Us Code § 309 - Special pay: enlistment bonus

Full text of Us Code United States Code § 309 — Special pay: enlistment bonus, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 309. Special pay: enlistment bonus

(a) Bonus Authorized; Bonus Amount.—A person who enlists in an armed force for a period of at least 2 years may be paid a bonus in an amount not to exceed $40,000. The bonus may be paid in a single lump sum or in periodic installments.

(b) Repayment.—A member who does not complete the term of enlistment for which a bonus was paid to the member under this section, or a member who is not technically qualified in the skill for which a bonus was paid to the member under this section, shall be subject to the repayment provisions of section 303a(e) of this title.

(c) Relation to Prohibition on Bounties.—The enlistment bonus authorized by this section is not a bounty for purposes of section 514(a) of title 10.

(d) Regulations.—This section shall be administered under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense for the armed forces under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of Defense and by the Secretary of Homeland Security for the Coast Guard when the Coast Guard is not operating as a service in the Navy.

(e) Duration of Authority.—No bonus shall be paid under this section with respect to any enlistment in the armed forces made after December 31, 2018.

(Added Pub. L. 106–398, §1 [[div. A], title VI, §624(a)(1)], Oct. 30, 2000, 114 Stat. 1654, 1654A–152; amended Pub. L. 107–107, div. A, title VI, §614(c), Dec. 28, 2001, 115 Stat. 1136; Pub. L. 107–296, title XVII, §1704(c), Nov. 25, 2002, 116 Stat. 2314; Pub. L. 107–314, div. A, title VI, §614(c), Dec. 2, 2002, 116 Stat. 2568; Pub. L. 108–136, div. A, title VI, §614(c), Nov. 24, 2003, 117 Stat. 1501; Pub. L. 108–375, div. A, title VI, §614(d), Oct. 28, 2004, 118 Stat. 1948; Pub. L. 109–163, div. A, title VI, §§624(d), 635, 687(b)(20), Jan. 6, 2006, 119 Stat. 3295, 3300, 3330; Pub. L. 109–364, div. A, title VI, §614(d), Oct. 17, 2006, 120 Stat. 2248; Pub. L. 110–181, div. A, title VI, §614(c), Jan. 28, 2008, 122 Stat. 149; Pub. L. 110–417, [div. A], title VI, §614(d), Oct. 14, 2008, 122 Stat. 4485; Pub. L. 111–84, div. A, title VI, §615(4), Oct. 28, 2009, 123 Stat. 2354; Pub. L. 111–383, div. A, title VI, §615(4), Jan. 7, 2011, 124 Stat. 4237; Pub. L. 112–81, div. A, title VI, §615(4), Dec. 31, 2011, 125 Stat. 1450; Pub. L. 112–239, div. A, title VI, §615(4), Jan. 2, 2013, 126 Stat. 1777; Pub. L. 113–66, div. A, title VI, §615(4), Dec. 26, 2013, 127 Stat. 781; Pub. L. 113–291, div. A, title VI, §615(4), Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 3401; Pub. L. 114–92, div. A, title VI, §615(4), Nov. 25, 2015, 129 Stat. 839; Pub. L. 114–328, div. A, title VI, §615(4), Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2159; Pub. L. 115–91, div. A, title VI, §615(4), Dec. 12, 2017, 131 Stat. 1423.)


Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 309, Pub. L. 87–649, Sept. 7, 1962, 76 Stat. 468, related to authority of Secretary concerned to provide for additional pay for performance of administrative functions by officers of the National Guard and reserve components, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 96–107, title IV, §404(a)(1), (b), Nov. 9, 1979, 93 Stat. 808, 809, applicable only with respect to administrative functions performed after Sept. 30, 1980.

Amendments

2017—Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 115–91 substituted "December 31, 2018" for "December 31, 2017".

2016—Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 114–328 substituted "December 31, 2017" for "December 31, 2016".

2015—Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 114–92 substituted "December 31, 2016" for "December 31, 2015".

2014—Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 113–291 substituted "December 31, 2015" for "December 31, 2014".

2013—Subsec. (e). 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. (e). 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. (e). Pub. L. 111–84 substituted "December 31, 2010" for "December 31, 2009".

2008—Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 110–417 substituted "December 31, 2009" for "December 31, 2008".

Pub. L. 110–181 substituted "December 31, 2008" for "December 31, 2007".

2006—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 109–163, §635, substituted "$40,000" for "$20,000".

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 109–163, §687(b)(20), amended heading and text of subsec. (b) generally, substituting provisions referring to repayment provisions of section 303a(e) for specific provisions relating to refunds required when member is not technically qualified in skill for which bonus was paid or fails to complete term of enlistment for which bonus was paid.

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 109–364 substituted "December 31, 2007" for "December 31, 2006".

Pub. L. 109–163, §624(d), substituted "December 31, 2006" for "December 31, 2005".

2004—Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 108–375 substituted "December 31, 2005" for "December 31, 2004".

2003—Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 108–136 substituted "December 31, 2004" for "December 31, 2003".

2002—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 107–296 substituted "of Homeland Security" for "of Transportation".

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 107–314 substituted "December 31, 2003" for "December 31, 2002".

2001—Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 107–107 substituted "December 31, 2002" for "December 31, 2001".


Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2008 Amendment

Amendment 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 of 2002 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 107–296 effective on the date of transfer of the Coast Guard to the Department of Homeland Security, see section 1704(g) of Pub. L. 107–296, set out as a note under section 101 of Title 10, Armed Forces.

Effective Date

Pub. L. 106–398, §1 [[div. A], title VI, §624(c)(1)], Oct. 30, 2000, 114 Stat. 1654, 1654A–153, provided that: "The amendments made by subsection (a) [enacting this section] shall take effect on October 1, 2000, and apply with respect to enlistments in the Armed Forces made on or after that date."

Savings Provision

For savings provision relating to payment or repayment of any bonus, incentive pay, special pay, or similar pay obligated to be paid before Apr. 1, 2006, under a provision of this section amended by section 687(b) of Pub. L. 109–163, see section 687(f) of Pub. L. 109–163, set out as a note under section 510 of Title 10, Armed Forces.

About This Section

37 U.S.C. § 309 is part of Title 37 of the United States Code. The United States Code is the official codification of federal statutes maintained by the Office of the Law Revision Counsel of the U.S. House of Representatives. Congress amends the Code through new public laws, which are eventually incorporated into the relevant title.

This section may be cited in legal writing as 37 U.S.C. § 309. For the most current official text, including any recent amendments, use the official source links below. Do not rely on this page as the sole authority for legal citation or litigation.

How to Read This Statute

Statutes are organized by title, chapter, section, and subsection. Pay attention to words like "shall," "may," "and," and "or," because they determine whether a requirement is mandatory or permissive and whether multiple conditions must all be met. Historical notes and amendments often appear at the end of a section.

Using This Page

This page is intended for research and educational use. Lawyers, students, journalists, and compliance professionals can use it as a starting point, but should always verify the current text through an official government source before relying on it for legal advice, filings, or compliance decisions.

Sources

Related Us Code Legal Topics

Frequently Asked Questions About Us Code § 309

What does United States Code § 309 cover?

Section 309 ("Special pay: enlistment bonus") is part of the United States Code, the codified statutory law of Us Code. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Us Code § 309?

A common citation format is "United States Code § 309" (Us Code). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Us Code law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Us Code official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Us Code attorney.

How does Us Code § 309 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Us Code can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Us Code.