Title 37 — Pay and Allowances of the Uniformed ServicesRelease 119-73
§302h Special pay: accession bonus for dental officers
Title 37 › Chapter CHAPTER 5— - SPECIAL AND INCENTIVE PAYS › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER I— - EXISTING SPECIAL PAY, INCENTIVE PAY, AND BONUS AUTHORITIES › § 302h
Summary
Offers a one-time accession bonus to someone who finished an accredited dental school and, between September 23, 1996 and December 31, 2018, signs a written deal to accept a commission and serve at least four years on active duty. The Secretary must approve the deal, and the bonus can be no more than $200,000. A person cannot get the bonus if they already got Department of Defense money for dental school or if the Secretary finds they cannot become and stay licensed and certified as a dentist. The agreement says the person will serve as an Army or Navy Dental Corps officer or as an Air Force dental officer as needed. If the person is not commissioned, does not become licensed, or does not finish the agreed service, they must repay the bonus under section 303a(e).
Full Legal Text
Title 37, §302h
Pay and Allowances of the Uniformed Services — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
(a)(1)A person who is a graduate of an accredited dental school and who, during the period beginning on September 23, 1996, and ending on December 31, 2018, executes a written agreement described in subsection (c) to accept a commission as an officer of the armed forces and remain on active duty for a period of not less than four years may, upon the acceptance of the agreement by the Secretary concerned, be paid an accession bonus in an amount determined by the Secretary concerned.
(2)The amount of an accession bonus under paragraph (1) may not exceed $200,000.
(b)A person may not be paid a bonus under subsection (a) if—
(1)the person, in exchange for an agreement to accept an appointment as an officer, received financial assistance from the Department of Defense to pursue a course of study in dentistry; or
(2)the Secretary concerned determines that the person is not qualified to become and remain certified and licensed as a dentist.
(c)The agreement referred to in subsection (a) shall provide that, consistent with the needs of the armed service concerned, the person executing the agreement will be assigned to duty, for the period of obligated service covered by the agreement, as an officer of the Dental Corps of the Army or the Navy or an officer of the Air Force designated as a dental officer.
(d)A person who, after signing an agreement under subsection (a), is not commissioned as an officer of the armed forces, does not become licensed as a dentist, or does not complete the period of active duty specified in the agreement shall be subject to the repayment provisions of section 303a(e) of this title.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2017—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 115–91 substituted “
December 31, 2018” for “
December 31, 2017”. 2016—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 114–328 substituted “
December 31, 2017” for “
December 31, 2016”. 2015—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 114–92 substituted “
December 31, 2016” for “
December 31, 2015”. 2014—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 113–291 substituted “
December 31, 2015” for “
December 31, 2014”. 2013—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 113–66 substituted “
December 31, 2014” for “
December 31, 2013”. Pub. L. 112–239 substituted “
December 31, 2013” for “
December 31, 2012”. 2011—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 112–81 substituted “
December 31, 2012” for “
December 31, 2011”. Pub. L. 111–383 substituted “
December 31, 2011” for “
December 31, 2010”. 2009—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 111–84 substituted “
December 31, 2010” for “
December 31, 2009”. 2008—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 110–417 substituted “
December 31, 2009” for “
December 31, 2008”. Pub. L. 110–181 substituted “
December 31, 2008” for “
December 31, 2007”. 2006—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 109–364, § 612(f), substituted “
December 31, 2007” for “
December 31, 2006”. Pub. L. 109–163, § 622(f), substituted “
December 31, 2006” for “
December 31, 2005”. Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 109–364, § 617(a), substituted “$200,000” for “$30,000”. Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 109–163, § 687(b)(11), amended heading and text of subsec. (d) generally, substituting provisions referring to repayment provisions of section 303a(e) for specific provisions relating to refunds required when officer fails to become and remain certified or licensed as dentist or fails to complete total period of active duty. 2004—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 108–375 substituted “
December 31, 2005” for “
December 31, 2004”. 2003—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 108–136 substituted “
December 31, 2004” for “
December 31, 2003”. 2002—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 107–314 substituted “
December 31, 2003” for “
December 31, 2002”. 2001—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 107–107 substituted “
September 23, 1996, and ending on
December 31, 2002” for “the date of the enactment of this section, and ending on
September 30, 2002”.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
of 2008 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 110–181 effective as of Dec. 31, 2007, and subject to various special provisions, see section 610 of Pub. L. 110–181, set out as a Correction of Lapsed Authorities for Payment of Bonuses, Special Pays, and Similar Benefits for Members of the Uniformed Services note under section 2130a of Title 10, Armed Forces.
Effective Date
of 2006 Amendment Pub. L. 109–364, div. A, title VI, § 617(e), Oct. 17, 2006, 120 Stat. 2251, provided that: “The
Amendments
made by this section [enacting section 302k and 302l of this title and amending this section] shall take effect on October 1, 2006, and shall apply to agreements— “(1) entered into or revised under section 302h of title 37, United States Code, on or after that date; or “(2) entered into under section 302k or 302l of such title, as added by subsections (b) and (c), on or after that date.”
Savings Provision
For
Savings Provision
relating to payment or repayment of any bonus, incentive pay, special pay, or similar pay obligated to be paid before Apr. 1, 2006, under a provision of this section amended by section 687(b) of Pub. L. 109–163, see section 687(f) of Pub. L. 109–163, set out as a note under section 510 of Title 10, Armed Forces.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
37 U.S.C. § 302h
Title 37 — Pay and Allowances of the Uniformed Services
Last Updated
Apr 6, 2026
Release point: 119-73