Army HPSP

Started by Armymutt25A
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Armymutt25A

Armymutt25A

Cranky VSST OIC
Verified Member
10+ Year Member
Army
Has anyone heard anything about a 4-yr version of the HPSP? I've shot an RFI up through my channels, but figured I'd ask here too. The reason I'm asking is because of number 40 on this page: http://vetopportunities.amedd.army.mil/hpsp/faq/section4.html

The fact that they mention 1st year vet students attending OBC makes me wonder. Maybe the implication is that you pay for the first year and apply for the scholarship. The board meets and awards scholarships and you get commissioned and sent to TX that first summer.
 
I don't know if this is helpful, but when I attended an information session last fall we were told that it is either a 3 (accepted during your 1st year) or 2 year (accepted during your 2nd year) scholarship, but either way your commitment to the army is the same.
 
From all my investigation, I have yielded the same results. Either first, second, or third year application. I talked to a recruiter once if there was a way to apply and do the OBC before going to vet school (like the summer before entering) and he could not give me a strait answer.

I believe, regardless of when you enter there is a debt repayment plan though correct? You just don't get all the other perks.
 
They want to make sure you can handle vet school, so they wait until your second year before they give the scholarship. A lot of scholarships are like this. It doesn't make sense for them to give you money only to find out you can't handle the stress so you drop out.
 
The whole OBC thing has me annoyed. If I get in and get this program, I'm hoping I can get credit for time served in the general portion of OBC. I really don't need more basic level instruction in land nav, marching, rank, and other crap like that. It'll be bad enough having to swap railroad tracks for a butter bar. It'll be fun indoctrinating MEDCOM people to the real Army ways of thinking. For some reason, I'm never popular in schools where the military cultures are mixed.
 
Armymutt25A said:
Has anyone heard anything about a 4-yr version of the HPSP? I've shot an RFI up through my channels, but figured I'd ask here too. The reason I'm asking is because of number 40 on this page: http://vetopportunities.amedd.army.mil/hpsp/faq/section4.html

The fact that they mention 1st year vet students attending OBC makes me wonder. Maybe the implication is that you pay for the first year and apply for the scholarship. The board meets and awards scholarships and you get commissioned and sent to TX that first summer.
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I've considered this program for quite awhile.

My concerns/questions:

1.) Can I specialize concurrently? In other words, can I enter an internship and subsequent residency program while on active and/or reserve duty? If so, this is a HUGE factor.

2.) When do we apply? I've emailed the contact and haven't heard a response. Note: I am a c/o 2015 student.

I have more but I'll wait for feedback on these.

Thanks in advance
 
TomTheK9Fixr said:
I've considered this program for quite awhile.

My concerns/questions:

1.) Can I specialize concurrently? In other words, can I enter an internship and subsequent residency program while on active and/or reserve duty? If so, this is a HUGE factor.

2.) When do we apply? I've emailed the contact and haven't heard a response. Note: I am a c/o 2015 student.

I have more but I'll wait for feedback on these.

Thanks in advance
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I don't have the anything official, just observations. Specialties come further in your career and bring an additional ADSO. One of the vets I worked for is doing patho at Walter Reed. You do the specialty while getting paid at your current pay grade - making you very popular with both the school (they don't have to pay you) and your classmates (you will be making 2 or 3 times what they are getting, and thus must provide the beer). Downside is that the program you pick must be of value to the Army, and it must be available when you are applying for it. Some people want radiology, but had to go somewhere else because the radio slot was filled, or didn't exist that year. It's typical of the Army, and you learn to live with it or get out.

Can't answer number two. Hope to hear back from a recruiter today.
 
Armymutt25A said:
I don't have the anything official, just observations. Specialties come further in your career and bring an additional ADSO. One of the vets I worked for is doing patho at Walter Reed. You do the specialty while getting paid at your current pay grade - making you very popular with both the school (they don't have to pay you) and your classmates (you will be making 2 or 3 times what they are getting, and thus must provide the beer). Downside is that the program you pick must be of value to the Army, and it must be available when you are applying for it. Some people want radiology, but had to go somewhere else because the radio slot was filled, or didn't exist that year. It's typical of the Army, and you learn to live with it or get out.

Can't answer number two. Hope to hear back from a recruiter today.
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What is ADSO?
 
TomTheK9Fixr said:
What is ADSO?
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Active Duty Service Obligation. It's the officer equivalent of an enlistment contract. Ours are usually acquired during events or actions. For example, your initial one is generally 3 years. Going to a major military school (like captains career course) incurs one at the rate of 1 to 1. I think attending a specialization school gets you a 3 to one. A Permanent Change of Station (PSC) incurs another. It's how the Army keeps you around. Think of it as a cell phone plan. Your contract can expire, but they don't make you leave and they don't make you sign a new contract until you try to upgrade on their dime. My ADSO ran out in Feb 09, which means I could give my 6 months notice at any time in the past 2 years, except when under a deployment order or 90 days post deployment without a waiver, etc.
 
Armymutt25A said:
Active Duty Service Obligation. It's the officer equivalent of an enlistment contract. Ours are usually acquired during events or actions. For example, your initial one is generally 3 years. Going to a major military school (like captains career course) incurs one at the rate of 1 to 1. I think attending a specialization school gets you a 3 to one. A Permanent Change of Station (PSC) incurs another. It's how the Army keeps you around. Think of it as a cell phone plan. Your contract can expire, but they don't make you leave and they don't make you sign a new contract until you try to upgrade on their dime. My ADSO ran out in Feb 09, which means I could give my 6 months notice at any time in the past 2 years, except when under a deployment order or 90 days post deployment without a waiver, etc.
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Thanks for the explanation especially the analogy lol! It made sense. You seem like a great resource. Thanks again and keep us updated. I am looking forward to exploring the HPSP as an option.
 
Ask away on Army questions. Been doing it for 10 years, both enlisted and offier sides of the house. Was an AF brat for 20 or so years prior to that. The civilian world scares me too much.
 
Armymutt25A said:
Ask away on Army questions. Been doing it for 10 years, both enlisted and offier sides of the house. Was an AF brat for 20 or so years prior to that. The civilian world scares me too much.
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I have this thread tabbed so I'll certainly take you up on that. In a nutshell, I want to specialize. I have a couple of research interests that I plan on starting while in school. It'd be great if I could get published as this would help in the big picture of board certification. My decision to select this option will boil down to whether or not opportunities (residency positions) will be precluded/or put on significant hold with my commitment. From what I've heard from many others, including you, is that there are certainly opportunities BUT timing is the most important factor. IF and WHEN positions become available is out of my control. Now, I just need to figure out if I can take a calculated risk (i.e., be told that in x years, y position will be available).
 
I am doing ROTC now and plan to transfer to HPSP if/once i get my acceptance to vet school. I have spoken to several HPSP/AMEDD recruiters and veterinary is one of the medical professions where only 3 year scholarships are awarder. My roommate is going to medical school next year on a 4 year program. Sadly, as I stated above, veterinary students pretty much get a shaft.
 
MillerJ88 said:
I am doing ROTC now and plan to transfer to HPSP if/once i get my acceptance to vet school. I have spoken to several HPSP/AMEDD recruiters and veterinary is one of the medical professions where only 3 year scholarships are awarder. My roommate is going to medical school next year on a 4 year program. Sadly, as I stated above, veterinary students pretty much get a shaft.
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You might want to ask them about how your ADSO with ROTC interacts with HPSP. I read on the HPSP web site that if you are serving your ADSO in the reserves, you are ineligible for HPSP. If this isn't the case, I'd like to know. My AKO isn't working right now, so I can't access the email. AMMED emails don't like going through the conus.army.mil system.
 
I was able to make the active duty cut for when I graduate so I will just owe the Army 8+ years active duty coming out of vet school. My AKO never works either, seeing as I am not in a unit I rarely check that damn thing and my password is in need of resetting and I have to go on base to get it reset.

I forgot to add in that I also, instead of branching, got approved for an educational delay.
 
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My understanding is that you apply first year. We had 2 sessions where we were told all about the program. You may or may not be accepted. If not, you can reapply next year (for 2 years of funding instead of 3.) Then you complete school with some pretty typical and minimal time committments over the summer and with recruiting (explaining the program.) If you previously served, your previous service counts (I don't know all the details, could ask the hubby, he reviewed the option with me.) Note, grades apparently DO matter on this one, so do well (I don't know to what extent, but it IS competitive.)

Once you finish school, you have a commitment (I believe it is 4 years.) You do not get to start a residency until after you have completed some portion of your commitment (and apparently where you serve your committment has an impact, one of our residents only had to do 1 year before starting his residency, but my understanding was that he served in some less than ideal situations in afghanistan.) But, if they assist with your residency or you start it before your committment is out, you re-up(?) your committment for a couple more years. Apparently they do have some residencies that are army vet only.

Now, things to be aware of for those considering this without military experience. Do not do this if you are not ready and willing for military life. As my husband puts it 'married to the military' isn't for everyone. Do NOT do this if choosing where, how, and what work you do is a high priority for you. Do NOT do this if you are unwilling to do meat inspection, because it isn't an uncommon assignment. Don't presume you will get the dream job (I would sign up for a decade in a heart beat if someone would guarantee me the loaned to the navy position working with trained dolphins.) Do realize this will impact your SO/pets/etc.

There is a military doctor section on SDN. investigate it. Ask recruiters to put you in touch with a lot of vets that went through this process. well worth it. I learned a ton (and all I did was ask everyone that I knew if they knew a military vet.) Ask on VIN as well (which you can get an account as soon as you have your email set up.
 
sumstorm said:
Ask on VIN as well (which you can get an account as soon as you have your email set up.
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Thanks for reminding me that we can set up our VIN accounts now! I've always wanted a VIN account.
 
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