Navy's botched record keeping forces doctors to extend service three years

The error was discovered during a routine audit of the Navy’s personnel records and has resulted in few medical professionals being informed that they owe an additional three years of service.

Dozens of military doctors and dentists preparing for retirement owe at least three more years of service because of record-keeping errors, the Navy say.

It's the second time in a week that officials have publicly admitted to discovering oversights. https://t.co/kTe6jt2LEM

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According to Navy officials, the error occurred when the service failed to properly document the doctors and dentists’ service obligations when they received bonuses for signing up to serve in the military. The mistake meant that some medical professionals were released from their service obligations earlier than they should have been.

At least 65 dentists and physicians with the Navy Reserves have had three to four years of service erased from their records after an error was discovered in how their retirement credits had been calculated, the Navy said.

In response to the error, the Navy has informed the affected medical professionals that they will need to extend their service and serve an additional three years beyond their current service commitments. The affected doctors and dentists will have the option to contest the decision, but if they do not, they will be required to fulfill the extra service obligation.

The Navy has acknowledged that this is not the first time that record-keeping errors have resulted in service members being required to serve longer than they anticipated. In 2018, the service discovered a similar error that affected approximately 1,000 pilots. In that case, the pilots were required to serve an additional two to three years beyond their original service commitments.

The latest error has been met with frustration and disappointment from the affected medical professionals, many of whom are already serving under difficult circumstances. Some have expressed concerns that the additional service obligation could impact their career plans and personal lives.

The Navy has apologized for the error and has pledged to take steps to prevent similar mistakes from happening in the future. The service is also working to provide support and resources to the affected medical professionals to help them navigate the additional service obligation.

This latest blunder has brought into sharp focus the importance of accurate record-keeping in the military and the potential impact that such errors can have on the careers and personal lives of those who serve our nation.