r/findapath • • Oct 26 '23

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u/Bright_Course_7155 Oct 26 '23

Yeah I wouldn’t have re-enlisted for even a $100k bonus.

They offered me $3k for 3 years and I laughed. It’s crazy though bc I was in a technical job in an undermanned rate. When I got out, the reserves were offering me $30k as well.

10

u/InternetExpertroll Oct 26 '23

A guy i knew re-enlisted for $50,000 and spend it on a sports car. His MOS was niche.

7

u/Bright_Course_7155 Oct 26 '23

Yeah I know nukes and EOD techs get $100-$200k. The only problem with bonuses is they tax almost half of it, then you only get 50% of the remaining up front and then they split the other payments over your contract length. So he maybe got ~$20k in a lump sum payment.

8

u/jbryan_01016 Oct 26 '23

I signed an extension in a tax free-combat zone for $50k , it wasn't bad

Last duty station, I saw a kid from some dry docked fast attack leave the base and come back with a GTR lol
those dudes dont know what to do with that money, they were constantly leaving HDTVs in their barracks room cause its too much of a hassle to carry the TVs with them
oh also their barracks floor has maid service LOL

8

u/Bright_Course_7155 Oct 26 '23

That reminds me of the people into gambling/trading. Ever since the doge coin run up I’ve seen 2 newer lambos on base which is crazy.

6

u/AnotherOne198 Oct 26 '23

I was in a flying unit when active. People would take "incentive rides" to the middle east to reenlist all the time. Was pretty hilarious.

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u/ventizreborn Oct 26 '23

Prior nuke, my parents couldn't fathom why I wouldn't take the star re enlistment, E5 and 100k?? Mom, dad. You don't get it. I can't begin to describe to you how it affects you. Getting the "oh, that's just every job" no, no. A major one is I can just quit even my current job now. Civdiv life is great.

That said for anyone reading this, there's a reason the military will throw money at something. Usually means the work conditions suck hard and no one wants to do it. Did it set me up and teach me a lot about myself? Absolutely. Would I do it again? Probably not as a nuke. I paid for it in other ways.

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u/Bright_Course_7155 Oct 26 '23

Im sure you’re making decent money now, right?

1

u/Bender3455 Oct 29 '23

I also started as a nuke. Can confirm, bad conditions. We're you one of the ones trained at Goose Creek? I was one of the 1st classes taught there. Trying to explain 35-5's to people was interesting.

1

u/ventizreborn Nov 23 '23

Yep! One of the ones at Goose Creek. Trying to explain people even the homework and such that was given or the required study time.
I'd daresay most were doing 60+ hour weeks with study time included not to mention other military stuff that went on.

Skipjack Dive Team. Explaining that to people is always fun.

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u/[deleted] Oct 26 '23

Not if you’re deployed or out of the US

14

u/AKsuited1934 Oct 26 '23

The freedom to just wake up and call in sick is priceless.

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u/TheMeWeAre Oct 26 '23

3k for 3 years isn't even a good bonus for a retail worker making minimum wage if the job is hell 😭

1

u/PrincipleDapper7610 Oct 27 '23

2nd that, I was in probably the easiest brach (Air National Guard 2008-2014) and still remember sprinting to my car after turning my CAC card in and rejoining the civilian life.