Although the treasury board has not convened to determine what trades, if any, will be offered signing bonuses this fiscal year, the fact is that the recruiting system did offer them, and has since pulled them back. I applied for a component transfer to Signals Officer in Jan 06 and received my offer on 07 Apr 06 which included a Recruiting Allowance. 24 Hrs prior to my enrolment date (8 Jun 06), CFRG sent a new offer removing the RA from the offer, which I guess they did for everyone that was offered an RA after 1 Apr 06 with the exception of Medical Officers. If they had known prior to 1 Apr 06 they would not have offered the RAs, and if they found out any sooner than a few days before my enrollment date would they not have a told me then?
Currently the CBIs state that pers applying for understrength engineering trades who meet the requirements are to receive a 40000 RA - whether it's on the Recruiting website or not is irrelevant. I personally believe that if the offer was made, and accepted, in good faith then it should be honored. If the signing bonus had never been offered I would have enrolled regardless, but the fact is that according to their own administrative orders I am entitled to it, so why shouldn't I fight for it? I know plenty of people working as civilian engineers and they are compensated for their education - it's called a higher salary, plus there is that little issue of unlimited liability which they don't have to worry about. I'm joining to serve my country, but that doesn't mean I'm not going to fight for what my country has said I'm entitled to. Just like I would fight for my subordinates to get everything they are entitled to. At this point for me it is just as much about the recruiting system doing the "Right" thing for everyone whose offer they have altered, as it is about getting the RA.