Eligibility Requirements
A commissioned officer on active duty as a result of a call or order to active duty for a period of at least 1 year:
- Who is an officer of the Regular Army, Regular Navy, or Regular Air Force, who is designated as an optometry officer.
- Who is an optometry officer of Regular or Reserve Corps of Public Health Service.
- Who is an optometry officer of a Reserve component of the Army, Navy, or Air Force.
An optometry officer on active duty less than 1 year, other than active duty for training, is eligible for special pay. This includes:
- Reservists called to active duty for more than 30 days but less than 1 year, other than active duty for training.
- Active duty officers involuntarily retained under 10 U.S.C. 12305
- Active duty officers who voluntarily agree to remain on active duty for less than 1 year when officers are involuntarily retained on active duty under 10 U.S.C. 12305
- Any retired optometry officer recalled to active duty for more than 30 days under 10 U.S.C. 688.
Retention Special Pay
An officer entitled to Regular Special Pay may be paid retention special pay of not more than $6,000 for any 12-month period during which the officer is not undergoing an internship or initial residency training.
An officer must execute a written agreement to remain on active duty for a period of not less than 1 year
The Secretary concerned may terminate at any time the eligibility to Retention special pays. If terminated, the officer shall receive special pay only for the part of the period of active duty served and may be required to refund any amount in excess of that time.