Army National Guard's new Med student program details.

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EMH said:
The person you spoke with sounds like an enlisted recruiter. It also sounds like you've gotten a bit side tracked on your options. I had an enlisted recruiter somehow get ahold of me when I was considering the HPSP and even though you tell them straight up "NO, I DON"T WANT TO ENLIST" they won't quit trying to talk you into it, it's really quite impressive.

You need to talk to an AMEDD recruiter who is familiar with the program. If you have trouble finding one in your state then ask for help on this board and people will point you to a regional recruiter that can help.

You would not have to go to OCS. You would be a direct commission to 2LT. You would need to attend Officer Basic Course which is something like a 2-3 week course and is nothing like basic or OCS for that fact. Everyone at your OBC will be a med student/doctor/nurse/dentist etc... You don't have to attend OBC immediately but you can't get promoted until you complete it.

The enlistment bonus is for people who enlist, not officers.
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Yes, he was an enlisted recruiter. But as I was saying in an earlier post, I'm considering joining the guard now and starting in a year or so with the ASR program. That's why I was asking him questions about what to expect if I join the guard now, functioning in some other capacity until I begin as an ASR next fall. He did specifically say, though, that the enlistment bonus would apply if I joined the guard now, even as an officer. I guess I'll have to clear up everything with the AMEDD recruiter next week.
 
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EMH said:
You would not have to go to OCS. You would be a direct commission to 2LT. You would need to attend Officer Basic Course which is something like a 2-3 week course and is nothing like basic or OCS for that fact. .
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Actually, it's more like 4 weeks (27 days to be exact). I know because I'm going.
 
iatrosB said:
Actually, it's more like 4 weeks (27 days to be exact). I know because I'm going.
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Please share you experiences when you're done!
 
iatrosB said:
Actually, it's more like 4 weeks (27 days to be exact). I know because I'm going.
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I said that to some guard docs and they swore up and down that there has to be some way that you can do some of the course by correspondence and only spend 2 weeks in Fort Sam. It's what all of them did, given it was a while back.
 
OBC in 2007 was 2 weeks (I wanted to go then, but they couldn't get me in that quickly). It changed to a 25 day course in 2008. I didn't know that it has been expanded to 27 days (no big deal).

Maybe the enlisted recruiter is trying to get v-lander a line officer commission while he waits for school to start. That is not necessary. An acceptance letter in hand got me my direct appointment. You can get assigned to a local Med det and drill while waiting for school to start.
 
amindwalker said:
OBC in 2007 was 2 weeks (I wanted to go then, but they couldn't get me in that quickly). It changed to a 25 day course in 2008. I didn't know that it has been expanded to 27 days (no big deal).

Maybe the enlisted recruiter is trying to get v-lander a line officer commission while he waits for school to start. That is not necessary. An acceptance letter in hand got me my direct appointment. You can get assigned to a local Med det and drill while waiting for school to start.
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Crap, I missed it by one year! Sure wish it was still 2 weeks.
 
EMH said:
I said that to some guard docs and they swore up and down that there has to be some way that you can do some of the course by correspondence and only spend 2 weeks in Fort Sam.
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The correspondence thing might be the 40 hour distance learning course that's in the works. My understanding is that the intent is for a 25 day course to be preceded by the distance learning one (in which you learn history, rank structure, etc.). The homesite fo rthe OBC is:

http://www.cs.amedd.army.mil/obc/1RCOBLC.htm

(iatros- either the info on the Army page is out of date [entirely possible] or they're not including 2 days for pre-/post-processing. Good luck with it. God, is it October already?)
 
For those already on ASR orders how do you like being on Tricare? How does your experience (excluding money aspects, b/c we all know how awesome it is not to pay $3000/year for health insurance) compare to that of when you had private insurance? Do you have to go to a VA Hospital or does it depend on where you are located? How about seeing specialists and such...


One more question - one of the two recruiters I am working with (who is an MD) mentioned protection from being taken out of residency if I transitioned into a drilling reservist status. Can anyone elaborate on or direct me to any documents that deal with protection from being called out of residency training (again, this is all under the umbrella of: things can and will change in the next 4-8 years). Also, in order to have said protection must you take part in STRAP during residency? Thanks!
 
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notdeadyet said:
(iatros- either the info on the Army page is out of date [entirely possible] or they're not including 2 days for pre-/post-processing. Good luck with it. God, is it October already?)
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That's right, you have to include the day before (travel, check in) and the day after (travel back home).
 
I am in the ASR program and spent this past summer at OBC. Just wanted everyone to be forewarned that unlike the 2 week course of years past the 4 week course is no joke. Most of the time is spent in the field doing physically demanding tasks for 18 hours a day. Even worse during the summer - kevlar, body armor and gear don't mesh well in 105dg Texas heat. Also, the 2 week correspondence thing folks have talked about is in addition to the 4 week course. It has not yet been implemented so it is still just 4 weeks. Be advised...OBC.. is no joke. But the good news is that you get a more realistic picture of what soldiers in Iraq have to deal with everyday. If more Americans knew how tough life could be they would definitely appreciate our soldiers a tad bit more --- and perhaps pay them more.

I love the ASR program....
 
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RDC12304 said:
For those already on ASR orders how do you like being on Tricare? How does your experience (excluding money aspects, b/c we all know how awesome it is not to pay $3000/year for health insurance) compare to that of when you had private insurance? Do you have to go to a VA Hospital or does it depend on where you are located? How about seeing specialists and such...
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I LOVE Tricare. I'm pretty sure it's flexible about going to see a VA vs. not. I live w/in 50 miles of a VA hospital, but still don't have to go to it. I go to my own doc I've gone to forever.

Just picked up a $120 prescription the other day...paid 9 bucks. Awesome!
 
BTW...don't take the GI Bill while in med school. Just found out that as an officer to get it you have to sign up for another tour in addition to your initial one. Better to wait it out and take the 75,000 bonus for a three year tour if you want to sign up again.
 
patriot said:
BTW...don't take the GI Bill while in med school. Just found out that as an officer to get it you have to sign up for another tour in addition to your initial one. Better to wait it out and take the 75,000 bonus for a three year tour if you want to sign up again.
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Another 8 year tour??!!
 
patriot said:
BTW...don't take the GI Bill while in med school. Just found out that as an officer to get it you have to sign up for another tour in addition to your initial one. Better to wait it out and take the 75,000 bonus for a three year tour if you want to sign up again.
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I'm curious about your source. There is a brand new GI bill and I'd imagine there's a lot of mis-information out there. This is what I thought the story on the GI Bill was:

VA Reserve eligibility for Post-9/11 GI Bill
 
This may be a good reason for me to not use the G.I. Bill. It can be my son's college scholarship when he's ready for college in 7 years.

Transfer to dependents.
 
Let me clarify,

I was referencing the standard reserve GI bill in existence prior to the new GI bill which I believe does not go into effect/start paying till summer of 2009. Moreover, you might want to check to see if our ASR service as active duty guard special work (ADSW) qualified for the new GI bill under the minimum 90 days active service rule. Plus, as it stands now under the current active duty GI bill you have to serve 2 years AD before you can use your benefits. In my case that would take care of one year of med school if ADSW counts. Point...lot of uncertainty about ADSW status and active duty GI bill benefits. The current form to get old reserve GI bill benefits is something like 6445. You would get roughtly 350 per month but would do 8 more years - definetly not worth it when you can sign up again in 6 years and get 75 grand for 3 more years. If anyone has further insight please let me know....
 
Just did more research and new GI bill specifies 90 days of federal service....sorry, but I think that does not include us. Please correct me - I hope to be wrong.
 
patriot said:
Just did more research and new GI bill specifies 90 days of federal service....sorry, but I think that does not include us. Please correct me - I hope to be wrong.
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I'll try to ask around. I know that the $ to pay us is federal $ (from NGB) so I'd assume that means we're on federal orders though.
 
I'm currently reading this thread. I have been in the Army National Guard for almost 7 years (joined when I was 17), and am going to medical school next year (have been accepted). My question lies with the $50k loan repayment. When does the actual repayment start? Can I draw the first $20k after taking out my 1st year loan so I don't have to build so much interest? If I can, they how do they know if I will end up picking one of those specialties on that list?
 
koojo said:
My question lies with the $50k loan repayment. When does the actual repayment start? Can I draw the first $20k after taking out my 1st year loan so I don't have to build so much interest?
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You cannot get the loan repayment until you are in residency.
 
Ok so I have another question for those that know about these programs. I live in Vermont and have been with the VT Army National Guard for the duration of my enlistment so far (7 years). When I go to medical school next year out of state, am I going to have to transfer to a unit in whatever state the schoo is? It must be since I have to drill somewhere. I really want to stay in VT to finish off my 20 years of military service.
 
I'm pretty sure that you will need to be in the Guard of the state in which you are attending med school. The VT Guard would no doubt expect you to be recruiting for them if they are paying you (the $ does come from Washington, but it goes through the state). I could easily be wrong. Where are you gonna go to med school?
 
amindwalker said:
I'm pretty sure that you will need to be in the Guard of the state in which you are attending med school. The VT Guard would no doubt expect you to be recruiting for them if they are paying you (the $ does come from Washington, but it goes through the state). I could easily be wrong. Where are you gonna go to med school?
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The contract for ASR stipulates that you have to live within 50 miles of your drilling base (which is actually your school). I'm not sure what that means for joining a particular state's guard, but I would imagine for your sake it would be so much easier to join the guard of the state you're in medical school.
 
amindwalker said:
I'm pretty sure that you will need to be in the Guard of the state in which you are attending med school. The VT Guard would no doubt expect you to be recruiting for them if they are paying you (the $ does come from Washington, but it goes through the state). I could easily be wrong. Where are you gonna go to med school?
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So far I've been accepted to WVSOM (DO) and I just had another interview at a different school that went really well. So I know I'm going somewhere next year.

iatrosB said:
The contract for ASR stipulates that you have to live within 50 miles of your drilling base (which is actually your school). I'm not sure what that means for joining a particular state's guard, but I would imagine for your sake it would be so much easier to join the guard of the state you're in medical school.
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What if I don't do ASR and just take the other benefits like the MDSSP?
 
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koojo said:
What if I don't do ASR and just take the other benefits like the MDSSP?
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1. You'd be crazy not to do ASR over MDSSP...tons more benefit for significantly less committment.

2. If you did do MDSSP, I don't see why you couldn't stay with your home guard. You still have to drill though (once every 3 months), would that be a hardship?

Another thing to keep in mind is to make sure that you are designated as undeployable by your unit. If it is not a medical unit, they may not know how to deal with you.

Good luck with your desicion, but honestly dude, ASR rocks.
 
iatrosB said:
1. You'd be crazy not to do ASR over MDSSP...tons more benefit for significantly less committment.

2. If you did do MDSSP, I don't see why you couldn't stay with your home guard. You still have to drill though (once every 3 months), would that be a hardship?

Another thing to keep in mind is to make sure that you are designated as undeployable by your unit. If it is not a medical unit, they may not know how to deal with you.

Good luck with your desicion, but honestly dude, ASR rocks.
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True, while it may be nice in terms of payment, but is it true that during vacations you have to stay in that state and help recruit?? I have worked ADSW for many many years, and it's basically like a regular job. Also, I plan to stay until I reach my 20 years anyway...I already have 7 years in, when I start medical school next year I'll have 8, and then 7 years of school (including residency) or so will put me roughly at 15-16 years in the military. I'll have to do 4 more and then I'm retired from the military at the age of 37 lol.
 
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iatrosb- you said you have to live 50 miles from your drill base(school). I'm wondering what you think the guard will do if my school moves me to another area. Our first two years are here in east lansing but we get moved to a hospital and mine is in Detroit which is more than 50 miles away. I was never told I had to live within 50 miles I just figured I would head back to school a few times a month and maintain stuff there.

Also does anyone know if that is true that we have to work full time over our school breaks? I'm guessing it depends on your individual state and who you are reporting too but I just thought I'd ask again.
 
koojo said:
is it true that during vacations you have to stay in that state and help recruit?? I have worked ADSW for many many years, and it's basically like a regular job.
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Not at all true in my state. I believe that is command dependent. My command is awesome with med students and has extreme flexibility.
 
rookem11 said:
iatrosb- you said you have to live 50 miles from your drill base(school). I'm wondering what you think the guard will do if my school moves me to another area. Our first two years are here in east lansing but we get moved to a hospital and mine is in Detroit which is more than 50 miles away. I was never told I had to live within 50 miles I just figured I would head back to school a few times a month and maintain stuff there.
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I honestly think it will be a non-issue. I don't think it's that closely enforced. Personally, my command would have no problem with it.

rookem11 said:
Also does anyone know if that is true that we have to work full time over our school breaks? I'm guessing it depends on your individual state and who you are reporting too but I just thought I'd ask again.
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As above, this is totally command/state dependent. My command does not require it.
 
Awesome! I am now seriously considering ASR. So you're ADSW for 3 years, and after that if you don't want any more benefits (such as STRAP, etc) you can pretty much end your service there and then, or do you have to fulfil the 8 years total? (I won't because I'm staying in until I get my 20 years, but just wondering).
 
koojo said:
Awesome! I am now seriously considering ASR. So you're ADSW for 3 years, and after that if you don't want any more benefits (such as STRAP, etc) you can pretty much end your service there and then, or do you have to fulfil the 8 years total? (I won't because I'm staying in until I get my 20 years, but just wondering).
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Every new officer gets an 8 year total obligation with at least 6 being active drilling time (med school and residency count).

It sounds like you are already an officer? If so, you won't have any additional obligation from ASR (I think).
 
koojo- you still have to serve your 8 yr commitment, so you have 3 more of drilling and then 2 on IRR.

Iatros- thanks, thats kind of what I thought
 
So I just talked to the AMEDD Recruiter who deals with those going to Med School in WV, and he told me that I wouldn't be drilling at all with any unit during those three years, but working with the Recruiter himself during drills and on vacations when I am not on leave. This is kind of nice, since I don't really want to drill with a unit that I will not plan on staying with.

After the three years, I can be completely done with the ADSW, and then choose to do a MDSSP+STRAP combo for the 4th year of med school and residency and only be obligated for 1-2 years of service after residency (but like I said, I'm staying in until my 20years anyway, so I don't really care how long the obligation is).

iatrosB, no I'm not an officer, I am an elisted Staff Sergeant. OBC is going to be a joke after boot camp lol
 
Yeah, I was just told the same thing on the phone about no drilling during the 3 years of ADSW by my state's AMEDD recruiter (it's active duty so you're not in 'drilling status').

I, too, am concerned about this 50 mile thing. My school (ATSU-SOMA) is in the Phoenix area but I'm thousands of miles across the sea in Hawaii for years 2-4 of my program. I'm thinking that technically my clinic that we study/work at is an extension of our home campus i Arizona, but it worries me. Guess I'll have to ask him (he did ask me about my school and I explained it all to him and he didn't seem to have any worries about it).
 
v-lander said:
Guess I'll have to ask him (he did ask me about my school and I explained it all to him and he didn't seem to have any worries about it).
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Honestly, the program seems super flexible...especially since it's so new. You should be fine :thumbup:
 
For most MD students it's not a concern, but many DO students relocate (often monthly) for 3rd & 4th year rotations. The rotation sites should count as your de facto campus as far as the Guard is concerned (I really don't think NGB has thought that far ahead yet). Please check with your chain of command ASAFP. I will be rotating in Erie (LECOM) anyway, so I honestly haven't given it any thought.
 
Some more info for those interested. I asked the AMEDD recruiter these questions about ASR, and here were his responces:

ME: You said that I will be working with your. Is this
the regular one weekend a month type of thing? What if I have a big exam
coming up, can I make up that time? Or am I just going to be on my own for
the three years and required to keep you updated on leads, etc?

Also, during my 3rd year (clinical year), if I get placed into rotations at
a hospital that is on the other side of WV or even in a nearby state, how
will that work in terms of my obligation to ASR? Is there a limit to where
I can go my 3rd year for rotations?

HIM: You are a center of influence you keep me updated on interest people and we have lunch once a month. Rotate where you want as long as OK with the school.
 
koojo said:
HIM: You are a center of influence you keep me updated on interest people and we have lunch once a month. Rotate where you want as long as OK with the school.
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:thumbup: Sweet dude!

You gotta jump on that.
 
Ya sounds like a pretty good deal :). I'll let you know how it goes. My packet is almost done. I'm getting a commisioning physical this Saturday, and then I need somre references filled out, and then that's it. Once that's done, I go to the boards in Ohio somewhere (that's where the commanding office is for that area) because I'll be part of the WV Army National Guard, even though I won't actually drill with them.
 
koojo said:
Once that's done, I go to the boards in Ohio somewhere (that's where the commanding office is for that area) because I'll be part of the WV Army National Guard, even though I won't actually drill with them.
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Why are you part of the WV ARNG if you won't drill with them? Just curious...
 
notdeadyet said:
Why are you part of the WV ARNG if you won't drill with them? Just curious...
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You can't just be in the military w/o being assigned, on paper, to a state. Therefore, they are obligated to assign you to the state where you'll be attending school for those 3 years.
 
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koojo said:
You can't just be in the military w/o being assigned, on paper, to a state. Therefore, they are obligated to put assign you to the state where you'll be attending school for those 3 years.
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Ah, sorry, I misunderstood. I thought you were going to be assigned to the WV guard though attending med school in Ohio or somesuch. This makes more sense. Thanks...
 
I am a first year student now and I have been reading about the ASR program on here and I have a couple of questions to anyone that can answer.

Since I'm an MS1 right now I'm assuming I'd get the ASR for all 3 years. So after that would I owe an entire commitment of 6 years or is it 8?

Also, Does residency count towards payback? Suppose I wanted to do a 3 year residency, and as I understand you cannot be deployed during residency (correct me if I'm wrong). Does that mean there are only a few years I'm actually available for deployment?

If anyone can explain this for my situation that would be awesome.
 
mdmed2012 said:
I am a first year student now and I have been reading about the ASR program on here and I have a couple of questions to anyone that can answer.

Since I'm an MS1 right now I'm assuming I'd get the ASR for all 3 years. So after that would I owe an entire commitment of 6 years or is it 8?

Also, Does residency count towards payback? Suppose I wanted to do a 3 year residency, and as I understand you cannot be deployed during residency (correct me if I'm wrong). Does that mean there are only a few years I'm actually available for deployment?

If anyone can explain this for my situation that would be awesome.
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Your commitment clock starts from the day you sign. You have an 8 year commitment of which 6 must be spent in an active drilling status and the other two can be spent in active drilling status or IRR. This is assuming you don't take advantage of any additional programs that increase your obligation (STRAP, loan forgiveness, speciality bonus, federal tuition assistance).

The current policy says that you won't be deployed until you're done with your residency. There is absolutely no way the'll deploy you before you're done with your internship. The odds of them deploying you during residency are quite slim IMHO. It's not good for the Army for several reasons. I would count on them getting at least one deployment out of you at the end of residency. Don't do this thinking you'll get by without it.
 
EMH said:
Your commitment clock starts from the day you sign. You have an 8 year commitment of which 6 must be spent in an active drilling status and the other two can be spent in active drilling status or IRR. This is assuming you don't take advantage of any additional programs that increase your obligation (STRAP, loan forgiveness, speciality bonus, federal tuition assistance).

The current policy says that you won't be deployed until you're done with your residency. There is absolutely no way the'll deploy you before you're done with your internship. The odds of them deploying you during residency are quite slim IMHO. It's not good for the Army for several reasons. I would count on them getting at least one deployment out of you at the end of residency. Don't do this thinking you'll get by without it.
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I'm not worried about a deployment I just did not understand how they could deploy you if you time ran up before residency ended. For example, 3 years of school + a 5 year surgery residency. You would theoretically be done once you finished residency, correct? So would it be safe to assume that in this case, you would probably get deployed during your residency? Or would you be able to do a deployment once you finished, extending beyond the 8 years?
 
mdmed2012 said:
I'm not worried about a deployment I just did not understand how they could deploy you if you time ran up before residency ended. For example, 3 years of school + a 5 year surgery residency. You would theoretically be done once you finished residency, correct? So would it be safe to assume that in this case, you would probably get deployed during your residency? Or would you be able to do a deployment once you finished, extending beyond the 8 years?
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I believe the way it's structured then yes you would be able to separate before your residency is complete and never get deployed. I asked this question of my recruiter and she said they don't want you to do that but you could. The idea behind the program is that #1 you'll recruit others, #2 you'll like the guard and it's benefits enough to stay a while longer.
 
EMH said:
I believe the way it's structured then yes you would be able to separate before your residency is complete and never get deployed. I asked this question of my recruiter and she said they don't want you to do that but you could. The idea behind the program is that #1 you'll recruit others, #2 you'll like the guard and it's benefits enough to stay a while longer.
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Ah, ok. So to find out more information, who must I contact? A general recruiter for the guard in my state? Or is there a special recruiter specifically for the medical programs? Also, I'm in MD now, so if I leave the state for residency, would I just transfer to that state's guard, or is that a complicated process?
 
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