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119th Congress

Title 37 — Pay and Allowances of the Uniformed Services

Chapter 5 — Special and Incentive Pays

§ 309. Special pay: enlistment bonus

Statutory text

(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 .

Legislative history

Reconstructed from this section’s Code source credit and amendment notes, resolved against the local Statutes at Large. Editorial notes are evidence, not the law that made the change.

  1. Pub. L. 106–398 § 1(dA) · 114 Stat. 1654

    Enacted · 37 U.S.C. § 309

    Added Pub. L. 106–398, § 1 [[div. A], title VI, § 624(a)(1)], Oct. 30, 2000, 114 Stat. 1654, 1654A–152

    Source evidence

    Code source credit
    Added Pub. L. 106–398, § 1 [[div. A], title VI, § 624(a)(1)], Oct. 30, 2000, 114 Stat. 1654, 1654A–152

    Enacted provision · exact public law section
    SECTION 1. ENACTMENT OF FISCAL YEAR 2001 NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT. The provisions of H.R. 5408 of the 106th Congress, as introduced on October 6, 2000, are hereby enacted into law.

  2. National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2002

    Pub. L. 107–107 div. A title VI § 614(c) · 115 Stat. 1012

    Substituted · 37 U.S.C. § 309(e)

    Pub. L. 107–107 substituted “December 31, 2002” for “December 31, 2001”

    Source evidence

    Code amendment note
    Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 107–107 substituted “December 31, 2002” for “December 31, 2001”.

    Enacted provision · exact public law section
    (c) Enlistment Bonus for Active Members.— Section 309(e) of such title is amended by striking “December 31, 2001” and inserting “December 31, 2002”.

  3. Homeland Security Act of 2002

    Pub. L. 107–296 title XVII § 1704(c) · 116 Stat. 2135

    Substituted · 37 U.S.C. § 309(d)

    Pub. L. 107–296 substituted “of Homeland Security” for “of Transportation”

    Source evidence

    Code amendment note
    Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 107–296 substituted “of Homeland Security” for “of Transportation”.

    Enacted provision · exact public law section
    (c) Title 37, United States Code.— Title 37, United States Code, is amended in sections 101(5), 204(i)(4), 301a(a)(3), 306(d), 307(c), 308(a)(1), 308(d)(2), 308(f), 308b(e), 308c(c), 308d(a), 308e(f), 308g(g), 308h(f), 308i(e), 309(d), 316(d), 323(b), 323(g)(1), 325(i), 402(d), 402a(g)(1), 403(f)(3), 403(l)(1), 403b(i)(5), 406(b)(1), 417(a), 417(b), 418(a), 703, 1001(c), 1006(f), 1007(a), and 1011(d) by striking “of Transportation” each place it appears and inserting “of Homeland Security”.

  4. Pub. L. 107–314 div. A title VI § 614(c) · 116 Stat. 2458

    Substituted · 37 U.S.C. § 309(e)

    Pub. L. 107–314 substituted “December 31, 2003” for “December 31, 2002”

    Source evidence

    Code amendment note
    Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 107–314 substituted “December 31, 2003” for “December 31, 2002”.

    Enacted provision · exact public law section
    (c) Enlistment Bonus for Active Members.— Section 309(e) of such title is amended by striking “December 31, 2002” and inserting “December 31, 2003”.

  5. National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004

    Pub. L. 108–136 div. A title VI § 614(c) · 117 Stat. 1392

    Substituted · 37 U.S.C. § 309(e)

    Pub. L. 108–136 substituted “December 31, 2004” for “December 31, 2003”

    Source evidence

    Code amendment note
    Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 108–136 substituted “December 31, 2004” for “December 31, 2003”.

    Enacted provision · exact public law section
    (c) Enlistment Bonus for Active Members.— Section 309(e) of such title is amended by striking “December 31, 2003” and inserting “December 31, 2004”.

  6. Ronald W. Reagan National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2005

    Pub. L. 108–375 div. A title VI § 614(d) · 118 Stat. 1811

    Substituted · 37 U.S.C. § 309(e)

    Pub. L. 108–375 substituted “December 31, 2005” for “December 31, 2004”

    Source evidence

    Code amendment note
    Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 108–375 substituted “December 31, 2005” for “December 31, 2004”.

    Enacted provision · exact public law section
    (d) Enlistment Bonus for Active Members.— Section 309(e) of such title is amended by striking “December 31, 2004” and inserting “December 31, 2005”.

  7. National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006

    Pub. L. 109–163 § 635 · 119 Stat. 3136

    Substituted · 37 U.S.C. § 309(a)

    Pub. L. 109–163, § 635, substituted “$40,000” for “$20,000”

    Source evidence

    Code amendment note
    Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 109–163, § 635, substituted “$40,000” for “$20,000”.

    Enacted provision · exact public law section
    SEC. 635. INCREASE IN AUTHORIZED MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF ENLISTMENT BONUS.   Section 309(a) of title 37, United States Code, is amended by striking “$20,000” and inserting “$40,000”.

  8. National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006

    Pub. L. 109–163 § 687(b)(20) · 119 Stat. 3136

    1. Amended · 37 U.S.C. § 309(b)

      Pub. L. 109–163, § 687(b)(20), amended heading and text of subsec. (b) generally

    2. Substituted · 37 U.S.C. § 309(b)

      Pub. L. 109–163, § 687(b)(20), 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

    Source evidence

    Code amendment note
    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.

    Enacted provision · exact public law section
    (20) Enlistment bonus.— Subsection (b) of section 309 of such title is amended to read as follows: “(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.” .

  9. National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006

    Pub. L. 109–163 § 624(d) · 119 Stat. 3136

    Substituted · 37 U.S.C. § 309(e)

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

    Target inherited from the preceding amendment note.

    Source evidence

    Code amendment note
    Pub. L. 109–163, § 624(d), substituted “December 31, 2006” for “December 31, 2005”.

    Enacted provision · exact public law section
    (d) Enlistment Bonus for Active Members.— Section 309(e) of such title is amended by striking “December 31, 2005” and inserting “December 31, 2006”.

  10. John Warner National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007

    Pub. L. 109–364 div. A title VI § 614(d) · 120 Stat. 2083

    Substituted · 37 U.S.C. § 309(e)

    Pub. L. 109–364 substituted “December 31, 2007” for “December 31, 2006”

    Source evidence

    Code amendment note
    Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 109–364 substituted “December 31, 2007” for “December 31, 2006”.

    Enacted provision · exact public law section
    (d) Enlistment Bonus.— Section 309(e) of such title is amended by striking “December 31, 2006” and inserting “December 31, 2007”.

  11. National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008

    Pub. L. 110–181 div. A title VI § 614(c) · 122 Stat. 3

    Substituted · 37 U.S.C. § 309(e)

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

    Target inherited from the preceding amendment note.

    Source evidence

    Code amendment note
    Pub. L. 110–181 substituted “December 31, 2008” for “December 31, 2007”.

    Enacted provision · exact public law section
    (c) Enlistment Bonus.— Section 309(e) of such title is amended by striking “December 31, 2007” and inserting “December 31, 2008”.

    Effective date note
    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.

  12. Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009

    Pub. L. 110–417 · 122 Stat. 4356

    Substituted · 37 U.S.C. § 309(e)

    Pub. L. 110–417 substituted “December 31, 2009” for “December 31, 2008”

    Source evidence

    Code amendment note
    Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 110–417 substituted “December 31, 2009” for “December 31, 2008”.

  13. National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010

    Pub. L. 111–84 div. A title VI § 615(4) · 123 Stat. 2190

    Substituted · 37 U.S.C. § 309(e)

    Pub. L. 111–84 substituted “December 31, 2010” for “December 31, 2009”

    Source evidence

    Code amendment note
    Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 111–84 substituted “December 31, 2010” for “December 31, 2009”.

    Enacted provision · exact public law section
    (4) Section 309(e), relating to enlistment bonus.

  14. Ike Skelton National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011

    Pub. L. 111–383 div. A title VI § 615(4) · 124 Stat. 4137

    Substituted · 37 U.S.C. § 309(e)

    Pub. L. 111–383 substituted “December 31, 2011” for “December 31, 2010”

    Target inherited from the preceding amendment note.

    Source evidence

    Code amendment note
    Pub. L. 111–383 substituted “December 31, 2011” for “December 31, 2010”.

    Enacted provision · exact public law section
    (4) Section 309(e), relating to enlistment bonus.

  15. National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012

    Pub. L. 112–81 div. A title VI § 615(4) · 125 Stat. 1298

    Substituted · 37 U.S.C. § 309(e)

    Pub. L. 112–81 substituted “December 31, 2012” for “December 31, 2011”

    Source evidence

    Code amendment note
    Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 112–81 substituted “December 31, 2012” for “December 31, 2011”.

    Enacted provision · exact public law section
    (4) Section 309(e), relating to enlistment bonus.

  16. National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013

    Pub. L. 112–239 div. A title VI § 615(4) · 126 Stat. 1632

    Substituted · 37 U.S.C. § 309(e)

    Pub. L. 112–239 substituted “December 31, 2013” for “December 31, 2012”

    Target inherited from the preceding amendment note.

    Source evidence

    Code amendment note
    Pub. L. 112–239 substituted “December 31, 2013” for “December 31, 2012”.

    Enacted provision · exact public law section
    (4) Section 309(e), relating to enlistment bonus.

  17. National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014

    Pub. L. 113–66 div. A title VI § 615(4) · 127 Stat. 672

    Substituted · 37 U.S.C. § 309(e)

    Pub. L. 113–66 substituted “December 31, 2014” for “December 31, 2013”

    Source evidence

    Code amendment note
    Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 113–66 substituted “December 31, 2014” for “December 31, 2013”.

    Enacted provision · exact public law section
    (4) Section 309(e), relating to enlistment bonus.

  18. Carl Levin and Howard P. ‘Buck’ McKeon National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015

    Pub. L. 113–291 div. A title VI § 615(4) · 128 Stat. 3292

    Substituted · 37 U.S.C. § 309(e)

    Pub. L. 113–291 substituted “December 31, 2015” for “December 31, 2014”

    Source evidence

    Code amendment note
    Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 113–291 substituted “December 31, 2015” for “December 31, 2014”.

    Enacted provision · exact public law section
    (4) Section 309(e), relating to enlistment bonus.

  19. National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016

    Pub. L. 114–92 div. A title VI § 615(4) · 129 Stat. 726

    Substituted · 37 U.S.C. § 309(e)

    Pub. L. 114–92 substituted “December 31, 2016” for “December 31, 2015”

    Source evidence

    Code amendment note
    Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 114–92 substituted “December 31, 2016” for “December 31, 2015”.

    Enacted provision · exact public law section
    (4) Section 309(e), relating to enlistment bonus.

  20. National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017

    Pub. L. 114–328 div. A title VI § 615(4) · 130 Stat. 2000

    Substituted · 37 U.S.C. § 309(e)

    Pub. L. 114–328 substituted “December 31, 2017” for “December 31, 2016”

    Source evidence

    Code amendment note
    Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 114–328 substituted “December 31, 2017” for “December 31, 2016”.

    Enacted provision · exact public law section
    (4) Section 309(e), relating to enlistment bonus.

  21. National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018

    Pub. L. 115–91 div. A title VI § 615(4) · 131 Stat. 1283

    Substituted · 37 U.S.C. § 309(e)

    Pub. L. 115–91 substituted “December 31, 2018” for “December 31, 2017”

    Source evidence

    Code amendment note
    Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 115–91 substituted “December 31, 2018” for “December 31, 2017”.

    Enacted provision · exact public law section
    (4) Section 309(e), relating to enlistment bonus.

21 of 22 references resolved to an enrolled provision · 1 partial

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 309, Pub. L. 87–649, , 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), , 93 Stat. 808, 809, applicable only with respect to administrative functions performed after .

Amendments2001–2017 · 13 rounds

2017

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 115–91 substituted “” for “”.

2016

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 114–328 substituted “” for “”.

2015

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 114–92 substituted “” for “”.

2014

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 113–291 substituted “” for “”.

2013

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 113–66 substituted “” for “”.

Pub. L. 112–239 substituted “” for “”.

2011

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 112–81 substituted “” for “”.

Pub. L. 111–383 substituted “” for “”.

2009

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 111–84 substituted “” for “”.

2008

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 110–417 substituted “” for “”.

Pub. L. 110–181 substituted “” for “”.

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 “” for “”.

Pub. L. 109–163, § 624(d), substituted “” for “”.

2004

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 108–375 substituted “” for “”.

2003

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 108–136 substituted “” for “”.

2002

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 107–296 substituted “of Homeland Security” for “of Transportation”.

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 107–314 substituted “” for “”.

2001

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 107–107 substituted “” for “”.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2008 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 110–181 effective as of , 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)], , 114 Stat. 1654, 1654A–153, provided that: “The amendments made by subsection (a) [enacting this section] shall take effect on , 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 , 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.

Credits

2000–2017 · 19 acts
  1. 2000Added Pub. L. 106–398, § 1 [[div. A], title VI, § 624(a)(1)], , 114 Stat. 1654, 1654A–152
  2. 2001amended Pub. L. 107–107, div. A, title VI, § 614(c), , 115 Stat. 1136
  3. 2002Pub. L. 107–296, title XVII, § 1704(c), , 116 Stat. 2314
  4. 2002Pub. L. 107–314, div. A, title VI, § 614(c), , 116 Stat. 2568
  5. 2003Pub. L. 108–136, div. A, title VI, § 614(c), , 117 Stat. 1501
  6. 2004Pub. L. 108–375, div. A, title VI, § 614(d), , 118 Stat. 1948
  7. 2006Pub. L. 109–163, div. A, title VI, §§ 624(d), 635, 687(b)(20), , 119 Stat. 3295, 3300, 3330
  8. 2006Pub. L. 109–364, div. A, title VI, § 614(d), , 120 Stat. 2248
  9. 2008Pub. L. 110–181, div. A, title VI, § 614(c), , 122 Stat. 149
  10. 2008Pub. L. 110–417, [div. A], title VI, § 614(d), , 122 Stat. 4485
  11. 2009Pub. L. 111–84, div. A, title VI, § 615(4), , 123 Stat. 2354
  12. 2011Pub. L. 111–383, div. A, title VI, § 615(4), , 124 Stat. 4237
  13. 2011Pub. L. 112–81, div. A, title VI, § 615(4), , 125 Stat. 1450
  14. 2013Pub. L. 112–239, div. A, title VI, § 615(4), , 126 Stat. 1777
  15. 2013Pub. L. 113–66, div. A, title VI, § 615(4), , 127 Stat. 781
  16. 2014Pub. L. 113–291, div. A, title VI, § 615(4), , 128 Stat. 3401
  17. 2015Pub. L. 114–92, div. A, title VI, § 615(4), , 129 Stat. 839
  18. 2016Pub. L. 114–328, div. A, title VI, § 615(4), , 130 Stat. 2159
  19. 2017Pub. L. 115–91, div. A, title VI, § 615(4), , 131 Stat. 1423.
Show as published

(Added Pub. L. 106–398, § 1 [[div. A], title VI, § 624(a)(1)], , 114 Stat. 1654, 1654A–152; amended Pub. L. 107–107, div. A, title VI, § 614(c), , 115 Stat. 1136; Pub. L. 107–296, title XVII, § 1704(c), , 116 Stat. 2314; Pub. L. 107–314, div. A, title VI, § 614(c), , 116 Stat. 2568; Pub. L. 108–136, div. A, title VI, § 614(c), , 117 Stat. 1501; Pub. L. 108–375, div. A, title VI, § 614(d), , 118 Stat. 1948; Pub. L. 109–163, div. A, title VI, §§ 624(d), 635, 687(b)(20), , 119 Stat. 3295, 3300, 3330; Pub. L. 109–364, div. A, title VI, § 614(d), , 120 Stat. 2248; Pub. L. 110–181, div. A, title VI, § 614(c), , 122 Stat. 149; Pub. L. 110–417, [div. A], title VI, § 614(d), , 122 Stat. 4485; Pub. L. 111–84, div. A, title VI, § 615(4), , 123 Stat. 2354; Pub. L. 111–383, div. A, title VI, § 615(4), , 124 Stat. 4237; Pub. L. 112–81, div. A, title VI, § 615(4), , 125 Stat. 1450; Pub. L. 112–239, div. A, title VI, § 615(4), , 126 Stat. 1777; Pub. L. 113–66, div. A, title VI, § 615(4), , 127 Stat. 781; Pub. L. 113–291, div. A, title VI, § 615(4), , 128 Stat. 3401; Pub. L. 114–92, div. A, title VI, § 615(4), , 129 Stat. 839; Pub. L. 114–328, div. A, title VI, § 615(4), , 130 Stat. 2159; Pub. L. 115–91, div. A, title VI, § 615(4), , 131 Stat. 1423.)

Parsed from the official OLRC USLM XML in data/usc_all/usc37.xml · release point 119-108 · OLRC build 2026-03-26

USLM identifier /us/usc/t37/s309