Johnson underscores need for National Guard bonus programs

Disruptions to soldier incentives by the National Guard Bureau (NGB) have become a troubling trend that cannot continue, says U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-SD).

“Our service members are counting on bonuses they were promised to pay their bills,” Rep. Johnson said last week. “We must uphold our word to the men and women serving our country.”

The congressman reiterated that stance in an April 4 letter he sent to NGB Chief Daniel Hokanson, urging him to ensure the availability of incentive programs for National Guard members.

On March 1, the Army National Guard suspended reenlistment bonuses, and while the incentives program was restarted on March 8, Rep. Johnson wrote that this isn’t the first time incentives programs were suspended or delayed. 

For instance, in October 2023, more than 9,000 soldiers experienced delays in receiving their enlistment bonus, some by up to five years. A similar scenario occurred in 2021, and the National Guard suspended student loan repayments for soldiers in July 2023, according to Rep. Johnson’s letter.

“The NGB’s statement on the most recent suspension indicates the popularity of the reenlistment bonuses exceeded the original budgetary projections,” Rep. Johnson wrote. “While we are encouraged to hear the high interest in the reenlistment bonus program, we are concerned the NGB did not properly account for this interest.

“This is especially concerning given the Armed Services collectively fell short of their recruitment goals by over 40,000 in 2023,” he added. “If the NGB was reportedly five percent short of their recruiting goal, the budget line item for incentive bonuses should have been sufficient to meet the need.”

Given such concerns, Rep. Johnson requested that Hokanson answer several questions by April 30 regarding the recent pause to the reenlistment incentive program and why the NGB failed to anticipate the budget shortfall.

“The importance of enlistment and reenlistment bonuses cannot be overstated,” he wrote. “At a time when recruitment is at a record low, the NGB should prioritize the availability of bonus contracts to ensure the Guard is attracting and retaining the best talent America has to offer.”