CENTRAL PARK — In November, the U.S. Army Recruiting Command, Portland Battalion, partnered with the 62nd Medical Brigade from Joint Base Lewis-McChord for a tour of three Portland-area high schools, where officials talked to students about medical career opportunities in the U.S. Army. One of the stops was at Hudson’s Bay High School in Vancouver.
Recently, the U.S. Army raised its enlistment bonus to $50,000 for qualified individuals who sign up for a six-year active-duty assignment. For some high-priority specialties, the Army is offering career-based incentives from $1,000 to $40,000.
The Army also has a two-year enlistment option for 84 career fields, ranging from infantry and combat engineers to paralegals and aviation operations specialists. Those who choose the two-year plan will serve two years full-time on active duty and then two years in the Army Reserve.
Officials say this shorter enlistment opportunity lets individuals see if the Army is a good fit for them without immediately committing to a four- or six-year enlistment.
