SUBTITLE B--BONUSES AND SPECIAL AND INCENTIVE PAYS

One-year extension of certain bonus and special pay authorities for Reserve forces (sec. 611)

The committee recommends a provision that would extend for one year the authority to pay the Selected Reserve reenlistment bonus, special pay for enlisted members assigned to certain high priority units in the Selected Reserve, the Ready Reserve enlistment and reenlistment bonus, and the prior service enlistment bonus. Additionally, the provision would authorize payment under section 308g(h) of title 37, United States Code, of the non-prior service enlistment bonus in elements of the Ready Reserve other than the Selected Reserve. The committee notes that the Selected Reserve enlistment bonus and the Selected Reserve affiliation bonus authorized under sections 308c(e) and 308e(e) of title 10, United States Code, respectively, have been amended and renewed by other provisions of this Act.

One-year extension of certain bonus and special pay authorities for certain health care professionals (sec. 612)

The committee recommends a provision that would extend for one year the authority to pay the nurse officer candidate accession bonus, the accession bonus for registered nurses, incentive special pay for nurse anesthetists, special pay for Selected Reserve health professionals in critically short wartime specialties, the accession bonus for dental officers, the accession bonus for pharmacy officers, and to repay education loans for certain Selected Reserve health professionals.

One-year extension of special pay and bonus authorities for nuclear officers (sec. 613)

The committee recommends a provision that would extend for one year the authority to pay the special pay for nuclear-qualified officers extending their period of active service, the nuclear career accession bonus, and the nuclear career annual incentive bonus.

One-year extension of other bonus and special pay authorities (sec. 614)

The committee recommends a provision that would extend for one year the authority to pay the aviation officer retention bonus, assignment incentive pay, the reenlistment bonus for active members, the enlistment bonus for active members, the retention bonus for members with critical military skills, and the accession bonus for new officers in critical skills.

Payment and repayment of assignment incentive pay (sec. 615)

The committee recommends a provision that would amend section 307a of title 37, United States Code, to authorize payment of assignment incentive pay in a lump sum or in installments pursuant to the terms of a written agreement. The committee believes that the ability of the services to offer lump sum or installment payments of assignment incentive pay, in addition to existing authority for monthly payments, would offer greater flexibility and, in many cases, enhance the attractiveness of this incentive. In all cases in which lump sum or installment payments of assignment pay are authorized, the provision would require that a written agreement be executed.

Increase in amount of selective reenlistment bonus for certain senior supervisory nuclear qualified enlisted personnel (sec. 616)

The committee recommends a provision that would amend section 308 of title 37, United States Code, to authorize payment of up to $75,000 to an enlisted member of the naval service who has completed at least 10, but not more than 14, years of active duty, is currently qualified for duty in connection with the supervision, operation, and maintenance of naval nuclear propulsion plants, and is qualified in a military skill designated as critical by the Secretary of Defense. The committee believes that authorization of this increase in the amount of the selective reenlistment bonus for designated nuclear qualified enlisted personnel above the current limit of $60,000 is necessary to address shortages and improve retention of this class of highly trained and experienced personnel.

Consolidation and modification of bonuses for affiliation or enlistment in the Selected Reserve (sec. 617)

The committee recommends a provision that would amend section 308c and repeal section 308e of title 37, United States Code, in order to consolidate these provisions and authorize an enhanced affiliation bonus in an amount not to exceed $10,000 for service in the Selected Reserve.

In section 618 of the Ronald W. Reagan National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2005 (Public Law 108-375), the conferees authorized an increase in the maximum amount of the Selected Reserve enlistment bonus under section 308c to $10,000. This enlistment bonus assists the Reserve components in meeting their non-prior service recruiting objectives. The committee believes that an identical bonus authority is needed to provide an incentive to members who are separating from active duty, and who may have a continuing military service obligation, to affiliate with the Selective Reserve.

The current affiliation bonus under section 308e of title 37, United States Code, is inadequate to encourage members with active-duty experience to affiliate with the Selected Reserve with no break in service upon completion of their active-duty obligation. Because of their military training and experience, these individuals should be given every reasonable incentive to continue serving in the Selected Reserve.

Expansion and enhancement of special pay for enlisted members of the Selected Reserve assigned to certain high priority units (sec. 618)

The committee recommends a provision that would amend section 308d of title 37, United States Code, to increase the amount of special pay that may be awarded to members of the Selected Reserve assigned to certain high priority units from $10 to $50 for each regular period of instruction or period of appropriate duty. The committee believes that increasing this special pay will assist in improving manning, including company grade officer shortages, in high priority units of the Selected Reserve.

Retention incentive bonus for members of the Selected Reserve qualified in a critical military skill or specialty (sec. 619)

The committee recommends a provision that would amend chapter 5 of title 37, United States Code, to authorize a retention incentive bonus for members of the Selected Reserve qualified in a critical military skill or specialty. This bonus would offer an effective retention incentive for individuals possessing key specialities and qualifications in the Selected Reserve, and would be structured along the lines of the critical skills retention bonus offered to active-duty personnel under section 323 of title 37, United States Code.

Termination of limitation on duration of payment of imminent danger special pay during hospitalization (sec. 620)

The committee recommends a provision that would amend section 310 of title 37, United States Code, to extend the period during which a member who is hospitalized as a result of injuries or wounds incurred as a result of hostile action may continue to receive special pay for duty subject to hostile fire or imminent danger. Under current law, continuation of such special pay is limited to three months. The committee believes that eligible members should receive special pay for the duration of their hospitalization.

Authority for retroactive payment of imminent danger special pay (sec. 621)

The committee recommends a provision that would amend section 310 of title 37, United States Code, to authorize the Secretary of Defense to determine the date from which members assigned to duty in an area in which the members were subject to the threat of physical harm or imminent danger are eligible to receive this special pay. This provision would preclude the need for legislation authorizing back pay as a consequence of delays within the Department of Defense in determining the eligibility of members for special pay under section 310. The most recent example of such legislation was included in section 620 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004 (Public Law 108-136).

Authority to pay foreign language proficiency pay to members on active duty as a bonus (sec. 622)

The committee recommends a provision that would amend section 316 of title 37, United States Code, to authorize payment of foreign language proficiency pay to members on active duty as a lump sum bonus. In section 620 of the Ronald W. Reagan National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2005 (Public Law 108-375) the amount of foreign language proficiency pay was increased from $300 to $1,000 per month. The ability to offer a lump sum bonus under certain conditions, in an amount not to exceed $12,000, would serve to enhance the effectiveness of this incentive for members skilled in foreign languages to continue serving on active duty.

Incentive bonus for transfer between the Armed Forces (sec. 623)

The committee recommends a provision that would authorize payment of an incentive bonus not to exceed $2,500 to military members of the Active and Reserve components who transfer from the regular or Reserve component of one service to the regular or Reserve component of another service.

The committee notes that the Navy and Air Force intend to significantly reduce the size of their Active and Reserve components in anticipation of force structural changes. At the same time, the Army and Marine Corps are experiencing recruiting challenges and, in some areas, shortfalls. The committee believes that the experience and skills accrued by military members, combined with their possessing required qualifications and continuing motivation to serve, should be tapped whenever possible to meet recruiting needs. While so called `blue to green' programs to date have experienced some success, the committee believes this bonus has the potential to encourage more individuals to accept the challenges inherent in such changes in service.