The Air Force added more opportunities for future Airmen to receive bonuses upon entering active duty in fiscal year 2022.
Seven maintenance-related skills, each with four or six-year contracts, were added to the FY22 Initial Enlistment Bonus program July 11. Bonuses will be offered through Sept. 30.
This brings the total number of Air Force Specialty bonuses to 22.
"Our Air Force value proposition is about far more than pay or compensation. It's primarily about opportunity and joining a community with an unmatched sense of purpose, but in a highly-competitive labor market, enlistment incentives can help ensure we get the additional Airmen required to fill our ranks and serve the nation," said Maj. Gen. Ed Thomas, Air Force Recruiting Service commander. "Today, that job market is at record-high levels of competition and it's a battle for talent."
Another incentive that may help recruiters fill short-notice gaps is a quick-ship bonus that began in April. Quick ship is when an already fully qualified applicant fills a short notice basic military training vacancy, and ships within five days or less.
More than 179 bonuses have been paid to new recruits who entered active duty within a few days of signing their contract. Any member who enters active duty with one of the quick-ship career fields may be eligible to receive an $8,000 bonus.
Special Warfare recruits are eligible for up to $50,000 upon entering active duty.
Certain cyber career fields have bonus pay amounts that are based on an applicant's highest level of certification, giving the applicant an opportunity to receive up to $20,000.
Recruiting incentives give recruiters additional support and tools to use as they press through all the challenges associated with reaching the Air Force's FY22 accessions goals. Those challenges include a low youth inclination to join, a national labor shortage and the aggregate effects of recruiting with reduced face to face contact since the outbreak of COVID-19 in 2020.
The following is the complete IEB list effective July 11, 2022:
| AFSC | AFSC Name | 6-year Bonus | 4-year Bonus |
| 1A8X1 | Airborne Linguist | $20,000 | Not Applicable |
| 1D731A | Network Operations | $12,000-$20,000 See Notes in Para 3b |
Not Applicable |
| 1D731B | Systems Operations | $12,000-$20,000 See Notes in Para 3b |
Not Applicable |
| 1D731D | Security Operations | $12,000-$20,000 See Notes in Para 3b |
Not Applicable |
| 1D731E | Client Systems Operations | $12,000-$20,000 See Notes in Para 3b |
Not Applicable |
| 1D731R | Radio Frequency Transmission Systems | $6,000 | $3,000 |
| 1N3XX | Crypto Linguist | $18,000 | Not Applicable |
| 1T0X1 | SERE | $40,000 | Not Applicable |
| 2A534 | Refuel/Bomber Aircraft Maintenance | $6,000 | $3,000 |
| 2A632 | Aerospace Ground Equipment | $6,000 | $3,000 |
| 2A634 | Aircraft Fuel Systems | $6,000 | $3,000 |
| 2A636 | Aircraft Electrical & Environmental Systems | $6,000 | $3,000 |
| 2F031 | Fuels | $6,000 | $3,000 |
| 2M031 | Missile & Space Systems Electronic Maintenance | $6,000 | $3,000 |
| 2M032 | Missile & Space Systems Maintenance | $6,000 | $3,000 |
| 2M033 | Missile & Space Facilities | $6,000 | $3,000 |
| 2T331 | Mission Generation Vehicular Equipment Maintenance | $6,000 | $3,000 |
| 2W031 | Munitions Systems | $6,000 | $3,000 |
| 2W131 | Aircraft Armament Systems | $6,000 | 3,000 |
| 3E8X1 | EOD | $50,000 | Not Applicable |
| 9T500 | Special Warfare Operator Enlistment | $50,000 | Not Applicable |
| 9TE/MAI | Any Mechanical or Electrical Aptitude Area | $6,000 | $3,000 |
| AFRS QUICK SHIP |
Any AFSC | $8,000 | $8,000 |
| **NOTE: For Cyber career fields starting with "3D" above any Level I Certification (A+, Network+) qualifies for $12,000. Any Level II Certification (CCNA-Security, CAP, GSLC, Security+, CSSLP, GSEC) or Any CNDSP Certification (CISM, CISA, GCIH, GCIA, CEH, SSCP, CSIH, GCFA, GSNA) qualifies for $15,000. Any Level III Certification (CISSP, CASP, GCED) qualifies for $20,000. Certifications can be verified at: https://public.cyber.mil/cw/cwmp/dod-approved-8570-baseline-certifications. |
"It's really all about national security and combat readiness," Thomas said. "Every Airman we recruit and train is slated to fill a critical job ensuring we remain the best Air Force in the world."
