GS-2181's should all have a bonus, maybe its just a fighter thing but I doubt it. I would try to use every justification possible to get a higher step, just don't be surprised if you don't get it. I had a thousand hours of pointy nose time when I got hired but I was never an MWS IP, just a SUPT IP, I got hired as a step 1. I have heard the reserves hire only as a step 1, hell, I know a fighter patch that was hired as a step 1. This was a few years ago, most of the new hires that are already MWS IP's are getting step 4 when they get hired. We are an RTU so being an IP is a must, just a small sample size from my corner of the ANG.