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DEL.ICIO.USBonuses prompt hundreds of 48th GIs to reenlist
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Keith Hadley/AJC
Spc. Cora Wilkerson will use $15,000 to make down payment on house. Spc. Brad Shawhan Jr., a model from Atlanta, plans to sink his into a savings plan. • Photos
Convoy Support Center Scania, Iraq — Sgt. Vincent Ferrara stood beside a U.S. flag on the rooftop of his unit’s headquarters here recently, raised his right hand and swore to defend the Constitution.
The oath took less than half a minute. In that time, Ferrara pledged six more years to the Georgia Army National Guard and netted a $15,000 bonus — tax free because he re-enlisted in a combat zone.
Ferrara is among more than 700 soldiers of the 48th Brigade Combat Team who have reenlisted since the unit went to Iraq last June, said 1st Lt. Selena Owens, a spokesman for the brigade.
Despite the risk of death or serious injury and the hardships of a year away from friends and families, soldiers are reeinlisting in part for the money that for some will mean a down payment on a home, a new car or a nest egg for the future.
Soldiers who re-enlist for six years while in a combat zone can get $15,000 tax free — an incentive that may soon be bumped to $20,000. A three-year re-enlistment nets the soldier $7,500.
Although Georgia National Guard officials were able to verify only 235 of the re-enlistments with bonuses totaling nearly $3 million, they said there is often a time lag between the signing and verification of it when a unit is deployed.
Since December 2004, when re-enlistment bonuses were tripled, more than $7 million in bonuses have been handed out to 48th Brigade soldiers, said Sgt. Maj. Jeff Dawkins of the Georgia Guard’s Recruiting and Retention Battalion.
Military recruiters say they have not surveyed soldiers about how much the bonuses are influencing their decisions, but they believe the money obviously helps fence-sitters make up their minds.
Ferrara, who has already served nine years in the military, said he would have re-enlisted without the bonus. But he can use the extra cash now.
His family — with five children ages 3 to 13 — is operating on one income since his wife is studying to become a nurse. And, Ferrara said, his civilian employer, Delta Air Lines, has slashed his pay because of financial troubles.
“I need the bonus,” said Ferrara, 40, of Augusta, who works as a Delta reservations supervisor. “We have been taking pay cut after pay cut for the past few years.”
Persuading soldiers to re-enlist in the Guard is an ongoing effort, even in a combat zone.
“We’ve had nothing but a huge success over there,” said Sgt. Maj. Anthony Weeks, also with the Georgia Guard’s Recruiting and Retention Battalion. “The numbers are extremely good.”
On a recent dreary night at Tallil Air Base in southern Iraq, several 48th Brigade soldiers showed up at the post chapel to listen to two recruitment officers. The recruiters make their pitch twice a day at various military bases hoping to persuade deployed soldiers to give a few more years of their lives in service for their country.
The bottom line, they tell the soldiers: “It’s government money. It’s free. Take it.”
“The bonus plays a significant part. I kid you not,” said Sgt. 1st Class Jerrell Wright, an Arkansas National Guard soldier. “The financial incentives are definitely there. But then there’s pride, integrity.”
The Army’s retention efforts, said Wright, were “vital” and “essential.” Especially so since the war in Iraq has apparently kept young Americans away from the military and the number of new Army recruits has dwindled. In the last fiscal year, the Army fell more than 6,000 recruits short of its goal of 80,000, the largest deficit in 26 years.
But record bonuses have helped convince soldiers already serving to reenlist, despite the knowledge that they might someday be sent back to Iraq.
“The risk went up dramatically when they deployed. The reward needed to keep pace with the increased risks we are asking of an American soldier,” said Lt. Col. Mike Jones, deputy division chief for Army Guard recruiting and retention at the National Guard Bureau in Arlington, Va.
Nationwide, National Guard reenlistments increased by 26 percent in the first year after Congress tripled the bonuses, according to National Guard Bureau figures. Those numbers have been aided by the fact that soldiers are now able to reenlist up to their 21st year of service and still be eligible for the bonuses, something they were not able to do prior to this year, said the 48ths Owens.
“They are very effective. Soldiers often cite those bonuses,” said Maj. Gen. David B. Poythress, commander of the Georgia National Guard. “I don’t think there are any of them who signed up purely for the bonuses. But the bonuses make it a lot easier to sell to parents or to the spouses. The fact that it is tax free makes it that much sweeter.”
Spc. Cora Wilkerson, 23, of Portal, agreed.
Wilkerson, a soldier in the 648th Engineer Battalion and a criminal justice student at Georgia Southern University, wants to become an officer. She said she would use the $15,000 to make a down payment on a house when she returns to Georgia.
The bonuses are tax-free for soldiers as long as they reenlist in a combat zone. They are supposed to get the money within 90 days of the end of their current contracts. And the cash can be directly deposited into their checking accounts.
But many of the Georgia soldiers are not eligible to reenlist while deployed since they have to be within one year of the expiration dates on their current contracts, said Owens, the 48th Brigade spokeswoman.
Spc. Brad Shawhan Jr., a model from Atlanta, plans to sink his $15,000 into a savings plan.
“Not that $15,000 is a lot of money, but it’s an opportunity to get it tax free,” said Shawhan, also a soldier in the 648th.
Immediately after reenlisting, many soldiers cite their sense of duty and their bonds with fellow soldiers.
Shawhan, a former Marine, said it was important for him to stay connected to the military, even though his parents were not entirely pleased about his reenlisting.
“The bonds you make here are unlike those in the civilian world,” he said. “I have been shot at with other people. That brings you closer together. I feel almost obligated to my fellow soldiers.”
Jeremy Redmon reported from Iraq, Moni Basu from Atlanta.
Comments
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By "Momma Kat" Orr
March 10, 2006 08:14 PM | Link to this
God bless ‘em. Thanks, guys. We appreciate you - and (I may have said this once or twice, LOL) we are DARN PROUD OF YOU. :)
Luv, Momma Kat Loganville, GA
By 48th wife
March 10, 2006 08:38 PM | Link to this
The eligiblity requirements just changed too. Now if you have up to 20 years you qualify for the bonuses. However, my soldier has 21 and does not qualify. The only bonus he has every recieved was his initial entry bonus of 10K which of course was taxed heavily. He would gladly reenlist for 6 more years to get this hefty bonus. I am greatful that these men and woman are getting somewhat of a benefit for being in Iraq. Maybe this help their families get a better start.
By olddawg55
March 11, 2006 02:26 PM | Link to this
Congrats to all the re enlistees…we need you! Having served 37 years before retirement…one year a recall of the GANG 111th Sig Bn…without a bonus, I think you deserve whatever you get moneywise! I know it’s not all the money..little that it is..but duty, honor, and country is the biggest reason. Go 48thBCT, we’re proud of you and all the other units too!!
By My Opnion
March 12, 2006 04:13 PM | Link to this
I received this Prayer Wheel from a friend as an e-mail to forward but it can reach our troops this way. It is so appropiate.
Prayer Wheel
“Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need. I ask this in the name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior. Amen.”
By Momma Kat Orr
March 13, 2006 09:01 AM | Link to this
To all of our soldiers At home and abroad, We want you to know That we stand and applaud.
Your courage and strength Your patriotic unity, Your undying efforts To help keep us free.
For risking your lives So our Nation can grow, We thank you so much For the pride that you show.
Your are mothers and fathers Daughters and sons, Brothers and sisters You all are great ones.
Our hearts are filled With great love and pride, We want you to know That we stand by your side.
We continue to pray For your safe return home, And we hope that you know You are not alone. Although you are far You remain in our hearts, As the toils of your day Keep us apart.
We know that your hearts Will always ring true, And ours the same For all of you.
And one thing remains The same for us all, Our Flag will be flying It never will fall.
Our hearts and our voices Will always ring true, To help you support The Red, White and Blue. Our Country is strong Every step of the way, Our people, our nation We are the USA.
We pray everyday May God give you guidance, As you fight for our Nation Against another’s defiance.
We miss you, and love you And want you to know, We will stand behind you Wherever you go.
We want you to know For all that you do, We open our hearts And send this Thank You.
Thank You for serving Stand tall and true, And return to us safely For the Red, White and Blue.
By Holly Lueneburg
By Rebecca Bryant
March 13, 2006 03:36 PM | Link to this
You all are so brave and I Thank God every day that we have men and women like you serving “OUR COUNTRY” so bravely. Thank You again!!!! God Bless each and every one of you! Rebecca—Washington, DC
By Not in the Army anymore
March 14, 2006 08:04 PM | Link to this
Good luck! I will see you in Iran!
By Jessica Underwood
March 15, 2006 11:16 AM | Link to this
THATS MY BIG BROTHER!!! SPC BRAD SHAWHAN! I couldn’t be prouder of you, and I cannot tell you how much I admire you for standing by your crew and standing by what you believe in. YOU ARE A GREAT MAN!!! See you soon when you safetly return home! Jessica Underwood www.catwalkshawhan.com
By The OLD man Shawhan
March 15, 2006 07:59 PM | Link to this
SP/4 SHAWHAN Jr. SON, You make your Mom and me so proud of you.. and yes we didn’t like it but, Son you made a good choice in enlisting over there —It’s all yours — I just hoped you’d get out of the army before me, but that ain’t going to happen.. SORRY Tell every body over there to keep there power dry and there heads down. The BIG BIRD will be there SOON on that one-way trip HOME… Give them Heck and take no survivors. GOD BLESS YOU and ALL See you soon. THE OLD MAN - SSG Shawhan Sr. and MOM bshawman9@cs.com
By The OLD man Shawhan
March 15, 2006 08:12 PM | Link to this
I love you man, GOOD LUCK. I’m so proud of you and all the men over there. See you when you get back, I’ll be the one in uniform holding the US FLAGor your MOM will be holding me up. See you soon take care until we see each other, Take care of your self and maybe this will get your sgt. strip??? Here or Iran LOVE YOU The OLD Man bshawman9@cs.com
By Tammy Barborek
March 16, 2006 03:08 PM | Link to this
This is for my daughter SGT,Tiffany Thompson. Ilove you with all my heart,you have made me and you’re dad verry proud. We have allways been proud of you. You are a proud soldier,and a wonderful ,beautiful woman. You have accomplished so much ,and yet you strive to be more everyday .You allways speak of you’re fellow soldiers as family ,because that is the kind of love you have in you’re heart.you are so strong and brave,but then again you allways have been.Untill we can see you again ,my beautiful daughter .Just remember our thoughts and prayers are with you and every soldier over there ,standing there ground and defending there country proudly. We love you angel .Come home safely, We love you mom and dad.
By G.Mausz
March 21, 2006 11:39 AM | Link to this
Very proud of you Brad Jr.Keep trusting in God, He is your strength and shield. I am so thankful for the brave men and women who are fighting to protect our freedom and way of life may God bless you and keep you. The bonus is good and much deserved but it’s like you say, there is a bond or fellowship that takes place when you are in the fire together that goes much deeper. God Loves You and we do to You are in our thoughts and prayers. Rev.G.Mausz