Some Marines could receive $50K retention bonus ‘kickers’ if they reenlist and switch their MOS
Some Marines who reenlist in fiscal 2027 will be eligible for selective retention bonus “kickers” up to $50,000 as part of the Corps’ SRB program.
The service announced details about the program in a message that was signed Thursday.
“Retaining our most experienced and qualified Marines remain one of the service’s highest priorities,” the message stated.
The Corps is offering “kickers” for certain enlisted Marines whose current contracts expire in the Oct. 1, 2026 to Sept. 30, 2027 timeframe.
Some are for lateral moves into high-demand career fields, such as cyber, special operations forces, and drone technicians.
The 84-month lateral move kicker for eligible Zone A Marines ranked E5 and below applies to the following primary military occupational specialties: counterintelligence/HUMINT (0211), reconnaissance Marine (0321), Marine Raider (0372), cyberspace warfare operator (1721), influence specialist (1751), EOD technician (2336), operational contract support (3044), criminal investigator (CID) agent (5821), tactical data systems technicians (5974), tactical air operations/air defense systems technician (5979), unmanned aerial vehicle mechanic (6214), avionics/maintenance technician for unmanned aerial systems (6314), low-altitude air defense gunner (7212), and air traffic controller (7257).
“Marines who execute a LM with reenlistment into one of these PMOSs for 84 months of additional obligated service will rate a $50,000 incentive in addition to the PMOS bonus” that some troops are eligible for, according to the message.
The 72-month mid-career lateral move kicker for eligible Zone B Marines ranked E7 and below applies to the following military occupational specialists: counterintelligence/HUMINT, Marine Raider, influence specialist, EOD technician, and CID agent.
“Marines who execute a LM with reenlistment into one of these PMOSs for 72 months of additional obligated service will rate a $35,000 incentive in addition to the PMOS bonus” that some troops are eligible for, according to the message.
For the fiscal 2027 SRB program, the Corps is also offering an aircraft maintenance kicker, $5,000 to $15,000; aircraft readiness kicker, $8,000 to $24,000; 24-month Fleet Marine Force infantry kicker, $7,000; 36-month FMF infantry kicker, $30,000; and air traffic control kicker, $40,000.
The announcement comes a few weeks after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth directed department leaders to issue bonuses up to $25,000 to high-performing Marine Corps civilians and other DOD civilians no later than Jan. 30.
Marines and other troops also received $1,776 “warrior dividend” payments late last year.
