YONGSAN GARRISON, South Korea — In an effort to reduce personnel turnover and increase unit readiness, the Army will offer soldiers and officers an extra $300 per month in pre-tax pay bonuses if they volunteer for extended tours in South Korea, officials announced Friday.

Soldiers already stationed here will have a 60-day window from March 12 to May 12 to sign up for the new Assignment Incentive Program (AIP) and extend their tour by 12 months.

Soldiers already here are to begin receiving the bonus as soon as they sign up for the program, 8th Army officials said.

Soldiers stationed elsewhere worldwide who are assigned to South Korea and volunteer for extended tours — either two-year unaccompanied tours or limited three-year accompanied tours — would get the bonus for their entire stay.

The incentive program is a first for the Army, officials here said.

“You only have to look at the benefits of this program to see how every soldier and every unit can benefit,” said Lt. Gen. Charles Campbell, 8th Army commander, in a news release announcing the bonuses.

“This is an outstanding, unprecedented opportunity for our soldiers to extend their tours in this great country so they may continue to strengthen the war-fighting capabilities of their units, and to further experience the cultural opportunities available to them that might otherwise miss on a shorter, 12-month tour.”

The program will be in effect for at least one year, officials said. At the low end, said 8th Army spokesman Lt. Col. Steve Boylan, the Army expects the program to save some $20 million per year in costs associated with moving soldiers on and off the peninsula.

“Remember, it’s not just one move,” Boylan said. “For every soldier who leaves, you’re also moving another one here at the same time.”

Because of the one-year, unaccompanied tour policy in effect for almost 90 percent of the soldiers in South Korea, the region accounts for more than 40 percent of the Army’s annual “personnel turbulence,” officials said, adding that they hope to slash that figure with the new program.

But perhaps more importantly, extended tours would have major impact on unit readiness and cohesiveness.

By keeping soldiers in their jobs and in the same unit for longer periods, the learning curve of integrating new soldiers on a 2nd Infantry Division tank crew, for example, is eliminated.

“We want to keep more of our extremely well-trained soldiers on the peninsula,” Campbell said.

“Retaining more of that talent in theater for a longer period of time enhances our ability to deter aggression and support peace and stability on the peninsula.”

In all but a few cases of the “needs of the Army,” officials said, the AIP is available for soldiers of all ranks and jobs, including warrant officers.

Theoretically, Boylan said, any soldier from E-2 to general could apply.

The benefits for 8th Army, he said, are stability and predictability in PCS moves.

For the soldiers, the most tangible benefit is financial.

“Eligibility for this program is a sweeping change to the benefits extension currently available for Korea. Under existing programs, the chief beneficiary has historically been enlisted soldiers,” said Col. Rick Mustion, 8th PERSCOM commander.

“With the AIP, warrant and commissioned officers can also take full advantage of the program with the same extension benefits as our enlisted soldiers.”

Several soldiers told of the AIP details reacted positively.

“Three hundred bucks a month? Yeah, that would really make a difference in whether I’d stay longer or not,” said Pfc. Bobby Day of 1st Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division.

“I’m starting to like Korea and I think I’d like it a lot more with a little extra bread in my pocket.”

Referring to the 60-day window for soldiers already assigned to South Korea, Boylan said, “Soldiers who are already here … will have to make a relatively quick choice.

“But if you’ve been here any amount of time, you’ll know if this is for you. Really, AIP helps the soldiers, helps the Army, and more specifically, helps 8th Army.”

How to apply

To apply for the AIP, soldiers should visit the 8th Personnel Command Web site at www-8perscom.korea.army.mil, click on the “AIP” link and log in using their Army Knowledge Online user ID and password.

Soldiers then would read a Department of the Army Form 4187, which already would contain their personal information, and choose to accept or decline the terms of the program.

Soldiers can print a copy of the form for their records.

Troops with questions may e-mail aip@usfk.korea.army.mil.

— Joseph Giordono