DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF NAVAL OPERATIONS
2000
NAVY PENTAGON
W
ASHINGTON DC 20350-2000
OPNAVINST 1160.9A
N13
3 Jun 2019
OPNAV INSTRUCTION 1160.9A
From: Chief of Naval Operations
Subj: ENLISTMENT BONUS PROGRAM
Ref: (a) 37 U.S.C.
(b) DoD Instruction 1304.31 of 12 March 2013
(c) DoD Directive 1304.21 of 31 January 2005
(d) DoD Instruction 1304.29 of 15 December 2004
(e) DoD 7000.14-R, Financial Management Regulation
(f) DoD Instruction 1145.01 of 12 December 2013
1. Purpose
a. To revise policy and procedures for administration of the enlistment bonus program in
line with references (a) through (f).
b. This revision includes changes listed in paragraphs 1b(1) through 1b(5).
(1) Updates governing authority and applicable restrictions to reflect guidance in the
general bonus authority for enlisted members, section 331 of references (a) and (b).
(2) Adds specificity to responsibilities for Head, Military Pay and Compensation Branch
(OPNAV (N130)), Commander, Navy Recruiting Command (COMNAVCRUITCOM), Service
member’s command, and servicing pay offices.
(3) Updates and clarifies when repayment of unearned portions of a bonus is required,
left to secretarial discretion, or prohibited. Specifically states that unless special circumstances
exist, unearned portions of the bonus will be repaid.
(4) Delegates to OPNAV (N130), not below the O-6 or equivalent level, the authority to
determine when repayment is required. This does not prevent a member from applying for
remission or modify the established delegation authorities for adjudicating remission requests.
(5) Allows reclassification date to be used as effective date of an enlistment bonus (initial
or any subsequent classification affecting the rate, program or ship date while in the Navy
Delayed Entry Program (DEP), and rate or program while in pipeline training).
c. This instruction is a complete revision and should be read in its entirety.
