Compensation
The Congressional Budget Office recently estimated that the average active duty service member receives an Army benefits and pay compensation package worth $99,000.
Noncash Compensation
Noncash compensation represents almost 60 percent of this package. Noncash compensation includes health care, retirement pay, child care and free or subsidized food.
Bonuses
If you are or were a member of the armed forces, and reenlist, enlist, or voluntarily extend an enlistment in a combat or combat support skill of the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) of an armed force for a period of three to six years beyond your obligation, you may be paid a bonus. A bonus may not be paid if you have failed to complete satisfactorily any original term of enlistment in the armed forces.
The amount of a bonus may not exceed $10,000, and is determined by the specific services.
A bonus paid may be paid either in a lump sum, annual installments, or a combination of the two as determined by the specific service component.
A person who receives a bonus payment and who fails to serve satisfactorily in the Individual Ready Reserve shall refund an amount according to the fraction of time that was not served satisfactorily.