I think that's a signing bonus. As in "we'll give you $35k to take this job that also pays a salary".

I tried to look up equivalent total compensation for a new recruit would be, but it looks like it's nontrivial to figure out. It's something like $25k/year, and full dental, medical, housing, food, and retirement and it's all tax exempt.

Not a bad deal for almost no prerequisites to joining, other than the "selling your freedom" and "directly contributing to violence" parts.