What is interesting to note is that both flight pay (monthly) and bonus pay (annual) has not changed since at least the early 90's. topping at 840/mo. and 25K/year. Obviously the ways in which the 25k/yr has been offered has gone through various iterations, the most lucrative were to 20 and 25 YAS, 50 percent up front (to a certain limit). Made more sense when the UPT commitment was 8 years. I took the to-20-yrs, and to be honest kind of regreted it later on, but as I come close to retirement am again relatively pleased to be reaching the finish line with a retirement, but personally, with a little 20-20 hindsight, I wouldn't recommend that anyone sign away 10 yrs with the stroke of a pen.