Facing recruiting headwinds, Air Force offers thousands in new enlistment incentives Published April 11, 2022 Air Force Recruiting Service Public Affairs JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas -- The Air Force added more opportunities for future Airmen to receive bonuses upon entering active duty in fiscal 2022. Six skills were added to the FY22 Initial Enlistment Bonus program on April 11, 2022 for four or six-year contracts in hard-to-fill job specialties and an additional incentive called “Quick Ship” will be offered from April, 11 to Sept. 30, 2022. “As we roll up our sleeves in the battle for talent, we’ve got to remain competitive as we go after our next generation of Airmen,” said Maj. Gen. Ed Thomas, Air Force Recruiting Service commander. “While we’ve got an unmatched value proposition we also have a record-high level of competition for America’s best and brightest.” Any member who enters active duty with any career field in a quick-ship status may be eligible to receive an $8,000 bonus. Quick Ship is when an already fully-qualified applicant fills a short-notice Basic Military Training Vacancy, shipping out within five days or less. In addition, some cyber career fields have bonus pay amounts that are based on the member’s highest level of certification, giving the applicant an opportunity to receive up to $20,000. Special Warfare recruits are already eligible for up to $50,000 upon entering active duty. Recruiting incentives give recruiters additional support and tools to use as they press through all the challenges associated with reaching the Air Force’s FY22 Total Force accessions goals. Those challenges include a low youth propensity to join, a national labor shortage and aggregate effects of operating primarily virtual since the March 2020 outbreak of COVID-19. The following is the complete IEB list effective April 11, 2022: CURRENT AFSCs 6-YR Bonus 4-YR Bonus 1A8X1 Airborne Linguist $20,000 N/A 1N3XX Crypto Linguist $18,000 N/A 1D731R Radio Frequency Transmission Systems $6,000 $3,000 1T0X1 SERE $40,000 N/A 2A534 Refuel/Bomber Aircraft Maintenance $6,000 $3,000 2A632 Aerospace Ground Equipment $6,000 $3,000 2W031 Munitions Systems $6,000 $3,000 2W131 Aircraft Armament Systems $6,000 $3,000 3D0X2 Cyber Sys. Ops. $12,000-$20,000 N/A 3D0X3 Cyber Surety $12,000-$20,000 N/A 3D1X1 Client Systems $12,000-$20,000 N/A 3D1X2 Cyber Transport Systems $12,000-$20,000 N/A 3E8X1 EOD $50,000 N/A 9T500 Special Warfare Operator Enlistment $50,000 N/A 9TMAGE Any Mechanical or Electrical Aptitude Area $6,000 $3,000 AFRS QUICK SHIP Any AFSC $8,000 $8,000 NOTE: For Cyber career fields starting with “3D” above any Level I Certification (A+, Network+) qualifies for $12K. Any Level II Certification (CCNA-Security, CAP, GSLC, Security+, CSSLP, GSEC) or Any CNDSP Certification (CISM, CISA, GCIH, GCIA, CEH, SSCP, CSIH, GCFA, GSNA) qualifies for $15K. Any Level III Certification (CISSP, CASP, GCED) qualifies for $20K. Certifications can be verified at: https://public.cyber.mil/cw/cwmp/dod-approved-8570-baseline-certifications. “These potential recruits are the lifeblood of combat readiness and national security,” said Thomas. “So we must do everything we can to inspire, engage and recruit the Airmen.” AFRS is also expecting to see recruiting incentives from Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard that support their Total Force recruiting mission. For more information on Air Force careers and find a recruiter, go to www.airforce.com.