2009-2010 Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences Application Thread

[silverhorse84]

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Just FYI for all of you waiting to hear back. We're in finals week this week, so the admissions office is probably still sifting through things and you may hear back. But as of Saturday we are on Winter recess, and while I don't know for sure, I would imagine the admissions office goes on break along with the rest of the university.

 

[0919mmk]

Just FYI for all of you waiting to hear back. We're in finals week this week, so the admissions office is probably still sifting through things and you may hear back. But as of Saturday we are on Winter recess, and while I don't know for sure, I would imagine the admissions office goes on break along with the rest of the university.

good call. no breath-holding then 🙂 good luck with finals, and thanks for your input in this forum- it's been really helpful

 

[NavyCy]

If USUHS is your first choice school and you decide you are willing to choose a different service it may be a good idea to call CMDR Calloway and let her know.

I may be the old fashioned product of an uptight community, but this seems like one of those instances where the military operates differently than the civilian world. Namely, the idea of calling a O-6 (CAPT Select) for every little detail of an individual package seems a bit wrong. I guess I would recommend you talk to the admissions people and let them update your package for review. Until you've exhausted all other options, I wouldn't default to calling someone 6 paygrades above your own. Again, this is just my opinion, so you are welcome to disagree with me.

 

[caniac]

Just FYI for all of you waiting to hear back. We're in finals week this week, so the admissions office is probably still sifting through things and you may hear back. But as of Saturday we are on Winter recess, and while I don't know for sure, I would imagine the admissions office goes on break along with the rest of the university.

They're making calls tonight!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Global Vigilance, Reach, and Power! AIR POWER!

 

[0919mmk]

Major bummer time - got the waitlisted letter today🙁 Not very cool. Oh well. Maybe it had something to do with the fact that I chose Navy, as did apparently everyone else! At least we now know that they have gotten up to 10/22ers.

 

[NavyCy]

Major bummer time - got the waitlisted letter today🙁 Not very cool. Oh well. Maybe it had something to do with the fact that I chose Navy, as did apparently everyone else! At least we now know that they have gotten up to 10/22ers.

I'm sorry to hear that you got waitlisted, but don't give up just yet. If you look at the threads from previous years, there tends to be a lot of movement off the waitlist as people decide that the military isn't for them or decide to do HPSP at a civilian school. Good luck to you.

 

[NoMoreAMCAS]

They're making calls tonight!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Global Vigilance, Reach, and Power! AIR POWER!

Got it a couple weeks ago, but I got AF as well. Congrats.

 

[Erald Coil]

Interview: Nov. 5th
Conditional Acceptance phone call from Dr. Calloway: ~ 5 minutes ago!

They'd told me I'd be notified in January, so I thought I'd have to wait through the holidays; this was a fantastic surprise!

👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

edit: haha - I forgot to ask what branch!?

 

[xmsr3]

I may be the old fashioned product of an uptight community, but this seems like one of those instances where the military operates differently than the civilian world. Namely, the idea of calling a O-6 (CAPT Select) for every little detail of an individual package seems a bit wrong. I guess I would recommend you talk to the admissions people and let them update your package for review. Until you've exhausted all other options, I wouldn't default to calling someone 6 paygrades above your own. Again, this is just my opinion, so you are welcome to disagree with me.

Of course NavyCY is right, I meant call the admissions office and let them know you'd be willing to accept your second or third choice, (if that's the case), don't call CMDR Calloway.

By the way Erald, congrats on your conditional acceptance.

 

[ice8erg]

How does OTS work this summer as far as pay goes? Do we got our O-1 pay then or is it unpaid training?

 

[teacherman84]

How does OTS work this summer as far as pay goes? Do we got our O-1 pay then or is it unpaid training?

you get your 01 pay

 

[0919mmk]

OK - this is incredible. So a few days ago I got the waitlist letter. I was bummed. 2 days ago, I sent an email saying that even though I signed up for Navy, I would be equally happy with an AF spot. So a couple hours ago, I got the call from Cmdr. Calloway inviting me to be accepted for AF (or I could stay on Navy wait list). I took it!! I am so happy right now!

wooo!

 

[ahowardmd]

OK - this is incredible. So a few days ago I got the waitlist letter. I was bummed. 2 days ago, I sent an email saying that even though I signed up for Navy, I would be equally happy with an AF spot. So a couple hours ago, I got the call from Cmdr. Calloway inviting me to be accepted for AF (or I could stay on Navy wait list). I took it!! I am so happy right now!

wooo!

Congratulations! 😀

 

[Soba]

It might not have been your first choice, but congratulations! 👍

 

[kcmedic]

So no phone calls or anything in the mail. Interview date 10/22 ... I guess this is a bad sign?

 

[kcmedic]

Congrats to mmk by the way!!! 👍 Everyone in the 10/22 group was really chill.

 

[0919mmk]

Congrats to mmk by the way!!! 👍 Everyone in the 10/22 group was really chill.

Oh I didn't realize you were 10/22! Yeah that was a cool group of kids. Try not to stress too much - apparently some people from Nov. are getting calls, but so are people from late September. Hold strong!

 

[xmsr3]

you get your 01 pay

What about BAH? Do we get that as well or just base pay?

By the way, for anyone going into the Army program, make sure you have $2000 to pay the upfront cost of the hotel you stay at, (single officer quarters) on post while at Ft. Sam.

They will recoup you at USUHS but you need to pay up front and every year there are people who didn't know and have to scramble to get the money, or so I am told.

P.S

Congrats to mmk and iceberg😀 Remember to join the official class of 2014 facebook page. Just type uniformed services university into the search function and it will come up.

 

[ghendel]

I got an interview and cannot think of a better way to serve my country!

BUT I am concerned about Don't Ask Don't Tell, and will have to turn down the interview. I hate that this country is so far behind other Western nations on this regard and I can't believe this type of discrimination is still legal. 😡 I was hoping something would change before I got the interview, but alas, I cannot live a lie.

Too bad, I would have made a great military doc. I cannot serve in a military to protect the freedoms and rights that are not afforded to me.

Good luck to everyone.

 

[grotto]

I got an interview and cannot think of a better way to serve my country!

BUT I am concerned about Don't Ask Don't Tell, and will have to turn down the interview. I hate that this country is so far behind other Western nations on this regard and I can't believe this type of discrimination is still legal. 😡 I was hoping something would change before I got the interview, but alas, I cannot live a lie.

Too bad, I would have made a great military doc. I cannot serve in a military to protect the freedoms and rights that are not afforded to me.

Good luck to everyone.

I don't know if I should take this bait because you might just be trying to make a political statement, but FYI I have known many gay officers who served under DADT. In general, people do not give a sht what you do outside of work, just like in the civilian world.

Also, most senior officers in the military are operating under the assumption that this policy is going to change very soon (i.e. within months to a year).

Good luck though.

 

[Soba]

By the way, for anyone going into the Army program, make sure you have $2000 to pay the upfront cost of the hotel you stay at, (single officer quarters) on post while at Ft. Sam.

They will recoup you at USUHS but you need to pay up front and every year there are people who didn't know and have to scramble to get the money, or so I am told.

Unless OBC has changed in the past 12 months, this would not be the case. The Army lodging would charge your account only at the end of the course.

Now, if DFAS messed up your pay, and the issue has still not been resolved by the end of the course (7 weeks), THEN you would be in a pinch. Such cases are extremely rare, specially if you are proactive. And everyone is proactive when it comes to their finance.

On the other hand, I would take surplus capital if you are planning of enjoying the night life of San Antonio. Don't go too crazy, though!

 

[xmsr3]

Unless OBC has changed in the past 12 months, this would not be the case. The Army lodging would charge your account only at the end of the course.

Now, if DFAS messed up your pay, and the issue has still not been resolved by the end of the course (7 weeks), THEN you would be in a pinch. Such cases are extremely rare, specially if you are proactive. And everyone is proactive when it comes to their finance.

On the other hand, I would take surplus capital if you are planning of enjoying the night life of San Antonio. Don't go too crazy, though!

Thanks Soba, for the info. Can you tell me whether or not we get BAH pay while at OBLC?

Oh and Ghendel, if you are seriously interested in a career as a mil doc, I would recommend you take the interview. POTUS Obama has promised to change Don't Ask Don't Tell and it only takes an executive order, so it could come any day now.

As Grotto has pointed out, that is how the senior officers are viewing it, so don't let this deter you from a potentially fantastic oppertunity. By the time you matriculate the policy might be changed and certainly by the time you graduate it will have, (the consensus amoung the progressive community is that he will almost certainly do it prior to the 2012 elections to appease his political base, which is currently very angry with him for several reasons).

 

[0919mmk]

I got an interview and cannot think of a better way to serve my country!

BUT I am concerned about Don't Ask Don't Tell, and will have to turn down the interview. I hate that this country is so far behind other Western nations on this regard and I can't believe this type of discrimination is still legal. 😡 I was hoping something would change before I got the interview, but alas, I cannot live a lie.

Too bad, I would have made a great military doc. I cannot serve in a military to protect the freedoms and rights that are not afforded to me.

Good luck to everyone.

I totally understand your position, but I agree with the others that you should prob take the interview. That policy is a shame, but it does seem likely to change very soon.

 

[ghendel]

I had a conference call with two attorneys who are familiar with the legal and political landscape, and both basically stated that I meet "the trifecta" for getting discharged, not something I would want three years into med school, or worse...

I am "married" (I put quotes because the federal government does not recognize our status), I have worked as a community organizer for the LGBT community and a simple google search would pull up ample information needed to discharge me. There is a paper trail....

I can't count on the law being repealed anytime soon. Obama said it must come from Congress, but the repeal is likely to be tagged to the annual defense dept. spending bill. The attorneys told me not to join up unless I am totally comfortable living a huge lie, with my wife as my "cousin", or worse yet, invisible with no benefits whatsoever.

I would take the interview anyways, but I live in West Africa (I am a science teacher) and it would cost me $1500 to get there. It is a tough decision to make, for sure. I applied in the hopes that things would change sooner....

 

[mwilso30]

Congratulations to those who have been accepted!!!!! I interviewed 10/29 and am so, so very excited to find out! Hoping that I get accepted!!

 

[Soba]

Thanks Soba, for the info. Can you tell me whether or not we get BAH pay while at OBLC?

Oh, you'll get BAH pay. Like $12~$13/month.

The whole point of BAH is to cover your housing expenses, and Big Army will provide you quarters, on-post if possible, during your OBC training. Thus, it is not required to give you the full amount.

The orders that you receive before you get to Fort Sam should have detailed information about quarters and meals. In fact, in most cases, your papers would act as the "payment" at the on-post lodging. So, if all goes right, you shouldn't have to pay anything out of your pocket for your stay.

However, I was told that the old lodging place that I stayed was going to be demolished, so maybe you could get off post lodging. In that case, you would have to pay using your funds and later get a refund from USUHS. Maybe someone who has been to Fort Sam more recently could provide better info. Finance is always confusing to me.

To ghendel: Yeah, that is a tough choice you've got there. I myself am not sure if I could live a lie of that scale. Hope you look at all the options and make a prudent decision.

 

[xmsr3]

I had a conference call with two attorneys who are familiar with the legal and political landscape, and both basically stated that I meet "the trifecta" for getting discharged, not something I would want three years into med school, or worse...

I am "married" (I put quotes because the federal government does not recognize our status), I have worked as a community organizer for the LGBT community and a simple google search would pull up ample information needed to discharge me. There is a paper trail....

I can't count on the law being repealed anytime soon. Obama said it must come from Congress, but the repeal is likely to be tagged to the annual defense dept. spending bill. The attorneys told me not to join up unless I am totally comfortable living a huge lie, with my wife as my "cousin", or worse yet, invisible with no benefits whatsoever.

I would take the interview anyways, but I live in West Africa (I am a science teacher) and it would cost me $1500 to get there. It is a tough decision to make, for sure. I applied in the hopes that things would change sooner....

Well Ghendel, given the specifics of your situation I can completely understand why you are unsure about interviewing at USUHS. I am saddened that qualified folks such as yourself are put in difficult situations such as this and I hope the law is changed as soon as possible.

Best of luck whatever you decide and I hope you get into some MD school.

P.S

To MWilso30, best of luck to you. What branch are you going for?


P.S.S

Soba, how exactly do meals work? Do we get a per diem? Or are meals free at the mesh hall? Or some combination of the two? Or something completely different?

 

[mwilso30]

To XMSR3,
Thanks for the thoughtful feedback. I did place the Navy as my top preference but as cliche as it sounds, each branch has its advantages so I will be happy to serve in whichever branch I am given. How about yourself? Also, when did you interview and when did you hear back?

 

[silverhorse84]

Soba, how exactly do meals work? Do we get a per diem? Or are meals free at the mesh hall? Or some combination of the two? Or something completely different?

If they do meals similar to ODS, you pay for each meal with cash and get reimbursed later (fill out some paperwork).

 

[Soba]

If they do meals similar to ODS, you pay for each meal with cash and get reimbursed later (fill out some paperwork).

Nah, at OBC the trainees receive MTSS funding, i.e. meal cards. Just present the card with your ID card at Rocco dining facility. If one doesn't have the meal card, the papers with orders could substitue for it.

Funding does not include weekend meals, btw. That's when you go downtown and have some good food.

 

[xmsr3]

To XMSR3,
Thanks for the thoughtful feedback. I did place the Navy as my top preference but as cliche as it sounds, each branch has its advantages so I will be happy to serve in whichever branch I am given. How about yourself? Also, when did you interview and when did you hear back?

I totally understand the appeal of the Navy (as do most people applying this year😀), it was my #1 choice for probably a year. I only went with Army after a lot of research that indicated that branch was for me due to 2 main reasons.

1. Army has smallest chance of GMO and nearly 100% residency match for my top 5 specialties, (this could change of course, but Army has the biggest program so its still offers the most wiggle room in terms of choosing a specialty).

2. Tripler Army Medical Center, located near the Pineapple Pentagon in Honolulu. As someone who has visted Hawaii 14 times in my life and plans to retire there, (best freakin place on earth😀) this is my dream posting. Oh and most of the other major med centers are also nice, San Antonio, Tacoma, Bethesda, in case I get stationed there.

I know that my reasons are my own and plenty of people will think me an odd duck and choose other branches for other reasons, (perhaps ones I would think a bit odd) but those are why I am headed for Ft. Sam come June 12, 2010.

P.S

I interviewed 9/16 and heard back 10/16.

P.S.S

Soba, thanks for the continuing great info, would you mind answering a few more?

1. What kind of meals are typical at Rocco Dining hall? You indicate that its not "good food" what do you mean by that?

2. You said that on weekends meals are not free. How much are they?

3. It sounds like a lot of people drive into San Antonio on weekends, so do most drive to Ft. Sam? Do you recommend driving? Do you need a car to get around on post or is everything within walking distance of the our quarters?

 

[Soba]

1. Army has smallest chance of GMO and nearly 100% residency match for my top 5 specialties, (this could change of course, but Army has the biggest program so its still offers the most wiggle room in terms of choosing a specialty).

And what are your top 5?

1. What kind of meals are typical at Rocco Dining hall? You indicate that its not "good food" what do you mean by that?
Think of nutritious cafeteria food that you eat for weeks and weeks. It's nutritious, but it's still cafeteria food.

2. You said that on weekends meals are not free. How much are they?
Between $5~$6/meal depending on time of day? Won't break your bank.

3. It sounds like a lot of people drive into San Antonio on weekends, so do most drive to Ft. Sam? Do you recommend driving? Do you need a car to get around on post or is everything within walking distance of the our quarters?
Quarters is within walking distance of the academy, so you don't NEED a POV (personal owned vehicle), but it behooves you to have some sort of transportation unless you absolutely love Fort Sam and don't want to leave its grounds. Cab ride on the weekends is always an option, and the Riverwalk is fairly close. And even if it gets expensive, it's ok if you split the bill between the classmates.

Don't worry, man. As your cash flow is stable, everything will work out in OBC. Since you are a freshly minted butterbar with no prior service, the cadre will consider you as slightly more intelligent than a sack of potatoes (humor them plz) and cut you a great deal of leeway.

But there are other fresh enlisted going through training, and you don't want to set a horrible example. Just don't do something overly stupid, e.g. fooling around with enlisted females AND getting caught, drunk driving AND running over a Colonel, etc.

 

[0919mmk]

But there are other fresh enlisted going through training, and you don't want to set a horrible example. Just don't do something overly stupid, e.g. fooling around with enlisted females AND getting caught, drunk driving AND running over a Colonel, etc.

hold on a sec - now I can understand fooling around AND getting caught, but for those of us who are not familiar with military rules, is there some kind of rule against.... Ohhh! - enlisted females. So as long as we are messing around with an officer, we're good to go? haha!

 

[xmsr3]

And what are your top 5?

Don't worry, man. As your cash flow is stable, everything will work out in OBC. Since you are a freshly minted butterbar with no prior service, the cadre will consider you as slightly more intelligent than a sack of potatoes (humor them plz) and cut you a great deal of leeway.

But there are other fresh enlisted going through training, and you don't want to set a horrible example. Just don't do something overly stupid, e.g. fooling around with enlisted females AND getting caught, drunk driving AND running over a Colonel, etc.

At the time of my application they were:

1. Radiology
2. Preventive Medicine
3. Pathology
4. Neurology
5. Psychiatry

After doing some more research into what each specialty entails and what their work in the military looks like I am much less interested in preventive and path, but Radiology seems like a perfect fit for me. Of course until clinical rotations I can't be sure of anything but for now diagnostic radiology is my default.

And Soba, thanks for all the great info.

 

[NoMoreAMCAS]

hold on a sec - now I can understand fooling around AND getting caught, but for those of us who are not familiar with military rules, is there some kind of rule against.... Ohhh! - enlisted females. So as long as we are messing around with an officer, we're good to go? haha!

Yeah you aren't supposed to bang enlisted chicks. You can hook up with all the officers you want...assuming they aren't married (i think it's also a problem if one of you is the others boss).

But, like it says, it's only bad if you get caught.

 

[0919mmk]

Aright thats fair enough haha!

OK- I need to find out more about the residency situation for AF. It seems that this the major drawback for AF that people cite, but I am having difficulty finding more info. Are there any students at USUHS who could put me in touch with an AF student? Does anybody on this forum know more?

What I have found out so far is that AF has the least number of spots in residencies in general, and particularly for the higher demand ones. How bad IS the situation? Does a significant percentage of seniors not get their chosen specialty, and if not, do they tend to settle for other specialties or do they go GMO and try again? Do they try again 1 year or 2 years later?

So many questions... If anybody has answers please feel free to share. But if you don't, it'd be great if you could PM me an email address for an AF doc or AF student. Thanks!

 

[grotto]

Yeah you aren't supposed to bang enlisted chicks. You can hook up with all the officers you want...assuming they aren't married (i think it's also a problem if one of you is the others boss).

But, like it says, it's only bad if you get caught.

I hope you're joking. My humor sensor is damaged right now by the 2 feet of snow covering my house and cars.

 

[0919mmk]

I hope you're joking. My humor sensor is damaged right now by the 2 feet of snow covering my house and cars.

Oh the snow is awesome!! I'm from Maine, but I live in Philly, and I was depressed cause I thought there would be no snow- and right now its a total winter wonderland out there! Awesome! And not super-cold either - the snow is perfect for snowball fights haha!

Cause I'm the only 4-year-old premed in America... 😀

 

[NoMoreAMCAS]

I hope you're joking. My humor sensor is damaged right now by the 2 feet of snow covering my house and cars.

No, i was serious, those are the rules. Which rule sounded like a joke?

 

[Soba]

After doing some more research into what each specialty entails and what their work in the military looks like I am much less interested in preventive and path, but Radiology seems like a perfect fit for me. Of course until clinical rotations I can't be sure of anything but for now diagnostic radiology is my default.

And Soba, thanks for all the great info.

No problem. I shadowed IM doctors mostly prior to my application, but in terms of residencies I am keeping an open mind, i.e. I have no clue whatsoever.

Oh the snow is awesome!! I'm from Maine, but I live in Philly, and I was depressed cause I thought there would be no snow- and right now its a total winter wonderland out there! Awesome! And not super-cold either - the snow is perfect for snowball fights haha!

Cause I'm the only 4-year-old premed in America... 😀

I myself love a good snowball fight. In fact, I have no beef with Mr. Snow as long as he does not DISRUPT THE FRIGGING AIR TRAFFIC.

I am supposed to go to California in a few days and this massive snowstorm that hammered DC, Philadelphia, and other regions has me worried. Being stuck at an airport during the Christmas 4-day weekend = 🙁

 

[xmsr3]

Aright thats fair enough haha!

OK- I need to find out more about the residency situation for AF. It seems that this the major drawback for AF that people cite, but I am having difficulty finding more info. Are there any students at USUHS who could put me in touch with an AF student? Does anybody on this forum know more?

What I have found out so far is that AF has the least number of spots in residencies in general, and particularly for the higher demand ones. How bad IS the situation? Does a significant percentage of seniors not get their chosen specialty, and if not, do they tend to settle for other specialties or do they go GMO and try again? Do they try again 1 year or 2 years later?

So many questions... If anybody has answers please feel free to share. But if you don't, it'd be great if you could PM me an email address for an AF doc or AF student. Thanks!

Google Military GME and you will find the website that lists the exact number of spots and the match stats for specialties for recent years.

From talking to people at USUHS, on SDN and my AMEDD HPSP recruiter as well as Milgme.com, here is how it works with residencies in the different services.

AF: smallest number of spots BUT 2nd smallest use of GMO, (much less than Navy, but more than Army).

AF is more likely to give you a civilian deferment,(alot of their residency spots are acutally civilian programs). If your specialty is highly competative, ie Derm, Ortho, EM or Anesthesiology, then you may end up spending 2 years doing Flight Surgery, (AF GMO), for Primary care, ie FM, Peds, Neuro, IM, Psych, its very rare.

Navy: Overall I have heard that 2/3 of total Navy med students end up doing GMO (not positive on this stat but its very high), less so for primary care specialties but still much higher than AF or Army, (where primary care almost never end up GMO). For competative specialties you are almost guaranteed GMO before you get it.

Army: Biggest branch by far and this results in almost no GMOs for Primary care and the less competative specialties. GMOs do occure for the more competative specialties but especially for surgical ones (my AMEDD recruiter told me Ortho has the worst of it).

What I love about the Army is that they actually have the the ratio of applicants/spot for all specialties from 2003-2007. This one spread sheet is what sealed the deal for me in making the switch from Navy to Army.

From this spreadsheet you can see the average ratio of applicants/spot is not that bad, even for specialties that are super competative in other branches or the civilian world.

For example, Derm is about 1.5 applicants/spot in Army, EM is 1.2, Diagnostic Rads is 1.25, Path 1.4, Ortho 1.6 but Neurosurgery is actually only .9.

Things like FM, IM, Neuro, Peds and Psych are all 1 or less meaning that everyone who applies for these residencies gets them.

If GMO is a concern for you then the branches rank as such, in terms of your probability of having to do one.

Navy>>>AF>>Army

Of course, if you've already interviewed and stated your branch preference I am not sure if you are allowed to change your mind and switch to another service. At the very least it would piss off the good folks at USUHS as they are busy filling up the class and organizing the waitlist and alternate list.

 

[teacherman84]

In talking with a USU alumni yesterday I found a site that at least XMSR will love. I think its new...enjoy

http://www.usualumnibookstore.com/index.html

 

[grotto]

No, i was serious, those are the rules. Which rule sounded like a joke?

No, those aren't "the rules".

They are quite a bit more complex, especially regarding relationships between officers. And it is terrible advice to tell a bunch of people interested in USUHS who haven't spent one day in uniform "as long as you don't get caught" regarding having relationships with enlisted.

Having an unduly familiar relationship with an enlisted person, or a junior or senior officer in your chain of command, will get you sent home faster than pretty much anything else. Note that unduly familiar doesn't just mean sex - it means friendships outside of a work environment, financial relationships, and more. I was once verbally reprimanded for being the only officer in an enlisted Madden video game tournament on deployment.

I'm not going to go into a ton of details here, nor list the rules, because I recommend that people who plan on attending USUHS or HPSP pay attention to the training they get in their initial officer indoctrination. Each service has its own rules for frat, and like I said earlier, they can be complex.

 

[xmsr3]

No, those aren't "the rules".

They are quite a bit more complex, especially regarding relationships between officers. And it is terrible advice to tell a bunch of people interested in USUHS who haven't spent one day in uniform "as long as you don't get caught" regarding having relationships with enlisted.

Having an unduly familiar relationship with an enlisted person, or a junior or senior officer in your chain of command, will get you sent home faster than pretty much anything else. Note that unduly familiar doesn't just mean sex - it means friendships outside of a work environment, financial relationships, and more. I was once verbally reprimanded for being the only officer in an enlisted Madden video game tournament on deployment.

I'm not going to go into a ton of details here, nor list the rules, because I recommend that people who plan on attending USUHS or HPSP pay attention to the training they get in their initial officer indoctrination. Each service has its own rules for frat, and like I said earlier, they can be complex.

First let me say: Teacherman, YOU ROCK! That website is exactly what I was looking for! Thanks buddy, I'm in swag heaven😀

And Grotto, thanks for the heads up, I'll have to do some research into the Army regs on fraternization but I hope its not as strict as you say.

I am currently single and with the kind of time commitments medical school will place on me, I was kind of hoping to date at USUHS or during residency, (a nurse or fellow doc) since I don't know if I'll have the time to date outside school.

Strict rules against even friendships with fellow officers would certainly suck as it would basically mean you can't date fellow medical personel, (the people you're working with every day and spending the vast majority of your time with). The added benefit of dating a fellow medical officer is that they understand the dedication you have to your country, share it and understand deployments and moving around a lot.

 

[grotto]

First let me say: Teacherman, YOU ROCK! That website is exactly what I was looking for! Thanks buddy, I'm in swag heaven😀

And Grotto, thanks for the heads up, I'll have to do some research into the Army regs on fraternization but I hope its not as strict as you say.

I am currently single and with the kind of time commitments medical school will place on me, I was kind of hoping to date at USUHS or during residency, (a nurse or fellow doc) since I don't know if I'll have the time to date outside school.

Strict rules against even friendships with fellow officers would certainly suck as it would basically mean you can't date fellow medical personel, (the people you're working with every day and spending the vast majority of your time with). The added benefit of dating a fellow medical officer is that they understand the dedication you have to your country, share it and understand deployments and moving around a lot.

No no no. This is why we really shouldn't get into it, and you should pay attention during your training at OBC.

All of my best friends are officers, and you can date officers all you want at USUHS (you are the same rank and both in the same position in the CoC), etc. I know a CDR who got married to an Ensign (one a surface officer and the other a nurse - different chains of command). If we were to be friends, and you got promoted faster than me, then we wouldn't have to stop being friends. You just cannot have unduly familiar relationships with people in your chain of command, officer or enlisted. And officers can NEVER have a unduly familiar relationship with an enlisted person, regardless of what chain of command that person is in.

Again, the rules can be very complex, and we could spend all day arguing the variations of fraternization. I wouldn't worry about it until you are in a position where it matters (pun on words).

 

[NavyCy]

Strict rules against even friendships with fellow officers would certainly suck as it would basically mean you can't date fellow medical personel, (the people you're working with every day and spending the vast majority of your time with). The added benefit of dating a fellow medical officer is that they understand the dedication you have to your country, share it and understand deployments and moving around a lot.

Never mind. Grotto beat me to it. Concur with the above post.

 

[pkchax]

I totally understand the appeal of the Navy (as do most people applying this year😀), it was my #1 choice for probably a year. I only went with Army after a lot of research that indicated that branch was for me due to 2 main reasons.

1. Army has smallest chance of GMO and nearly 100% residency match for my top 5 specialties, (this could change of course, but Army has the biggest program so its still offers the most wiggle room in terms of choosing a specialty).

2. Tripler Army Medical Center, located near the Pineapple Pentagon in Honolulu. As someone who has visted Hawaii 14 times in my life and plans to retire there, (best freakin place on earth😀) this is my dream posting. Oh and most of the other major med centers are also nice, San Antonio, Tacoma, Bethesda, in case I get stationed there.

I know that my reasons are my own and plenty of people will think me an odd duck and choose other branches for other reasons, (perhaps ones I would think a bit odd) but those are why I am headed for Ft. Sam come June 12, 2010.

P.S

I interviewed 9/16 and heard back 10/16.

P.S.S

Soba, thanks for the continuing great info, would you mind answering a few more?

1. What kind of meals are typical at Rocco Dining hall? You indicate that its not "good food" what do you mean by that?

2. You said that on weekends meals are not free. How much are they?

3. It sounds like a lot of people drive into San Antonio on weekends, so do most drive to Ft. Sam? Do you recommend driving? Do you need a car to get around on post or is everything within walking distance of the our quarters?

Good choice of Army. It's true that there is little to no chance of doing an army GMO tour. I'm a MS1 and haven't heard of anyone doing a GMO unless they wanted to but they usually just do a transitional internship.

I know other's already gave info on OBC but I just finished OBC 7 months ago so may have some info to add.

Meals are indeed cafeteria crap but the food in the San Antonio is awesome and CHEAP! Lot's of really good inexpensive Mexican restaurants but the key is to have a car.

USUHS students at OBC are allowed to bring their private vehicles while HPSP students aren't. I'd highly recommend bringing your car because USUHS will reimburse you for the trip. I drove from Virginia and ended up making money on the trip. Also, cab vouchers suck to keep track of and redeem on travel forms.

As far as cash, I was broke as a joke when I got to OBC but USUHS students had the option to get a pay advance of about $2000 in the first week or two after arrival. This helped a lot with buying uniforms and eating out on the weekends.

Also, USUHS students stay in the base hotel while HPSP students stay in the same housing as sergeants and other enlisted going to various schools.

Hope not too much of that was repetitive. Good luck with applications, health forms, clearance forms, and all the other hoops.

 

[NoMoreAMCAS]

Having an unduly familiar relationship with an enlisted person, or a junior or senior officer in your chain of command, will get you sent home faster than pretty much anything else. Note that unduly familiar doesn't just mean sex - it means friendships outside of a work environment, financial relationships, and more. I was once verbally reprimanded for being the only officer in an enlisted Madden video game tournament on deployment.

Which is exactly what i said. No hooking up with enlisted chicks, or officers that are above or below you in the chain of command. How are you going to cry about what I said, then say the EXACT same thing? Psychotic.

I never said those were the only rules, i was just telling the person that asked a few of the basics.

Rules are the same for everywhere they exist. If you get caught you're in trouble, if you don't get caught you're fine. I think everyone knows that. If me saying it was news to anyone then I apologize, and i'd like to offer my sympathies to the painfully slow individual that just found that out.

 

[dwb8p]

nevermind

 

[Richsofresh]

ok i knw this is random but i have some questions for sum of you all who were accepted
1. what was some of yous all stats
2. what about your ec wat did you all do for those
3. personal statment


heres a little bout me i'm a bio/premed student just really starting out only a year of college under my belt but i really wnt to go to this school and i just really need some advice or guidence to make it possible🙂🙂