Getting Retirement Credit for HPSP in the Reserves
In the recently released Winter Medical Corps Newsletter, I noticed this paragraph in the “Readiness in the Reserves” article:
Shipmates,
I have just returned from PERS-9 (Reserves), reviewing important administrative processes. Here is the gouge…
HPSP Credit: Jeanitta Edwards verifies that the member was a HPSP participant and that the member is in a critical wartime skill (defined by DOD each year). Once she verifies this information, she sends it to another individual to load in the points for the year as credit towards retirement. The instruction requires a full year of service to receive credit for 1 year and caps the credit at 4 years. Unfortunately, because many medical schools start in July and graduate in May, the 4th year does not qualify. Some may have earned other points that year which can carry over for credit towards a good year. The 15 gratuity points are allocated on a pro rata basis so you will only get half those points for a half a year of participation. We will post the guiding documents to the Medical Corps Homepage. Please note that the actual HPSP policy is currently being rewritten.
A reader asked, “What are the official critical wartime specialties?”
Here is the portion of the document that lists them:
So what do those mysterious codes mean? They are defined in the Promo Prep, but since I’m such a nice guy here is the translation. The CWS include:
- General Surgery (15C)
- Neurosurgery (15D)
- Orthopedics (15H)
- Radiology (16Y)
- Anesthesia (15B)
- Internal Medicine Subspecialties (16R1)
- Emergency Medicine (16P)
- Flight Surgery (15A)
- OB/GYN (15E)
- GMO (15F)
- Family Medicine (16Q)
- General Internal Medicine (16R)
- UMO (16U)
- Psychiatry (16X)
Update just prior to publication – My wife (a Reservist) was sent this chart in the Health Professions Officer Special and Incentive Pay Plan, and the specialties under “USNR” match the list above:
If you are in one of these specialties, you can get retirement credit for your time in HPSP (or at least 3 years of the 4). In addition to the info above, here is what else I could find about this program:
Army Policy – Guidance on Reserve Service Credit for Participation in DOD HPSP and FAP
Recruiting and Retention Incentives for Reserve Component Health Professions Officers
Joel Schofer's Career Planning Blog 
March 10, 2018 at 00:53
There are multiple USUHS students that have been trying to get the same clarification for our medical school time and whether our active duty ENS time would count as “good years” in the reserves. We do ODS for 6 weeks before typically starting school (June) and graduate in May.
Would USUHS time count towards a reserve retirement (20 years total service) or would it get added on to retirement pay on the tail end (20 years from USUHS graduation plus an extra 4 years of credit added later = 24 years total service) just like an active duty retirement ?
Have tried asking multiple sources and get conflicting answers.
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March 10, 2018 at 07:03
I think USUHS time only counts on the back end, but I could be wrong. The USUHS policy I’m aware of is here: https://mccareer.files.wordpress.com/2015/06/usuhs-retirement-credit.pdf
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March 10, 2018 at 08:12
Sir, I have also gotten conflicting answers from various sources. However, looking at what you have posted here, I am starting to feel convinced that we may actually get credit for USUHS years up front. Here is my reasoning:
The USUHS memo states “such service must be credited under any provision of law based on active service unless such service is explicitly excluded. In this regard, 10 U.S.C. 2114(b) provides that the exclusions of 10 U.S.C. 2126 applicable to students in the Health Professions Scholarship Program are also applicable to USUHS medical students.”
Under 10 U.S.C 2126 is where the “SERVICE CREDITABLE FOR CERTAIN PURPOSES” including the clause about critical wartime specialties is listed. I’d love to hear your thoughts!
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March 11, 2018 at 08:38
An e-mail from the Reserve Liaison at BUMED was forwarded to me. Here is what it said about the various scenarios for RESERVISTS (not Active Duty) with some minor edits by me:
– If member went to USUHS, that time counts as active service on the front end of retirement.
– If member did HPSP, then fills a Critical Wartime Specialty (CWS) billet, member gets 50 points per year, and gets sat years toward retirement on front end of retirement.
– If member did HPSP, then is not in a CWS billet, member gets the 4 years’ worth of points on back end of retirement, after finishing 20 qualifying years of service.
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March 10, 2018 at 05:15
Hi Joel,
If we completed HPSP and retire at 20 years active duty, do we get any credit for our medical school years?
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March 10, 2018 at 07:01
To my knowledge, no.
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March 26, 2018 at 17:28
Like many HPSP students I completed 180 days (1/2 YEAR) of activated, on orders, active duty time during my four years of medical school while in the inactive reserves. Many drilling reservists over the years have encouraged me to pursue tacking at least that portion on to my total active duty time [as if it was simply up to me]. I have heard that there are regulations to cite that can get these months on active duty tacked on. While 6 months may seem trivial 1.25% of base pay for life seems worth going to bat for (for example going from 23.5 years to 24).
Any regulations supporting or refuting this point of view would be most welcome.
V/R
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March 26, 2018 at 18:12
I’m not sure that time we spent in the summers was truly active duty time. It seems it was at least reserve time, but the reserves are different. Reserve time generates points and you have to have enough points to have a “good year.” I’ve never seen anything that says you can reclaim that time, but maybe someone out there knows something I don’t know. I’ll ask the Corps Chief’s office as well and see if anyone knows anything.
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March 10, 2018 at 07:21
To clarify, the CWS HPSP credit gets front loaded, so you get to 20 with 16. Everyone gets the HPSP credited at 20, so you go from 20-24. If you’re active duty and stay on then I think it would affect your retirement bc your last 3 years of base pay would be higher bc you would be in the 24 yrs service column and base pay would be marginally more.
Thanks for great blog!
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March 10, 2018 at 07:23
I agree that the CWS HPSP credit gets front loaded, but I don’t think Active Duty get credit for HPSP at the end. I could be wrong, though. If that is true, I’d need to see the policy.
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March 10, 2018 at 07:46
Thanks joel. I believe I have it. I’ll track it down and send to you.
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March 12, 2018 at 12:26
Joel, thank you so much for taking the time to answer these questions. I served for 13 “creditable years” and went to USUHS (for a total of 17 years time). I left as a CDR. I am thinking about rejoining the reserves, but wondered how many years will count as good years towards retirement. Is it 13? or 17? thank you so much – this is such a critical piece of information for me. Best, Rupa
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March 12, 2018 at 20:11
I think you’d start at 17 years but I’d STRONGLY encourage you to double check that with the recruiter(s) when you are making your decision. I’d also make sure you get it in writing!
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March 12, 2018 at 20:14
Thank you joel! Also that email from
The reserve BUMED liaison …do they reference any instruction at all? You are so kind!!! Thank you!!!
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March 12, 2018 at 20:18
All the instructions/references are in the original post. I even updated it to include the Army policy that another reader found and sent to me.
Good luck!
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March 12, 2018 at 20:25
I wonder if that only points to retirement PAY rather than years creditable towards retirement …yes?
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March 12, 2018 at 20:29
I think the policies are talking about creditable years, but, again, the devil is in the details and I’d work it out with the recruiters (in writing) if it was me.
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March 12, 2018 at 20:37
Thank you!!
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January 2, 2022 at 08:57
Would you start collecting that retirement at 60 or earlier since some was deployed time if under the traditional retirement plan?
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January 2, 2022 at 13:24
Reserve retirements start at 60 minus deployed/activated time, but I don’t know off hand the details of what officially counts toward starting your retirement pension early.
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October 15, 2018 at 08:59
Assuming an HPSP student completed internship and then a 4 year GMO tour and separated, would they be immediately credited “good years” for their HPSP time or do they have to enter SELRES for the remainder of their obligation on their contract in order to be credited?
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October 15, 2018 at 18:57
I suspect you’d have to enter SELRES, but don’t know for sure. If the policy doesn’t answer your question, you can e-mail the BUMED Reserve Affairs Officer and get an answer (CAPT Jerry L. Dotson).
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October 16, 2018 at 07:34
You’d have to be SELRES as a CWS (Critical Wartime Specialty) to get the time credited up front. Otherwise non CWS SELRES get it added after their 20 (at 20 years they quantum leap to 24 years of srevice)
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November 6, 2018 at 11:42
I am a USUHS graduate (2000-2004) who then served 14 years active duty. I am getting out next year because the threat of a a third deployment is too much for me and my kids. I am in a critical war time specialty. Previous posts on the site lead me to believe that if I join the reserves, they will consider this 19 years of service by time I get out (summer, next year). However, someone at the reserve recruiting office just told me because I was USUHS and NOT HPSP, this will be considered 15 years and will only get added on the “back end.” I really want to believe USUHS will count on the “front end” so I only have one year to do Reserve and can get some sort of retired status without deploying again. Is it your understanding of the rules that I can get retirement in 2020 after a year in the reserves? Any other USUHS grads tried this? Thank you so much for your website!
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November 6, 2018 at 18:26
I think USUHS counts on the back end only, but I could be wrong. I’d ask CAPT Jerry Dotson, the BUMED Reserve Affairs Officer. He will know. His contact info is in the global.
The other people who I think would know is PERS-912 (Reserve Retirements – https://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/career/reservepersonnelmgmt/ReserveRetirements/Pages/default.aspx). You can reach them at 1-833-330-6622.
Also, I’m pretty sure there is a policy about this on the Medical Corps sharepoint site (https://esportal.med.navy.mil/bumed/m00/m00c/M00C1/). You need to log on from a CAC enabled computer and pick your e-mail certificate.
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April 24, 2020 at 10:13
Joel,
Thank you for your deligence in researching this. The issue really is that this Dod instruction was written for the purpose of recruiting HPSP physician’s back in SELRES status for support of the operation GWOT. The instruction clearly states a year of credit towards retirement for each year of HPSP credit. Our sister services automatically credit the appropriate time for participation. Why and who authorized the Navy to interpret the instruction differently than the Army and Air Force? Furthermore, a physician is not told up front they will not be credited for their final year of credit until they have actually contracted and returned to SELRES status. I’m not an attorney but I believe the manner in how the Navy is manipulating this to squeeze an extra year of service out of physicians is in violation of EEO federal policy. No individual physician could ever afford to challenge the Navy legally, but as a career Naval Officer, I can assure you that at a minimum, this is not of the moral character the US Navy holds each service member accountable for.
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April 24, 2020 at 10:22
This post is old, but I’m not sure what you are referring to when you say that the Navy is interpreting it differently. My wife did this and got 4 years of credit for all 4 years of HPSP time.
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April 24, 2020 at 10:24
This needs to change to include USU students – it’s an insult and a travesty that it doesn’t
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May 22, 2020 at 16:55
Joel, the instruction states year for you participation in the HPSP program. I does not state anything about calculating days of your fourth year in medical school. The Army and the Air Force take the instruction for face value and give credit to physicians based on the years of HPSP participation. It is only the Navy that does this on the final year, leaving out many physicians without credit for their fourth year of school. Who authorized the Navy to administer the program outside of the Dod instruction is my question and what explanation does the Navy have for doing so?
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May 23, 2020 at 08:25
I can’t answer your question as I have no personal experience with it and it is a Reserve policy. My wife didn’t get nickle/dimed for 4th year when she did this.
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June 17, 2020 at 08:16
on the HRC website posted May 14, 2020 under HPSP FAQs:
Do my HPSP years automatically update once I join the Army Reserve?
No, after completion of your first qualifying retirement year in the Army Reserve, the Soldier must notify HRC via usarmy.knox.hrc.mbx.opmd-hs-psb@mail.mil . For every subsequent following qualifying reserve retirement year (up to four years maximum) each HPSP year will flip to a qualifying year. This is not an automatic update and is dependent upon the Soldier notifying HRC upon the completion of each good year.
How do I earn credit for HPSP service?
Upon completion of the ADSO (active Duty Service Obligation) and when a Soldier transfers to the Army Reserve, he or she will be credited 50 points for each year of HPSP for each qualifying reserve retirement year completed. This will occur on a first in first out basis and not exceed four years. For example, you performed HPSP 1990-1994. You complete your ADSO and transfer to the reserves in 2014. Your first qualifying year in the reserves for retirement is in 2015. The first year of HPSP (1990-1991) will be credited 50 points and flip to a qualifying retirement year. Assuming a total of 4 qualifying years for reserve retirement are completed, the respective HPSP years will flip in order, over the course of 4 years, not to exceed 4. Again as stated above, this is dependent upon the Soldier notifying HRC at usarmy.knox.hrc.mbx.opmd-hs-psb@mail.mil when they complete a good retirement year.
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January 28, 2021 at 16:20
So most of the discussion previously focused on HPSP. I was a FAP and the policy guidance includes FAP in addition to the HPSP. As a CWS, does this hold true that one would get “20 for 16” after fulfilling active duty obligation and then required reserve years? Thank you in advance as this is extremely helpful in career planning.
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January 28, 2021 at 17:28
It is really impossible to say, and I know that is probably a frustrating answer but it is honest. I know of multiple people who got this credit with HPSP. I also know of people who didn’t. I don’t know anyone either way regarding FAP. If you e-mail me at work (joel.m.schofer.mil@mail.mil) I can link you with the Reserve Affairs Officer and she might be able to give you a better answer.
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March 9, 2021 at 23:45
Joel, did HPSP in 2006-2010, completed active duty as a flight surgeon and then joined TMS in 2015-2020 for General Surgery, now repaying my reserve time currently. Should I have 4 years of HPSP time now that I started my reserve time in critical wartime specialty credited to me as “good years”? I don’t see it listed in ASOSH that I have credit if so. Who would you recommend I contact to get this rectified? Thank you!
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March 10, 2021 at 08:40
You have to apply/ask for the credit. The POC was Ms. Edwards (jeanitta.edwards@navy.mil).
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March 19, 2021 at 22:59
Hi, Thanks for all the info. Very helpful. I was HPSP (87-91). Was in a CWS ( OB/GYN) until I left active duty 14+ years. Joined the AFR in 12/2019 and looks like I have not gotten credit for the HPSP time. Per comments above, once I completed a full year reserve I would get one year of HPSP credit, yes? This did not happen. Do you happen to know who I would contact for the Air Force
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March 20, 2021 at 08:23
No clue. Sorry.
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May 3, 2021 at 12:00
Hi there! I just completed my first year of Reserves as a Flight Surgeon and reached out to Ms. Edwards to try to get credit for my HPSP time. She just informed me that the HPSP policy is under review and that according to new instruction HPSP credit can not be used toward retirement. She states that she does not know how long this review will take but that HPSP credit is currently not being awarded. Sir, have you (or anyone else) heard of this?
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May 3, 2021 at 16:11
This doesn’t surprise me as this policy has been on the verge of being rescinded or modified for years now.
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May 23, 2021 at 16:10
Jeanitta Edwards just told me the same thing. I transferred to the SELRES with the promise that my 3 year SELRES contract would be matched by 3 years HPSP. They are now changing the rules AFTER agreements were made. Is there anybody else in our situation ? I really need help on this because I was going to retire next year. Who else is being affected by this ? Ideas would be greatly appreciated.
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May 23, 2021 at 16:19
Huy Tran, send me a PM so we can find out how many of us are being refused points after signing up for the SELRES – Clocktower6@gmail.com
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May 3, 2021 at 16:35
That’s interesting and certainly their prerogative as it was always a SELRES recruiting carrot. With lot of CWS manning vacancies, it makes you wonder why now, ??
I would be rather upset if they retroactively took my 4 years away, however. Was a great deal while it lasted.
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May 23, 2021 at 16:15
I agree that they are free to alter policy. However, it is probably illegal and is certainly unethical to unilaterally alter an agreement AFTER officers sign a contract.
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June 2, 2022 at 15:12
For those of you who thought you had years credited for the CWS reserve 2 for 1 thing (which was in writing), you may want to check your ASOSH on BOL. They just retroactively took 5 years away from me. I’m a CWS reservist and am flabbergasted at what is either dishonesty or incompetence. Neither is a good look.
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June 1, 2021 at 08:33
I received a letter concerning this very topic many years ago. I cannot find it. It is probably Stateside in a filing cabinet, as I currently live in Kenya working at a mission hospital. However, when I retired in 2012, the status was that since I had served 20+ years AD & RES beyond medical school, that the 3 years of the HPSP Term jumped me to 24+ years towards retirement. I start Retirement Pay late this year. I just had BUPERS verbally give me my ASOSH and it lacked those years of my HPSP towards retirement. They were to review this ASOSH and send to me my latest. I will be on the phone to Millington today bright and early.
Does anyone have that letter?
Thank you,
CAPT M
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July 8, 2021 at 19:20
For those still following this thread. Ms. Edwards sent me this document which apparently is what legal is basing not giving HPSP credit. 10 USC 2126. If you google that you can read it. It is challenging to understand in my opinion. Let me know what others think. I feel as though we meet the requirements of subsection (b) and should get credit but perhaps I am reading it incorrectly.
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July 8, 2021 at 20:26
At the end of the day I joined the SELRES based upon how the policy was implemented at the time I signed my contract (before 31JUL2019). The Navy promised to match year for year. Now the Navy is refusing to honor that commitment. I am filing a case with the IG and BCNR. After a few months I will also request the help from my senator. It would be easier if we worked together. Feel free to email me. Clocktower6@gmail.com
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September 7, 2021 at 12:46
I am in the same position. Would not have signed up for SELRES without this benefit. 10 USC 2126 seems pretty clear so not sure what the issue is.
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September 7, 2021 at 15:00
Mike,
As I read it, 10USC2126 is only clear in its REJECTION of ‘front end credit’…. We are bound by DOD policy which promises front end credit…. in other words, it seems clear to me that the Navy was promising something that was illegal and is now asking you to pay for their mistake. It is not reasonable to expect us to be Lawyers… THAT is the entire point of having a policy instruction ! Ultimately, what the Navy is saying is that YOU are personally held accountable for the legality of any, and all, Navy instructions (not the Navy) and YOU enter into contracts with the Navy at your own personal risk…
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September 7, 2021 at 15:16
I may have over stated my confidence in USC 10s “rejection of front in credit” but I have read it all many times and have (occasionally) been able to agree with them…. YOUR argument, along with everybody else’s is based on the phrase “Except as provided in subsection b”….. However, my ultimately point is: 1) IT SHOULDNT MATTER. If it is illegal then it is also illegal to NOT honor the agreement. And 2) it sets a dangerous precedent where service member become liable for the legality of DOD Policy…
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September 18, 2021 at 09:16
Keith, totally agree with you. Did you file a case with IG/BCNR? Considering doing the same.
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September 18, 2021 at 11:23
Yes, but what difference does it make if it takes longer to process the BCNR case than the time they intend to force upon you anyway ?
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January 17, 2022 at 11:02
Team, is there any update on this or the HPSP policy renewal? I have 4 years at a service academy and 4 years HPSP and 10 years AD. I plan to stay in but it seems impossible to get a straight answer in writing from anyone regarding applying:
1. Service Academy time to GS-FERS AD years buyback program (26 for 30)
2. HPSP time towards Guard/Reserve retirement (“16 for 20”)
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January 17, 2022 at 17:22
I’d just contact CAPT Marley, Reserve Affairs Officer, as she’d know the latest.
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January 30, 2022 at 22:22
This is what is on mynavyhr.navy.mil website. It appears in their example below, it means you won’t get 4 years of front end, but more like 4 years of back end credit for HPSP (like service schools/USU). Basically 12 years Active + 8 required years SELRES (and bonus 4 HPSP) = 20 + 4 = 24 years.
https://www.mynavyhr.navy.mil/Career-Management/Transition/Reserve-Affiliation-Benefits/
Reserve Retirement
Most service members leaving AD have already earned a substantial number of points towards Reserve retirement. The CTO will help you transition to the SELRES the day after you separate from AD so you do not miss any opportunities to begin earning retirement points immediately. More points = more $$.
Doctors who participated in the Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP) and drill in a critically undermanned subspecialty, can earn 1 year toward retirement for each year of drill, up to a maximum of 4 years. DoDI 1215.07.
HPSP retirement example*: A CDR, who serves in a DoD Critical Wartime Specialty, participated in the HPSP program for 4 years and separates with 12 years of AD service. For each year the officer completes a satisfactory year towards Reserve retirement, the officer can convert 1 year of time served in HPSP to a qualifying year towards Reserve retirement. That CDR would need to serve in the SELRES for 8 years to reach retirement eligibility and if retires at that time would be credited with 24 years (to include HPSP time).
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January 31, 2022 at 10:14
Please note that the reference Philip Yam is citing above was, just recently, altered (After I filed an IG and BCNR case). Contracts signed PRIOR to changing such references may still be eligible for FRONT side retirement credit. You may have to file your own BCNR and IG cases.
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April 11, 2022 at 14:44
Any progress on your case? I’m in a similar situation to many. I already had four years credited under this program, and had expected to retire about four years from now. This latest chapter is making me weigh my options.
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April 12, 2022 at 22:27
Paul,
After BCNR, IG, and prep for congressional, they gave me all 4 years on the FRONT end (assuming they don’t try to steal it back again). The ORIGINAL recruiting advertisement that Philip Yam mentioned above was, my case. It became very difficult for them to claim that they “never made such a promise” when they posted it on their own website as a recruiting tool. They changed it when I filed my case but I already had screenshots as evidence. They even tried to claim that “our recruiting websites are not authoritative sources”. How sleazy is that? I spent weeks studying the issue, working with lawyers and assembling the case. It was a fight that should never have happened. I still comment on this post because I am so disappointed in their dishonesty. This was a group of people who screwed up, then tried to pass the buck. Such behavior is a disgrace to our Navy.
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December 6, 2022 at 11:05
Monty Bell & Paul,
Can you guys please contact me soon?
CAPT Cox
210.386.8224
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March 2, 2022 at 00:51
To those following this thread. Just received a new email on the matter from CAPT Marley. I am in no way upset with our medical team that have been battling on our behalf for the HPSP credit. Per the newest update on this, PERS is only giving credit for HPSP AFTER 20 years of service. So seems to me the 20 for 16 has now turned into 24 for 20. Honestly, the part that disappoints me is that Army is still giving their folks the 20 for 16 deal (though, I shouldn’t say “deal” when it was a SECDEF memorandum). I appreciate the work and CAPTs Marley and Barker. Deeply disappointed with PERS and the fact that Big Navy decided to rescind on a prior commitment and treat us differently than our sister services do. I’d consider the BCNR and IG like Keith, but they also noted that they essentially fast tracked things for those that were with 18 months of anticipated retirement, so again looks like some were given 20 for 16 but only if you were so close.
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March 3, 2022 at 17:43
I echo Aaron’s statements regarding the sincere work put forth on our behalf by CAPTs Marley, Cox and Barker. I would also point out that the attempt to stave off BCNR cases may be in error as only the SECNAV has such authority. (Please correct me if I am wrong about this). Any medical officer who is being denied what was promised, or who feels that they are being denied due process, should still consider exercising their rights via BCNR, IG and congressional. At the end of the day, we can’t allow our beloved Navy to victimize it’s officers in such a manner. It is unethical and not in keeping with our standards.
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June 9, 2022 at 14:44
Please email me keith, I am 19 months out(with HPSP counted, only got 3 of the 4 but that’s a whole different fight) and am about to be screwed it sounds like. Would like to know what documentation you used for your IG/BCNR. hokamania2011 at gmail
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April 11, 2022 at 14:47
So what’s the point of that? Other than obtaining the 20 good years to qualify, additional good years don’t impact reserve retirement. Maybe the few extra points they add to each year to make the HPSP years worth 50 points.
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March 3, 2022 at 14:28
Here’s an update on this snafu for those of you following along at home.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1lmdNTeX8rD3zSinP-StS_Nfk6BFBJ-zC9fLXGFSVDBM/edit?usp=sharing
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May 17, 2022 at 09:22
Has anyone figured out if the USUHS time counts like the HPSP described throughout this thread and memo? I am getting out soon and want to know. It will make or break my decision to separate completely or transfer to reserves to finish out 20 years.
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May 17, 2022 at 11:58
You have to get to 20 years, then you get 4 years of credit for USUHS. You can’t add 4 to 16 to get to 20. Has to happen on the back end.
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June 10, 2022 at 00:25
Most recent SELRES email update I have been given states that the current Navy position is that HPSP year DO NOT count toward retirement. However, the email states that this is discordant to what the USA and USAF are doing, which has created a DOD-wide review that will force the Army and Air Force to change their practice, or reveal that the Navy position needs to change to mirror the other. I assume this will take some time. May the odds be ever in your favor.
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June 11, 2022 at 15:11
Aaron, Please clarify this comment. Are you stating that the HPSP years will never be counted for Retirement; or, are you saying that your HPSP time will not be counted until you put in your 20 years of service?
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June 11, 2022 at 20:47
Current Navy position is that HPSP does not count until you hit 20 years, so if you did 4 years HPSP then 20= 24. The other services are still giving HPSP credit such that 16 + 4 HPSP = 20. Because of the DoD discrepancy either Navy needs to change to match USA and USAF or the other services need to change to match Navy.
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June 27, 2022 at 12:58
Has anyone switched or considered switching from Navy to Army or Air Force Reserves (or National Guard)? Preferably I still would choose Navy because that’s my home and don’t want my army friends to make fun of me, but just wondering if anyone’s looked into that or actually did it for the 4 good years from HPSP to get to 20. Thank you all for your comments BTW.
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June 28, 2022 at 11:17
Yes, meeting with an AEMDD recruiter tomorrow. I have a feeling Navy medicine and Dentistry is about lose a whole lot of talent in the 8-16 year range.
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June 11, 2022 at 19:49
this whole sordid thing is the sort of issue and confusion and malfeasance I would expect from a banana republic, not the US Navy. It’s embarrassing.
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June 13, 2022 at 08:28
Capt Schofer, can you tell us what the Chief of the Medical Corps (or you as Deputy Chief) are doing in terms of advocacy for this issue?
Also, did your wife get her 4 HPSP years taken away? You wrote back in April of 2020 that she had them credited.
Thank you Sir for the blog
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June 13, 2022 at 10:37
I left BUMED in FEB 2022, so I’m no longer the Deputy Corps Chief. While I was there, the Reserve Affairs Officer (CAPT Mary Marley) and Reserve Corps Chief (RDML Miller) were handling it primarily since it was purely a Reserve issue. As for my wife, she was retired already and did not have her 4 years pulled back.
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June 13, 2022 at 13:25
Who has a screenshot or copy of the reserve Affiliation benefits listing the HPSP credit prior to the Navy changing it on the website a few months back? please share with the group
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August 7, 2022 at 08:26
BJ,
I have a screenshot of that advertisement from My Navy HR website. In their example, after serving 12yrs active duty, one would only have to complete 4yrs in the reserves in a CWS to reach retirement eligibility. How can I send it to you?
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August 7, 2022 at 11:18
BJ,
I downloaded the My Navy HR website from last year when it advertised giving CWS reservists good years for HPSP on the front end. I also have a screenshot. In their example, after serving 12yrs active duty, one must only serve 4yrs in the reserves in a CWS to meet retirement eligibility. Let me know how I can get it to you.
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August 7, 2022 at 11:23
Please send to hokamania2011 @ gmail
Thank you!!! Building my case for my congressman
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September 19, 2022 at 20:31
Make any progress with your congressman?
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September 20, 2022 at 19:41
They want a list of others affected. Does anyone have a list of those of us who have been affected? They also want to know of other congressional offices who are involved so they can present a strong and united effort.
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December 11, 2022 at 03:21
If you’re affected by this issue and haven’t seen the White Paper, it’s worth a close read.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xm1pqkcPZNz2-NdtR1-pnHGUPn6Y7vFg/view?usp=sharing
If you’re getting your congressman or senator involved, contact me and I’ll share a list of other congressional offices already involved so they can all communicate and collaborate.
dave
ohsudethATgmail.com
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November 23, 2022 at 17:02
Please, can anyone who has forwarded this issue to their Congressman or Senator please list which offices are involved here or email me at drefer@gmail.com ? I’m submitting to my Senator’s office and would like them to be able to collaborate with other staffers already working the issue. Thank you!
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September 27, 2022 at 19:11
@Cabildo. Talk to the RAO, I’m sure those that have sent the white paper forward can quantify the impact
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October 24, 2022 at 22:15
Was on a call this weekend with RADM Miller. Was able to ask about this. The latest push with the white paper has not changed the policy with PERS. RADM Miller says she’s not done, plans on continuing to address when she rolls into her new job at BUMED.
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November 5, 2022 at 10:25
@Cabildo. I have been affected by this as well. Made my decision to leave AD and transfer to SELRES in 2020 with the promise of receiving service credit for HPSP and being able to reach retirement eligibility in 4 years. I would like to have my name added to the list as well
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December 6, 2022 at 10:57
HPSP who have received the credit.
Please correspond with me in pvt sepcor.
coxjam@earthlink.net
210 386-8224
CAPT Cox
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December 6, 2022 at 10:57
HPSP who have received the credit.
Please correspond with me in pvt sepcor.
coxjam@earthlink.net
210 386-8224
CAPT Cox
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December 12, 2022 at 16:48
They took my points away so I filed a BCNR and IG. I was prepping a Congressional when the BCNR and IG notified me that PERS had reinstated all 4 years of HPSP. They asked me to drop the case since PERS returned the credit. I dropped the case and I got my LOE and Retirement orders. I retired October 1st.. Now that I dropped the case we will see if they try to take my points away again….. This whole fiasco is a disgrace to the Navy….
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January 17, 2023 at 20:27
RDML Malone was asking for those who received credit as a potential springboard or means of getting this credit legitimized. Keith did you get your 4 years of credit for HPSP toward retirement?
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January 18, 2023 at 11:05
Does RDML Malone need a list of contacts that have received credit? I have a few other reserve forums I can use to get a longer list of those that have received credit if it will help our cause.
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March 2, 2023 at 23:51
Keith please share the steps that you went through so we can copy and do the same thing to get our credit.
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March 3, 2023 at 21:04
Feel free to give me a call anytime. I will help however I can.
(850) 776-six83six
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April 28, 2023 at 16:16
looks like the army is doing something similar to its pilots.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/army-aviators-ready-leave-military-230303146.html
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May 7, 2023 at 09:24
Recent article on nbcnews
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/navy-doctors-dentists-are-told-owe-3-years-service-military-admits-ano-rcna82508
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May 8, 2023 at 17:02
Wonder if it moves the needle.
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May 9, 2023 at 20:22
From Navy Times
That issue stemmed from NSIPS incorrectly tabulating the four years of military-provided medical school in those officers’ time in service.
As a result of that “data migration error,” the other 65 medical officers saw their retirements
pushed back several years because the four years of medical school does not count toward the 20 years required for retirement, even though those officers will be credited with 24 years in service when they get out, according to Chernitzer.
-strange, that is not how I remember it happening.
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July 13, 2023 at 20:24
I will definitely bring this up to my congressman:
DoD Financial Management Regulation 7000.14-R Volume 7B Chapter 1 (December 2022)
3.8 Service Creditable for Age and Service Retirement – Non-Regular Member (Table 1-4)
3.8.1. A member or former member of the Reserve Component of an Armed Force, including the National Guard is entitled to retired pay computed under 10 U.S.C. § 12739 (See Chapter 3, Table 3-1, Rule 13) for non-Regular service upon application if he or she:
3.8.1.2. Has performed at least 20 years of service (subject to subparagraph 3.8.5), as set forth in subparagraph 3.8.2;
3.8.2. Creditable service to meet the 20 year requirement includes:
3.8.2.3. Each 1-year period after July 1, 1949, in which the member earned at least 50 points as calculated under 10 U.S.C. § 12732(a)(2).
10 U.S. Code § 12732 – Entitlement to retired pay: computation of years of service
(a)Except as provided in subsection (b), for the purpose of determining whether a person is entitled to retired pay under section 12731 of this title, the person’s years of service are computed by adding the following:
(2)Each one-year period, after July 1, 1949, in which the person has been credited with at least 50 points on the following basis:
(D)Points credited for the year under section 2126(b) of this title
10 U.S. Code § 2126 – Members of the program: service credit
(b)Service Creditable for Certain Purposes.—
(1)The Secretary concerned may authorize service performed by a member of the program in pursuit of a course of study under this subchapter to be counted in accordance with this subsection if the member—
(A) completes the course of study;
(B) completes the active duty obligation imposed under section 2123(a) of this title; and
(C) possesses a specialty designated by the Secretary concerned as critically needed in wartime.
(2) Service credited under paragraph (1) counts only for the award of retirement points for computation of years of service under section 12732 of this title and for computation of retired pay under section 12733 of this title.
How does this leave any room for interpretation? If they are interpreting this to mean points are credited until after 20 years I’m really concerned about how they interpret regulations and laws that aren’t written so plainly…
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July 13, 2023 at 21:43
I’m sure you’re right, but I’m convinced more and more that the DoD just bends whatever laws and regulations they want to fit their plan. The DHA has completely destroyed mil medicine and there are residencies that are going to be in danger of losing accreditation and there’s no real oversight of the PAs the DoD keeps pushing out. They can’t figure out why they have a retention problem, but they pull all of this garbage constantly.
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October 25, 2023 at 10:37
Any updates? Last I heard, the decision was on the desk of the Secretary of the Navy.
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