Legal Question in Military Law in Maine

Can the Navy change the terms of a contract two years after you sign it?

I was still on the fence as to

whether to stay in and do a Dept Head tour or not so I looked at the bonus contract pretty hard because I didn't want to sign something I did not fully understand. I wrote both of the policy POCs listed on the FY07 contract for clarification on the contract wording. I specifically asked what happens if a member declines to become a Dept Head (opts out)? The way the FY07 contract was worded, if someone opted out they would have to pay back any un-earned portion of their bonus, and the 5 year time

commitment would stop. Both POCs wrote me back saying this was

the case. The wording was changed in the contract for FY08 to read that if one opts-out they would be required to pay back all payments they received in full and the time commitment would stop.

It is time to make the decision and the opt-out contract now states that you must pay back the full amount of money received and that signing the opt-out contract nulls my FY07 contract. The Navy gives me no other option and says that even though the contract I signed said otherwise, I have to pay back the money. That is not what I signed, can they legally change the terms of a contract two years after I signed it?

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