Incentives Offered to Retain Special Forces

Senior members of U.S. special operations forces will receive bonuses of up to $150,000 for staying in the military, an increase designed to keep the commandos from bolting to the more lucrative private sector.

The policy, announced Friday by U.S. Special Operations Command at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., provides an array of bonuses and incentives to experienced members of Army Special Forces, Navy SEALs and Air Force para-rescuemen, plus a few other specialties.

“We are taking a lead role in the global war on terrorism, and it’s just important we do everything we can to support these professionals,” Maj. Ken Hoffman, a spokesman for the command, said Friday.

The largest bonus, $150,000, would go to senior sergeants, petty officers and warrant officers who sign up for an additional six years of service. Personnel who sign up for shorter extensions would receive smaller bonuses, down to $8,000 for one year. About 1,500 operators are eligible.

About 7,000 enlisted special operators at a mid-level rank or higher would get an additional $375 a month, and senior operators with 25 years of experience would get $750 a month more.

The skills of these troops are in high demand in the war on terrorism. Depending on their specialty, they are trained in close-quarters combat, hostage rescue, combat search and rescue, hunting terrorists, and forging alliances and working with foreign and guerrilla forces overseas. Some are capable of operating in wilderness areas for extended periods.

It is also extremely difficult and expensive to train the troops. Some candidates for special operations forces, drawn from elsewhere in the military, wash out because of the extreme physical and mental challenges.

This makes experienced troops highly sought for security jobs in the private sector. Many former military special operators are in Iraq, working for private security contractors, at far better pay than they would have received in the military.

“They’re the best in the world at what they do, so there is going to be that competition,” Hoffman said.

Military officials hope the bonuses will persuade younger troops to stay in the service. The pace of operations since the Sept. 11 attacks is also taxing on the special operations forces and their families, officials say.