The Marine Corps will pay pilots up to $210,000 to stay in uniform

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The Marine Corps will pay some of its pilots retention bonuses of nearly a quarter-million dollars in order to address “shortfalls” in the service’s aviation community.

In a message released on Wednesday by Lt. Gen. David Ottignon, deputy commandant for manpower and reserve affairs, the Corps said its aviation bonus program provides “a proactive, short-term incentive for aviation officers in certain grades and communities with current or forecasted inventory shortfalls.”

The bonuses will be paid out to skilled aviators trained on at least one of the Corps’ main aviation platforms, including the F-35 Lightning, AV-8 Harrier, and F/A-18 fighter jets; MV-22 Osprey, AH-1 Cobra, CH-53 Sea Stallion, and UH-1 “Huey” helicopters; and KC-130 aircraft, which is mainly used for aerial refueling.

AH-1Z “Viper SuperCobra” pilots 1st Lt. Michael “Shitshow” Tetreault and Capt. Travis Patterson aboard USS Makin Island prepare to fly Oct. 5, 2010.

Fixed-wing pilots seem to be in the highest demand: Flyers in those categories with less than 12 years of service can get $210,000 if they sign up for an additional six years of service, or receive $100,000 for an additional four.

Pilots of the Osprey, a tiltrotor aircraft capable of vertical takeoff and landing, can get up to $125,000, while pilots of traditional helicopters, such as the Huey, Cobra, or Sea Stallion, can receive up to $75,000.

The bonuses will be paid out in equal annuities over the length of a Marine’s contract, according to the message. “For example, an AV-8B pilot with less than 12 YCS, with a 72-month contract will receive six equal payments of 35,000 dollars,” the message said.

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Paul Szoldra

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Paul Szoldra was the Editor in Chief of Task & Purpose from October 2018 until August 2022. Since joining T&P, he has led a talented team of writers, editors, and creators who produce military journalism reaching millions of readers each month. He also founded and edits Duffel Blog, a popular satirical newsletter for the military. Before becoming a journalist in 2013, he served as a Marine infantryman in Afghanistan, Korea, and other areas of the Pacific. His eyes still go up every time a helicopter from Camp Pendleton flies over his office in Southern California.