Incentive and Special Pay
SPECIAL PAY for PHARMACY OFFICERS
Types of Incentive and Special Pay:
Eligibility for a commissioned officer serving in a pay grade below 0-7 who fulfills the following:
- Is a pharmacy officer in the Medical Service Corps of the Army or
Navy, Biomedical Sciences Corps of the Air Force, or is designated as a pharmacy officer in the Regular or Reserve Corps of the Public Health Service, and
- Is on active duty under a call or order to active duty for a period of
not less than 1 year.
Pharmacy Officer Rates Payable
The annual rate as specified below, shall be paid in equal monthly installments.
Years of Creditable Service Annual Amount:
- $3,000 - Less than 3 years or if the officer is undergoing pharmacy internship training.
- $7,000 - At least 3 but less than 6 years and is not undergoing pharmacy internship training.
- $7,000 - At least 6 but less than 8 years.
- $12,000 - At least 8 but less than 12 years.
- $10,000 - At least 12 but less than 14 years.
- $9,000 - At least 14 but less than 18 years.
- $8,000 - 18 or more years.
Re-coupment for Pharmacy Officers
If an officer fails to become and remain certified or licensed as a pharmacist during the period of the contract, recoup an amount equal to the full amount of the payment. If an officer voluntarily terminates service on active duty before completing the period of the agreement, recoup the unearned accession bonus on a pro rated basis (based on 360 days per year). A discharge in bankruptcy under Title 11 United States Code (U.S.C.) that is entered less than 5 years after the termination of an accession bonus agreement does not discharge the officer from the debt arising under the terminated agreement.
Pharmacy Officer Bonus
The Secretary of the Military Department concerned may pay an accession bonus not to exceed $30,000.
In order to be eligible to receive a Pharmacy Officer Bonus you must:
- Be a graduate of an accredited school of pharmacy.
- Be qualified to hold an appointment as a commissioned officer.
- Execute a written agreement to accept a commission as an officer of the Medical Service Corps of the Army or Navy, Biomedical Science Corps of the Air Force, or a pharmacy officer of the Public Health Service Corps, and to serve on active duty for a period of not less than 4 years. An individual who holds an appointment as a pharmacy officer in either the active or Reserve component is not eligible for the accession bonus.
- A former pharmacy officer who no longer holds an appointment, and is otherwise eligible, must have been discharged from any Uniformed Service at least 2 years prior to execution of the written agreement to receive the accession bonus.
- Not have received financial assistance from the DoD or the Department of Health and Human Services to pursue a course of study in pharmacy in exchange for an agreement to accept an appointment as a pharmacy officer. This includes, but is not limited to, participants of the Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship Program and Financial Assistance Program.
- Be qualified to become and remain licensed or registered as a pharmacist, as determined by the Secretary of the Military Department concerned.
Pharmacy Officer Creditable Service
Creditable Service is defined as all periods of active service performed as a pharmacy officer in the Medical Service Corps of the Army or Navy, the Biomedical Sciences Corps of the Air Force, or the Regular or Reserve Corps of the Public Health Service.
