The Navy plans to spend less cash on re-up bonuses overall in 2017 and a potential continuing resolution to keep the federal government running shouldn't have a further impact. 


That's the news as the chief of naval personnel has released the third update to the Selective Reenlistment Bonus program of fiscal 2016. 

"If we are under a continuing resolution, there is no change to the SRB contract writing process," said Sharon Anderson, spokeswoman for the chief of naval personnel.

As of Sept. 20, the service has spent $153 million for initial bonus payments with another $327,000 in potential payments pending.

This brings initial bonus payments in fiscal 2016 to $153.4 million out of a $153.7 million budget.

Overall, the Navy will spend less on bonuses in fiscal 2017 as its budget for initial payments will drop $28.6 million to $124.9 million.

NavAdmin message 212/16 released Sept. 21, announced changes to skill payouts for submarine and surface nuclear power sailors only.

One skill set was increased for submarine-qualified electrician's mates holding either the 3354 or 3364 Navy Enlisted Classification Codes.

Nine others were decreased. The increase goes into effect immediately, the decreases take effect in 30 days.

The list made no additions to the list of closed ratings, those skills have met their fiscal 2016 re-up goals. Officials expect payouts to resume for closed skills in fiscal 2017 once new re-up goals are set. Sailors can monitor changes to payouts and closure status on the Navy's SRB page at the Navy Personnel Command website.

"These changes will be reflected in the updated SRB page [that] will be updated as re-enlistment requirements for specific ratings and skill sets are met," Anderson said.

"Enlisted community managers continuously monitor the health of their community and make recommendations to leadership, as required, to maintain acceptable manning levels in critical skills — we will continue to evaluate re-enlistment behavior and update award levels as required."


The Navy pays bonuses at five maximum levels — $30,000, $45,000, $60,000, $75,000 and $100,000. The level depends on the Navy's need for a given skill. 

Half is paid upfront in a lump sum and the remainder is paid annually on the re-up anniversary, with equal amounts for each remaining year.

Award levels can change depending on a sailor's years of service, which determines which re-enlistment zone they are in.

In addition, the service further divides skill into "tiers" one through three, based on how critical the skill is. Each skill is assigned a numeric "multiple" used to calculate how close they get to their maximum allowed payout level, along with paygrade and months of the new contract.


About Mark D. Faram

Mark D. Faram is a former reporter for Navy Times. He was a senior writer covering personnel, cultural and historical issues. A nine-year active duty Navy veteran, Faram served from 1978 to 1987 as a Navy Diver and photographer.

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