Retention Bonuses: More Direction and Oversight Needed.

This review was conducted to determine whether the Department of Defense DOD is effectively managing the Selective Reenlistment Bonus SRB program. The specific objectives were to 1 ascertain whether reenlistment bonuses were being paid to enlisted servicemembers in skill categories that were not experiencing significant personnel shortages or skills that were also receiving separation incentives and 2 assess the oversight of the program by the Office of the Secretary of Defense OsD. The SRB program is one means DOD is using to achieve its force manning objectives as the services downsize. The General Accounting Office has previously reported that the services have been successful in maintaining high aggregate personnel levels throughout the drawdown. This report looks below aggregate personnel levels and focuses on personnel levels within occupational specialties. The SRB program is authorized by 37 U.S.C. 308 to help maintain an adequate level of experienced and qualified enlisted personnel. The program authorizes bonuses of up to 45,000 to personnel in critical skills who have between 21 months and 14 years of active duty service and who reenlist or extend their reenlistments for at least 3 years. The intent of the program, according to DOD, is to focus reenlistment incentives on critical skills that are in short supply and have high training costs. KAR p. 2