1
Department of Defense
INSTRUCTION
NUMBER 1304.31
March 12, 2013
USD(P&R)
SUBJECT: Enlisted Bonus Program (EBP)
References: See Enclosure 1
1. PURPOSE. In accordance with the authority in DoD Directive (DoDD) 5124.02 (Reference
(a)), this Instruction:
a. Establishes policy, assigns responsibilities, and provides procedures for the payment of a
bonus, pursuant to section 331 of title 37, United States Code (U.S.C.) (Reference (b)), to:
(1) Persons for enlistment in the Military Services.
(2) Members (as defined in the Glossary) for reenlistment in a Military Service or
transfer between Military Services for a period of obligated service.
b. Allows for incremental transition from:
(1) The current enlisted bonus authorities pursuant to subchapter I of chapter 5 of
Reference (b), as implemented in accordance with DoD Instruction (DoDI) 1304.29, DoDD
1304.21, DoDD 1205.20, and DoDI 1205.21 (References (c) through (f)); to
(2) The enlisted bonus authority in accordance with section 331 of subchapter II of
Reference (b), as implemented in this Instruction.
c. Identifies eligibility criteria and other requirements for payment of an enlisted bonus in
accordance with section 331 of Reference (b) and Reference (d).
2. APPLICABILITY. This Instruction applies to OSD, the Military Departments, the Office of
the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Joint 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 DoD (hereinafter referred to
collectively as the “DoD Components”).
