The Surface Warfare Officer Department Head Retention Bonus (SWO DHRB) has been released for eligible active and Full Time Support (FTS) SWOs in NAVADMIN 206/16.

"We regularly review our bonuses and incentives to ensure we can retain quality SWOs and reward exceptional performance. With this bonus, we reward superior performance at sea with a potentially larger bonus package earlier in our junior officers' careers - basically, the earlier they screen and commit, the larger their bonus" said Capt. Rick Cheeseman, director, Surface Warfare Officer Assignments Division, Navy Personnel Command (NPC).

Year Group 2012 and junior SWOs are eligible for the DHRB program. Early selection at the SWO Department Head Screening Board and commitment to continue to serve as a Department Head is rewarded with greater compensation. Even some SWO lieutenant junior grades will have the opportunity to commit to a DHRB during their third year of commissioned service.

To qualify for the DHRB, officers must be qualified and serving as an active duty SWO (designator 1110/1117); complete at least one division officer tour, or be assigned to a fleet-up or single longer tour as approved by NPC; administratively screen for department head afloat; and agree to two afloat department head tours or a single longer tour assigned by NPC. Officers selected for department head must submit a contract prior to the convening of the next Department Head Screen Board in order to receive the full bonus.

Officers in Year Group 2012 who screened for Department Head on the June 2015 board must submit contracts by Nov. 30, 2016 in order to receive their full incentive payments and maximum $105,000 bonus. Officers in Year Group 2012 who screened for Department Head on the June 2016 board must submit contracts by the convening of the next Department Head board (June 2017) to receive the $95,000 bonus.

SWOs can apply by mailing a copy of their original contract and commanding officer's endorsement to:

Commander, Navy Personnel Command (PERS-41)
5720 Integrity Drive
Millington, TN 38055

Applicants should also e-mail copies of those same documents to their assignment officer / civilian assistant. The format for applications can be found on the NPC website at http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/officer/Detailing/surfacewarfare/pay/Documents/Sample%20RJCSRB%20App%20with%20CO%27s%20endorsement.doc.

For all eligibility requirements, bonus levels and payment structure, and more information, read the NAVADMIN at www.npc.navy.mil.

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