Referral bonus program suspended July 1

FORT KNOX, Ky. -- The $2,000 Referral Bonus Pilot Program was suspended July 1 for all new referrals. Referrals submitted after July 1 will not qualify for the bonus. In addition, all referrals submitted before July 1 must enlist before Sept. 30, 2009, for the sponsor to qualify for the referral bonus payment. The bonus pilot program was temporarily suspended so the command can review lessons learned and reevaluate the policy and eligible sponsor categories. Recruiting Command, however, is still seeking referrals. "We want Soldiers, retirees, veterans, civilians - everyone - to continue submitting their referrals," said Maj. Gen. Donald M. Campbell Jr., USAREC commanding general. "Despite recent improvements in the recruiting environment, we still need your help with the Army's mission." The Army Referral System-Sergeant Major of the Army Recruiting Team (ARS-SMART) is still available for sponsors to support the recruiting effort. Campbell especially urges Soldiers to continue telling their Army stories whenever and wherever they can, and to refer those interested in serving as enlisted Soldiers or officers. "Everyone in this uniform should want to help maintain the force and ensure the American people better understand what it means to be Army Strong." Referrals submitted via ARS-SMART after July 1 that result in an enlistment in the Army or Army Reserve will qualify sponsors to receive the Sergeant Major of the Army coin and certificate, but no monetary payments. Future Soldiers will continue to submit referrals through ARS-SMART to qualify for advanced promotion. USAREC has 326,168 registered sponsors eligible for the referral bonus and has received more than 144,769 bonus-eligible referrals - 28,361 of which have resulted in an Army or Army Reserve enlistment (FY 06 to June 30, 2009). Recruiting Command Headquarters staff sent a notification via AKO to all eligible sponsors who made referrals under this program to let them know that the program has been suspended. All those who have received an initial bonus payment for a referral will receive their final payment of the bonus once USAREC verifies that the referral has completed all training requirements. The Referral Bonus Program, begun as a pilot under a provision in the Fiscal Year 2006 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), was initially $1,000. The bonus amount was raised to $2,000 on Nov. 13, 2006. This suspension does not affect the Army Reserve or Army National Guard Recruiting Assistance Programs (AR-RAP/G-RAP). The Army Recruiting Assistance Program (A-RAP or Army RAP) had already been suspended in March.