Where do I find the EXACT SRB amount for my MOS?

Your career counselor or retention NCO has the authoritative current rates. Each branch publishes them differently — Army via MILPER messages on HRC, Navy via NAVADMIN, Marines via MARADMIN, Air Force via AFPC. The rates can change quarterly. This page links to each branch's authority page but you should always verify with your retention POC before signing.

How does Army Quality Tier (QTIP) actually affect my bonus?

Under MILPER 26-059, your individual job performance now factors into the bonus multiplier. Top performers (Quality Step 4) get the full bonus. Lower steps get reduced amounts. Stratification considers ACFT score, evaluations, MOS skill identifiers, and command endorsement. Until 30 April 2026, everyone eligible is paid at Step 4 as a transition exception. After that, expect real differentiation. 18 CMF (SF) is permanently exempted at Step 4.

Can I stack SRB with other bonuses?

Yes, but each pay has its own rules. SRB stacks with: Foreign Language Proficiency Bonus (FLPB), Hardship Duty Pay, Hazardous Duty Pay, Cyber Workforce Continuation Pay, Diving Duty Pay, and Aviation Continuation Pay. SRB does NOT stack with: another SRB on the same contract, certain critical-skill bonuses for the same skill. Always read the small print of your reenlistment contract.

Yes — SRB is taxable income. If you reenlist in a combat zone (CZTE area), the bonus is tax-free. Many service members deliberately time their reenlistment to overlap a combat-zone deployment. Talk to your finance office about the math; tax savings can exceed $10,000+ on a large bonus.

Why isn't my MOS on this page?

This page lists the historically top-tier MOSs that consistently get the largest bonuses. Many other MOSs are eligible for SRB but at lower multipliers. The exact list changes quarterly. Use your career counselor or the current MILPER/NAVADMIN/MARADMIN/AFPC list as the source of truth.

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Reenlistment Toolkit

SRB Lookup

Current Selective Retention Bonus program for each branch, with the MOSs that consistently top the bonus tables. Bonuses change quarterly — always verify with your retention POC before signing.

One thing your career counselor will say better than us

Your retention NCO / career counselor / NCC has the EXACT current multiplier for your specific MOS, zone, and contract length — pulled directly from the current message. This page tells you what to expect and how the system works. Before you sign, run the actual numbers with them. The bonus amount in your contract is law; what we said online is just orientation.

By branch — current authority

U.S. Army

MILPER 26-059 · effective 2026-02-25

Quality Tier Incentive Program (QTIP) — bonus amount depends on the soldier's Quality Tier stratification (Steps 1–4).
Until 30 April 2026: all eligible soldiers paid at Quality Step 4 (top) as a temporary exception.
Beginning 1 May 2026: SRB paid only by Quality Step stratification.
18 CMF (Special Forces) — always paid at Quality Step 4, regardless of stratification.
Contract length is multiplied — 3-year reenlistments now eligible for a flat $450 bonus; longer commitments unlock the full multiplier table.
Top hard-to-fill MOS payouts can exceed $81,000 for 5+ year commitments.

Quality Tier (QTIP): Top performers (Quality Step 4) get the full bonus. Step 1 performers may get half or less depending on MOS. ACFT score, evaluation history, and command endorsement all feed into stratification.

Official authority page ↗

U.S. Navy

Latest NAVADMIN — check current message · effective Updated quarterly

Navy SRB is published in periodic NAVADMIN messages — check the current one.
Bonus multiplier varies by rating (NEC) and zone (Zone A: 21 months – 6 years; Zone B: 6–10 years; Zone C: 10–14 years).
Nuclear-trained ratings (EN, MM, ET with nuclear NECs) get 4–6x multipliers — among the highest bonuses in DoD.
Cryptologic ratings (CTI, CTR, CTN) and SEALs/SWCC get top-tier multipliers.
Bonus is capped per OSD policy (currently $100K per individual contract, but specific MOS caps vary).

Official authority page ↗

U.S. Marine Corps

FY26 SRB MARADMIN · effective 2026 fiscal year

Marine SRB published as annual MARADMIN with quarterly updates.
Marines uses "Broken Service SRB" for Marines returning to active duty after a break.
High-demand MOSs in 2026: 0317 Scout Sniper, 0211/0231/0241 Intel, 7314 Air Traffic Controller, 03xx Cyberspace Warfare.
See current MARADMIN at marines.mil/News/Messages/ for exact MOS multiplier table.

Official authority page ↗

U.S. Air Force

AFI 36-2606 + current SRB list · effective 2026 fiscal year

Air Force SRB list is published annually and updated quarterly via AFPC.
Top categories historically: PJ/CCT (1C2/1C4), Cyber (1B4), Linguist (1N3), SOF/Special Operations career fields.
AF uses similar zone-based multiplier system as Navy.
Check the current AFPC SRB list for exact AFSC eligibility — eligibility changes by quarter.

Official authority page ↗

U.S. Coast Guard

ALCOAST current ECPO Bonus message · effective Per current ALCOAST

Coast Guard SRB is more narrowly targeted than other branches — fewer ratings eligible.
Current high-demand: ME (Maritime Enforcement), IS (Intelligence Specialist), IT (Information Systems Technician), select aviation ratings.
Bonus structure uses similar zone framework as Navy.

Official authority page ↗

U.S. Space Force

AFI 36-2606 (USSF follows AF retention framework currently) · effective 2026 fiscal year

Space Force currently uses the Air Force's SRB framework as it builds its own.
High-demand career fields: Cyberspace Operations (1B4S), Intelligence (1N), Space Operations (1C6).
USSF-specific retention incentives are evolving — check guardian resources page for the latest.

Official authority page ↗

Historically top-tier MOSs

These career fields have consistently led their branch's SRB tables across multiple fiscal years. Specific multipliers shift but the ranking is stable.

army18-seriesSpecial Forces (all 18-series)$40,000–$81,000+

Always paid at Quality Step 4 per MILPER 26-059. SF is the Army's most consistently top-tier SRB.

army35PCryptologic Linguist$30,000–$70,000+

Critical language skills always top SRB tier; language proficiency pay (FLPB) is separate and stacks.

army17CCyber Operations Specialist$25,000–$65,000+

Hard-to-fill cyber field; bonus + Cyber Workforce Continuation Pay stack.

army15-series AviationArmy Aviation (Crew Chief, Maintenance)Varies by MOS

Aviation retention is a longstanding pain point; mechanics + flight crew bonuses are top tier.

navyNuclear (EN/MM/ET with NEC)Nuclear-trained ratings$50,000–$100,000 cap

Highest SRB multipliers (4–6x) consistently. Nuclear power program retention is critical.

navySEAL/SWCCSEALs and SWCC (Special Warfare)$50,000–$100,000 cap

Long pipeline, high attrition, irreplaceable skill set. Bonus + special pays stack.

navyCTI/CTR/CTNCryptologic Technicians$30,000–$80,000

Mission-critical signals work; clearance-heavy roles with long training pipelines.

air-force1C2/1C4PJ / Combat ControlTop-tier multipliers

Battlefield Airmen pipeline; high attrition, low-density career field.

air-force1B4Cyber Warfare OperationsTop-tier multipliers

Cyber retention is hard across DoD — AF bonus + Cyber Workforce pay stack.

air-force1N3LinguistTop-tier multipliers

Critical languages always top-tier; FLPB stacks.

marines0317Scout SniperHistorically top-tier

Specialized billet, hard-to-fill, high attrition. Note: USMC retired the Scout Sniper MOS in 2025 — verify current MARADMIN.

marines0211Counterintelligence/HUMINTTop-tier multipliers

Intel community demand keeps this MOS in top SRB tier.

marines7314Air Traffic ControllerStrong multipliers

Civil aviation siphons trained controllers; retention bonus offsets.

army12YGeospatial EngineerTop-tier multipliers

Hard-to-fill, requires extensive technical training (DEOMI / NGA schools). Demand from intelligence community keeps SRB strong.

army38BCivil Affairs SpecialistTop-tier multipliers

Small career field, high attrition, language and regional skills add stacking pays.

army25SSatellite Communications Systems Operator-MaintainerStrong multipliers

Space/communications skill set crosses over to Space Force / contractor demand.

army15TUH-60 Helicopter RepairerTop-tier multipliers

Aviation maintenance retention has been a sustained Army pain point.

navyATAviation Electronics TechnicianTop-tier multipliers

Avionics specialists are pulled hard by commercial aviation; Navy retention bonus offsets.

air-force1C7Tactical Air Control Party (TACP)Top-tier multipliers

Battlefield Airmen pipeline; SOF-adjacent career field with stacked special pays.

air-force4N0Aerospace Medical ServiceStrong multipliers

Medical career field with civilian market pull. Critical-skill retention pay.

Adjacent tools