Expert: Cynthia Bedell - 7/2/2008

Question
I have recently joined US army Dental Corps as O5 officer. I took oath as a Major in US army reserve in Dec 2007 followed later by another oath as O5 before reporting for OBLC on March 20, 2008. I was given 16 years credit for rank consideration. I was given zero years for service which brings my basic salary to minimum level. The recruiter never clarified the issue and led me into committing 4 years service. After completing the OBLC course I have now worked for three weeks in an army dental clinic. Is it too late to leave?

Secondly I am an Oral and Maxillofacial Radiologist, the only one in the whole US army.  My specialty is recognized by ADA.  The Army does not recognize the specialty and gave me the lame excuse that due to paucity of my kind in the army it will not create a new category. I will be considered a General Dentist (63A) possessing extra skills.  
Army promised to give me thirty thousand dollars/year as multi year retention bonus.  I will not be given specialist allowance or VSP.  I have incurred a financial loss of nearly 40% in my income by joining army.
Can I request for deactivation? Will they let me continue as an army reserve officer and let me keep the enlisting bonus?
Please advise me what are my options

Answer
Dear Tarnjit --

Unfortunately you signed a binding contract.  There are very few ways to terminate your contract, all would involve a general discharge or worse, and paying back all your enlistment bonuses.  It is possible you could claim financial hardship and resign your commission, if you cannot pay your bills with your current salary and bonuses.  Then you could return to your high paying civilian job. However, you will have to pay back all bonuses received, if they approve this option.  The Army can also bill you for any training received (though they rarely do) because such a short enlistment appears to be fraud, and that you only joined for the training, never intending to serve.

Most brand new officers would be thrilled to be making your pay when they entered the service.  Trust me you would rather be an O-5 with no years of service ($4491 per month plus at least $1139 housing allowance) than an O-1 with 16 years of service ($3215 per month plus only $565 for housing).

You have received one of the best direct commission compensation packages I have ever heard of.  The Army does not usually give an enlistment bonus and an officer commission.  Not only that but you received two paygrades higher than normally given even to the professionally skilled (doctors, dentists, lawyers).  Usually on direct commission these officers come in as a captain (O-3) and then are promoted to major (O-4) about two to four years later depending on their specialty.

However, I do not understand why you are not getting your professional pay for being a qualified dentist. That is pay even a general dentist should receive, as do all or the professionally skilled officers.  I would talk to your commanding officer in your medical command to find out why you are not getting pay you are authorized.  I caution you not to complain that you are "only getting O-5 pay" as most officers you will talk to made less than that when they started, and your concerns will sound either greedy or whiny to them.

I am sorry I do not have more positive advice for you.  I commend you for your desire to serve, and wish it was working out better.  Please write back if you are considering any options that you want to discuss further.  Good luck to you.