Procurement and Retention of Navy Physicians

How can the Navy best attain authorized physician staffing levels now that conscription has ended. To answer this question, medical scholarship pay, proposed variable incentive pay, and present continuation pay are evaluated from the standpoint of financial attractiveness to the physician and the rate of return on the Navys investment. Lifetime earnings under the current and proposed compensation plans are plans compared with those of civilian physicians. Conclusions are drawn about both the short and the long range prospects for an adequately staffed all-volunteer Medical Corps.