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Title 37, Pay and Allowances of the Uniformed ServicesRelease 119-110

§330 Special Pay: Accession Bonus for Officer Candidates

Title 37 › CHAPTER 5 — SPECIAL AND INCENTIVE PAYS › SUBCHAPTER I — EXISTING SPECIAL PAY, INCENTIVE PAY, AND BONUS AUTHORITIES › § 330

Last updated Sep 22, 2026|Official source

Summary

The Secretary in charge may pay an accession bonus, up to $8,000, to someone who signs a written deal to finish officer candidate school, accept a commission as an officer, and serve a set time on active duty. The bonus is paid only under rules the Secretary sets and is paid once the Secretary accepts the signed deal. When the deal is accepted, the bonus amount is fixed and the agreement must say if it will be paid in one lump sum or in payments. If someone gets any of the bonus but does not complete the agreed active-duty time, they must repay under the rules in section 303a(e). No new agreements can be made after December 31, 2018.

Full Legal Text

Title 37, §330

Pay and Allowances of the Uniformed Services, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Accession Bonus Authorized.—
Under regulations prescribed by the Secretary concerned, a person who executes a written agreement described in subsection (c) may be paid an accession bonus under this section upon acceptance of the agreement by the Secretary concerned.
(b)Amount of Bonus.—
The amount of an accession bonus under subsection (a) may not exceed $8,000.
(c)Agreement.—
A written agreement referred to in subsection (a) is a written agreement by a person—
(1)to complete officer candidate school;
(2)to accept a commission or appointment as an officer of the armed forces; and
(3)to serve on active duty as a commissioned officer for a period specified in the agreement.
(d)Payment Method.—
Upon acceptance of a written agreement under subsection (a) by the Secretary concerned, the total amount of the accession bonus payable under the agreement becomes fixed. The agreement shall specify whether the accession bonus will be paid in a lump sum or installments.
(e)Repayment.—
A person who, having received all or part of the bonus under a written agreement under subsection (a), does not complete the total period of active duty as a commissioned officer as specified in such agreement shall be subject to the repayment provisions of section 303a(e) of this title.
(f)Termination of Authority.—
No agreement under this section may be entered into after December 31, 2018.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2017—Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 115–91 substituted “
December 31, 2018” for “
December 31, 2017”. 2016—Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 114–328 substituted “
December 31, 2017” for “
December 31, 2016”. 2015—Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 114–92 substituted “
December 31, 2016” for “
December 31, 2015”. 2014—Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 113–291 substituted “
December 31, 2015” for “
December 31, 2014”. 2013—Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 113–66 substituted “
December 31, 2014” for “
December 31, 2013”. Pub. L. 112–239 substituted “
December 31, 2013” for “
December 31, 2012”. 2011—Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 112–81 substituted “
December 31, 2012” for “
December 31, 2011”. Pub. L. 111–383 substituted “
December 31, 2011” for “
December 31, 2010”. 2009—Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 111–84 substituted “
December 31, 2010” for “
December 31, 2009”. 2008—Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 110–417 substituted “
December 31, 2009” for “
December 31, 2008”. Pub. L. 110–181 substituted “
December 31, 2008” for “
December 31, 2007”.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

of 2008 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 110–181 effective as of Dec. 31, 2007, and subject to various special provisions, see section 610 of Pub. L. 110–181, set out as a Correction of Lapsed Authorities for Payment of Bonuses, Special Pays, and Similar Benefits for Members of the Uniformed Services note under section 2130a of Title 10, Armed Forces.

Effective Date

Pub. L. 109–364, div. A, title VI, § 622(a)(3), Oct. 17, 2006, 120 Stat. 2256, provided that: “The

Amendments

made by this subsection [enacting this section] shall take effect on October 1, 2006.”

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

37 U.S.C. § 330

Title 37, Pay and Allowances of the Uniformed Services

Last Updated

Sep 22, 2026

Release point: 119-110