§334 Special Aviation Incentive Pay and Bonus Authorities for Officers

Summary

The Secretary in charge can pay special aviation incentive pay and bonuses to officers who meet certain rules. To get incentive pay, an officer must be on basic pay, have or be training for an aeronautical rating, do or train for regular operational or proficiency flying, serve in aviation for a set time, and meet any other rules the Secretary sets. The Secretary can also pay incentive pay to a qualified officer who is not currently flying if doing so is in the service’s best interest. To get an aviation bonus, an officer must be eligible for incentive pay, have finished (or be within one year of finishing) any active-duty training obligation, sign a written agreement to stay on active duty (or serve in active status in the reserves), or for Space Force officers, remain in Space Force active aviation status for at least one year, and meet any other Secretary rules. Incentive pay is capped at $1,500 per month. A bonus is capped at $50,000 for each 12-month period of agreed service. Bonus amounts for a fiscal year must be set by a business-case analysis by aircraft type and shown in the President’s budget documents, including whether the request will allow payment of the maximum and any nonmonetary plans to fix shortfalls. Bonuses may be paid all at once or in installments. A written agreement must fix the total bonus and state the amount, payment method, required service time, and service conditions. Inactive-duty trainers get a pro rata incentive pay tied to their inactive-duty pay. These payments are in addition to other pay, but an officer cannot get them and certain other aviation pay for the same skill and time (see sections 351(a)(2), 353(a), 332, and 353(b)). If an officer fails to meet the requirements or to complete the agreed service, they must repay under section 373. No new agreements under this authority may be made after December 31, 2026. Definitions (short): Aviation service — service while holding or training for an aeronautical rating or designation. Operational flying duty — flying under orders where basic flying skills are normally kept while doing assigned duties, including training toward a rating. Proficiency flying duty — flying under orders when such flying skills normally are not kept while doing assigned duties. Officer — includes someone enlisted and designated as an aviation cadet under section 8411 of title 10.