i am a new medical corp physician. i left my private practice (and my wife allowed me to take a significant paycut) to volunteer. i received a direct commission with no prior service obligation. although i asked many times, i never received a copy of my contract and took it on faith that there would be one at some point- even through nearly 5 months of delay and unemployment while my commission was being processed. now as i am getting lined up for special pays (i.e. medical specialty pay, variable special pay, etc.) it sounds as though they don't have a service agreement on my file with HRC. i have orders to work and have gotten base officer (O-3) pay for about a month, but i have never signed a service agreement. 

so, if i haven't signed the service agreement, am i obligated? i am concerned that this level of systemic problems would trickle down to affect my safety eventually. i have been told i will likely deploy since the docs are needed, and that is fine, but i am hesitant to do so since they haven't been able to get their act together enough to get me a contract in the 10 months since i volunteered (it took until last month just to get started working). i mean, when i went through the MEPs physical (twice) they had me down as an 18 year old marine in the database (took awhile to get that ironed out). can anyone tell me if i can either use this situation as leverage, or even walk away from it all at this point and resign my commission? i have a new child to consider, and frankly, if i have the option to go back to private practice i probably would- as much as i am disappointed in having to admit that.

thanks,

new doc

Doc,

Well, sorry this is the standard in the  Army.  I am also AMEDD and trying to finish of my IRR time.  My wife was just recalled for another tour to Iraq, she is also IRR.  What is happening to you is about what you can expect, it is a very strange system.  If you have signed paperwork you are committed and there is no way around it.  They have actually denied guys for trying to resign their commision after all obligation is paid back (8 years active and IRR) simply saying it is the needs of the Army.  I am not trying to be negative but it is the reality.  On the other hand you will meet some good people.

Good luck.

Sir~

 Call the office where your recruiter was, and ask to speak with the officer in charge of the office. Make sure you ask for a complete copy of all your documents especially your commissing packet. Speaking personally to your recruiter may cause him to be lazy, calling his boss will make sure it gets done.

Good Luck~

D