 403(a), substituted provision requiring that for an enlisted member of a reserve component to be eligible for the bonus provided in subsec. (b) he has completed less than 10 years of total military services for provision requiring that the enlisted member had initially enlisted in a reserve component, other than a reserve component under the delayed enlistment program for the active forces, and that he had completed less than 10 years of service as a member of a reserve component.
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 95–485, § 403(b), inserted “an amount not to exceed” before “$450”, “$900”, and “$150”, respectively.
Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 95–485, § 403(c), substituted “September 30, 1980” for “September 30, 1978”.
heading: Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
heading: Effective Date of 2008 Amendment
text: Amendment by section 611(a) of Pub. L. 110–181 effective as of Dec. 31, 2007, and subject to various special provisions, see section 610 of Pub. L. 110–181, set out as a Correction of Lapsed Authorities for Payment of Bonuses, Special Pays, and Similar Benefits for Members of the Uniformed Services note under section 2130a of Title 10, Armed Forces.
Pub. L. 110–181, div. A, title VI, § 619(d), Jan. 28, 2008, 122 Stat. 151, provided that: “The amendments made by this section [amending this section] shall apply with respect to reenlistments or extensions of enlistment that occur on or after the date of the enactment of this Act [Jan. 28, 2008].”
heading: Effective Date of 2006 Amendment
text: Pub. L. 109–364, div. A, title X, § 1071(e), Oct. 17, 2006, 120 Stat. 2401, provided that the amendment made by section 1071(e)(7) is effective as of Jan. 6, 2006, and as if included in Pub. L. 109–163 as enacted.
heading: Effective Date of 2003 Amendment
text: Amendment by section 626(b) of Pub. L. 108–136 effective Mar. 18, 2003, and applicable to reenlistments or voluntary extensions of enlistments entered into on or after that date, see section 626(d) of Pub. L. 108–136, set out as a note under section 308 of this title.
heading: Effective Date of 2002 Amendment
text: Amendment by Pub. L. 107–296 effective on the date of transfer of the Coast Guard to the Department of Homeland Security, see section 1704(g) of Pub. L. 107–296, set out as a note under section 101 of Title 10, Armed Forces.
heading: Effective Date of 1993 Amendment
text: Pub. L. 103–160, div. A, title VI, § 612(f), Nov. 30, 1993, 107 Stat. 1681, provided that: “The amendments made by subsections (a), (b), (d), and (e) [amending this section and sections 308c, 308h, and 308i of this title] shall take effect as of September 30, 1993, and shall apply with respect to an enlistment, reenlistment, or extension of an enlistment described in section 308b, 308c, 308h, or 308i of title 37, United States Code, occurring on or after that date.”
heading: Effective Date of 1985 Amendment
text: Pub. L. 99–145, title VI, § 643(b), Nov. 8, 1985, 99 Stat. 652, provided that: “The amendments made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall take effect on October 1, 1985.”
heading: Effective Date
text: Pub. L. 95–79, title IV, § 403(b), July 30, 1977, 91 Stat. 331, provided that: “The amendments made by subsection (a) [enacting this section] shall apply with respect to any reenlistment, or voluntary extension of an enlistment, in the Selected Reserve of any reserve component of the Armed Forces after September 30, 1977.”
heading: Savings Provision
text: For savings provision relating to payment or repayment of any bonus, incentive pay, special pay, or similar pay obligated to be paid before Apr. 1, 2006, under a provision of this section amended by section 687(b) of Pub. L. 109–163, see section 687(f) of Pub. L. 109–163, set out as a note under section 510 of Title 10, Armed Forces.
heading: Coverage of Period of Lapsed Authority
text: For provisions relating to coverage of period of lapsed authority from Oct. 1, 1992, to Oct. 23, 1992, for payment of bonuses or other special pay under this section, see section 612(j)(2) of Pub. L. 102–484, set out as a note under section 301b of this title.