Please explain! I want to be certain, I can GET OUT!

[Panama Red]

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I am a military psychiatry residency intern (2008 HPSP graduate with 4 year commitment). I understand that though I am in a military residency programs, none of my residency training years will count towards payback.
My HPSP contract states that in return for 4 years of HPSP sponsorship, I shall serve 4 years on extended active duty (active duty service commitment, ADSC) AND 4 years in the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR).
In summation, my Active Duty Service Commitment Statement states that my ADSC date extends to 6/29/2016.
So, my very blunt question is this- on 6/29/2016 will I be FULLY discharged, or is there a possibility that the military can keep me on board with this IRR for an additional 4 years? And, what exactly is IRR?
I ask these questions because I know physician retention in the military is low. I have little to no interest in making a career in the military. I KNOW they are hurting for psychiatrists, and I fear that I will not be released in 2016 like was originally explained to me when I signed my contract in 2004.
Thank you.

 

[The White Coat Investor]

Yes, they can keep you for IRR time. Hasn't happened yet, but it could. The good news is that you did a military residency. As I understand it (someone correct me if I'm wrong) your residency time counts toward your IRR time. So after a 3 year psych residency and a 4 year ADSC, you should only have 1 year of IRR time. Of course, there's always stop-loss (see the flick if you want details.) While I don't know of any docs that have been stop-lossed, if it started happening I would expect psych to be fairly close to the top of the list. The psychologist I was deployed with had to stay 6 months while the rest of us did 4 because they were short bodies.

 

[IgD]

You mentioned you are in intern. Are you going to be required to complete a GMO tour before you start residency? That might extend your commitment slightly.

 

[Panama Red]

I do not have to do a GMO tour. I matched categorically into Psych.

 

[sethco]

I do not have to do a GMO tour. I matched categorically into Psych.

If you will be completing a military psych program, you do not have to worry about the IRR time. You will have fulfilled your Minimum Service Obligation (MSO) of 8 years by doing a military residency (4 Years) and 4 years post-residency. However, this assumes you do not have any other commitments, like ROTC/USUHS/Academy grad.

You will be discharged on your Date of Separation (DOS) unless there is a stop-loss. Unfortunately, this is always a possibility.

 

[elderjack21]

If you will be completing a military psych program, you do not have to worry about the IRR time. You will have fulfilled your Minimum Service Obligation (MSO) of 8 years by doing a military residency (4 Years) and 4 years post-residency. However, this assumes you do not have any other commitments, like ROTC/USUHS/Academy grad.

You will be discharged on your Date of Separation (DOS) unless there is a stop-loss. Unfortunately, this is always a possibility.

Due to some error in the system...I was recently sent paperwork saying I had fullfilled my "Mandatory Military Service Obligation" and could resign my commission from the IRR...three years early!

Then I got a letter saying I am ordered to show up in person for an "IRR muster."

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