The Air Force is now offering even more money for troops to reenlist and stay in 73 of its toughest and most critical jobs.
These bonuses, which can range anywhere from $180,000 (an $80,000 increase from prior years) to $360,000 over the span of an airman’s entire career, are for positions such as tactical air control party airman and explosive ordnance disposal to jobs in religious affairs or being a dental assistant.
The selective retention bonus “serves as a retention tool, targeting experienced enlisted personnel in critical career fields, particularly those with lower manning or retention rates. Additionally, specialties involving extensive initial skills training and stringent qualification requirements are considered,” the Air Force said in a news release.
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The latest list of 73 Air Force specialty codes applicable for the new bonus is a major increase from the prior year’s 51 eligible career fields. Airmen identified as being eligible last year are still eligible if their job remains on the list.
Service members can reenlist up to 12 months before the end of their current contracts. In addition to expanding the career list, the service also upped the service cap from six years (72 months) to eight years (96 months).
“The change not only allows airmen to maximize the amount received from eligible retention bonuses,…
