Aviation Bonus (AvB)

Start Here If You Are New to AvB

The Aviation Bonus is a retention bonus for Marine Corps officer pilots and UAS operators in critical aviation specialties. Up to $35,000 per year for RC officers in flying duty or UAS, $18,000 for other RC officers. AC officer rates are subject to ASD M&RA updates. Min 1-year service obligation. The officer must be O-5 or below at the time of initial AvB obligation.

This page walks you through AvB from your seat as a General Marine. By the end you will know.

• The eligibility requirements and the O-5-or-below gate
• The minimum service obligation flying-duty officers incurred from undergraduate aviator training (8 years jet, 6 years other)
• Maximum amounts ($35,000 RC pilots/UAS, $18,000 other RC)
• Payment methods (lump sum or periodic installments)
• Recoupment cross-reference for failure to complete obligated service

Every fact on this page comes from DoD 7000.14-R Volume 7ADoD 7000.14-R Volume 7A Chapter 20 (December 2025), DoDI 7730.67DoDI 7730.67, and Title 37 U.S.C. section 334Title 37 U.S.C. section 334.

What AvB Is

Per Chapter 20 paragraph 3.1, the Military Departments offer an AvB on a selective basis when there is a shortage or projected shortage of Regular or Reserve-Component officers qualified in critical aviation specialties. AvBs are limited to those periods in an officer's aviation career in which AvBs reasonably affect retention trends.

Duration of Authority

Per Chapter 20 paragraph 2.0, unless reauthorized by Congress, AvB is not paid after the date listed on the Duration of Authority table unless an AvB agreement was entered into prior to the date on the table.

Eligibility

Per Chapter 20 paragraph 3.2, to qualify for an AvB, an officer (on active duty or in active status) must.

• Be eligible for AvIP at the time of incurring the initial AvB contractual obligation.
• Be in pay grade O-5 or below at the time of the initial AvB contractual obligation.
• Serve in an aviation specialty designated as critical by the Secretary concerned.
• Have completed (or be within one year of completing) any service obligation incurred for undergraduate aviator training.
• Execute a written agreement to remain on AD in the Regular Component or to serve in active status in the SELRES (Selected Reserve, what most Marines call SMCR or the Reserves) for at least 1 year.
• Meet such other additional criteria as the Secretary prescribes.

Minimum Service Obligation From Aviator Training

Per Title 10 U.S.C. section 653Title 10 U.S.C. section 653, the minimum service obligation of any Service Member who successfully completes training in the Armed Forces is.

• 8 years if trained to fly fixed-wing jet aircraft.
• 6 years if trained to fly any other type of aircraft.
• 6 years for a Service Member who completes training as a combat systems officer or naval flight officer.

The AvB framework requires the officer to have completed (or be within one year of completing) this obligation.

Maximum Amounts

Per Chapter 20 paragraph 4.2, the AvB amount for each 12-month period of obligated service does not exceed the following, unless updated by ASD M&RA.

• $35,000 per year of additional active obligated service for RC officers or RC Active Guard and Reserve officers performing qualified flying duty.
• $35,000 per year for RC officers or RC AGR officers performing qualified UAS operator duty.
• $18,000 per year of additional active obligated service for all other RC officers performing qualified duty (including UAS operators not in the higher tier).

The ASD M&RA is allowed to update AvB amounts per DoDI 7730.67DoDI 7730.67 paragraph 2.1.b. AC officer AvB rates are set separately and subject to similar update authority.

Payment Method

Per Chapter 20 paragraph 4.1, the Secretary is allowed to pay AvB to qualifying officers in a lump sum or in periodic installments.

Relationship to Other Pay and Allowances

Per Chapter 20 paragraph 4.3, aviation pays and bonuses paid under DoDI 7730.67DoDI 7730.67 are in addition to any other pay or allowances to which the officer is entitled, except as specified in the limitations and restrictions in DoDI 7730.67DoDI 7730.67 paragraph 3.1.b.

Written Agreement

Per Chapter 20 paragraph 5.1, to receive an AvB, an officer must execute a written agreement with the Secretary specifying.

• The amount of the AvB.
• The period of obligated service.
• The aviation specialty.
• The conditions of service.
• The repayment provision discussing repayment of the unearned portion if the officer does not satisfy the eligibility and service requirements.

Recoupment

Per Chapter 20 (cross-referencing Volume 7A Chapter 2), an officer who fails to complete the obligated service or meet the conditions specified in the written agreement repays any unearned portion of the bonus per Title 37 U.S.C. section 373Title 37 U.S.C. section 373 and Chapter 2.

The Pay Problems and Fixes page on this site covers the full recoupment framework, including the nine rules in Chapter 2 Table 2-1 governing when repayment is and is not sought.

Verifying AvB on the LES

A monthly LES check confirms AvB entries are correct.

Step 1. Pull Your LES

Through MyPay each payday after AvB award.

Step 2. Verify the AvB Line

The LES shows AvB as a line item under Entitlements. Lump sum payments show in a single month. Installment payments show across multiple months at the agreed-upon schedule.

Step 3. Resolve Discrepancies

Coordinate with your S-1 and your detailer. AvB contracts route through Marine Corps aviation manpower. The reporting unit (I&I S-1 with direct UD/MIPS access, or a battalion S-1 routing through their PAC) processes through DFAS Marine Corps Pay.

Common Questions Marines Ask

I am an O-4 Marine pilot with 9 years of aviation service. Am I eligible for AvB?

Per Chapter 20 paragraph 3.2.2 and 3.2.4, you must be O-5 or below (yes at O-4) and have completed (or be within one year of completing) the undergraduate aviator training service obligation. For fixed-wing jet pilots, that is 8 years. At 9 years, you are likely past the obligation and within the AvB-eligible window. Verify with your detailer.

I am a Marine UAS operator. Do I qualify for the higher AvB rate?

Per Chapter 20 paragraph 4.2.2, RC officers or RC AGR officers performing qualified flying duty related to UAS operators qualify for the $35,000/year rate. Verify with your detailer against the Marine Corps designated critical aviation specialties list and the current AvB authorization.

I signed an AvB contract for 4 years and I am separating early due to a medical issue. Will the bonus be recouped?

Per Volume 7A Chapter 2 paragraph 3.3.2, if the medical separation is for a disability incurred in the line of duty in a combat zone or is a combat-related disability per Title 10 U.S.C. section 1413Title 10 U.S.C. section 1413a(e), repayment is not sought. Other medical separations fall under the discretionary review per paragraph 3.4.1. The Pay Problems and Fixes page covers the framework.

I was recently promoted to O-6. Am I still eligible for additional AvB?

Per Chapter 20 paragraph 3.2.2, the O-5-or-below gate applies at the time of incurring the INITIAL AvB contractual obligation. If you are signing a new AvB contract at O-6, the gate disqualifies you. Existing AvB contracts signed at O-5 continue per the agreement.

Where to Go for Help

Routing by Issue

• AvB contract eligibility and rate verification. Your detailer at the Marine Corps Aviation Manpower section.
• AvB recoupment determinations. The Pay Problems and Fixes page covers the framework.
• LES corrections for AvB. Your S-1 routes through DFAS Marine Corps Pay.
• DFAS Marine Corps Pay direct contact. Phone 1-888-332-7411 (DSN 312-571-9450 from overseas).

Where to Go Next on This Site

• Pay and Entitlements landing page lists all the pay topics.
• Aviation Incentive Pays cover the parallel monthly aviation pays (AvIP, CSIP, flying-duty HDIP).
• Officer Bonuses cover the broader officer bonus framework.
• Pay Problems and Fixes covers the recoupment framework.

Related Roles

• Leaders coach pilots on AvB contract terms before signing.
• Admin at S-1 processes AvB contracts through DFAS Marine Corps Pay.
• Commanders endorse AvB contracts at the Marine Corps level.

AvB rewards retention in critical aviation specialties. The O-5-or-below gate locks the eligibility window. Read the contract before signing. Recoupment applies if you fail to complete the obligated service.