A bonus of up to twenty thousand dollars is available for new enlistments for individuals that qualify to serve in military occupational skills designated as critical.

Excerpt from Massachusetts House Bill H4469 State Bonus for Active Service

SECTION 16. Upon application, as provided in this section, there shall be allowed and paid out of the treasury of the commonwealth without appropriation to each person, who shall have served in the armed forces of the United States in active service as part of Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, or Operation Noble Eagle who was discharged or released under honorable conditions from such service, the sums specified in this section; if the domicile of every person on account of whose service the application is filed, shall have been in the commonwealth for a period of not less than 6 months before the time of his entry into the service.

(1) $1,000 to each such veteran who performed active service outside the continental limits of the United States in the Afghanistan or Iraq area as those areas are described by proper federal authority.

(2) $500 to each such veteran who performed active duty within the continental limits of the United States or outside the continental limits of the United States other than in the Afghanistan or Iraq areas for a period of 6 months or more.