Department of Defense
DIRECTIVE
NUMBER 1304.21
January 31, 2005
PDUSD(P&R)
SUBJECT: Policy on Enlistment Bonuses, Accession Bonuses for New Officers in Critical
Skills, Selective Reenlistment Bonuses, and Critical Skills Retention Bonuses for
Active Members
References: (a) Chapter 5, of title 37, United States Code
(b) DoD Directive 1304.21, “Enlistment and Reenlistment Bonuses for Active
Members,” July 22, 1996 (hereby canceled)
(c) DoD Instruction 1304.29, “Administration of Enlistment, Accession of Officers
in Critical Skills, Selective Reenlistment and Critical Skills Retention Bonuses
for Active Members,” December 15, 2004
(d) Section 101(d)(6) of title 10, United States Code
1.
REISSUANCE AND PURPOSE
This Directive:
1.1. Updates policies and assigns responsibilities under reference (a) for the administration
of enlistment bonuses for active enlisted members; accession bonuses for new officers in critical
skills; selective reenlistment bonuses for active enlisted members; and critical skills retention
bonuses (CSRBs) for active enlisted members and officers.
1.2. Reissues reference (b) to update policies and responsibilities for awarding:
1.2.1. Enlistment and reenlistment bonuses to active enlisted members; and
1.2.2. An accession bonus to new officers in critical skills and a CSRB for enlisted
members and officers.
2.
APPLICABILITY
This Directive applies to the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Military Departments, the
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Combatant Commands, the Office of the Inspector
General of the Department of Defense, the Defense Agencies, the DoD Field Activities, and all
other organizational entities in the Department of Defense (hereafter referred to collectively as
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