New as of 3/16/2011 (please see attachment for further information)
Matt,
Attached is the policy on TDA (bullet 8. deals with promotion). Also,
attached is the Critical Wartime Shortage List.
The only specialties that the Guard does not have are: 60B (Nuclear Medicine
Officer), 60N (Anesthesiologist), 60U (Child Psychiatrist), 60W
(Psychiatrist), 61Q (Therapeutic Radiologist), 61R (Diagnostic Radiologist)
or 61U (Pathologist). If you go into one of the other specialties you will
be good to go in the guard and for a bonus/hplr, barring any major changes
in policy.
V/R,
CPT Fritz Roggow
NGB ASR Career Program Manager
(703) 868-1853
ALCON,
Recently, I received questions in regards to when the HPLR and Special Pay
are paid and how can they impact taxes. I know this won't effect most of you
for a while, but it's something to keep in mind as you look forward.
1. The HPLR is paid on the anniversary of you signing the HPLR agreement. For
example, if you sign the HPLR on 1JAN2010, then you would receive a payment
towards your loan on 1JAN2011. (*for the medical students* This is why, if
you take STRAP during residency it is important to sign the HPLR agreement at
the end of your second year. So, you will receive payment at the end of your
3rd year of residency.) The HPLR is not taxed, but will increase your taxable
income by $40K for MC/DC and $20K for SP.
2. Special Pay is paid shortly after signing the Special Pay agreement. For
example, if you sign the Special Pay agreement 1FEB2011, you should receive
payment by the end of the month, FEB2011. Unlike the HPLR, Special Pay is
taxed up front.
That being said, there is a danger of negatively impacting your tax liability
during the last year of payment from the HPLR. If you take your Special Pay
immediately following the last payment of the HPLR, it would increase your
taxable income by as much as $65K for MC/DC and $40K for SP. By the time you
are faced with this decision, your earning potential as a Licensed Health
Care Provider will be considerably greater then now. Ideally!
**Disclaimer: I am not a CPA and recommend working with a CPA to develop an
appropriate TAX strategy.**
Again, I know this not big concern for many of you at this point. I am sure
your focused on finishing school, but it is something to put in the back of
your mind as you plan out your career. Have a great Memorial Day Weekend!
V/R,
CPT Fritz Roggow
ASR Career Program Manager
(703) 868-1853
Follow up e-mail dated Jan 13, 2011
ALCON,
With many of you graduating this spring, I just wanted to remind you of some
of the incentive programs you will be eligible for. For Dentist and PA's,
you will be eligible for the HPLR and Special Pay as soon as you are
reappointed to your respective Corps and are brought off student status.
Doctors will have to wait until at least the end of your second year of
residence to receive the HPLR (only if you are receiving STRAP at the same
time) and cannot receive the Special Pay until residency is completed.
1. The HPLR is paid on the anniversary of you signing the HPLR agreement.
For example, if you sign the HPLR on 1JAN2011, then you would receive a
payment towards your loan on 1JAN2012. (*for the medical students* This is
why, if you take STRAP during residency it is important to sign the HPLR
agreement at the end of your second year. So, you will receive payment at
the end of your 3rd year of residency.) The HPLR is not taxed, but will
increase your taxable income by $40K for MC/DC and $20K for SP.
2. Special Pay is paid shortly after signing the Special Pay agreement. For
example, if you sign the Special Pay agreement 1FEB2011, you should receive
payment by the end of the month, FEB2011. Unlike the HPLR, Special Pay is
taxed.
3. STRAP is a stipend program only open for doctors in residency. The
stipend is about $2000.00 per month. NOTE* When receiving STRAP you have a
contractual obligation. This means for every 6 months you receive STRAP, you
owe the Army National Guard 1 year. Example: If you receive STRAP for 2
years, you owe Army National Guard 4 years of service. If you decide to take
HPLR and STRAP at the same time, you will receive both incentives at the
same time ;however, you don't start owing the Army National Guard that time
back until after you complete residency. To receive the Special Pay, you
must complete the STRAP contractual obligation first.
As always, if you have any questions. Please, contact either myself or your
state AMEDD Recruiter. The National Guard Bureau and your state are
completely invested in your success. Have a great day!
V/R,
CPT Fritz Roggow
NGB ASR Career Program Manager
(703) 868-1853