Commissioning and AF Sign-On Bonus

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I am happy to say that I COMMISSIONED TODAY as a Second Lieutenant as a Nurse in the USAF! It felt great (and exciting and scary...) saying the oath and getting my very first salute out of the way! But, now I have a question that I probably should have asked before today. I've been told by my recruiter that there was money left for bonuses, that I would definitely be getting it, and that I would sign for it and receive it when I "graduate" from NTP. The phrase "get everything in writing" is haunting me... I'm happy to go in with or without the bonus but I was really looking forward to it!

So, for anyone who has ALREADY SIGNED FOR OR RECEIVED the bonus- Is it an actual contract? Does it include that it increases your commitment by 12 months? When did you sign it? When did you receive it? I'm really hoping I haven't lost out :uhoh3:

Thanks!

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I know how you feel. I should be comissioning in a week and my concern is about loan repayment. I signed one set of paper which states my 4 year contract because of the loan repayment, then I had to sign another paper where I had to decline the repayment. I will go in no matter what, it just confusing. My recruiter said I can apply for it again once I arrive in COT. I also received an e-mail about the final papers for loan repayment what I need to turn in within 30 days after I arrive to my first duty station. I hope I can clarify things before I sign the final papers.

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Specializes in ED. ICU, PICU, infection prevention, aeromedical e.

Congratulations!! Very exciting.

I got the bonus. It is in your paperwork that you signed. Read it again and look for accession bonus. The bonus just gets deposited in your bank account without any extra paperwork from you. Poof. One day you have money. Yes, if you took that bonus and signed for an extra year, you are in for 4 years.

I can't answer anything about loan repayment, that seems to be a bit more bother. But I seriously question that you can apply for it when you get to COT. There were no briefings about it. And once you sign, that is what you get. It is a contract and it is legal and binding.

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Hi Mid! Thanks for the congrats and info! Just so I'm clear....

I remember signing something about an accession bonus way back before my packet went to boards. Yesterday I signed something that very clearly stated that 36 months was my contracted time... But nothing about accession bonus or 48 months. If it's in my older paperwork than I'm still ok right? As far as I know my recruiter did apply me for it!

I don't want to keep badgering my recruiter about it but I'll be a newlywed when I leave for COT and we were really counting on some starter and nest-egg money!

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Specializes in Med/Onc, Med/Surg, Stepdown, ICU.

Bother your recruiter! You never want to assume you have anything!! I didn't take loan repayment, but I did take the bonus. I had to sign that contract at least twice, but it was the same contract. Make sure your recruiter filed the right one!!

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Specializes in ED. ICU, PICU, infection prevention, aeromedical e.

Definately BADGER your recruiter. It's your life and your money. That recruiter works for you. You will never see or hear from him/her again after you leave for the Air Force. And if there is no bonus in your contract.... well, you just don't get it. And no one will care or have any recourse to help. And I'm sure that would really sour your feelings about being in.

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Specializes in ED, ICU, Education.

Any one if they are offering bonuses for AF reserves?

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Specializes in ICU, ER, OR, FNP.

the health professions loan repayment program is something you have to research in-depth before you elect that option. it changes based on the needs of the usaf. the year that i was offered it, the program only paid back the subsidized portion of any federal student aid.

if you have student loans, read them well and you’ll see that a very small sliver of any debt (if any in some circumstances) is subsidized federal student aid. mostly, your debt is unsubsidized.

so, they offer you a huge sum with stipulations which you may not fully understand and in the end you get $1500 in loans paid out of a $40k contract. read it well…it’s in there.

i would personally take a bonus with the minimum time commitment if it were me. get nationally certified in your specialty and sign a contract to remain on active duty with a year to year bonus. many afsc specialties are on bonus contracts right now due to war attrition. ccrn, cnor, and many of the nps are currently doing contracts to stay. they key to that system is the national certification – go get it!

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Specializes in ED. ICU, PICU, infection prevention, aeromedical e.

I agree with CRF above. I came in for 4 years with the 30,000 bonus. But I should have done 3 for 20,000. Then I could resign in 3 and get 20,000 a year after that initial 3 years. I came in with CCRN. Definately make it a goal to get a national cert before resigning so you get that bonus - provided it's there in a few years. (by my calculations, I only lost !0,000. lol)

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Specializes in ICU, Cardiac Cath Lab.
the health professions loan repayment program is something you have to research in-depth before you elect that option. it changes based on the needs of the usaf. the year that i was offered it, the program only paid back the subsidized portion of any federal student aid.

if you have student loans, read them well and you’ll see that a very small sliver of any debt (if any in some circumstances) is subsidized federal student aid. mostly, your debt is unsubsidized.

so, they offer you a huge sum with stipulations which you may not fully understand and in the end you get $1500 in loans paid out of a $40k contract. read it well…it’s in there.

i would personally take a bonus with the minimum time commitment if it were me. get nationally certified in your specialty and sign a contract to remain on active duty with a year to year bonus. many afsc specialties are on bonus contracts right now due to war attrition. ccrn, cnor, and many of the nps are currently doing contracts to stay. they key to that system is the national certification – go get it!

what's different with the ccrn ? i obtained my ccrn earlier this year. i just went to meps and am waiting to do my flight physical. please fill me in on this. is it different from the sign on and loan repayment bonus ? thanks.

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Thanks everybody! I finally got a copy of the Accession Bonus Contract request. So, at least I have some proof that I applied.

Mid- I've never heard or been offered the 3-year $20k bonus... Is that option still available? I'm a new grad RN so specialties are out for now. I plan on doing certifications and getting lots of letters behind my name though! I don't have student loans so I took the bonus, as I thought it was my only option. I thought adding one year for $30k sounds great, so I hope I'm making the right decision!

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