$20K Bonus for Professional Apprenticeship Career Track Program?!
Today, April 3, 2025, Navy Recruiting Command released its ninth enlistment bonus (EB) message in Fiscal Year 2025. The new EB guidance is effective, April 4, 2025, and it supersedes the message which became effective on March 23, 2025.
For the first time, the Airman, Engineering, and Seaman Professional Apprenticeship Career Track Programs (PACT) have been individually listed for an enlistment bonus opportunity.
For the enlistment bonus for source rating (EBSR), opportunities for new applicants who join and ship and Future Sailors who roll-up and ship in April or May 2025 in ANY rating or program a $10,000 bonus. This includes those who also qualify for a specific rating listed as eligible for EBSR (except for Nuke and the Warrior Challenge ratings).
For enlistment bouns for shipping (EBSHP), many ratings and programs have been removed from the list while adding individually for the first time the ABE, ABF, ABH, AN PACT, BM, CS, FN PACT, SN PACT ratings and programs. EBSHP focuses on rewarding new applicants who join and ship and Future Sailors who roll-up and ship in April through July 2025.
An example of how these changes can make you some serious money: If a new applicant joins, or a Future Sailor rolls up (from a different program), and ships in April or May 2025 in the AN-PACT program, they are eligible for $10,000 EBSHP plus a $10,000 EBSR Kicker!
Another example: If a new applicant joins, or a Future Sailor rolls up, and ships in April or May 2025 in the CTI-ATF rating, they are eligible for $10,000 EBSHP, plus $15,000 EBSR plus a $10,000 EBSR Kicker for a total of $35,000!
Active or Reserve Component Future Sailors with a DoD Tier 3 education are NOT authorized an Enlistment Bonus.
With the real life changing amounts offered via enlistment bonuses alone combined with the allowances (if eligible: Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH), Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS), Family Separation Allowance (FSA), etc.), and the military pay for 2025 (including another 10% that became effective on April 1, 2025 for junior personnel) and duty pay (if eligible: Navy Sea Pay, Sub Pay, Hazardous Duty, Flight Pay, etc.), 30 days paid vacation, Tuition Assistance, medical and dental benefits for the entire family (spouse/children), etc., there has never been a better time to contact your local Navy Recruiter!
The total enlistment bonus cap for the Nuclear Power Program remains at $75,000. The AIRR-ATF, EOD-ATF, HM-ATF, ITS-ATF, SB-ATF, and SECF-5YO ratings and programs enlistment bonus cap remains at $60,000. All other Navy enlisted programs and ratings remained capped at $50,000.
Yes, all enlistment bonuses and any student loan repayment funds are taxed as income!
Current Enlistment Bonus Status
- Enlistment Bonus for Source Rate (EBSR): Authorized (see chart below).
- Enlistment Bonus for Physical Screening Test (EBPST): Not currently authorized.
- Enlistment Bonus for Physical Fitness Assessment (EBPFA): Not currently authorized.
- Enlistment Bonus for High School (EBHS): Authorized (see charts below).
- Enlistment Bonus for Armed Forces Qualification Test (EBAFQT): Authorized (see chart below).
- Enlistment Bonus for College Credit (EBCC): Not currently authorized.
- Enlistment Bonus for Shipping (EBSHP): Authorized (see Active Duty and Reserve charts below).
- Student Loan Repayment Program (LRP) Policy: Authorized (see chart below).
Prior Service members, either Navy or Other Services (must have an eligible RE-Code for reenlistment), re-enlisting into active duty are eligible for bonuses. They must enter active duty in pay grade E-4 or below, meet specific bonus eligibility and did not receive a bonus in their first enlistment. Additionally, Navy Prior Service Members must have been separated from active duty for a minimum of 12 months prior to shipping to be eligible for bonuses.
The Navy's Current Enlistment Bonuses
If a Sailor is reclassified while attending training, the Enlistment Bonus for Source Rate (EBSR) is determined by the effective enlistment bonus message at the time of reclassification.
If Enlistment Bonus for Shipping (EBSHP), Enlistment Bonus for College Credit (EBCC), and/or Enlistment Bonus for High School (EBHS) are listed in the old contract, they are transferred to the new contract with the same amount(s) listed in the original enlistment bonus message.
Enlistment Bonus for Source Rate (EBSR)
For any Active Duty Component Future Sailors initially classified or reclassified on or after April 4, 2025 into the following ratings would be eligible for the Enlistment Bonus for Source Rate (EBSR).
| Rating | Ship Month | FY | EB | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AIRR-ATF | October-September | Any | $30,000 | 3,6 |
| CTI-ATF | October-September | Any | $15,000 | 5 |
| EOD-ATF | October-September | Any | $30,000 | 5,6 |
| HM-ATF | October-September | Any | $30,000 | 2 |
| ITS-ATF | October-September | Any | $35,000 | 2 |
| MMS-5YO | October-September | Any | $10,000 | 2 |
| ND-ATF | October-September | Any | $30,000 | 5,6 |
| Nuke | October-September | Any | $50,000 | 1 |
| SB-ATF | October-September | Any | $30,000 | 4,6 |
| SECF-5YO | October-September | Any | $35,000 | 2 |
| SO-ATF | October-September | Any | $15,000 | 5,6 |
| All | April-May | 2025 | $10,000 | 2,7,8 |
If a Service Member is reclassified while attending training (boot-camp or “A” school), the Enlistment Bonus for Source Rate (EBSR) bonus amount is determined by the current effective message at the time the reclassification is completed.
EBSR Notes:
- See OPNAVINST 1160.9A, The Enlistment Bonus Program instruction, for payment guidance.
- EBSR earned and payable upon graduation from “A” or “C” school.
- For Navy aviation rescue swimmer (AIRR) advance technical field (ATF), payment occurs after graduation from Naval Aircrew Candidate School (NACCS), “A” school, Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS) training, and after arrival at first permanent duty station.
- For Special Warfare Boat Operator (SB) ATF, the payment occurs following graduation from the Charlie Phase of Special Warfare Combat Crewman (SWCC) Training.
- For Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) ATF, payment occurs following EOD "A" school. For Navy Diver (ND) ATF, payment occurs following Dive "A" school. For Cryptologic Technician Interpretive (CTI) ATF, payment occurs following Language "A" school and first duty station qualification training in the designated language. For Special Warfare Operator (SO) ATF, payment occurs following graduation from SEAL Qualification Training (SQT).
- Must have earned the rating Navy Enlisted Classification (NEC) and have a security clearance.
- Sailors must graduate from an A-School in an Active Component program. Ratings that do not currently have an A-School will receive it upon RTC graduation.
- Bonus does not apply to Nuclear Field and Warrior Challenge Ratings. All other ratings may add this EBSR kicker to their current EBSR amount.
Active Component Enlistment Bonus High School (EBHS)
An Active Component school year 2025 high school senior (traditional or alternative high school program) contracted and scheduled to ship in the months of July or August 2025 is authorized Enlistment Bonus High School (EBHS). The applicant must be enrolled and attending a Tier 1 traditional high school at the time of the initial contracting date.
To remain eligible, they must graduate high school, and receive a Department of Defense Civilian Education code of 12L (High School Graduate with 12 years of education), prior to shipping to boot-camp. To be eligible, the high school senior must have a 31QT or higher on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB).
The amount of EBHS is based on the ASVAB score achieved:
| ASVAB Score | Program | Ship Month | FY | EBHS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50-99 | Active Duty | July-August | 2025 | $5,000 |
| 31-49 | Active Duty | July-August | 2025 | $5,000 |
Eligibility for EBHS only exists while the Future Sailor is in the Delayed Entry Program. EBHS is earned and payable upon graduation of boot-camp and may not be recouped due to reclassification or separation.
Reserve Component Enlistment Bonus High School (EBHS)
A Reserve Component School Year-2025 high school senior contracted and scheduled to ship in June, July or August 2025 for a Reserve Training and Administration of the Reserves (TAR) Program rating is authorized Enlistment Bonus High School (EBHS). The applicant must be enrolled and attending a Tier 1 traditional high school at the time of the initial contracting date.
To remain eligible, they must graduate high school, and receive a Department of Defense Civilian Education code of 12L (High School Graduate with 12 years of education), prior to shipping to boot-camp. To be eligible, the high school senior must have a 31QT or higher on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB).
The amount of EBHS is based on the ASVAB score achieved:
| ASVAB Score | Program | Ship Month | FY | EBHS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50-99 | TAR | June-August | 2025 | $5,000 |
| 31-49 | TAR | June-August | 2025 | $5,000 |
Eligibility for EBHS only exists while the Future Sailor is in the Delayed Entry Program. EBHS is earned and payable upon graduation of boot-camp and may not be recouped due to reclassification or separation.
Enlistment Bonus for Armed Forces Qualification Test (EBAFQT)
Active Component recruits who have an accession AFQT Score between 10 and 30 and who attend the Future Sailor Preparatory Course-Academic (FSPC-A) are eligible to receive up to $6,000 in EB if they improve their AFQT Score to designated categories. EBAFQT is limited to a maximum of $6,000.
Future Sailors currently in the Delayed Entry Program (DEP) with a Category IV AFQT Score on the date of this message are eligible for an EBAFQT bonus if they increase their pre-Accession AFQT to 31 or better.
Eligible Future Sailors who are scheduled to ship in January through May 2025 are authorized EBAFQT according to the following table:
| New Score | Ship Months | FY | EBSHP | NOTES |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31-49 | January-May | 2025 | $2,000 | (1,2,3) |
| 50-64 | January-May | 2025 | $4,000 | (1,2,3) |
| 65-92 | January-May | 2025 | $5,000 | (1,2,3) |
| 93-99 | January-May | 2025 | $6,000 | (1,2,3) |
| 31-99 | Any | 2025 | $2,000 | (1,2,4) |
EBAFQT Notes:
- EBAFQT is earned and payable upon graduation from Recruit Training Command and may not be recouped due to separation.
- The intent of EBAFQT is to encourage Sailors attending FSPC-A to improve their AFQT scores and qualify for additional ratings.
- Sailors that reclassify at RTC after improving their scores are eligible for any EBSR that is applicable for their chosen rating at the time of reclassification, in addition to EBAFQT.
- Future Sailors must be in DEP as of the effective date of this message and must improve their AFQT Category from Category IV to Category IIIB or better (31+) prior to accession.
Enlistment Bonus for College Credit (EBCC)
Not currently authorized.
Enlistment Bonus for Shipping (EBSHP -- Active Duty)
Newly classified or reclassified applicants scheduled to ship in March through September FY2025 in selected ratings are authorized EBSHP according to the following table. Active Component recruits with a shipping date change due to the needs of the Navy who ship March through September FY25 are also eligible. (see notes and discuss opportunities with your recruiter).
| Program | Ship Month | Fiscal Year | EBSHP | NOTES |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABE-5YO | April-July | 2025 | $10,000 | (1,2,3) |
| ABF-5YO | April-July | 2025 | $10,000 | (1,2,3) |
| ABH-5YO | April-July | 2025 | $10,000 | (1,2,3) |
| AIRR-ATF | April-September | 2025 | $25,000 | (1,2,3,5) |
| AN-PACT | April-July | 2025 | $10,000 | (1,2,3) |
| BM-5YO | April-July | 2025 | $10,000 | (1,2,3) |
| CS-5YO | April-July | 2025 | $10,000 | (1,2,3) |
| CTI-ATF | April-July | 2025 | $10,000 | (1,2,3) |
| CTM-AEF | April-July | 2025 | $10,000 | (1,2,3) |
| CTT-SG | April-July | 2025 | $10,000 | (1,2,3) |
| EOD-ATF | April-September | 2025 | $35,000 | (1,2,3,5) |
| FN-PACT | April-July | 2025 | $10,000 | (1,2,3) |
| HM-ATF | April-September | 2025 | $25,000 | (1,2,3,5) |
| IT-SG | April-July | 2025 | $10,000 | (1,2,3) |
| ND-ATF | April-September | 2025 | $30,000 | (1,2,3,5) |
| NUKE | April-December | 2025/26 | $25,000 | (1,2,3,4) |
| SB-ATF | April-September | 2025 | $30,000 | (1,2,3,5) |
| SN-PACT | April-July | 2025 | $10,000 | (1,2,3) |
| SO-ATF | April-September | 2025 | $25,000 | (1,2,3,5) |
| STG-5YO | April-July | 2025 | $10,000 | (1,2,3) |
Active Duty EBSHP Notes (see recruiter for greater detail):
Note 1: Eligibility for Enlistment Bonus for Shipping (EBSHP-Active Duty) only exists while the Future Sailor is in Delayed Entry Program. EBSHP is earned and payable upon graduation of Recruit Training Command and may not be recouped due to reclassification or separation.
Note 2: The intent of this EBSHP is to fill shipping gaps in the months April through December 2025 for the select ratings listed in the chart.
Note 3: Future Sailors must have an Armed Forces
Qualification Test (AFQT) Score greater than or equal to 31 to be
eligible for EBSHP.
Note 4: Nuclear Field Future Sailors classified into shipping dates outside of the authorized time period to wait for security clearance adjudication are eligible for the listed EBSHP.
Note 5: Future Sailors FSs in Warrior Challenge (WC) ratings (i.e. AIRR-ATF, EOD-ATF, HM-ATF, ND-ATF, SB-ATF, SO-ATF) must achieve elevated Physical Screening Test (PST) scores during their 14-day preshipping PST before EBSHP can be added to their Enlistment Guarantee.
Enlistment Bonus for Shipping (Reserve)
The Training and Administration of the Reserves (TAR) Program are members of the Navy Reserve who serve in a full time capacity with the responsibility to train and administer the Navy Reserve. Enlisted TAR personnel serve in many diverse and demanding billets both on ship and ashore.
For TAR, only those newly contracted or reclassified or after April 4, 2025 are eligible for Enlistment Bonus for Shipping as listed in the chart.
| Rating | Program | Ship Months | Fiscal Year | EBSHP | NOTES |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AD | TAR | April--May | 2025 | $25,000 | (1,2,3,4) |
| AECF | TAR | April--May | 2025 | $25,000 | (1,2,3,4) |
| AIRC | TAR | April--May | 2025 | $25,000 | (1,2,3,4) |
| AM | TAR | April--May | 2025 | $25,000 | (1,2,3,4) |
| AME | TAR | April--May | 2025 | $25,000 | (1,2,3,4) |
| AO | TAR | April--May | 2025 | $15,000 | (1,2,3,4) |
| AS | TAR | April--May | 2025 | $25,000 | (1,2,3,4) |
| AV | TAR | April--May | 2025 | $25,000 | (1,2,3,4) |
| HM | TAR | April--May | 2025 | $15,000 | (1,2,3,4) |
| LS | TAR | April--May | 2025 | $10,000 | (1,2,3,4) |
| PR | TAR | April--May | 2025 | $10,000 | (1,2,3,4) |
Reserve EBSHP Notes:
Note 1: Eligibility for Enlistment Bonus for Shipping (EBSHP-Reserve) only exists while the Future Sailor (FS) is in Delayed Entry Program (DEP). EBSHP-Reserve is earned and payable upon graduation of Recruit Training Command and may not be recouped due to reclassification or separation.
Note 2: Future Sailors must have an Armed Forces
Qualification Test (AFQT) Score greater than or equal to 31 to be
eligible for EBSHP.
Note 3: The intent of this Training and Administration of the Reserves (TAR) EBSHP-Reserve is to fill shipping gaps in April through May 2025.
Note 4: Training and Administration of the Reserve (TAR) previously known as Full Time Support (FTS).
Navy Student Loan Repayment Program
The Navy maintained the Student Loan Repayment Program (LRP) for any Future Sailor initially classified or reclassified on or after April 4, 2025.
Active Component Enlisted Loan Repayment Eligibility:
Participants are eligible for Loan Repayment Program (LRP) if they ship in any month of any Fiscal Year (FY). Participants in ratings or programs listed below are eligible (for specific loan debt eligibility, see your Navy recruiter).
| Program | Ship Months | FY | EBSHP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Any | October-September | Any | $65,000 |
Future Sailors must access to Active Component and have the Loan Repayment Program (LRP) listed as a guarantee in their current Annex to DD Form 4 (Enlistment Guarantee/NAVCRUIT 1133/52) in order to maintain eligibility. LRP can be combined with all other Enlistment Bonus types.
The LRP Manager oversees the application and payment process. Additional good to know information concerning the Loan Repayment Program:
- Applicants must have an ASVAB score of 50 AFQT or above.
- Approximately 25% of the payment will be withheld for tax purposes.
- Applicants must submit a DD Form 2475, "DOD EDUCATIONAL LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAM (LRP) ANNUAL APPLICATION", for each payment.
- Applicants will receive an Approval Letter with instructions.
- Applicant will receive a W-2 to calculate taxes withheld.
For post-accession inquiries, the LRP Manager is responsible for determining LRP eligibility. Sailors that accessed without LRP in their contract are ineligible to receive LRP as a result of reclassification.
If a defective contract is observed after graduation from Recruit Training Command, to remedy, the Service Member must use the Board for Correction of Naval Records (BCNR) procedures.
Page written and maintained by NCCM Thomas Goering, USN (Retired).
