$20k Army Signing Bonus

Since the $20,000 bonus was unveiled in July, more than 6,200 recruits have signed up to begin basic training before Oct. 1, a move that boosts end-of-fiscal year recruiting numbers, Army officials said. Half the bonus is paid out on completion of basic training and training in individual specialties, some of which can take at least a year. The remainder is to be doled out over the course of active-duty enlistment, which must be for at least two years, although some specialties require longer enlistments. Despite the possibility of being sent to fight in Iraq and Afghanistan, those opting for the Army bonus seem to have already made up their minds to join the military - they just haven't settled on which branch to join.