SWO bonuses adjusted, podcast explains changes
3/15/2010
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Adjustments to the Critical Skills Retention Bonus (CSRB) program for surface warfare officers (SWO) were announced the week of March 8 in NAVADMIN 084/10.

"As retention goals are achieved or personnel requirements change, CSRB award levels are adjusted to reflect Navy's manning and mission requirements to ensure we provide the fleet with skilled SWOs who posses the experience needed to execute today's global mission," said Rear Adm. Dan Holloway, director of Navy's personnel, plans and policy division, in a recent podcast. "We will continue to review all bonuses and pays in response to retention behavior and external market factors to properly compensate our force."

According to the message, the SWO critical skills bonus for O-4s will only be available for a three-year commitment; single-year agreements are no longer available. Eligible lieutenant commanders at the 12th year of commissioned service can receive a $22,000 bonus paid on the second anniversary of their promotion. Follow-on payments of $12,000 will be disbursed on the third and fourth anniversaries.

O-4s currently under a single-year contract will not be eligible for bonus payments beyond their existing contract.

In addition, the senior SWO bonus for commanders and captains serving in senior-level command positions was adjusted. Authorized O-5 bonus levels will be reduced from $15,000 to $12,000 and O-6 bonus levels from $20,000 to $10,000 per year.

The junior SWO bonus remains unchanged and continues to provide eligible lieutenants $25,000 to remain in the community upon completion of their minimum service requirement through the ninth year of commissioned service and the completion of two department head tours.

Applications for the SWO bonus received after the NAVADMIN release date of Mar. 9 will be processed under the new levels and requirements.

To listen to the complete podcast, visit http://www.navy.mil/media/audio/cnp/RADML%20Dan%20Holloway %20on%20SWO.mp3.

For more information on the changes to SWO bonuses, review NAVADMIN 084/10 at www.npc.navy.mil.

Information on all incentive pays for the surface warfare community can be found at http://www.npc.navy.mil/Officer/SurfaceWarfare/PayIncentives/.

For more news from Chief of Naval Personnel, visit www.navy.mil/local/cnp/.