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AFH 1 · Chapter 8 · Section 8.15

Selective Retention Bonus

Part of Followership · 2 sections · ~346 words · WAPS PFE study material

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Selective Retention Bonus Overview

What the SRB Is

The Selective Retention Bonus (SRB) Program is a monetary incentive paid to Airmen serving in certain selected critical military skills who reenlist for additional obligated service.

Purpose

The bonus is intended to encourage the reenlistment of sufficient numbers of qualified enlisted personnel in military skills with either:

  • Demonstrated retention shortfalls, or
  • High training costs

Eligibility

Three-Year Reenlistment Required
Airmen in SRB skills who reenlist or extend their enlistment in active duty for at least three years are eligible for an SRB, provided they meet all criteria listed in DAFI 36-2606, *Reenlistment and Extension of Enlistment in the United States Air Force*.

Service Commitment

Airmen can expect to serve in the SRB specialty for the entire enlistment for which the bonus was paid.

SRB Zones and Calculation

Zones Are Based on TAFMS

SRB designations are established by zones, determined by the total active federal military service of Airmen at the time of reenlistment or the date they enter the extension.

One SRB Per Zone
Eligible Airmen may receive an SRB in each zone (A, B, C, or E), but only one SRB per zone.

The Four Zones

SRB Zones.
  • Zone A — Airmen reenlisting between 17 months and 6 years
  • Zone B — Airmen reenlisting between 6 and 10 years
  • Zone C — Airmen reenlisting between 10 and 14 years
  • Zone E — Airmen reenlisting between 18 and 20 years

How the SRB Is Calculated

SRBs are calculated using:

One month's base pay × number of years reenlisting or extending × SRB multiple (as listed on the authorized SRB listing)

Maximum SRB

Per-Zone Cap
The maximum SRB per zone is $100,000.

Base Pay Date

The Airman's base pay on the date of discharge is used to calculate the SRB.

Discharge-Day Pay Example
If an Airman was promoted to Staff Sergeant on 1 May and reenlisted on 1 May, the SRB would be calculated on the base pay of the day prior to the reenlistment as Senior Airman.

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