§1030 Bonus to Encourage Department of Defense Personnel to Refer Persons for Appointment as Officers to Serve in Health Professions

Summary

The Secretary of Defense can let the military pay a referral bonus of up to $2,000 to people who refer someone with no prior military service who then becomes a commissioned officer in a military health job. People who can get the bonus include active-duty members, reserve members, retired members (including those under 60 who would otherwise get retired pay), and civilian employees of a military department or the Department of Defense. A referral happens when the referrer contacts a military recruiter for someone, or when the recruit tells the recruiter who first brought them in. The bonus cannot be paid for referring an immediate family member, for people serving in recruiting or retention jobs or in duties that could create a conflict of interest, or for JROTC administrators or instructors (including certain retired members working in JROTC). The money is paid in two parts: up to $1,000 when the recruit signs an agreement to serve at least three years, and up to $1,000 when the recruit finishes initial officer training. No referral bonus may be paid for referrals made after December 31, 2011. The bonus is not treated as a bounty, and retired members who get it can also still receive other pay they are entitled to. “Appropriate Secretary” means the Secretary of the Army for Army matters; the Secretary of the Navy for Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard (when part of the Navy); the Secretary of the Air Force for Air Force and Space Force; and the Secretary of Defense for Department of Defense personnel.