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Bonuses expire, hold up re-enlistments

Some bonus programs for airmen expired as people on the East Coast rang in the new year because of President Bush’s Dec. 28 veto of the 2008 National Defense Authorization Act.

All re-enlistments for airmen in Air Force Specialty Codes with a selective re-enlistment bonus or those with a critical skills retention bonus are suspended until further notice, the Air Force Personnel Center announced Monday. Instead, airmen can stay in the service by signing a “30-day best interest of the Air Force extension” as needed until the defense bill is signed into law.

Those career fields include security forces, air traffic controllers, explosive ordnance disposal and a host of other positions that are undermanned or require exceptional skills.

It is expected that the bonuses will be paid retroactive to Jan. 1 once the bill is signed into law, but there’s no guarantee. According to the personnel center, bonus programs are dependent upon congressional authorization and enactment into law. If signed into law, bonuses may be paid retroactive to Jan. 1, could take effect when approved or may not be paid.

The veto had nothing to with bonuses. Bush vetoed the bill over concerns that a provision in the spending plan made it easier for people to file claims against Iraq’s current government for actions during Saddam Hussein’s reign. Among the people expected to seek a financial claim against Iraq were former U.S. servicemen held as prisoners of war during Desert Storm in 1991.

For more information and a complete list of affected bonuses, airmen should contact their base military personnel element or call the Air Force Contact Center at (800) 616-3775.