PORTLAND, Ore.—The U.S. Army Recruiting Command, Portland Battalion, kicks off a two-week visit to local schools throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington with their US Army Adventure Semi. The interactive display includes an Oculus Rift VR System, Apache Helicopter Flight Simulator and the interactive Army Occupational Specialty Navigator.

The event starts today with Washougal High School in Washougal Wash, and continues with Battleground High School, also in Washington, on Jan. 25, Sabin-Shallenberg Center in Milwaukie, Ore., on Jan. 26, North Salem High school in Salem, Ore., on Jan. 27, South Albany High School in Albany, Ore., on Jan. 31, Lebanon High School on Feb. 1, and concludes with Sheldon High School in Eugene, Ore., on Feb. 2.

Recently, the U.S. Army raised its enlistment bonus to $50,000 for qualified individuals who enlist for a six-year active duty commitment. For some high priority specialties, the Army is offering career-based incentives that range from $1,000 up to $40,000.

Aside from the career-based bonuses, there are “quick ship” bonuses for those who are prepared to head to Basic Combat Training within 90 days of up to $25,000. As part of the Army Civilian Acquired Skills Program, foreign language skills can be worth up to $40,000 for certain career paths.

The Army also has a two-year enlistment option for 84 different career fields, ranging from infantry and combat engineers to paralegals and aviation operations specialists. Those who choose the two-year plan will serve two years full-time on active duty and then two years in the Army Reserve. Officials say this shorter enlistment opportunity allows individuals the ability to see if the Army is a good fit for them without immediately committing to a three- or six-year enlistment.

Additionally, the previous Department of Defense policy which mandated a COVID-19 vaccination for all incoming and current DoD members has been rescinded. Applicants enlisting into the US Army no longer have to agree to get vaccinated against COVID-19.