---
kind: "section"
citation: "37 U.S.C. § 301e"
title: "37"
title_heading: "Pay and Allowances of the Uniformed Services"
number: "301e"
heading: "Multiyear retention bonus: dental officers of the armed forces"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/37/301e"
units:
  - "Chapter 5 — Special and Incentive Pays"
  - "Subchapter I — Existing Special Pay, Incentive Pay, and Bonus Authorities"
---

# §301e. Multiyear retention bonus: dental officers of the armed forces

- (a) **Bonus Authorized.—**
  - (1) A dental [officer](/usc/37/101.md?p=11) described in [subsection (b)](#b) who executes a written agreement to remain on [active duty](/usc/37/101.md?p=18) for two, three, or four years after completion of any other active-duty service commitment may, upon acceptance of the written agreement by the Secretary of the military department concerned, be paid a retention bonus as provided in this section.
  - (2) The amount of a retention bonus under [paragraph (1)](#a-1) may not exceed $50,000 for each year covered by a four-year agreement. The maximum yearly retention bonus for two-year and three-year agreements shall be reduced to reflect the shorter service commitment.
- (b) **Officers Automatically Eligible.—** [Subsection (a)](#a) applies to an [officer](/usc/37/101.md?p=11) of the [armed forces](/usc/37/101.md?p=4) who—
  - (1) is an [officer](/usc/37/101.md?p=11) of the Dental Corps of the Army or the Navy or an [officer](/usc/37/101.md?p=11) of the Air Force designated as a dental [officer](/usc/37/101.md?p=11);
  - (2) has a dental specialty in oral and maxillofacial surgery;
  - (3) is in a [pay](/usc/37/101.md?p=21) [grade](/usc/37/101.md?p=15) below [pay](/usc/37/101.md?p=21) [grade](/usc/37/101.md?p=15) O–7;
  - (4) has at least eight years of creditable service (computed as described in [section 302b(g)](/usc/37/302b.md?p=g)[^1] of this title) or has completed any active-duty service commitment incurred for dental education and training; and
  - (5) has completed initial residency training (or will complete such training before September 30 of the fiscal year in which the [officer](/usc/37/101.md?p=11) enters into an agreement under [subsection (a)](#a)).
- (c) **Extension of Bonus to Other Dental Officers.—** At the discretion of the Secretary of the military department concerned, the Secretary may enter into a written agreement described in [subsection (a)(1)](#a-1) with a dental [officer](/usc/37/101.md?p=11) who does not have the dental specialty specified in [subsection (b)(2)](#b-2), and [pay](/usc/37/101.md?p=21) a retention bonus to such an [officer](/usc/37/101.md?p=11) as provided in this section, if the [officer](/usc/37/101.md?p=11) otherwise satisfies the eligibility requirements specified in [subsection (b)](#b). The Secretaries shall exercise the authority provided in this section in a manner consistent with regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense.
- (d) **Repayment.—** An [officer](/usc/37/101.md?p=11) who does not complete the period of [active duty](/usc/37/101.md?p=18) specified in the agreement entered into under [subsection (a)](#a) shall be subject to the repayment provisions of [section 303a(e) of this title](/usc/37/303a.md?p=e).

## Footnotes

[^1]: See References in Text note below.

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 105–85, div. A, title VI, § 617(a), Nov. 18, 1997, 111 Stat. 1788; amended Pub. L. 107–314, div. A, title VI, § 615(b), Dec. 2, 2002, 116 Stat. 2568; Pub. L. 109–163, div. A, title VI, § 687(b)(3), Jan. 6, 2006, 119 Stat. 3328.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

Section 302b(g) of this title, referred to in subsec. (b)(4), was redesignated section 302b(f) of this title by Pub. L. 109–163, div. A, title VI, § 687(b)(6)(D), Jan. 6, 2006, 119 Stat. 3328.

### Amendments

2006—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 109–163 amended heading and text of subsec. (d) generally, substituting provisions referring to repayment provisions of section 303a(e) for specific provisions relating to refunds required when officer fails to complete total period of active duty.

2002—Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 107–314 substituted “$50,000” for “$14,000”.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Savings Provision

For savings provision relating to payment or repayment of any bonus, incentive pay, special pay, or similar pay obligated to be paid before Apr. 1, 2006, under a provision of this section amended by section 687(b) of Pub. L. 109–163, see section 687(f) of Pub. L. 109–163, set out as a note under section 510 of Title 10, Armed Forces.

### Application of Increase

In case of amendment by section 615 of Pub. L. 107–314 to increase maximum amount of special pay or bonus that may be paid during any 12-month period, the amended limitation is applicable to 12-month periods beginning after Sept. 30, 2002, see section 615(i) of Pub. L. 107–314, set out as a note under section 301d of this title.