Army Healthcare Recruiter here to answer any questions.

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@Armyhealth Hello! I just submitted my application for the 70B AD October boards and despite the fact that I have yet to complete my health exam and finger prints, due to the fact that I am working abroad at the moment I will very soon -- once I return to the states.
I would like to get an idea of what my chances may be getting into 70B. I graduated with a 3.18 GPA Bachelor's in Education and pursued other academic opportunities prior to college and afterwards. I submitted my application with a strong essay and reference letters and have a clean record and will not need any waivers. I know that this is very vague information, but I am a bit nervous as my GPA is not a strong as I would like it to be.
 
During summers you will just sign up for "studying" and still get paid active duty during the summer. Just be aware they may have you do just the second phase of BOLC (4 weeks) if your not a medical officer.
One last question. Once I get accepted into the STRAP program I heard that I will be able to get Loan repayment and my stpeind at the same time. My recuiter told me that they do not offer this anymore but I’m not sure about this. Is there anyway I can verify this before I move on with my application
 
@Armyhealth Hello! I just submitted my application for the 70B AD October boards and despite the fact that I have yet to complete my health exam and finger prints, due to the fact that I am working abroad at the moment I will very soon -- once I return to the states.
I would like to get an idea of what my chances may be getting into 70B. I graduated with a 3.18 GPA Bachelor's in Education and pursued other academic opportunities prior to college and afterwards. I submitted my application with a strong essay and reference letters and have a clean record and will not need any waivers. I know that this is very vague information, but I am a bit nervous as my GPA is not a strong as I would like it to be.

Hi Raquel,

As of now there is no active duty slots for 70B for next year. That may change but as of now we are only taking applications for reserves. You could always apply for the reserves and then apply for AGR (active guard reserves) if you really want active duty. Last year was the first time they opened active duty slots for 70B in a few years. As far as competiveness, as long as you get everything in on time you have a good shot. GPA is just a small portion of what they are looking for and if you have post-bach work that helps.
 
One last question. Once I get accepted into the STRAP program I heard that I will be able to get Loan repayment and my stpeind at the same time. My recuiter told me that they do not offer this anymore but I’m not sure about this. Is there anyway I can verify this before I move on with my application

You can still get stipend and loan repayment at the same time. The only reason you couldn't get loan repayment is if you already have participated in another incentive before STRAP like HPSP or MDSSP.
 
During summers you will just sign up for "studying" and still get paid active duty during the summer. Just be aware they may have you do just the second phase of BOLC (4 weeks) if your not a medical officer.
Thanks!
 
Hi Raquel,

As of now there is no active duty slots for 70B for next year. That may change but as of now we are only taking applications for reserves. You could always apply for the reserves and then apply for AGR (active guard reserves) if you really want active duty. Last year was the first time they opened active duty slots for 70B in a few years. As far as competiveness, as long as you get everything in on time you have a good shot. GPA is just a small portion of what they are looking for and if you have post-bach work that helps.

Interesting I just asked my recruiter about the AD slots and he stated there is. Now I am just confused...
 
You can still get stipend and loan repayment at the same time. The only reason you couldn't get loan repayment is if you already have participated in another incentive before STRAP like HPSP or MDSSP.
Okay cool. She just told me that I could get both. She doesnt know how much they will pay. At first she said it’s 240k then she said it’s 150k. Do you know how much it is. Thank you for everything that u do for us.
 
Okay cool. She just told me that I could get both. She doesnt know how much they will pay. At first she said it’s 240k then she said it’s 150k. Do you know how much it is. Thank you for everything that u do for us.

It is 40K per year for a max of up to 250K.
 
Does anyone know when the next Army boards are? My recruiter originally told me September, but isn’t getting back to me with specifics and I’ve been hearing different things from different people...
 
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Does anyone know when the next Army boards are? My recruiter originally told me September, but isn’t getting back to me with specifics and I’ve been hearing different things from different people...

It was on 11 Sep, next one will be 16 Oct.
 
Hi. Just got another quick question. I posted some time ago regarding scrolls and all that. Now I'm at the stage where I spoke with my Assignment Officer and picked a duty station. He told me it would take a week to a week and a half to get orders. He also said that it will show up for my recruiter, my S1, and my AKO. Since I'm currently on active duty, am I going to be able to see the orders in my account when it comes in? I thought that I had to do a levy brief first before my orders were cut (that's how it was when I re-enlisted), but my AO made it seem like I was just going to get orders from HRC and I didn't have to do anything.
 
Hi. Just got another quick question. I posted some time ago regarding scrolls and all that. Now I'm at the stage where I spoke with my Assignment Officer and picked a duty station. He told me it would take a week to a week and a half to get orders. He also said that it will show up for my recruiter, my S1, and my AKO. Since I'm currently on active duty, am I going to be able to see the orders in my account when it comes in? I thought that I had to do a levy brief first before my orders were cut (that's how it was when I re-enlisted), but my AO made it seem like I was just going to get orders from HRC and I didn't have to do anything.

No levy briefing required because you are coming in as a direct commission. Your S1 may get it but not guaranteed, you should get a email and your recruiter will get it in his packet though.
 
That's a relief but also brings up another issue. My DEROS is expired because my original orders to my next duty station deleted after I dropped a packet to Direct Commission. I know that people usually can't clear if their DEROS is expired so I tried to submit an FSTE to extend. I tried to talk to the civilians who makes orders and they told me not to worry about submitting an FSTE because my DEROS will get updated when they get my new assignment.

If there is no levy brief involved, how will they update my DEROS? Will it still go to them? They work at the building where everyone has to in-process/out-process. My concern is that an expired DEROS would prevent me from clearing and would lead me to miss my school date. I was told not to submit an FSTE or call HRC to talk to someone who can change my DEROS because I have no orders.

Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for all your help with my questions so far.
 
Hello again. I had a question about the upcoming deadline for the 65C application. My recruiter has been having difficulties scheduling my physical with MEPS and I’m concerned this process may drag into December. The GPN website states that a completed application is due by December, but is this a hard deadline and would I be penalized if problems outside of my control delay completion? All other required documents have been provided to my recruiter months ago. I know the board doesn't meet until Feb/March and hoped that the 2-3 month window in between was simply a cushion to wrap up possible lose ends like this one. My biggest fear is missing out through no fault of my own and having to wait another year to apply. Thank you.
 
Hello again. I had a question about the upcoming deadline for the 65C application. My recruiter has been having difficulties scheduling my physical with MEPS and I’m concerned this process may drag into December. The GPN website states that a completed application is due by December, but is this a hard deadline and would I be penalized if problems outside of my control delay completion? All other required documents have been provided to my recruiter months ago. I know the board doesn't meet until Feb/March and hoped that the 2-3 month window in between was simply a cushion to wrap up possible lose ends like this one. My biggest fear is missing out through no fault of my own and having to wait another year to apply. Thank you.

I wouldn't worry too much, there is an exception to policy if you can get everything done besides the physical. They can board you without it and get selected. You just can't sign your contract until the physical is cleared.
 
I wouldn't worry too much, there is an exception to policy if you can get everything done besides the physical. They can board you without it and get selected. You just can't sign your contract until the physical is cleared.
Can you explain what the OP was talking about for deadlines in December and Feb/Mar board? I thought there was a board about every month.

Also, my recruiter had said the paperwork deadline for the December board was 20NOV. I'm still awaiting completion of my physical, which will then need to be reviewed. Everything else is in, is there an exception to policy I can pursue to be boarded in December and just be waiting on my physical to be done? By the time the board actually meets, it will probably be complete.

Thanks!
 
is it relatively easy to commission after you earn MD or DO?
 
Can you explain what the OP was talking about for deadlines in December and Feb/Mar board? I thought there was a board about every month.

Also, my recruiter had said the paperwork deadline for the December board was 20NOV. I'm still awaiting completion of my physical, which will then need to be reviewed. Everything else is in, is there an exception to policy I can pursue to be boarded in December and just be waiting on my physical to be done? By the time the board actually meets, it will probably be complete.

Thanks!

There are boards every month but 65C (Dietician) is one that usually fills up at the first board. So if they didn't get to that board they wouldn't be looked at for that year. If you are talking about a medical HPSP or another position it wouldn't matter as much.
 
is it relatively easy to commission after you earn MD or DO?

Depends on what specialty you are doing residency in. If it is a need of the army then yes it is pretty easy to get selected. If you are doing a specialty that is not needed it can be very very hard to get in. I had a Neurologist try and get in for three years straight and we still couldn't get him in the reserves.
 
There are boards every month but 65C (Dietician) is one that usually fills up at the first board. So if they didn't get to that board they wouldn't be looked at for that year. If you are talking about a medical HPSP or another position it wouldn't matter as much.
Thanks!
 
@Armyhealth goodmorning. I am new to this site and just saw this thread. I am a former Army Reserve officer, 18 months as an O1. Last duty was Commanding Officer of a trans detachment. I was honorable discharged is 2011 and I miss it. I am 44 and will be 45 in April. I am having a partial knee replacement in 5 days. I am researching either getting my MSW or PhD in Clinical Psychology. What if anything would I be able to do?
 
@Armyhealth goodmorning. I am new to this site and just saw this thread. I am a former Army Reserve officer, 18 months as an O1. Last duty was Commanding Officer of a trans detachment. I was honorable discharged is 2011 and I miss it. I am 44 and will be 45 in April. I am having a partial knee replacement in 5 days. I am researching either getting my MSW or PhD in Clinical Psychology. What if anything would I be able to do?

If you get your PHD in clinical Psych they will take you back in the reserves. Social worker there is a shot but usually they don't go too high with age waivers with that one. I could see them accepting an age waiver in the low 50s for a 73B but no guarantee. Just depends how active that application cycle is.
 
@Armyhealth I am thinking pretty serious about the MSW, which the earliest I would finish it would be at age 47. Would they subtract my time in service for age? I have 7 years TIS. 5.5 enlisted and 1.5 officer. Also, what if I reentered prior/same time as me starting my MSW how would that work and what would I enter as?
 
@Armyhealth I am thinking pretty serious about the MSW, which the earliest I would finish it would be at age 47. Would they subtract my time in service for age? I have 7 years TIS. 5.5 enlisted and 1.5 officer. Also, what if I reentered prior/same time as me starting my MSW how would that work and what would I enter as?

Let's talk over the phone, send me a private message with your phone number.
 
@Armyhealth Good Evening! I am an enlisted active duty soldier. While in AIT, I was diagnosed to be an Inactive Carrier of the Hepatitis B virus after an attempt for a blood donation. I was very depressed and thought that time I will be kicked out but I was not and even put to a med board. Fast forward after two years of keeping my self busy taking classes and studying for MCAT and taking it twice, finally a manage to get an acceptance to a medical school. This week I had my commissioning physical for HPSP, I disclose my diagnosis in the DD Form 2807-1 (Medical History Form). I actually expect to be denied and ask to get a waiver. Worst case I expect to be med board out which is fine by me actually. To my surprise, the physician at our MTF just read my diagnosis and said "OK" and move along on the physical. In the end, the remarks were "qualified to service without limitation". I was totally flabbergasted and range walk out her office before she changes her mind. LOL. I thought my diagnosis is a straight disqualifier!! I don't want to keep my hopes high because I know base on my life experience that **** happens. I don't want this to haunt me in the future. Should I ask the physician again if I don't need a waiver for it? Should I be an advocate to myself to be disqualified? Thank you.
 
@Armyhealth Good Evening! I am an enlisted active duty soldier. While in AIT, I was diagnosed to be an Inactive Carrier of the Hepatitis B virus after an attempt for a blood donation. I was very depressed and thought that time I will be kicked out but I was not and even put to a med board. Fast forward after two years of keeping my self busy taking classes and studying for MCAT and taking it twice, finally a manage to get an acceptance to a medical school. This week I had my commissioning physical for HPSP, I disclose my diagnosis in the DD Form 2807-1 (Medical History Form). I actually expect to be denied and ask to get a waiver. Worst case I expect to be med board out which is fine by me actually. To my surprise, the physician at our MTF just read my diagnosis and said "OK" and move along on the physical. In the end, the remarks were "qualified to service without limitation". I was totally flabbergasted and range walk out her office before she changes her mind. LOL. I thought my diagnosis is a straight disqualifier!! I don't want to keep my hopes high because I know base on my life experience that **** happens. I don't want this to haunt me in the future. Should I ask the physician again if I don't need a waiver for it? Should I be an advocate to myself to be disqualified? Thank you.

Nope, you take your physical and go about your merry way. They look more at your health currently, usually if you have not been med boarded you can continue to serve. If it becomes an issue later then you figure that out later but the doc wrote your qualified so your good to go.
 
@Armyhealth
Do you know how many selection boards there are per FY for 65A? Looking to go active.
And is loan repayment a thing for my situation? I've googled far and wide but can't find a definitive answer.
I think my chances are decent (Prior service 11B, Sep:MBK/RE:1, Good GPA) but I'm a new graduate with zero experience outside of my fieldwork.
Thank you
 
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@Armyhealth I've been trying to get to the bottom of this one, and I know you'll be able to answer it easily.

If an enlisted guy commissions as a 2LT in HPSP and becomes a physician, they have to spend 10 years as an officer before they can retire in a commissioned grade. Do the four years in medical school as a reserve LT count toward that 10 year requirement? I understand they don't count toward the overall 20, which is a non-issue for me.

Thanks for all your help!
 
@Armyhealth
Do you know how many selection boards there are per FY for 65A? Looking to go active.
And is loan repayment a thing for my situation? I've googled far and wide but can't find a definitive answer.
I think my chances are decent (Prior service 11B, Sep:MBK/RE:1, Good GPA) but I'm a new graduate with zero experience outside of my fieldwork.
Thank you

Only one per year, board deadline is 12 Feb, board is on 26 Feb. 120K student loan repayment for a 3 year contract for active duty.
 
@Armyhealth I've been trying to get to the bottom of this one, and I know you'll be able to answer it easily.

If an enlisted guy commissions as a 2LT in HPSP and becomes a physician, they have to spend 10 years as an officer before they can retire in a commissioned grade. Do the four years in medical school as a reserve LT count toward that 10 year requirement? I understand they don't count toward the overall 20, which is a non-issue for me.

Thanks for all your help!

The four years in medical school will only count towards reserve retirement time (they actually just changed that policy). You have to do a memorandum when you switch from active to reserve or IRR to get that time counted.
 
The four years in medical school will only count towards reserve retirement time (they actually just changed that policy). You have to do a memorandum when you switch from active to reserve or IRR to get that time counted.

So in other words, if I start medical school with 15 years of enlisted service, I have to do an additional 10 years after pinning on Captain if I want to retire as an officer?

I understand that the four years of medical school doesn't count towards overall retirement, just looking at the 10 year requirement.
 
So in other words, if I start medical school with 15 years of enlisted service, I have to do an additional 10 years after pinning on Captain if I want to retire as an officer?

I understand that the four years of medical school doesn't count towards overall retirement, just looking at the 10 year requirement.

Yes to get your officer retirement pay you do have to do 10 years of active service as an officer if you did enlisted first. So if you did HPSP and had the shortest residency you would be at 7 so you would be looking at an additional 3 year contract to hit the 10 year commissioned and 25 year retirement. Also note you have to serve 6 months in the highest grade achieved to get that rank.
 
Yes to get your officer retirement pay you do have to do 10 years of active service as an officer if you did enlisted first. So if you did HPSP and had the shortest residency you would be at 7 so you would be looking at an additional 3 year contract to hit the 10 year commissioned and 25 year retirement. Also note you have to serve 6 months in the highest grade achieved to get that rank.

Thanks, that clarifies it. One other question... is there such a thing as "coming out of retirement"? Say I retired with 20 years of enlisted service with no intention of coming back in. But 7 years later, as a fully qualified physician, I got the itch to come back in. I understand I would need an age waiver, but that sounds really messy. Has that happened before, as far as you know?
 
Thanks, that clarifies it. One other question... is there such a thing as "coming out of retirement"? Say I retired with 20 years of enlisted service with no intention of coming back in. But 7 years later, as a fully qualified physician, I got the itch to come back in. I understand I would need an age waiver, but that sounds really messy. Has that happened before, as far as you know?

It is possible, depends on the specialty and how bad they need you. The application process would be rough and a few waivers would be required.
 
Hello, thank you for doing this! Does the HPSP program pay at all towards pre-existing student debt (ex. from undergrad)? If not at what point does the military begin to pay down that pre-existing debt if you stay in after completing the HPSP payback time? Ex. 4 yr HPSP scholarship --> 4 yr residency --> 4 yr attending payback + 4 yr IRR.
 
Hello, thank you for doing this! Does the HPSP program pay at all towards pre-existing student debt (ex. from undergrad)? If not at what point does the military begin to pay down that pre-existing debt if you stay in after completing the HPSP payback time? Ex. 4 yr HPSP scholarship --> 4 yr residency --> 4 yr attending payback + 4 yr IRR.

The HPSP will not pay for any pre-existing debt. Loan repayment is only offered for joining so you won't get it unless you finish your commitment on active duty then get out for a year and then come back in. However, after your initial contract for HPSP you will get large bonus options depending on the specialty and you can use those for your student loans.
 
@Armyhealth
Are they more lenient with waivers for prior service or AMEDD applicants?
Had a mild concussion while I was active duty, which might require a waiver. Since it's already so close to the Feb 12 deadline, I'm not sure if I'll get cleared through MEPS in time. My med prescreen was sent up this past week, I believe.

Thanks
 
@Armyhealth
Are they more lenient with waivers for prior service or AMEDD applicants?
Had a mild concussion while I was active duty, which might require a waiver. Since it's already so close to the Feb 12 deadline, I'm not sure if I'll get cleared through MEPS in time. My med prescreen was sent up this past week, I believe.

Thanks

MEPS won't be but when they send it up to OTSG Dr. Wong is pretty good at taking a careful look at prior service. No guarantee but I would be surprised if you were DQ'd from a mild concussion.
 
Hey @Armyhealth !
I'm a USAR Medical Service Corp 1LT. I'm also a 1st year Vet student on the OML for HPSP. From the numbers I've seen on other forums it looks like the odds of getting picked up for either the 3 or 2 year scholarship is around 2.5- 5%. I know that you've talked about the importance of GPA and leadership before, but I'm wondering if one is more important than the other. My undergrad GPA was only about 3.3, but people keep saying that prior service applicants are rare. I've meet/ heard of enough of them to doubt that, but on the other hand the recruiter I ended up with is was pretty experienced and said that I was the first commissioned officer applicant she had processed.

If they want to pull you off of the OML do they pull a fresh set of vet school transcripts? The first recruiter I tried to work with ended up being the bed pan of USAREC/ AMEDD and we had about 4-6 weeks to complete the entire application (including Thanksgiving)... my GPA took a hit...

Since I will have an extremely high student loan debt ($400,000+) without benefits and I would love some help sorting through my backup plan(s).

I recently found out that I have 18 months of Post 9-11 GI Bill left, which is obviously great, but I have 60% eligibility and I haven't been able to nail down if that just applies to the amount of BAH paid, or the tuition cap as well. Does anyone know?

I used my Army TA for some of my B.S., but I will hit 10 years TIS and it looks like I should be able to use it again after this, but I'm wondering if anyone's encountered issues trying to do that.

Today one of the nurses, who is going back to school for NP told me about the STRAP program. Is there anything like that for veterinary students? I was thinking about trying to get into an IMA slot before I found out about this program, but the stability and the stipend are obviously a huge benefit.

I'm considering active duty. It's what I pictured doing while I was in high school and for most of college. W/o HPSP $120,000 would definitely go a long way. However-

USAR isn't a bad gig and I like food animal + pony medicine, which I wouldn't get to do a lot of on AD. USDA has a program where they'll pay $75,000 towards loans if you practice food animal medicine. Combined with Reserve Health Professionals Loan Repayment ($50,000) I would receive $5,000 more by going the USAR route. One website said that the Army gives loan repayment is given until funds run out for the FY. Have you heard of that happening? I only saw it the once, but it would suck to have it happen and not be prepared.

Do USAR veterinarians get Veterinary Corp Officer Special Pay? It looks like it might be an AD benefit, in which case, could you get it while on orders?

Am I missing out on any other major benefits? I saw something about $250,000 in student loan repayment earlier in this forum, but wasn't sure if that was part of a program available for USAR veterinarians.

Thank you so much for the help. I know that you are busy, so I really appreciate your time and advice.
 
Hey @Armyhealth !
I'm a USAR Medical Service Corp 1LT. I'm also a 1st year Vet student on the OML for HPSP. From the numbers I've seen on other forums it looks like the odds of getting picked up for either the 3 or 2 year scholarship is around 2.5- 5%. I know that you've talked about the importance of GPA and leadership before, but I'm wondering if one is more important than the other. My undergrad GPA was only about 3.3, but people keep saying that prior service applicants are rare. I've meet/ heard of enough of them to doubt that, but on the other hand the recruiter I ended up with is was pretty experienced and said that I was the first commissioned officer applicant she had processed.

If they want to pull you off of the OML do they pull a fresh set of vet school transcripts? The first recruiter I tried to work with ended up being the bed pan of USAREC/ AMEDD and we had about 4-6 weeks to complete the entire application (including Thanksgiving)... my GPA took a hit...

Since I will have an extremely high student loan debt ($400,000+) without benefits and I would love some help sorting through my backup plan(s).

I recently found out that I have 18 months of Post 9-11 GI Bill left, which is obviously great, but I have 60% eligibility and I haven't been able to nail down if that just applies to the amount of BAH paid, or the tuition cap as well. Does anyone know?

I used my Army TA for some of my B.S., but I will hit 10 years TIS and it looks like I should be able to use it again after this, but I'm wondering if anyone's encountered issues trying to do that.

Today one of the nurses, who is going back to school for NP told me about the STRAP program. Is there anything like that for veterinary students? I was thinking about trying to get into an IMA slot before I found out about this program, but the stability and the stipend are obviously a huge benefit.

I'm considering active duty. It's what I pictured doing while I was in high school and for most of college. W/o HPSP $120,000 would definitely go a long way. However-

USAR isn't a bad gig and I like food animal + pony medicine, which I wouldn't get to do a lot of on AD. USDA has a program where they'll pay $75,000 towards loans if you practice food animal medicine. Combined with Reserve Health Professionals Loan Repayment ($50,000) I would receive $5,000 more by going the USAR route. One website said that the Army gives loan repayment is given until funds run out for the FY. Have you heard of that happening? I only saw it the once, but it would suck to have it happen and not be prepared.

Do USAR veterinarians get Veterinary Corp Officer Special Pay? It looks like it might be an AD benefit, in which case, could you get it while on orders?

Am I missing out on any other major benefits? I saw something about $250,000 in student loan repayment earlier in this forum, but wasn't sure if that was part of a program available for USAR veterinarians.

Thank you so much for the help. I know that you are busy, so I really appreciate your time and advice.

Send me a private message, would love to talk with you over the phone. I think it will be more efficient. Bedpan of USAREC lol!
 
I am wondering, I was diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder, I tried to take medications for it but stopped after a few months because it wasn't doing anything (this was May 2017) and I have been to therapy for it but my last appointment was in December of 2018 and I am planning on applying for the hpsp scholarship for medical school, when I apply to medical school next May (May 2020). Is this waiverable? have you heard of any of the branches granting waivers for a situation like this?
also what happens if I get to the recruiter and they tell me to just lie?
 
I am wondering, I was diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder, I tried to take medications for it but stopped after a few months because it wasn't doing anything (this was May 2017) and I have been to therapy for it but my last appointment was in December of 2018 and I am planning on applying for the hpsp scholarship for medical school, when I apply to medical school next May (May 2020). Is this waiverable? have you heard of any of the branches granting waivers for a situation like this?
also what happens if I get to the recruiter and they tell me to just lie?
Could be. Regrettably no way to know. DO NOT LIE and apply for a waiver if you’re motivated to go milmed
 
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