UNCLASSIFIED//
ROUTINE
R 112138Z FEB 22 MID600051512344U
FM CNO WASHINGTON DC
TO NAVADMIN
INFO CNO WASHINGTON DC
BT
UNCLAS
NAVADMIN 036/22
PASS TO OFFICE CODES:
FM CNO WASHINGTON DC//N1//
INFO CNO WASHINGTON DC//N1//
MSGID/GENADMIN/CNO WASHINGTON DC/N1/FEB//
SUBJ/SURFACE WARFARE OFFICER SENIOR OFFICER RETENTION BONUS//
REF/A/DOC/ASN/29OCT21//
REF/B/DOC/USC//06JAN17//
REF/C/DOC/DOD/11JUL16//
REF/D/DOC/BUMED/27JUL16//
REF/E/DOC/DOD/MAY20//
NARR/REF A IS ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF THE NAVY (MANPOWER AND RESERVE AFFAIRS)
SURFACE WARFARE OFFICER SENIOR OFFICER RETENTION BONUS AUTHORIZATION.
REF B IS TITLE 37, U.S. CODE, PAY AND ALLOWANCES OF THE UNIFORMED SERVICES.
REF C IS DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE INSTRUCTION 1304.34, GENERAL BONUS AUTHORITY
FOR OFFICERS.
REF D IS THE BUREAU OF MEDICINE AND SURGERY INSTRUCTION 1300.2B, SUITABILITY
SCREENING, MEDICAL ASSIGNMENT SCREENING AND EXCEPTIONAL FAMILY MEMBER PROGRAM
IDENTIFICATION AND ENROLLMENT.
REF E IS DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT REGULATION 7000.14,
VOLUME 7A, CHAPTER 2, REPAYMENT OF UNEARNED PORTION OF BONUSES AND OTHER
BENEFITS.//
RMKS/1. This NAVADMIN announces the establishment of the Surface Warfare
Officer (SWO) Senior Officer Retention Bonus (SORB) for eligible SWOs.
2. Program Authority. This program is authorized under section 332, Title
37, U.S. Code. In line with reference (a), the SWO SORB is effective through
29 October 2024 unless otherwise rescinded or superseded. All applications
for the bonus contained within this program will be submitted to the SWO
Assignments Division (PERS-41) for approval, payment processing and tracking.
3. Program Overview. This message summarizes the provisions of the SWO
SORB. All information provided herein is applicable to both Active Component
(AC) SWOs and Reserve Component (RC) Training and Administration of the
Reserve (TAR) SWOs, except where otherwise noted. The following general
summary is provided:
a. SWOs promoted to commander (CDR) and administratively screened for
executive officer (XO)-special mission (SM), XO-afloat, commanding officer
(CO)-SM, and CO-afloat who are serving in or completed milestone tours will
have the opportunity to commit to the SWO SORB. The Navy will pay qualified
officers for four years of obligated service from the completion of the 19th
year of commissioned service (YCS) to the completion of the 23rd YCS. CDRs
with at least 18 YCS, but not more than 19 YCS, are eligible for the SWO
SORB. AC SWOs will receive 12,000 dollars on the 19th, 20th, 21st and 22nd
YCS anniversary. In line with references (b) and (c), RC TAR SWOs will also
receive 12,000 dollars on the 19th, 20th, 21st and 22nd YCS anniversary.
b. References (b) and (c) limit career retention bonus amounts.
While officers may receive multiple retention bonuses under section 332,
Title 37, U.S. Code, over a career, total bonus payments under this authority
may not exceed 300,000 dollars for AC officers and 150,000 dollars for RC
officers.
4. Program Eligibility
a. Must meet all four of the following requirements:
(1) Qualified and serving as an active duty SWO (designator 1110 or
1117).
(2) Permanently appointed CDR.
(3) Have at least 18 YCS, but no more than 19 YCS.
(4) Administratively screened and serving in or completed a XO-SM,
XO-afloat, CO-SM or CO-afloat milestone tour as assigned by PERS-41.
b. If assigned to an at sea tour by PERS-41, eligible officers must be
sea duty assignable as defined by reference (d).
Additionally:
(1) An officer under contract assigned to an at-sea tour and
evaluated as no longer fit for sea duty by an appropriate medical authority,
following a period of temporary limited duty (TLD), will have a stop payment
placed on their account and receive no further SWO SORB payments. However,
an officer on TLD who is reasonably expected by the assigned medical officer
to make a full recovery and be found fit for sea duty will continue to
receive scheduled payments. This determination will be completed by PERS-41
in line with the appropriate medical authority findings.
(2) An officer found unfit for continued naval service by an
appropriate medical authority will have a stop payment placed on their
account and receive no further SWO SORB payments.
(3) Should a previously ineligible officer later become fit for sea
duty, payments will resume at normal intervals for the remainder of the
anniversary payment(s). Retroactive pay is not authorized for any bonus
payments that were scheduled during the period the officer was ineligible.
c. Career Intermission Program (CIP). An officer participating in CIP
will be ineligible to receive SORB payments during their time in the
program. Payments will resume upon return to service and in line with the
payment scheme.
d. Bonuses will be paid in line with the payment structure in
paragraph 6.
5. Program Execution
a. The SWO community manager is assigned as the program manager and is
delegated the authority to administer the SWO SORB program according to
applicable laws, Department of Defense directives/instructions and this
NAVADMIN.
b. PERS-41 receives applications submitted in the format referenced in
paragraph 7. PERS-41 is delegated the authority to:
(1) Evaluate eligibility of SWOs applying for the SWO SORB program.
(2) Approve SWO contracts to remain on active duty for the stated
period in exchange for a SWO SORB.
(3) Administer SORB payments.
c. All applications require written endorsement from their commander, CO
or equivalent superior in charge.
d. Officers under a SORB agreement are not eligible to apply for the
permanent military professor (PMP) program or any redesignation programs that
result in a designator change to any designator other than 1110 or 1117. An
officer under a SORB agreement may submit an application for PMP or any
redesignation program once the date of application is within 12 months of the
final day of bonus obligation.
6. SORB Payment Structure
a. Applications for SORB must be submitted between the 18th and 19th
YCS. Approved applicants will receive payments on the 19th, 20th, 21st and
22nd YCS anniversary. The following table describes the schedule
19th YCS: 12,000 dollars for AC, 12,000 dollars for RC TAR
20th YCS: 12,000 dollars for AC, 12,000 dollars for RC TAR
21st YCS: 12,000 dollars for AC, 12,000 dollars for RC TAR
22nd YCS: 12,000 dollars for AC, 12,000 dollars for RC TAR
b. Eligible officers with more than 19 YCS in year groups 2002 and 2003
may request an exception to policy (ETP) from the Assistant Secretary of the
Navy (Manpower and Reserve Affairs) via PERS-41 before 1 June 2022 to be
considered for all four payments on an adjusted timeline. If approved,
officers would incur a service obligation completing four years. Initial
payment would occur upon ETP approval, with three annual payments on the ETP
submission date anniversary. Contact PERS-41 for details.
7. Application Process
a. General Notes:
(1) Application format can be found on the PERS-41 page of the MyNavy
HR at https://www.mynavyhr.navy.mil/Career-
Management/Detailing/Officer/Pers-41-SWO/Pay-Incentives/.
(2) Applications will be binding upon the date of approval by
PERS-41.
(3) Applications received in the incorrect format or not
meeting eligibility requirements defined in this NAVADMIN will be
rejected.
b. Officers must mail the signed original agreement and CO's
endorsement to
Commander, Navy Personnel Command (PERS-41)
PERS-410/SWO SORB
5720 Integrity Drive
Millington TN 38055
c. Additionally, a copy of the signed original contract and CO's
endorsement should be submitted by e-mail to the applicable assignment
officer and/or civilian assistant.
8. Recoupment and Repayment Policy. Repayment policy is governed by section
373, Title 10, U.S. Code and reference (e). A Service Member of the
uniformed services who enters into a written agreement with specified service
conditions for receipt of a bonus is entitled to the full amount of the bonus
if the member fulfills the conditions of the written agreement. If the
member fails to fulfill the service conditions specified in the written
agreement for the pay, then the pay may be terminated and the Service Member
may be required to repay an amount equal to the unearned portion of the
pay. SWO SORB payments will be stopped for officers who become ineligible
for this incentive or fail to complete the full period of additional
obligated service.
a. For officers who die while serving under a SWO SORB service
agreement, the remaining SWO SORB balance will be paid as a lump sum as part
of the settlement of the final military pay account of the officer. If death
is determined to be the result of the misconduct of the member, future
payments will be stopped and unearned portions of the bonus will be recouped,
as applicable, in line with procedures established for members whose
inability to complete a contracted period of service is voluntary or the
result of misconduct.
b. Recoupment ETP determinations will be made by Director, Military
Personnel Plans and Policy Division (OPNAV N13).
9. Additional guidance, information and updates regarding the SWO SORB are
available via MyNavy HR at
https://www.mynavyhr.navy.mil/Career-Management/Detailing/Officer/Pers-41-
SWO/Pay-Incentives/.
10. Points of contact:
a. Ms. Lucille Jones, PERS-41, (901)874-3900/DSN 882 or
lucille.jones41.civ@us.navy.mil.
b. CDR Wil Fensterer, surface warfare officer community manager,
BUPERS-311, (901)874-3173/DSN 882 or william.a.fensterer.mil@us.navy.mil.
c. CDR Mark MacNamara, FTS community manager, BUPERS-351,
(901)874-4346/DSN 882 or mark.macnamara@navy.mil.
11. This NAVADMIN will remain in effect until superseded or canceled,
whichever occurs first.
12. Released by Vice Admiral John B. Nowell, Jr, N1.//
BT
#0001
NNNN
UNCLASSIFIED//