Army National Guard's new Med student program details.

[Barium56]

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I need some advice. I am not sure if I want to continue my application. I have my Federal Board Review in 3 weeks. And my recruiter says that I can swear in as early as Aug 14 if everything goes through.

If I knew there were slots for ASR I would join today and feel good about it. But I am not sure if I want to swear in and wait to see if a slot opens only to never get in.

I think the MDSSP program is decent but in my situation I am not sure that it would help. My family and I are currently on food stamps and Medicaid and with the extra money we would be kicked off both of them. Plus I was informed by my financial aid department that any stipend money is counted as scholarship money and will thus reduce the amount that I can take out in loans. So by doing MDSSP it will not help us out financially.

So now I don't know what to do. Is there anyone here who has sworn in and on the waitlist? Last I heard on here the waitlist for ASR was over 50.
I doubt anyone can be on the waitlist without swearing in first. Any advice?

 

[del Sol DOHC]

You start ticking off your 8 years when you start drilling. So if you took MDSSP as an MS III and drilled, you'd only have 6 years owed by the time you graduated.

If you take MDSSP, your obligation does not start ticking when you start drilling, like it does for ASR. The MDSSP obligation begins whenever you stop taking MDSSP funds.

 

[Doctor Phil]

I think I see the main problem with the ASR program...

It makes MDSSP look like a PoC by comparison.😎

 

[amindwalker]

POFS, morceau du merde, stück Scheiße, etc. I submit that if the ASR funds had not been cut, the next 200 slots would already be nearly full. This really is the best job.

 

[jonb12997]

If you take MDSSP, your obligation does not start ticking when you start drilling, like it does for ASR. The 8 year obligation begins whenever you stop taking MDSSP funds.

correct

I took two years of MDSSP during the last two years of school. I'm done with that and now start my four years of repayment.

 

[Barium56]

If you take MDSSP, your obligation does not start ticking when you start drilling, like it does for ASR. The 8 year obligation begins whenever you stop taking MDSSP funds.

Really? That is not how I had it explained to me. Sneaky recruiters.

Let me make sure I understand this correctly. When you sign with the NG everyone has an obligatory 8 years. If I took MDSSP funds for the next 3 years at 2 for 1 additional commitment, I am looking at a total of 14 years. But I wouldn't start meeting that commitment until I graduate med school. So I would not be done with my commitments until 17 years from now?

 

[koojo]

If you take MDSSP, your obligation does not start ticking when you start drilling, like it does for ASR. The 8 year obligation begins whenever you stop taking MDSSP funds.

I understand what you're saying, but I think it makes more sense that the MDSSP contractual obligation begins after your 8 year MSO is up. Your MSO starts ticking when you raise your hand and swear in. That's how I've known the MSO to work, unless taking MDSSP changes things around.

 

[del Sol DOHC]

Really? That is not how I had it explained to me. Sneaky recruiters.

Let me make sure I understand this correctly. When you sign with the NG everyone has an obligatory 8 years. If I took MDSSP funds for the next 3 years at 2 for 1 additional commitment, I am looking at a total of 14 years. But I wouldn't start meeting that commitment until I graduate med school. So I would not be done with my commitments until 17 years from now?

If you take the 3 years of MDSSP, you will be committing yourself to 9 years total of active drilling time (2 days/mo, 2 wks/year). 3 Of those 9 years will be during medical school, and the other 6 are the commitment from MDSSP. Your 8 year mandatory obligation that everyone incurs should be fulfilled during that time, so you should not even have any inactive service left, and you are free to resign your commission.

I understand what you're saying, but I think it makes more sense that the MDSSP contractual obligation begins after your 8 year MSO is up. Your MSO starts ticking when you raise your hand and swear in. That's how I've known the MSO to work, unless taking MDSSP changes things around.

The 8 year MSO does start ticking when you raise your hand, but you can pay back obligations concurrently with it. Think about it, it is just like if you enlist for 6 years (8 year MSO = 6 years drilling, 2 years IRR) then decide to reenlist for 4 more years. you serve a total of 10 years with no additional IRR, not 12 years, because the last 2 years of your 8 year MSO will be paid back during your reenlistment.

 

[koojo]

The 8 year MSO does start ticking when you raise your hand, but you can pay back obligations concurrently with it. Think about it, it is just like if you enlist for 6 years (8 year MSO = 6 years drilling, 2 years IRR) then decide to reenlist for 4 more years. you serve a total of 10 years with no additional IRR, not 12 years, because the last 2 years of your 8 year MSO will be paid back during your reenlistment.

That's what I originally though before I got confused by someone saying something different lol

 

[notdeadyet]

If you take MDSSP, your obligation does not start ticking when you start drilling, like it does for ASR. The 8 year obligation begins whenever you stop taking MDSSP funds.

From contract stuff I've read, your 8 year MSO starts with your commissioning. Period.

Now, the years you accumulate from taking MDSSP is not paid off until after you stop the program. Which was mentioned before.

If anyone has some specific contract language that disagrees with this, it'd be handy having it posted...

The 8 year MSO does start ticking when you raise your hand, but you can pay back obligations concurrently with it. Think about it, it is just like if you enlist for 6 years (8 year MSO = 6 years drilling, 2 years IRR) then decide to reenlist for 4 more years. you serve a total of 10 years with no additional IRR, not 12 years, because the last 2 years of your 8 year MSO will be paid back during your reenlistment.

Gotcha. This part makes sense. I just don't want folks thinking that their 8 year MSO does not start ticking right away. From what I've read, it starts when they are commissioned.

As for the MDSSP not being paid back until after their 8 year MSO is up, that conflicts with the contracts they have for MDSSP, which are pretty specific about payback beginning when they graduate medical school. The recruiting materials are pretty specific about this, as is the contract. I'd be very careful about signing something different.

 

[del Sol DOHC]

From contract stuff I've read, your 8 year MSO starts with your commissioning. Period.

Now, the years you accumulate from taking MDSSP is not paid off until after you stop the program. Which was mentioned before.

If anyone has some specific contract language that disagrees with this, it'd be handy having it posted...

No you are totally right. In the post you quoted above, I meant to say the MDSSP obligation does not start until you stop taking funds. Meanwhile, the 8 year MSO starts ticking as soon as you swear in. The two obligations served concurrently can get a bit confusing to explain. I edited my statement above.

 

[notdeadyet]

No you are totally right. In the post you quoted above, I meant to say the MDSSP obligation does not start until you stop taking funds. Meanwhile, the 8 year MSO starts ticking as soon as you swear in. The two obligations served concurrently can get a bit confusing to explain. I edited my statement above.

Gotcha, del Sol. Mind you, the editing probably needed to be done between my ears.

 

[Doctor Phil]

Would like to clear up a question that came up with my recruiter...

MDSSP clearly has the 2:1 service commitment component.

• 
  Is there a 2:1 service commitment associated with ASR, or is it simply an 8 year MSO (6 drilling/2 not) for taking part in any amount of the program?

For people who do all 3 years of the ASR program, the point is moot, because it all adds up to the same thing. But the calculation becomes pertinent if you're doing ASR for only 1 or 2 years.

• 
  Can anyone point me to a page in an actual ARNG document that spells out the 2:1 commitment or other definitive service obligation calculation?

 

[del Sol DOHC]

Would like to clear up a question that came up with my recruiter...

MDSSP clearly has the 2:1 service commitment component.

• 
  Is there a 2:1 service commitment associated with ASR, or is it simply an 8 year MSO (6 drilling/2 not) for taking part in any amount of the program?

For people who do all 3 years of the ASR program, the point is moot, because it all adds up to the same thing. But the calculation becomes pertinent if you're doing ASR for only 1 or 2 years.

• 
  Can anyone point me to a page in an actual ARNG document that spells out the 2:1 commitment or other definitive service obligation calculation?

Participation in the ASR program incurs a simple 8 year MSO (6 drilling, 2 inactive) that starts counting down as soon as you take your oath. It does not matter how many years you participate in ASR, it is still 8 years.

http://www.dmna.state.ny.us/arng/ocs/forms/DG_ASR_program.pdf

 

[DrRoast]

Is their anyone out there that knows if there is going to be a June/July OBC (AMEDD Officer Basic Course) next summer. I know that only an Apr/May and Aug/Sep class are scheduled as of now. Is a summer class going to get added? Is their any way or anyone I can contact to find out if their will be one and when it will be. I really need to know ASAP, b/c this is the only time I will ever be able to fit OBC in my schedule, and I need to schedule some other things for next summer, so I really need to find out about this. Anyone, PLEASE any input is appreciated.

 

[koojo]

Is their anyone out there that knows if there is going to be a June/July OBC (AMEDD Officer Basic Course) next summer. I know that only an Apr/May and Aug/Sep class are scheduled as of now. Is a summer class going to get added? Is their any way or anyone I can contact to find out if their will be one and when it will be. I really need to know ASAP, b/c this is the only time I will ever be able to fit OBC in my schedule, and I need to schedule some other things for next summer, so I really need to find out about this. Anyone, PLEASE any input is appreciated.

I emailed someone in charge over at the OBLC school a couple weeks back asking the same question but haven't received a response yet. So far there is no June, July course.

 

[DrRoast]

I emailed someone in charge over at the OBLC school a couple weeks back asking the same question but haven't received a response yet. So far there is no June, July course.

Is their anyone you know of that I could call? Do you think they will add a summer course?

 

[n618ft]

I'm definitely interested in this - I'm in the process of applying to med school for 2010 but wouldn't mind joining the ARNG or ANG regardless of the outcome of med school... or having different duties until then. I'm in FL now and I hope school will be in FL too. 👍 Any recruiters around?

 

[koojo]

I'm definitely interested in this - I'm in the process of applying to med school for 2010 but wouldn't mind joining the ARNG or ANG regardless of the outcome of med school... or having different duties until then. I'm in FL now and I hope school will be in FL too. 👍

Sounds good man, I've got nothing bad to say about the National Guard from personal experience. I'm going on my 8th year and the experience/knowledge you gain as well as the technology and increase in fun-factor are priceless 🙂 Let us know what your plan of action is.

 

[n618ft]

Sounds good man, I've got nothing bad to say about the National Guard from personal experience. I'm going on my 8th year and the experience/knowledge you gain as well as the technology and increase in fun-factor are priceless 🙂 Let us know what your plan of action is.

I need to speak with a recruiter for now and see what my options are... I'd like to start on something now, but I'm not 100% sure where I'll be for med school yet! Can I commission locally for something else for now and transfer out after?

Update: Just got off the phone... 200 slots are currently filled (I guess in this state?) but I can get on the waitlist. I'm getting the packet emailed. I was also looking at just going to OCS and being productive in the meantime. I could always apply for ASR at a later date. My 8 year committment would start AFTER I start the ASR program, no? I could take it the last 3 years of med school and go from there 🙂

 

[Barium56]

My recruiter sent me an email today with this information:

1. There are only 200 positions for ASR. Projected growth for the program
is not likely. Once a person graduates from the program, that frees up the
position for a current medical student on the Alternate List.
2. There are 200 enrolled with 54 on the Alternate List NOW. Unless you
have already been informed by me that you have a position on the alternate
list, you're not on it.
3. 12 slots open by 12/2009; 43 more slots open by 12/2010; 90 more slots open by 12/2011; 55 more slots open by 12/2012. The majority of those slots open up in the summer when people graduate.
4. People are continuing to apply for ASR and sit on the waiting list.
However, I don't know how many are still applying and will be selected on
the next board.

He wants me to decide now if I want to wait for ASR or start receiving MDSSP. It doesn't look like the prospects of getting into ASR are good for me since I am not on the waiting list yet.

 

[notdeadyet]

My recruiter sent me an email today with this information:

Feel free to ask your recruiter for a copy of the memo that describes this change in policy. As of current policy, the 200 slots for this year are full and folks are waiting for 200 to open 1 OCT. Any talk of moving to a rolling opening of slots as people graduate rather than opening the new 200 slots are just talk.

For now. Policy may change. There is a lot of talk of everything from the program being scrapped to expanded. But for those of us recruiting for ASR, the only policy we've seen in writing is that 200 slots will open 1 OCT. It may change to something that your recruiter is describing, but it hasn't officially happened yet.

Both are great programs but ASR >>> MDSSP. For three years in med school, ASR = $150K or so vs. MDSSP = $72K or so. ASR pay for one year is close to the same as MDSSP for 2.75 years. And the payback is quicker in ASR.

Personally, I'd move on ASR and if it turns out that the program is scrapped, move over to MDSSP. If the 1 OCT start is not going to happen as planned, I'd imagine we'd hear about it in writing by sometime in August. It might be worth the wait.

 

[notdeadyet]

And to be clear, MDSSP is a great program. Had ASR not existed, I'd have taken MDSSP and been happy with it. I just think that ASR is a better deal by most metrics and if you can get it, go for it.

 

[Barium56]

Feel free to ask your recruiter for a copy of the memo that describes this change in policy. As of current policy, the 200 slots for this year are full and folks are waiting for 200 to open 1 OCT. Any talk of moving to a rolling opening of slots as people graduate rather than opening the new 200 slots are just talk.

I would think my recruiter would be up to date on this, but I understand where you are coming from. There is probably no official memo yet. I have my federal recognition board next week and I am planned to be commissioned about Aug 12. I think I will wait out to hear news on ASR. It it becomes apparent that ASR is not a possibily for me then I will take MDSSP. I can do that, correct?

 

[Barium56]

As of current policy, the 200 slots for this year are full and folks are waiting for 200 to open 1 OCT.

Just out of curiosity, do you have a copy of the current policy on ASR?

 

[koojo]

Just out of curiosity, do you have a copy of the current policy on ASR?

This is the current ASR policy: http://www.dmna.state.ny.us/arng/ocs/forms/DG_ASR_program.pdf.

Only one has been released that I know of.

 

[Barium56]

This is the current ASR policy: http://www.dmna.state.ny.us/arng/ocs/forms/DG_ASR_program.pdf.

Only one has been released that I know of.

Well, this makes it clear that the original plan was to add 200 new students the first 3 years of the program, for a total of 600 ASR slots. So as a current ASR, you have not heard otherwise? I just hate not knowing. It's like when I was waitlisted for med school, I just wanted to know either way so I could move on with my life. I would really like to do ASR. If there was a slot for me today, I would swear in without hesitation.

 

[notdeadyet]

Koojo's right, that document is the most current that I think any of us have seen. We haven't seen any amendments published. That's not to say it can't happen, but it hasn't happened yet.

Well, this makes it clear that the original plan was to add 200 new students the first 3 years of the program, for a total of 600 ASR slots. So as a current ASR, you have not heard otherwise?

No, this is current policy. It could change. With the economy how it is, stuffs getting trimmed anywhere, so you never know.

 

[koojo]

No, this is current policy. It could change. With the economy how it is, stuffs getting trimmed anywhere, so you never know.

Yep you are correct, stuff is getting trimmer everywhere. The other week both ESAR and another recruiting program was shut down by the national guard, which basically paid soldiers if they recruited other soldiers into the military.

 

[notdeadyet]

Yeah, we're much better off than just about anyone in the Guard though. Enlisted and non-AMEDD are getting hit because the National Guard is currently overstrength. AMEDD is still well-understrength.

That said, ASR is prety pricey...

 

[tsbuqh]

Koojo's right, that document is the most current that I think any of us have seen. We haven't seen any amendments published. That's not to say it can't happen, but it hasn't happened yet.

No, this is current policy. It could change. With the economy how it is, stuffs getting trimmed anywhere, so you never know.

I do not think this is a policy change issue. The guard does not want to change the policy from 600 total to 200 total. This is a funding issue. They probably will not change the policy at all, but there will only be funding in the deck (I believe the army calls it the FAD) for 200. If funding ever comes back up, then they can ramp back up to 600 slots.

IMHO trust what your recuiter told you about available slots in the near future (but probably nothing else they told you - they are paid to paint a rossie picture).

 

[Barium56]

I am trying to understand what my length of commitment would be if I took MDSSP and STRAP. It is confusing me. I am starting my 2nd year of med school now and will probably be commissioned next month. So I would take MDSSP for 3 years. Right now I am looking at family med or internal med so if I took STRAP I would take it for 3 years.

Here are my questions:
What would my commitment be if I took MDSSP for 3 years only and no other incentives?
What would my commitment be if I took 3 years of MDSSP, plus 3 years STRAP, plus HPLR?

 

[ayushman80]

I am trying to understand what my length of commitment would be if I took MDSSP and STRAP. It is confusing me. I am starting my 2nd year of med school now and will probably be commissioned next month. So I would take MDSSP for 3 years. Right now I am looking at family med or internal med so if I took STRAP I would take it for 3 years.

Here are my questions:
What would my commitment be if I took MDSSP for 3 years only and no other incentives?
What would my commitment be if I took 3 years of MDSSP, plus 3 years STRAP, plus HPLR?

From what I understand MDSSP is a 2 for 1 payback starting in medical school. So you would owe 6 years back. MS II, MS III, and MSIV would count for 3 of those years. The residency years for the rest of the time. HPLR just adds on to that time I believe (also a 2 for 1 payback).

 

[Octagonecology]

From what I understand MDSSP is a 2 for 1 payback starting in medical school. So you would owe 6 years back. MS II, MS III, and MSIV would count for 3 of those years. The residency years for the rest of the time. HPLR just adds on to that time I believe (also a 2 for 1 payback).

I may be wrong but I don't think you can take MDSSP and repay at the same time. It is 2/1 but I believe repayment begins only after you stop getting the benefit...i/e after med school for mdssp or after residency for STRAP. I think notdeadyet offered that you may owe over 10 years post residency if you take mdssp and strap all throughout your training......

 

[jfitzpat]

I am trying to understand what my length of commitment would be if I took MDSSP and STRAP. It is confusing me. I am starting my 2nd year of med school now and will probably be commissioned next month. So I would take MDSSP for 3 years. Right now I am looking at family med or internal med so if I took STRAP I would take it for 3 years.

Here are my questions:
What would my commitment be if I took MDSSP for 3 years only and no other incentives?
What would my commitment be if I took 3 years of MDSSP, plus 3 years STRAP, plus HPLR?

Pretty sure it would work like this:

Question 1: If you only took MDSSP, you would owe 6 years after you graduate. I think (but am not sure) that your years in residency would count toward the 6 years.

Question 2: You would owe 3 years for your MDSSP and 6 years for STRAP for a total of 9 years of obligation post residency. Your years in school and residency would not count towards paying back your obligation for taking MDSSP and STRAP. They do however count toward the 8 year minimum service obligation. If you take STRAP during residency, the MDSSP obligation goes from 2/1 to 1/1, which is why it would be 3 years. Any HPLRP that you take would be on top of the 9 years.

 

[notdeadyet]

Here are my questions:
What would my commitment be if I took MDSSP for 3 years only and no other incentives?
What would my commitment be if I took 3 years of MDSSP, plus 3 years STRAP, plus HPLR?

Check the last page of this thread. I think it was post 1614 in which your exact situation was discussed. You can verify that with the links to the NY ARNG PDFs that have been posted over the last few weeks.

But to save you the clicking, here's the post:

It works like this: It's 2:1 commitment for MDSSP or STRAP in exchange for the monthly stipend (you owe two years for every year you take the stipend). While you are taking the stipend, you are drilling. You start payback after your stipend ends.

So if you take 4 years of MDSSP in med school, you drill through med school, then start paying back your 8 years of drilling once you graduate med school. Some of that time while in residency, some after.

If you take 3 years of STRAP while in residency (but took nothing in med school), you'd drill through residency, then start paying back 6 years of drilling after you are done with residency.

But if you BOTH MDSSP and STRAP, then MDSSP becomes a 1:1 commitment. So if you took 4 years of MDSSP during med school and then did 5 years of STRAP during your radiology residency, you'd owe 4 years of drilling for MDSSP and 10 years of drilling for STRAP. You would drill throughout med school and residency and start your obligation payback of 14 years after finishing residency.

On the downside, this means that if you do MDSSP for 4 years and STRAP for 4 years, you are going to be drilling for a total of 20 years. On the upside, this means that when you're done with your obligation, you can retire!

 

[Octagonecology]

Check the last page of this thread. I think it was post 1614 in which your exact situation was discussed. You can verify that with the links to the NY ARNG PDFs that have been posted over the last few weeks.

But to save you the clicking, here's the post:

It works like this: It's 2:1 commitment for MDSSP or STRAP in exchange for the monthly stipend (you owe two years for every year you take the stipend). While you are taking the stipend, you are drilling. You start payback after your stipend ends.

So if you take 4 years of MDSSP in med school, you drill through med school, then start paying back your 8 years of drilling once you graduate med school. Some of that time while in residency, some after.

If you take 3 years of STRAP while in residency (but took nothing in med school), you'd drill through residency, then start paying back 6 years of drilling after you are done with residency.

But if you BOTH MDSSP and STRAP, then MDSSP becomes a 1:1 commitment. So if you took 4 years of MDSSP during med school and then did 5 years of STRAP during your radiology residency, you'd owe 4 years of drilling for MDSSP and 10 years of drilling for STRAP. You would drill throughout med school and residency and start your obligation payback of 14 years after finishing residency.

On the downside, this means that if you do MDSSP for 4 years and STRAP for 4 years, you are going to be drilling for a total of 20 years. On the upside, this means that when you're done with your obligation, you can retire!

And NotDead....post training, you would not only be drilling....but also deploying. Important thing for potential Guardsman to keep in mind.

 

[notdeadyet]

And NotDead....post training, you would not only be drilling....but also deploying. Important thing for potential Guardsman to keep in mind.

I've said it before to the point that I worry I'm sounding like a broken record:

DO NOT join the National Guard or any form of the Reserves thinking that you are signing up for a one weekend a month commitment.

We are understaffed for physicians in all forms of the military. If there is a war going on, you will be deployed. It's not a matter of if, it's a matter of when and for how long.

Do we even need to point this out at this stage? The military, even in the Guard and Reserves, is not some sort of hobby. You're in the military. If you sign up expecting something different, you're rolling the dice and, frankly, are a fool...

 

[Barium56]

I just saw a memo today that the MDSSP and STRAP stipend have been increased to $1992 per month effective July 1.

 

[spyderefs]

Wow, I just spent over 2 hours reading several pages. But I still have newbie questions, hmm.

First of all, as a newbie, I'm still applying for 2010 matriculation, but I've been reading about the waitlist and processing time lengths. To get in ASR, can I start to get the ball rolling now even without acceptances to get ASR as MS1?

Also, I know you'd join the your state's guard. But let's say I have an early acceptance at one state, but several months down the road I get another acceptance to a medical school I more prefer at a different state. Can I still apply to ASR with the early acceptance and somehow transfer states should circumstances change?

 

[punkiedad]

Wow, I just spent over 2 hours reading several pages. But I still have newbie questions, hmm.

First of all, as a newbie, I'm still applying for 2010 matriculation, but I've been reading about the waitlist and processing time lengths. To get in ASR, can I start to get the ball rolling now even without acceptances to get ASR as MS1?

Also, I know you'd join the your state's guard. But let's say I have an early acceptance at one state, but several months down the road I get another acceptance to a medical school I more prefer at a different state. Can I still apply to ASR with the early acceptance and somehow transfer states should circumstances change?

I will give it a shot......first, which states are you in now? You get the ball rolling where you are and then can always transfer to where you will attend med school. It can be a littel tricky, but I have heard other people talking about. it.

In order to be considered for ASR, the very first thing you need is a non conditional acceptance to a med school. Now, although your packet will not move without it for ASR, you could get the ball rolling with the paperwork. It is a long process so fill everything out and get it moving while you wait for your accetance.

Now, here is where I get a little over my skiis and may need some help. But, if you are sure you want to do the Guard, there are other options available such as MDSSP. This will get you less $$ but it is still a nice option. If you are compelled enough to join and take a chance on the ASR, you may have a very good shot. This is because, I BELIEVE, you need to be in the Guard to apply for ASR because thereis a wiating list. you may want to confirm this with your recruiter, but I think it is true. Now, the waiting list is only like 54 at last count, so you would have a good shot.

But, DO NOT (as notdeadyet will tell you) join unless you are ready to commit to your country and everything that goes along with it. So, it really starts with you.Are you willing to join the Guard for the right reasons and also accept the possibility of MDSSP instead of ASR. If so, go for it. You probably have a good shot at ASR, especially if you get an early acceptance.

PM me, or post what state you are in and you can talk to a local recruiter. Also, don't forget, we all get hung up on ASR, but the Guard has some great other things to it.
--stipend or pay while in school (whether ASR or MDSSP)
--options for stipend inresidency (STRAP)
--GI BILL
--State funding for school loan repayment (varies...check yours)
--after 20 years part time you can get retirement benefitsincludinghealthcare
--serving your country (I still cant believe how I underestimated this....I thought people would think I was crazy at 38 and joining)
--childcare help regardless of income
--deals on insurance, benefits for family, etc....

Best of luck with your decision......I am in PA. PM me if I can do anything

 

[spyderefs]

I will give it a shot......first, which states are you in now? You get the ball rolling where you are and then can always transfer to where you will attend med school. It can be a littel tricky, but I have heard other people talking about. it.

In order to be considered for ASR, the very first thing you need is a non conditional acceptance to a med school. Now, although your packet will not move without it for ASR, you could get the ball rolling with the paperwork. It is a long process so fill everything out and get it moving while you wait for your accetance.

Now, here is where I get a little over my skiis and may need some help. But, if you are sure you want to do the Guard, there are other options available such as MDSSP. This will get you less $$ but it is still a nice option. If you are compelled enough to join and take a chance on the ASR, you may have a very good shot. This is because, I BELIEVE, you need to be in the Guard to apply for ASR because thereis a wiating list. you may want to confirm this with your recruiter, but I think it is true. Now, the waiting list is only like 54 at last count, so you would have a good shot.

But, DO NOT (as notdeadyet will tell you) join unless you are ready to commit to your country and everything that goes along with it. So, it really starts with you.Are you willing to join the Guard for the right reasons and also accept the possibility of MDSSP instead of ASR. If so, go for it. You probably have a good shot at ASR, especially if you get an early acceptance.

PM me, or post what state you are in and you can talk to a local recruiter. Also, don't forget, we all get hung up on ASR, but the Guard has some great other things to it.
--stipend or pay while in school (whether ASR or MDSSP)
--options for stipend inresidency (STRAP)
--GI BILL
--State funding for school loan repayment (varies...check yours)
--after 20 years part time you can get retirement benefitsincludinghealthcare
--serving your country (I still cant believe how I underestimated this....I thought people would think I was crazy at 38 and joining)
--childcare help regardless of income
--deals on insurance, benefits for family, etc....

Best of luck with your decision......I am in PA. PM me if I can do anything

Thanks for the response. I'm in the SF bay area, CA currently. Trying to get in CA medical school, but you know how that is. Also, I tried contacting my local recruiter, but he seems to be non-specific Guard recruiter, not the AMEDD one. How do I find the right recruiter?

In terms of my motivations, I have always been interested in military medicine, it's just some of the "cons" make me reluctant. ASR seemed just the right fit for me. And I would not mind being deployed once I finish training and internship, and possibly residency.

At this point, I am considering only ASR as opposed to joining the Guards prior or MDSPP even though they are great programs for many other people. I don't know if I'm being overly demanding now, but the benefits ASR offers and the service they require of you is finally one I am comfortable to sign up for.

 

[notdeadyet]

Thanks for the response. I'm in the SF bay area, CA currently. Trying to get in CA medical school, but you know how that is. Also, I tried contacting my local recruiter, but he seems to be non-specific Guard recruiter, not the AMEDD one. How do I find the right recruiter?

PM me, spyderefs. I'm the only NorCal ASR right now and can help you out. I can give you the skinny on what's going on in California.

In terms of my motivations, I have always been interested in military medicine, it's just some of the "cons" make me reluctant. ASR seemed just the right fit for me. And I would not mind being deployed once I finish training and internship, and possibly residency.

Good to hear. It's people that brush off the cons that worry me. Sounds like you've thought this through. I wouldn't worry about your residency being interrupted; there's debate on whether this could happen or not by policy, but regardless we haven't heard examples of people that this has happened to.

PM me. We can talk in email or real-time...

 

[rottenba]

Hey everybody, I have been reading posts on this site for months now but created an account since I thought it might be quicker to get an answer rather than emailing my recruiter again. I have been looking at ASR vs MDSSP (I am a second year med student) and I am almost ready to go before boards so I have to decide between the two. The one problem I have been having is how much the reimbursement would be for me in the state of South Dakota. I did not know if this is the same nation-wide or if it can widely differ from state to state. My recruiter quoted me a reimbursement number quite a bit lower than the $1900 for Jul 1 2009 or even the $1600 for the previous year's amount. My dad was a doctor in the Guards for 23 years and I am not joining just for the money, but the reimbursement amount may change whether I wait for ASR or start with MDSSP. Thanks for the help.

 

[DrRoast]

I started ASR on 1 July. I need to get an ACU. Do I pay for this myself or does the Guard reimburse me for this? Curious.

 

[Mr. Freeze]

...but regardless we haven't heard examples of people that this has happened to...

Well, in the interest of clarity, ASR started what, last July at the earliest? I don't think enough time has passed to see the true colors on this matter. Call me cynical, but I don't think 600 people will make it 5 yrs. without someone taking a trip. I hope I'm wrong.

And yes, you have to buy your own uniforms.

 

[notdeadyet]

Well, in the interest of clarity, ASR started what, last July at the earliest? I don't think enough time has passed to see the true colors on this matter. Call me cynical, but I don't think 600 people will make it 5 yrs. without someone taking a trip. I hope I'm wrong.

I have no doubt people will be deployed. I just doubt they'll be pulled from residency. Technically, they could do it with HPSP folks who have civilian deferments to do residencies, and I haven't heard of anyone being pulled from there either. If any kind of number had been pulled from those ranks, you can believe we'd've heard about it on SDN.

Possible? Yes. But I don't know when docs have ever been pulled from residency by the military.

 

[EMH]

I started ASR on 1 July. I need to get an ACU. Do I pay for this myself or does the Guard reimburse me for this? Curious.

Officer's have to buy their uniforms, enlisted get all of it issued. Your recruiter or someone in the recruiting office should help you go get a uniform. You do get an initial uniform allowance but you won't get it until after you attend OBLC.

Congrats.

 

[punkiedad]

Officer's have to buy their uniforms, enlisted get all of it issued. Your recruiter or someone in the recruiting office should help you go get a uniform. You do get an initial uniform allowance but you won't get it until after you attend OBLC.

Congrats.

I was told that I would get my uniform allowance after 90 days active duty. I didn't know about the OBLC thing. I wish I could have gotten in this summer.

BTW--rottenba- I thought the stipend was the same for everyone regardless of the state you are in. I thought the state differences were school reimbursement??

 

[koojo]

BTW, I got a killer deal on my car insurance through USAA. The rate was a lot cheaper than any other company out there...which is another perk of joining the military 🙂