§302c–1 Special Pay: Accession and Retention Bonuses for Psychologists

Summary

Pays cash bonuses to psychologists who either join the military and agree to serve at least four consecutive years, or to serving military psychologists who sign up to remain on active duty for up to four more years. To get an accession bonus a person must have graduated from an accredited psychology school and hold a valid State license to practice as a doctoral‑level psychologist. To get a retention bonus an officer must be a military psychologist below pay grade O‑7, have at least eight years of creditable service (or have finished any required active‑duty service for psychology education/training), have completed (or will complete by September 30 of that fiscal year) initial residency training, and hold a valid State license to practice as a doctoral‑level psychologist. Both bonuses require a written agreement accepted by the Secretary and assignment to work as a psychologist consistent with service needs. The accession bonus cannot exceed $400,000. The retention bonus cannot exceed $25,000 for each year of the agreement. A person is not eligible for an accession bonus if they received Department of Defense financial help for psychology study in exchange for agreeing to accept an officer appointment, or if the Secretary finds they are not qualified to become and remain certified as a psychologist. If someone fails to meet the agreement (for example, is not commissioned, not licensed, or does not complete the obligated service), they must repay the bonus under the repayment rules in section 303a(e). No new agreements could be made after December 31, 2018.