FORT BELVOIR, Va. (Army News Service, Aug. 22, 2007) - A $20,000 lump-sum Critical Skills Accession Bonus is being offered to active-duty enlisted Soldiers who complete the Criminal Investigation Command Special Agent Warrant Officer Basic Course by Sept. 30, 2008.

The CSAB targets the 31 series Military Occupational Specialty for military police NCOs selected for appointment to warrant officer positions in the 311A MOS.

Enlisted special agents with at least 24 months of CID investigative experience, a minimum of 60 hours of college credit and who are no longer on probationary status are eligible to receive the bonus.

The bonus is to help encourage qualified Soldiers, especially qualified enlisted agents at the staff sergeant level, to apply for warrant officer, and will also help the Army meet the ever-present demand for special agents, according to Col. Ben Grigsby, CID deputy chief of staff for support.

"We are actively recruiting qualified and experienced 31 series MOS Soldiers in order to fill our 311A positions worldwide," Col. Grigsby said. "We will also consider, on a case-by-case basis, non-31 series Soldiers and junior officers with law enforcement experience and/or college degrees in criminal justice."

CID is currently below its target goal in warrant officer strength and over strength in the enlisted special agent series.

"Our CID special agent authorizations will increase in fiscal year 2008 in order to fill several newly authorized CID detachments," Col. Grigsby said. "With the approval of the $20,000 bonus and our need for warrant officers, now is an excellent time for qualified Soldiers to apply to become CID warrant officers."

"Accepted candidates will attend the Warrant Officer Candidate School and the CID WOBC," said Special Agent Jennifer Redfern, warrant officer career development program manager. "After completing the WOBC, newly appointed 311A's must sign an agreement to serve six years as CID special agents, which qualifies them for the $20,000 lump-sum bonus."

CID enlisted Soldiers who are interested in becoming warrant officers are encouraged to contact their team chiefs, special agents-in-charge and battalion operations officers for letters of recommendation.

Aualified individuals outside the CID should visit or contact its nearest field office, where personnel can help answer questions about the warrant officer program and assist Soldiers with preparing warrant officer applications.

Active National Guard, Mobilized Reserve and National Guard Soldiers are not authorized to participate in the CSAB program.

The application process and checklist forms are available on the ArmyAca,!a,,cs recruiting Web site at <a href="http://www.usarec.army.mil/hq/warrant"target=_blank> www.usarec.army.mil/hq/warrant</a>.

For more information on CID visit <a href="http://www.cid.army.mil"target=_blank> www.cid.army.mil</a>.