I am in the air force, being medically separted/board. However, I owe the air force $109,978. I would like to pay it back.

Dear all:

I am currently in the Air Force as a captain. I came in under
the Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP) where the military
paid for my medical school ahead of time and I, in turn, promised to
serve.

Due to unfortunate circumstances, I am being medically boarded.
My date of separation is 22 Oct 03. I just received a letter from
DPAME saying that I owe $110K for the investment that the air force
has put into me.

If I could have served my time, I would have happily done it.
However, I wsa not able to. Now, regarding the money, I would like to
do the best I can to pay it back. I am brain-storming here to find
ways to pay it back.

From time to time, I hear of commercials from law firms saying
they can help negotiate debts with the IRS. I wonder if there is a
similar way that the Air Force negotiates debts. I know with the IRS,
sometimes if you are able to come up with a large lump sum, they
forgive the rest of the debt.

My wife and I have saved up $70,000. I wonder if there is a way
to negotiate with the military and give them the lum sum of $70,000
and have them call it even. Even though $70,000 represents the
entirety of our savings, we are willing to give it all to the air
force if it means that we can wipe clean the slate.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. Has anyone here ever owed
money to the military and negotiated a reduced debt? Also, if you
think there is a better/more appropriate place to post this question,
please let me know.

sincerely, Capt Tang (Dr. Tang) USAF MC (Medical Corps)

here is a link to the photos of my wife and I serving in the air force
(we are both active duty. My wife is staying in the service as a
doctor): http://gallery.pethobbyist.com/index...91190&size=big

"wanglu" wrote in message
om...

Dear all:

I am currently in the Air Force as a captain. I came in under
the Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP) where the military
paid for my medical school ahead of time and I, in turn, promised to
serve.

Due to unfortunate circumstances, I am being medically boarded.
My date of separation is 22 Oct 03. I just received a letter from
DPAME saying that I owe $110K for the investment that the air force
has put into me.

If I could have served my time, I would have happily done it.
However, I wsa not able to. Now, regarding the money, I would like to
do the best I can to pay it back. I am brain-storming here to find
ways to pay it back.

From time to time, I hear of commercials from law firms saying
they can help negotiate debts with the IRS. I wonder if there is a
similar way that the Air Force negotiates debts. I know with the IRS,
sometimes if you are able to come up with a large lump sum, they
forgive the rest of the debt.

My wife and I have saved up $70,000. I wonder if there is a way
to negotiate with the military and give them the lum sum of $70,000
and have them call it even. Even though $70,000 represents the
entirety of our savings, we are willing to give it all to the air
force if it means that we can wipe clean the slate.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. Has anyone here ever owed
money to the military and negotiated a reduced debt? Also, if you
think there is a better/more appropriate place to post this question,
please let me know.


Let me see if I understand this. You're willing to honor your service
commitment but are being forced out by reasons beyond your control, and the
USAF insists that you reimburse them for the costs of your medical training.
Is that correct? Is there a proviso in the original agreement that requires
repayment if the USAF elects to separate you? If there isn't, I'd refuse to
pay. As long as you're willing to honor the original agreement you don't
owe the USAF anything.

Something is fishy here- unless your medical discharge is for reasons within
your control, and you did not misrepresent your health (or anything else for
that matter) during the selection process and throughout your training and
service, then you should not be held lable forhte government's loss.

Who's your lawyer representing you on this? Fire him/her and get a new one.

Steve Swartz


"wanglu" wrote in message
om...
Dear all:

I am currently in the Air Force as a captain. I came in under
the Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP) where the military
paid for my medical school ahead of time and I, in turn, promised to
serve.

Due to unfortunate circumstances, I am being medically boarded.
My date of separation is 22 Oct 03. I just received a letter from
DPAME saying that I owe $110K for the investment that the air force
has put into me.

If I could have served my time, I would have happily done it.
However, I wsa not able to. Now, regarding the money, I would like to
do the best I can to pay it back. I am brain-storming here to find
ways to pay it back.

From time to time, I hear of commercials from law firms saying
they can help negotiate debts with the IRS. I wonder if there is a
similar way that the Air Force negotiates debts. I know with the IRS,
sometimes if you are able to come up with a large lump sum, they
forgive the rest of the debt.

My wife and I have saved up $70,000. I wonder if there is a way
to negotiate with the military and give them the lum sum of $70,000
and have them call it even. Even though $70,000 represents the
entirety of our savings, we are willing to give it all to the air
force if it means that we can wipe clean the slate.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. Has anyone here ever owed
money to the military and negotiated a reduced debt? Also, if you
think there is a better/more appropriate place to post this question,
please let me know.

sincerely, Capt Tang (Dr. Tang) USAF MC (Medical Corps)

here is a link to the photos of my wife and I serving in the air force
(we are both active duty. My wife is staying in the service as a
doctor): http://gallery.pethobbyist.com/index...91190&size=big

Capt Tang wrote:

Due to unfortunate circumstances, I am being medically boarded.
My date of separation is 22 Oct 03. I just received a letter from
DPAME saying that I owe $110K for the investment that the air force
has put into me.

You did not state the reason for the medical discharge and we really do not
need to know except for three things.
1. Is the cause service related?
2. Will the reason prevent you from earning a living practicing medicine?
3. Was the reason for the medical discharge within your control, such as a
skydiving accident or lifestyle problem?

If no 1, to hell with them, fight like hell, call your congressperson. If no.
2, and you can practice medicine pay 'em on a time basis. If no. 3 pay 'em.

Oxmoron1

I wouldn't pay it lump sum, now that you are just starting out again.

You should be able to get a low-interest pay-back rate.

Go to the Judge Advocate and find out how you can pay it off
by the month. I suspect you are still employable as a physician, and
will be able to pay back on a monthly rate plus interest. Don't expect
to be forgiven any amount, and let the Advocate advise you.

Write your Congressman, and advise him/her and ask for advice.
Congressmen (state and federal) are sometimes the people who
can unstick things that get stuck, and they appreciate time to work
a problem. Many have excellent staff for this.

Has anyone here ever owed money to the military and negotiated
a reduced debt?

I was accused of owing $2000 once. I found out when I went to my
post office box in Iceland and noted that my pay check was for $ 0.00
which is pretty neat, and I have it framed. (pre-direct deposit days)

After going to Navy Accounting & Finance, I found out that my pay records
were so screwed-up, that Langley AFB Finance had to intervene on my
behalf.

No option of negotiated settlement was offered :-)

I did finally get it fixed, and payed at the cashiers window.

From: (wanglu)
m

snip
Due to unfortunate circumstances, I am being medically boarded. My date of
separation is 22 Oct 03. I just received a letter from DPAME saying that I owe
$110K for the investment that the air force has put into me.


See a lawyer immediately for competant legal counsel regarding your situation.
Good legal advice up front can save you real trouble later and may very well be
worth every cent you spend obtaining it. You will probably need a specialist
type lawyer for this kind of situation....one who knows the systems particular
to employment in the military. Where to find such, I am unaware, but you may
wish to check firms in the Washington DC area. You local library will have a
copy of the Martindale-Hubell (sp?) lawyers directory. This lists all (most)
law firms in the US, the lawyers who work for the various firms, and their
areas of expertise. Good luck.
Dave

From: (Dav1936531)


You local library will have a copy of the Martindale-Hubell (sp?) lawyers
directory. This lists all (most) law firms in the US, the lawyers who work for
the various firms, and their areas of expertise. Good luck.
Dave

http://www.martindale.com/xp/Martindale/home.xml

Here's a link to the Martindale and Hubbell lawyer's directory online.
Dave