Bonus bucks are going up.

In fiscal 2016, the Navy plans to spend $156.4 million for new Selective Reenlistment Bonus contracts, $16.7 million more than they spent last year. n fiscal 2015. Though bonus bucks are on the rise, officials are in the early stages of looking 

What's more, officials are eyeing bigger changes that could soon expand how many qualify for bonuses and what types of perks they're offered. Officials have heard sailors' complaints about re-enlistment bonuses and are now eyeing radical new options to entice more to stay. As it is, only 9,100 sailors were expected to re-up for bonus bucks in fiscal 2015, which ended in September. Many sailors aren't in career fields or skill sets that qualify for re-up cash.

Officials want to spread that Now, officials are looking at spreading money to more sailors and also considering new perks, from getting a choice assignment, earning a higher incentive pay or getting a coveted school. These The push for corporate-style bonuses were recently proposed by an independent think tank. will allow the Navy to offer sailors more perks and flexibility in signing up, and an independent think tank recently drafted recommendations for how the scheme should work.

RELATED: The year ahead, what every sailor needs to know for 2016

Monetary bonuses are only part of the Navy's plans.

"In order to continue to recruit and retain the very best, we need modern personnel policies and retention tools that offer flexibility and choice," said Lt. Cmdr. Nate Christensen, spokesman for the chief of naval personnel, in November. "We are continuing to look at a variety of options that will help us do just that — including the way bonuses are paid to our sailors."

These days, sailors and their families want greater control over their futures. The Navy's personnel boss says future bonus and incentive plans will likely include desired locations, competitive schools and Navy Enlisted Classifications, hard-to-get assignments and bonus dough. Though none have been announced yet for fiscal year 2016, officials say they will continue on a path that could bring these reforms and others into policy in coming years.

About Mark D. Faram

Mark D. Faram is a former reporter for Navy Times. He was a senior writer covering personnel, cultural and historical issues. A nine-year active duty Navy veteran, Faram served from 1978 to 1987 as a Navy Diver and photographer.

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