Expert: Cynthia Bedell - 3/24/2008

Question
I am eligible to resign my US Army nurse Corps commission this month. I am currently IRR. I am considering holding off resigning my commission,because I am interested in retaining my "years" and eventually joining the PHS corps. Do you know if I have to resign it and if I don't do I just risk being called to active duty?

Answer
Dear Rachel --

You do not have to resign your commission when your total service obligation ends.  However, by remaining on the IRR roles, you are liable to be called back onto active duty either to backfill a Nurse here in the States, or to deploy to a forward hospital or clinic in theater.

If you have no interest in returning to active duty, I recommend you resign your commission and get all your documentation completed.  This includes your DD 214 that shows your honorable discharge for completing your service obligation.

Good luck to you whatever you decide.  Thank you for your service.