Editorial: Bonus overhaul unfair

[CommunityEditor]

The Army last week started giving out re-enlistment bonuses again, but gave soldiers barely two weeks notice thatit is overhauling the way bonuses are calculated.

The changes, which take effect Oct. 20, are significant, and could cost soldiers thousands of dollars if they aren’t paying close attention.

Depending on your MOS, the new system could pay more or less than the current one.

For example, an 11B infantry sergeant may qualify for up to $12,000 before Oct. 20, but only $7,800 afterward; a 15J helicopter systems repairer may qualify for only $4,000 before Oct. 20, but $11,100 afterward.

This is grossly unfair.

Some 150,000 soldiers — equivalent to one quarter of the active-duty Army — are either in Iraq, Afghanistan or Kuwait. Many of them are in distant combat outposts, unable to take time to study mind-numbing bonus charts.

It’s unconscionable to give them barely any notice before changing the rules.

Here’s a better way: Institute a 30-day grace period, effective Oct. 20 — the start of the new program — during which every soldier is guaranteed the greater bonus, whether under the old program or the new one.

This even-handed approach provides soldiers sufficient time to avoid mistakes and make decisions they can feel good about — which, after all, is in the Army’s best interest, as well.