NAVADMIN 136/17 establishes the Surface Warfare Officer Lieutenant Commander Retention Bonus (SWO LRB) for eligible SWOs.
This program replaces the SWO Critical Skills Retention Bonus (SWOCS) and no new contracts will be signed under the SWOCS program.
View the NAVADMIN here – NAVADMIN 045/23 for COMPLETE DETAILS.
DCNO Memo dated 20 December 2022 provides authorization. Click here to view.
ELIGIBILITY
A) Must meet all four of the following requirements:
1) Qualified and serving as an active duty SWO (111X)
2) Permanently appointed LCDR
3) Have at least 11 YCS, but no more than 12 YCS (applicant must submit prior to commencement of 12 YCS to receive all three installment) failure to meet this requirement forfeits the initial $22K installment
4) Completed two afloat department head tours or a single longer tour according to the department head sequencing plan as assigned by PERS-41 sequencing plan as assigned by PERS-41.
B) Must be sea duty assignable as defined by NAVADMIN 136/17 ref (C)
PLEASE NOTE:
Officers with greater than 24 years of service (YOS) were previously ineligible for the SWO LCDR CSRB. Reference (b) now allows bonuses up to 25 YCS. There will be NO retroactive pay for officers who were previously ineligible.
PAYMENT SCHEME: Approved applicants will receive payments on the second, third and fourth anniversary of their promotion to LCDR.
-$22,000 ($12,000 for FTS) on 2nd LCDR Promotion Anniversary
-$12,000 (both AC and FTS) on 3rd LCDR Promotion Anniversary
-$12,000 (both AC and FTS) on 4th LCDR Promotion Anniversary
OBLIGATION: Three years; concurrent with any other obligation.
TO APPLY: Submit your application via email (preferred) or snail mail. LRB Application Example
Submit EMAIL applications with command endorsement to the SWO LRB Manager:
LCDR Aaron Jochimsen: aaron.a.jochimsen.mil@us.navy.mil
Submit SNAIL MAIL applications with command endorsement to:
Department of the Navy
Navy Personnel Command
PERS-411/SWO LRB
5720 Integrity Drive
Millington, TN 38055-4100
Early submission is allowed and encouraged. You may submit your application for the SWO LRB to PERS-41 upon promotion to LCDR. Please note that applications MUST be received by PERS-41 PRIOR to the commencement of your 12th YCS. Failure to do so will result in the forfeiture of the initial installment and there is NO waiver for this requirement. Contact LCDR Aaron Jochimsen at LCDR Aaron Jochimsen: aaron.a.jochimsen.mil@us.navy.mil if you have questions concerning eligibility or submission requirements.
DO NOT SUBMIT DUPLICATE SNAIL MAIL/EMAIL APPLICATIONS
For those still under SWOCS Contracts the below information still applies:
SWO Critical Skills Bonus (SWOCS) agreements will be made available to all eligible SWO LCDRs. The program is designed to be an incentive, paying an eligible SWO LCDR up to 46,000 dollars to stay in the navy, and SWO community, through the fifteenth year of commissioned service (YCS).
NAVADMIN 326/02 (SWOCS announcement)
NAVADMIN 084/10 (SWO Bonus Program update - no more single-year contracts)
NAVADMIN 156/12 (FY 12 Revisions to SWOCS and SWOCP Programs)
ELIGIBILITY
- Qualified and serving as a SWO (111X)
- Permanently appointed LCDR
- Completed two afloat DH tours or single-longer tour as assigned by PERS-41
- Sea duty assignable (An officer not fit for sea duty on the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th anniversary
of promotion to LCDR will be ineligible for SWOCS bonus for that one-year period.
Should an officer who becomes fit for sea duty, they can apply for the next eligible
period)
- An officer is not eligible to receive both SWOCP and SWOCS concurrently
- Officer currently under a single-year contract will not be eligible for further SWOCS
payments beyond existing contract expiration
PAYMENT SCHEME: Approved applicants will receive payments on the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th anniversary of their date of rank as LCDR, dependent upon when they apply.
- $22,000 at 2nd anniversary of LCDR
- $12,000 at 3rd anniversary of LCDR
- $12,000 at 4th anniversary of LCDR
OBLIGATION: Three years; concurrent with any other obligation.