37 U.S.C. § 308h | Special pay: bonus for reenlistment, enlistment, or voluntary extension of enlistment in elements of the Ready Reserve other than the Selected Reserve

(a)

Authority and Eligibility Requirements .—

(1)

The Secretary concerned may pay a bonus as provided in subsection (b) to an eligible person who reenlists, enlists, or voluntarily extends an enlistment in a reserve component of an armed force for assignment to an element (other than the Selected Reserve) of the Ready Reserve of that armed force if the reenlistment, enlistment, or extension is for a period of three years, or for a period of six years, beyond any other period the person is obligated to serve.

(2)

A person is eligible for a bonus under this section if the person—

(A)

is or has been a member of an armed force;

(B)

is qualified in a skill or specialty designated by the Secretary concerned as a critically short wartime skill or critically short wartime specialty; and

(C)

has not failed to complete satisfactorily any original term of enlistment in the armed forces.

(3)

For the purposes of this section, the Secretary concerned may designate a skill or specialty as a critically short wartime skill or critically short wartime specialty for an armed force under the jurisdiction of the Secretary if the Secretary determines that—

(A)

the skill or specialty is critical to meet wartime requirements of the armed force; and

(B)

there is a critical shortage of personnel in that armed force who are qualified in that skill or specialty.

(4)

The Secretary concerned may waive the eligibility requirement in paragraph (2)(B) 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 this subsection while the member is serving on active duty in Afghanistan, Iraq, or Kuwait in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

(b)

Bonus Amounts; Payment .—

(1)

Eligibility for and the amount and method of payment of a bonus under this section shall be determined under regulations to be prescribed under subsection (f).

(2)

The amount of a bonus under this section—

(A)

may not exceed $3,000, in the case of a person who enlists for a period of six years; and

(B)

may not exceed $1,500 in the case of a person who enlists for a period of three years.

(3)

A bonus paid under this section shall be paid as follows:

(A)

In the case of a bonus under paragraph (2)(A)—

(i)

$500 shall be paid at the time of the reenlistment, enlistment, or extension of enlistment for which the bonus is paid; and

(ii)

the remainder shall be paid in equal annual increments.

(B)

In the case of a bonus under paragraph (2)(B), the amount of the bonus shall be paid in equal annual increments.

(4)

A person 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.

(c)

Repayment .—

section 303a(e) of this titleA person who does not complete the period of enlistment or extension of enlistment for which the bonus was paid under this section shall be subject to the repayment provisions of .

(d)

Regulations .—

(1)

This section shall be administered under regulations to be 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.

(2)

Regulations under this section may require that as a condition of receiving a bonus under this section the person receiving the bonus agree to participate in an annual muster of the Reserves, or in active duty for training, as may be required by the Secretary concerned.

(e)

Termination of Authority .—

December 31, 2018A bonus may not be paid under this section to any person for a reenlistment, enlistment, or voluntary extension of an enlistment after .

Editorial Notes

Amendments

Pub. L. 115–91December 31, 2018December 31, 20172017—Subsec. (e). substituted “” for “”.

Pub. L. 114–328December 31, 2017December 31, 20162016—Subsec. (e). substituted “” for “”.

Pub. L. 114–92December 31, 2016December 31, 20152015—Subsec. (e). substituted “” for “”.

Pub. L. 113–291December 31, 2015December 31, 20142014—Subsec. (e). substituted “” for “”.

Pub. L. 113–66December 31, 2014December 31, 20132013—Subsec. (e). substituted “” for “”.

Pub. L. 112–239December 31, 2013December 31, 2012 substituted “” for “”.

Pub. L. 112–81December 31, 2012December 31, 20112011—Subsec. (e). substituted “” for “”.

Pub. L. 111–383December 31, 2011December 31, 2010 substituted “” for “”.

Pub. L. 111–84December 31, 2010December 31, 20092009—Subsec. (e). substituted “” for “”.

Pub. L. 110–417December 31, 2009December 31, 20082008—Subsec. (e). substituted “” for “”.

Pub. L. 110–181December 31, 2008December 31, 2007 substituted “” for “”.

Pub. L. 109–163, § 687(b)(18)(A)2006—Subsec. (c). , added subsec. (c) and struck out heading and text of former subsec. (c). Text read as follows: “A person who receives a bonus payment under this section and who fails during the period for which the bonus was paid to serve satisfactorily in the Ready Reserve shall refund to the United States an amount which bears the same ratio to the amount of the bonus paid to such person as the period which such person failed to serve satisfactorily bears to the total period for which the bonus was paid.”

Pub. L. 109–163, § 687(b)(18)(B)Subsec. (d). , (C), redesignated subsec. (f) as (d) and struck out heading and text of former subsec. (d). Text read as follows: “An obligation to reimburse the United States imposed under subsection (c) is, for all purposes, a debt owed to the United States.”

Pub. L. 109–364December 31, 2007December 31, 2006Subsec. (e). substituted “” for “”.

Pub. L. 109–163, § 687(b)(18)(B)September 24, 1983, (C), redesignated subsec. (g) as (e) and struck out heading and text of former subsec. (e). Text read as follows: “A discharge in bankruptcy under title 11 that is entered less than five years after the termination of a reenlistment, enlistment, or extension for which a bonus was paid under this section does not discharge the person receiving such bonus payment from the debt arising under subsection (c). This subsection applies to any case commenced under title 11 after .”

Pub. L. 109–163, § 687(b)(18)(C)Subsec. (f). , redesignated subsec. (f) as (d).

Pub. L. 109–163, § 687(b)(18)(C)Subsec. (g). , redesignated subsec. (g) as (e).

Pub. L. 109–163, § 621(d)December 31, 2006December 31, 2005, substituted “” for “”.

Pub. L. 108–375, § 618(e)(1)2004—Subsec. (b)(2)(A). , substituted “$3,000” for “$1,500”.

Pub. L. 108–375, § 618(e)(2)Subsec. (b)(2)(B). , substituted “$1,500” for “$750”.

Pub. L. 108–375, § 618(e)(3)Subsec. (b)(4). , added par. (4).

Pub. L. 108–375, § 611(e)December 31, 2005December 31, 2004Subsec. (g). , substituted “” for “”.

Pub. L. 108–136, § 611(e)December 31, 2004December 31, 2003Subsec. (g). , substituted “” for “”.

Pub. L. 107–2962002—Subsec. (f)(1). substituted “of Homeland Security” for “of Transportation”.

Pub. L. 107–314December 31, 2003December 31, 2002Subsec. (g). substituted “” for “”.

Pub. L. 107–107, § 619(a)2001—Subsec. (a). , inserted heading and amended text generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows:

“(a)(1) An eligible person who is or has been a member of an armed force and who reenlists, enlists, or voluntarily extends an enlistment in a combat or combat support skill of an element (other than the Selected Reserve) of the Ready Reserve of an armed force for a period of three years, or for a period of six years, beyond any other period the person is obligated to serve may be paid a bonus as provided in subsection (b).

“(2) A bonus may not be paid under this section to a person who has failed to complete satisfactorily any original term of enlistment in the armed forces.”

Pub. L. 107–107, § 619(b)(1)Subsecs. (b) to (f). –(5), inserted headings.

Pub. L. 107–107, § 619(b)(6)Subsec. (g). , inserted heading.

Pub. L. 107–107, § 611(f)December 31, 2002December 31, 2001, substituted “” for “”.

Pub. L. 106–398December 31, 2001December 31, 20002000—Subsec. (g). substituted “” for “”.

Pub. L. 106–65December 31, 2000December 31, 19991999—Subsec. (g). substituted “” for “”.

Pub. L. 105–261December 31, 1999September 30, 19991998—Subsec. (g). substituted “” for “”.

Pub. L. 105–85September 30, 1999September 30, 19981997—Subsec. (g). substituted “” for “”.

Pub. L. 104–201September 30, 1998September 30, 19971996—Subsec. (g). substituted “” for “”.

Pub. L. 104–106September 30, 1997September 30, 1996 substituted “” for “”.

Pub. L. 103–337September 30, 1996September 30, 19951994—Subsec. (g). substituted “” for “”.

Pub. L. 103–160September 30, 1995September 30, 19931993—Subsec. (g). substituted “” for “”.

Pub. L. 102–484September 30, 1993September 30, 19921992—Subsec. (g). substituted “” for “”.

Pub. L. 102–251991— struck out “of this section” and “of this subsection” wherever appearing.

Pub. L. 101–189September 30, 1992September 30, 19901989—Subsec. (g). substituted “” for “”.

Pub. L. 100–180September 30, 1990September 30, 19871987—Subsec. (g). substituted “” for “”.

Pub. L. 99–145, § 646(b)(1)1985—Subsec. (a)(1). , substituted “for a period of three years, or for a period of six years,” for “for a period of not less than three years”.

Pub. L. 99–145, § 646(b)(2)Subsec. (b). , designated existing provisions as par. (1), struck out “, except that the amount of such a bonus may not exceed $900 and shall be paid in equal annual increments”, and added pars. (2) and (3).

Pub. L. 99–145, § 1303(b)(3)September 24, 1983Subsec. (e). , substituted “” for “the date of the enactment of the Department of Defense Authorization Act, 1984”.

Pub. L. 99–145, § 646(c)Subsec. (f). , designated existing provisions as par. (1) and added par. (2).

Pub. L. 99–145, § 646(a)September 30, 1987September 30, 1985Subsec. (g). , substituted “” for “”.

Pub. L. 98–5251984—Subsec. (b). inserted provision for payment in equal annual increments.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2008 Amendment

Pub. L. 110–181Dec. 31, 2007section 610 of Pub. L. 110–181 section 2130a of Title 10Amendment by effective as of , and subject to various special provisions, see , 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 , Armed Forces.

Effective Date of 2003 Amendment

section 626(c) of Pub. L. 108–136Mar. 18, 2003section 626(d) of Pub. L. 108–136 section 308 of this titleAmendment by effective , and applicable to reenlistments or voluntary extensions of enlistments entered into on or after that date, see , set out as a note under .

Effective Date of 2002 Amendment

Pub. L. 107–296 section 1704(g) of Pub. L. 107–296 section 101 of Title 10Amendment by effective on the date of transfer of the Coast Guard to the Department of Homeland Security, see , set out as a note under , Armed Forces.

Effective Date of 2001 Amendment

Pub. L. 107–107, div. A, title VI, § 619(d)Dec. 28, 2001115 Stat. 1138

section 308h of title 37Dec. 28, 2001“Subsection (a) of , United States Code, as amended by this section, shall apply with respect to reserve component reenlistments, enlistments, and extensions of enlistments that are executed on or after the first day of the first month that begins more than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act []. Subsection (a) of such section 308h, as in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this Act, shall continue to apply with respect to reserve component reenlistments, enlistments, and extensions of enlistments that are executed before the first day of that first month.”

, , , provided that:

Effective Date of 1993 Amendment

Pub. L. 103–160Sept. 30, 1993section 612(f) of Pub. L. 103–160 section 308b of this titleAmendment by effective as of , and applicable with respect to an enlistment, reenlistment, or extension of an enlistment described in this section or section 308b, 308c, or 308i of this title occurring on or after that date, see , set out as a note under .

Effective Date of 1985 Amendment

Pub. L. 99–145, title VI, § 646(d)Nov. 8, 198599 Stat. 654

section 308g of this titleOctober 1, 1985“The amendments made by this section [amending this section and ] shall take effect on .”

, , , provided that:

Effective Date

Oct. 1, 1983section 1011(c) of Pub. L. 98–94 section 308g of this titleSection effective , see , set out as a note under .

Regulations

Pub. L. 107–107, div. A, title VI, § 619(c)Dec. 28, 2001115 Stat. 1138

Dec. 28, 2001section 308h of title 37“Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [], the Secretaries of the military departments shall prescribe such regulations as may be necessary for administering subsection (a) of , United States Code, as amended by this section.”

, , , provided that:

Savings Provision

Apr. 1, 2006section 687(b) of Pub. L. 109–163 section 687(f) of Pub. L. 109–163 section 510 of Title 10For savings provision relating to payment or repayment of any bonus, incentive pay, special pay, or similar pay obligated to be paid before , under a provision of this section amended by , see , set out as a note under , Armed Forces.

Coverage of Period of Lapsed Authority

Oct. 1, 1992Oct. 23, 1992section 612(j)(2) of Pub. L. 102–484 section 301b of this titleFor provisions relating to coverage of period of lapsed authority from , to , for payment of bonuses or other special pay under this section, see , set out as a note under .

Individual Ready Reserve Reenlistment Bonuses

Pub. L. 98–525, title V, § 552(f)(1)Oct. 19, 198498 Stat. 2531

section 308h of title 37“In order to encourage members of the Armed Forces whose military service obligation is expiring and who do not choose to reenlist or otherwise extend their service on active duty or in active elements of reserve components to remain in the Armed Forces as members of the Individual Ready Reserve, the Secretary of Defense shall consider making greater use of the authority provided under , United States Code, to pay bonuses to persons reenlisting for periods of not less than three years in the Individual Ready Reserve.”

, , , provided that:

Coast Guard; Reserve Forces Readiness Provisions Inapplicable

Pub. L. 98–525 section 552(g) of Pub. L. 98–525 section 12001 of Title 10Reserve Forces Readiness provisions, including amendment of subsec. (b) of this section by and Individual Ready Reserve Reenlistment Bonuses note above, inapplicable to Coast Guard, see , set out as a Reserve Forces Readiness note under , Armed Forces.