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As of November, all Soldiers and retirees are one successful recruit away from making $2,000.
The Referral Bonus Program has doubled its payout to sponsors from the original $1,000, and recruiting command leaders expect it to help meet the Army’s growing needs by encouraging more referrals.
“It helps a lot,” said Sgt. 1st Class Michael Alden, Kaiserslautern Recruiting Station commander. “By generating leads to recruiting commands it helps meet the new goals Congress has set forth for the Army.”
Julia Bobick, U.S. Army Recruiting Command public information specialist, outlined the program: To get the bonus, a sponsor refers a prospect online, and once the Defense Finance and Accounting Service confirms that the recruit is, in fact, in Basic Training, it pays the sponsor the first $1,000. Once the recruit graduates from Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training, DFAS pays the second $1,000.
With the new program, even if the recruit does not complete Basic Training, the sponsor may keep the first lump sum.
Eligible sponsors are Army retirees, active duty and Reserve Soldiers not serving as recruiters, and Delayed Entry Program Soldiers. However, sponsors cannot refer immediate family members or personnel in their chain of command.
Recruits with prior military service or at any stage of the enlistment process – including having met with a recruiter – are not eligible for the program, according to USAREC.
To refer someone, logon to the Army Referral System for the Sergeant Major of the Army Recruiting Team Website at https://smart.goarmy.com/danana/auth/url_6/welcome.cgi, and follow the prompts. Referring sponsors must establish either an Army Knowledge Online account at https://www.us.army.mil/suite/login/welcome.html or a Self-Registration account at http://www.goarmy.com/accounts/register/.
For efficiency’s sake, sponsors should ensure that the recruit definitely intends to join, as once the referral is logged it is transferred to one of the local recruiting commands for follow-up, Sergeant Alden said. “You want to make sure the person is sure, so you’re not wasting theirs or the recruiter’s time.”
Referrals made outside the ARS-SMART Website or phone lines will not be considered for the referral bonus. Referrals may be entered by phone via the USAREC ARS-SMART line: 1-800-223-3735, ext. 6-0473.
