§302c–1 Special pay: accession and retention bonuses for psychologists

Summary

Pays money to get or keep doctoral-level psychologists in the military when they sign a written agreement to serve. A person who graduated from an accredited psychology school and has a valid State license to practice as a doctoral-level psychologist can sign to accept a commission and serve at least four consecutive years. The military Secretary must approve the agreement. The accession bonus can be up to $400,000. A person cannot get that bonus if they got Department of Defense financial help for their psychology study in exchange for appointment, or if the Secretary finds they are not qualified to be and stay certified. Career officers can get a retention bonus for agreeing to remain on active duty for up to four years after finishing other commitments. To qualify they must be a military psychologist below pay grade O–7, have at least eight years of creditable service (as computed under section 302b(f)) or have finished any service commitment for psychology training, complete initial residency training (or finish it before September 30 of that fiscal year), and hold a valid State license. The retention bonus may be up to $25,000 for each year of the agreement. The agreement must assign them to work as a psychologist as the service needs. If someone fails to be commissioned, licensed, or to serve the agreed time, they must repay the bonus under section 303a(e). No new agreements may be made after December 31, 2018.