Army National Guard's new Med student program details.

[MedicalMonkey]

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Members do not see this ad.

Then again, i've never had money before lol.

 

[DrRoast]

Question? I had an MIP during college and a couple other little citations. Will this keep me out of the ASR Program?

 

[punkiedad]

yeay! I got my asr control number this morning. I am starting asr this april and it ends on 03/29/2012.

I'm also talking to the school to get in-state tuition because i will be full-time in the national guard while i'm in med school. Things are finally taking shape! From $52k down to $20k!

kj............congratulations.

 

[Mr. Freeze]

Question? I had an MIP during college and a couple other little citations. Will this keep me out of the ASR Program?

Just have to get waivers. And have good explanation.

 

[notdeadyet]

kj............congratulations.

Congrats, koojo. Glad it worked out for you. I'm impressed...

 

[coldhardsteel]

Hey everyone, I'm starting ASR in AL come April. I was wondering if anyone else starting up in April was told about when/how they were getting their ID cards, uniforms, etc. I had a buddy go through ASR this past July and they made him do this before collecting his paycheck. My POC in AL said not to worry and that these things will be taken care of as they come up. Since this is a fairly new program I'm hesitant to trust/believe something until it actually happens. Also, when we get our paychecks are they mailed to us or do they allow direct deposit? Thanks.

 

[notdeadyet]

Hey everyone, I'm starting ASR in AL come April. I was wondering if anyone else starting up in April was told about when/how they were getting their ID cards, uniforms, etc. I had a buddy go through ASR this past July and they made him do this before collecting his paycheck. My POC in AL said not to worry and that these things will be taken care of as they come up.

Hey, coldhardsteel (I keep thinking Zoolander when I see that name, by the way). There may be some regional variation, but here's my take.

When you swear in, you should have been given paperwork to fill out, including some stuff with banking information (for direct deposit).

After you fill out the paperwork, someone should be working on getting you in DEERS. It takes anywhere from 1-4 weeks for your packet to be coded (I get the impression this means someone to do the data entry, but I could just be cynical).

I've been told by DEERS Operations that you can't get your ID Card until you are in DEERS, but I've been told by someone higher up that you can. If you're in a rush to get your ID Card, contact those folks (same as the DEERS people for me) and schedule an appointment. They'll check to see if you're in DEERS and if you're not, they'll tell you they can't. They actually can, apparently. Tell them you're commissioned (not enlisted) and would like to come in with your orders and oath of office (you should be able to get these docs from your recruiter, if you don't have them already).

If you're not in a big rush, I'd recommend waiting until you're in the DEERS system. Rather than bother the DEERS people by calling every day, a workaround is to go to aafes.com. This is the URL for the Army PX. Choose any link or drop down and it will ask you to log in. There's also a space for Create an Account. It asks you for your name, DOB, and last for digits of your SSN. Type those in and if it pops back, "No, you're not in DEERS", you know your packet hasn't been coded. If it lets you go through, you're in.

Hope this helps re: ID.

For uniform, once you are in DEERS you can go into aafes.com to buy your uniform there, or you can go to rangerjoes, acuarmy, or any number of other sites to buy your ACU. There's a thread right now called ADT Uniform or somesuch in which someone lists what you need for a complete ACU.

That said, I'd ask your recruiter what they recommend. You might not need one now, but if you'll be drilling every month, having an ACU on hand is a good idea. Also, keep in mind that one of the uniform requirements is name tape, and most places take 2 weeks to cut the order for that, so if nothing else, ordering 3 or 4 of those strips is probably a good idea.

Since this is a fairly new program I'm hesitant to trust/believe something until it actually happens. Also, when we get our paychecks are they mailed to us or do they allow direct deposit?

They allow direct deposit. You should have filled out a form that asked for your banking information. If not, I'd get on your recruiter, if I were you.

As for how it all turns out, I can't help you, as my first paycheck will start in April too (so it's April 15th, I guess). Fingers crossed...

 

[Deceptacon]

I am interested in the program, but I still have some doubts. I won't deny the primary reason for my interest is mostly a financial one. I would like to go into as little debt as possible, but when I look at it like this - you get ~150k
(give or take a few thousand, but please correct me if I'm wrong) and you split it up over 8 years of your term and you're looking at approx 20k (giving myself some wiggle room with this value in case I'm wrong, and making it look better than it actually is if I'm wrong). Is the 20k/year you earn over 8 years really worth the potential amount of stress you might experience? or is it worth potentially being sent off somewhere during/after your residency?

To me, having never really worked a real job before, it sounds like a lot of money upfront (concerning the 50k/year for 3 years) but in reality, once we are practicing physicians, it seems like this is only chump change.

 

[koojo]

Hey everyone, I'm starting ASR in AL come April. I was wondering if anyone else starting up in April was told about when/how they were getting their ID cards, uniforms, etc. I had a buddy go through ASR this past July and they made him do this before collecting his paycheck. My POC in AL said not to worry and that these things will be taken care of as they come up. Since this is a fairly new program I'm hesitant to trust/believe something until it actually happens. Also, when we get our paychecks are they mailed to us or do they allow direct deposit? Thanks.

The military usually pays out one the first and 15th of every month (give a day or so if those fall on a weekend). So if you start ASR on April 1st, your first paycheck will be the week of April 15th or the week after.

 

[notdeadyet]

I am interested in the program, but I still have some doubts. I won't deny the primary reason for my interest is mostly a financial one. I would like to go into as little debt as possible, but when I look at it like this - you get ~150k
(give or take a few thousand, but please correct me if I'm wrong) and you split it up over 8 years of your term and you're looking at approx 20k (giving myself some wiggle room with this value in case I'm wrong, and making it look better than it actually is if I'm wrong).

I would actually look at it as $150K split over three years. That's when you get the paycheck, so that's when you put the money to use: you can pay off fees before they start accumulating interest.

Also, there are a lot of other benefits which add up. Each year you're in med school in the Guard, you get $4,500 discounted on tuition (in some states, it's far more). So there's another $13,500.

After med school, while you are drilling, you get an additional $9K per year for drill pay and your two week annual training. You can also use the GI Bill at this stage, which should be worth about $15K/year for three years.

Is the 20k/year you earn over 8 years really worth the potential amount of stress you might experience? or is it worth potentially being sent off somewhere during/after your residency?

Again, I'd look at it as $150K/3 years, which is what it is. During med school, you are responsible for drilling (varies a lot by state), but that's it. During residency, you can reap other rewards and are only responsible for drilling.

Can you be activated during residency? Yes, but it's HIGHLY UNLIKELY. It hasn't happened yet, and this is during the heaviest activation of National Guard troops since Vietnam or even WWII.

Also, you are done with your drilling duty in 6 years, while all of us will still be in residency. After that, you can go on IRR, in which you have no drilling responsibilities. Can you be called up? Yes, but it's HIGHLY UNLIKELY. I don't know any NG physicians called in off of IRR, but that's not to say it won't happen. Put in the full 8 and you can worry less.

To me, having never really worked a real job before, it sounds like a lot of money upfront (concerning the 50k/year for 3 years) but in reality, once we are practicing physicians, it seems like this is only chump change.

Unless you were born a rich *****hole, $50K will never seem like chump change. Compared to a neurosurgeon's salary, it's pretty small, but a neurosurgeon would have fulfilled Guard duties while still in residency. Compared to a pediatrician's salary it's a pretty sizable sum.

And at the end of the day, considering that iyour ASR drilling duties amount to 192 hours/year, that works out to be $260/hour or the equivalent hourly salary for someone making $520k/year.

 

[EMH]

I am interested in the program, but I still have some doubts. I won't deny the primary reason for my interest is mostly a financial one. I would like to go into as little debt as possible, but when I look at it like this - you get ~150k
(give or take a few thousand, but please correct me if I'm wrong) and you split it up over 8 years of your term and you're looking at approx 20k (giving myself some wiggle room with this value in case I'm wrong, and making it look better than it actually is if I'm wrong). Is the 20k/year you earn over 8 years really worth the potential amount of stress you might experience? or is it worth potentially being sent off somewhere during/after your residency?

To me, having never really worked a real job before, it sounds like a lot of money upfront (concerning the 50k/year for 3 years) but in reality, once we are practicing physicians, it seems like this is only chump change.

Honestly, if you don't think you'd like the military I wouldn't suggest doing it. However, the NG might not be what you envision. I'd seriously suggest contacting your state's AMEDD recruiter and just go visit on a drill weekend to the unit you'd drill with. Be aware on the other side of residency you might get assigned to another unit.

You might be like me and be initially apprehensive and wind up thinking you love the chance to be a part time doc for the army.

 

[notdeadyet]

Honestly, if you don't think you'd like the military I wouldn't suggest doing it. However, the NG might not be what you envision. I'd seriously suggest contacting your state's AMEDD recruiter and just go visit on a drill weekend to the unit you'd drill with. Be aware on the other side of residency you might get assigned to another unit.

You might be like me and be initially apprehensive and wind up thinking you love the chance to be a part time doc for the army.

Great advice ^^^, bolding mine.

 

[Deceptacon]

I appreciate the comments back. In no way am I trying to dismiss this as a crappy opportunity, I am just trying to dissect it from a different angle. My brother in law has been in the national guard for 7 years and he was very skeptical of the whole deal and I wanted to get another set of opinions from those in it and those who are still looking into it.

In either event, thank you for the advice!

 

[iatrosB]

My brother in law has been in the national guard for 7 years and he was very skeptical of the whole deal a

Is he a doctor? Otherwise, his opinion is crap.

Docs are treated totally different in the guard than the enlisted...I don't care what anyone says, and I don't mean to insult the enlisted or to mean that docs are better than them...it's just reality.

 

[koojo]

I appreciate the comments back. In no way am I trying to dismiss this as a crappy opportunity, I am just trying to dissect it from a different angle. My brother in law has been in the national guard for 7 years and he was very skeptical of the whole deal and I wanted to get another set of opinions from those in it and those who are still looking into it.

In either event, thank you for the advice!

Why is he skeptical? I've been in the guard for 8 years and just signed up for ASR..great program.

 

[EMH]

I appreciate the comments back. In no way am I trying to dismiss this as a crappy opportunity, I am just trying to dissect it from a different angle. My brother in law has been in the national guard for 7 years and he was very skeptical of the whole deal and I wanted to get another set of opinions from those in it and those who are still looking into it.

In either event, thank you for the advice!

The docs in my guard were a mix of surprised and skeptical when I first visited and gave the details of the ASR program. One of them didn't believe it until he read the description from NGB about it at which point he said, "this is sweet, all I got in med school was a drill check".

 

[iatrosB]

"this is sweet, all I got in med school was a drill check".

lol, I got the exact same response from one of my LTC docs.

 

[ThirstyTurtle]

Hey all, I just wanted to start off by thanking everyone who contributed to this thread.....I was toying with the idea of doing HPSP but did not like the idea of being confined to a military residency. I did not even know the ASR program existed until I stumbled across this thread and read all 900 or so posts. I contacted the recruiter from my state and met with members of the medical unit the other week and couldn't have had a more positive experience. This program seems almost too good to be true. I will be going to my state's medical school and in my state NG get tuition waived as well. This makes it an even better deal then HPSP (no tuition+ AD sallary for 3 years +drill pay for 5 more +the residency of your choice). Right now I am basically 99.9% sure that I want to join the guard for this program. So my question is for those who have gone through the process already if I start the paperwork rolling now can I get in before the start of med school in the fall, it seems like from reading this thread it can take anywhere from 3-9months? Do you have any advise as to what I can do to make the process go as quickly as possible. Also for what are the minimum requirements for physical fitness as far as the run/pushup/situps go, I am not overweight but I don't know how in shape I am (I should probably start working out) and when is the physical fitness test done (at MEPS?). My only main concern about the program was the possibility of being deployed during residency, but after talking to the NG folks my fears have been allayed. As has been stated on the site it is not policy to deploy residents and it would take WWIII and then some for that to change. Anyways thanks again for sharing this information about the program, I feel like I won the lottery by finding this thread.

Best Regards

ThirtyTurtle

 

[Habeed]

I stumbled across this thread and read all 900 or so posts.

when is the physical fitness test done (at MEPS?).

No, it isn't. It won't count for anything for a long time, and if you are not overweight, it is possible to get into good enough shape to pass the test in about 2 months. I know you'll get promoted to Captain without ever passing the APFT, but at some point they will harass you to do it.

As for the 3-9 month delay : as discussed somewhere in this 900 post thread, it isn't really a problem. You'll get almost as much money as if you started M1 year.

 

[notdeadyet]

I was toying with the idea of doing HPSP but did not like the idea of being confined to a military residency.

I was largely in the same boat. Though there were other things I didn't like about HPSP, GMO tours and military residencies were a big turn-off for me.

I will be going to my state's medical school and in my state NG get tuition waived as well. This makes it an even better deal then HPSP (no tuition+ AD sallary for 3 years +drill pay for 5 more +the residency of your choice). Right now I am basically 99.9% sure that I want to join the guard for this program.

Congatulations on your decision. Assuming you like the idea of serving your country in the military, I can't imagine a better program for your circumstances.

So my question is for those who have gone through the process already if I start the paperwork rolling now can I get in before the start of med school in the fall, it seems like from reading this thread it can take anywhere from 3-9months? Do you have any advise as to what I can do to make the process go as quickly as possible.

Delays seem to come in a few flavors:

1. Prior service. Sometimes this really delays applications due to trouble getting records from Washington. Sometimes it doesn't. Nothing you can do.
2. Paperwork traffic. More often than not, small paperwork glitches can have your application kicked back and forth and can delay your app by a month or two. Sometimes this doesn't matter. Sometimes it delays you starting for a quarter. Get a good recruiter. Other than that, nothingyou can do.
3. Waivers. I think this is probably the most common delay. If you have a criminal record, extensive drug history, or medical problems in your past, you need to get a waiver. The way it works for medical waivers (the most common for ASR applicants) is that you fill out your paperwork, then need to get a waiver to go in to MEPS. Delay. Get the waiver, go into MEPS. Get DQ'd due to the condition you had your waiver for (the first waiver was just to GO to MEPS). Get a second waiver for your condition. Delay. Get the second waiver. This can be fast or short. The only way to avoid this is to not disclose, which is a mistake, as it is a lie. Bad juju. Take it on the chin. Nothing you can do about it.

 

[notdeadyet]

Also for what are the minimum requirements for physical fitness as far as the run/pushup/situps go, I am not overweight but I don't know how in shape I am (I should probably start working out) and when is the physical fitness test done (at MEPS?).

Here are two good sites for you:

Here is the height/weight charts for joining for males and females. Note that if you're over this, you just go for a tape test. If you're a fat-body, this won't help you, but you shouldn't sweat it if you're a really muscular person. Also note that these requirements drop a few pounds once you're in. I have to be six pounds lighter at my next physical compared to my requirements for joining.

For your run/pushups/situps, you are not tested on signing up. But you are required to pass it 2x/year. It depends on when your unit is undergoing testing. Here is a page with links to the required number for each event.

My only main concern about the program was the possibility of being deployed during residency, but after talking to the NG folks my fears have been allayed.

Yeah, it's a remote possibility, but a small enough one that I can live with it too. Good luck with moving along in the process.

 

[notdeadyet]

No, it isn't. It won't count for anything for a long time, and if you are not overweight, it is possible to get into good enough shape to pass the test in about 2 months. I know you'll get promoted to Captain without ever passing the APFT, but at some point they will harass you to do it.

Habeed- Have you ever been in the National Guard? From other posts, I got the impression you were ROTC but you were a little vague on your actual military experience.

This is counter to what I've been told. I've been notified specifically that I'll need to pass the APFT twice per year along with my unit. If I fail, I get a do-over, but until I do pass, I am non-promotable.

 

[iatrosB]

Habeed- Have you ever been in the National Guard? From other posts, I got the impression you were ROTC but you were a little vague on your actual military experience.

This is counter to what I've been told. I've been notified specifically that I'll need to pass the APFT twice per year along with my unit. If I fail, I get a do-over, but until I do pass, I am non-promotable.

Scare tactics.

I was told that we are promoted to CPT upon graduation from med school period...OBLC, APFT, or whatever. The reason is that we have been given a "temporary" officer position. There is no such person as a LT doctor (unless someone was punished for something severe), and they know this, so they give us a temporary position.

For example, I will only have about 1 year of "time in grade" after I graduate medical school, and that is 2LT time in grade, not even 1LT. But as soon as I graduate...boom, I'm CPT iatrosb.

This is not to say that you shouldn't obey the rules that apply to everyone else. We are health professionals and should be leading the way in regards to health and physical fitness!

 

[Habeed]

Habeed- Have you ever been in the National Guard?

Yeah, that's sort of the thing. When you've been in the military a while, you start to figure out that a lot of what they tell you is just hot air...

 

[notdeadyet]

Yeah, that's sort of the thing. When you've been in the military a while, you start to figure out that a lot of what they tell you is just hot air...

Sorry, Habeed, pardon me if I'm dense. You were in the Guard? I'm just curious about your background. You've alluded to years in the military but I haven't been able to get a handle on what it was exactly. Are you former/current NG or active duty? And I take it it would be enlisted, yes? I got the impression from a previous post that you are a recent grad or graduating this year.

Regardless, good news about the APFT not being do or die. I have a hunch as crunch time comes on Med or Surgery rotations, that time allocated to push ups will be tossed out in favor of sleep.

 

[aloepathic]

This program sounds like exactly what I've been looking for my whole life. No interference with choice of residency, flexibility, and most important, a chance to serve.

My question is, how competitive do you think I'd be as an applicant (is it even competitive)? Accepted to U of Michigan Medical School (which is where I plan on matriculating). Undergrad GPA 3.6, MCAT 36. Do they take extracurriculars and stuff into account? I know I sound like a total noob, but I have no idea what this application process would even look like.

Also, I have had surgery on my right shoulder to repair a Bankart lesion sustained in HS. I still play sports, run (Boston Marathon 2008), lift, and stay active, but will that preclude me from serving? What about the fact that I technically have exercise-induced asthma?

 

[Habeed]

What about the fact that I technically have exercise-induced asthma?

Have you ever received a formal, on paper, medical diagnosis or treatment for this? If no, then you don't have exercise induced asthma.

If yes...I don't think they waiver that. I suspect that they could care less about your grades, they are mostly looking for a warm body to fill the spot who meets all the requirements. If you don't meet a requirement, no matter how "good" you might be overall, then they don't care. It's certainly how they fill any other military job.

 

[iatrosB]

Regardless, good news about the APFT not being do or die. I have a hunch as crunch time comes on Med or Surgery rotations, that time allocated to push ups will be tossed out in favor of sleep.

Trust your hunch! Alot will be given up for sleep...including eating, bathing, etc...

Time flies though and it's fun. 👍

 

[EMH]

Also, I have had surgery on my right shoulder to repair a Bankart lesion sustained in HS. I still play sports, run (Boston Marathon 2008), lift, and stay active, but will that preclude me from serving? What about the fact that I technically have exercise-induced asthma?

It's not competitive. It is picky on meeting the requirements to join. This means you must be within height/weight, can't have any disqualifying medical history, must have registered for selective service before age 25 (I think), and felony's are a no-no. Diagnosed asthma after age 12 is a disqualifier. So is taking stimulants for ADHD which I got one of my classmates.

 

[amindwalker]

36 on the MCAT might be a bit low though. I'm sure you could retake it.

 

[iatrosB]

36 on the MCAT might be a bit low though. I'm sure you could retake it.

definately...shoot for >45 or don't apply at all

 

[the prodogy]

I'm from Las Vegas, NV and wanted to talk to a recruiter in town to learn more about the ASR program. Does anyone know who I can talk to?

 

[tele turnin]

i'm hoping to start school this fall and was thinking about the hpsp until a friend of mine told me about this. how long does it take to get things in order? also i will most likely spend the first two years in one state, second two years in another, and then my residency in a third state. will that work out?

 

[aloepathic]

It's not competitive. It is picky on meeting the requirements to join. This means you must be within height/weight, can't have any disqualifying medical history, must have registered for selective service before age 25 (I think), and felony's are a no-no. Diagnosed asthma after age 12 is a disqualifier. So is taking stimulants for ADHD which I got one of my classmates.

Great, thanks for the help. Physically I can meet all the requirements, I think I can get above 90 on all the fitness tests, and I don't take any stimulants. What I'm asking is if my shoulder and/or technical diagnosis of asthma would mean that I don't meet the listed requirements. I have NEVER had a problem with asthma, it was a misdiagnosis that I never bothered to make go away because the doctor is a family friend. That being said, I do still have a diagnosis in my folder and have been prescribed inhalers (that I have never used). Is that something I can get a waiver for (lung function above 90)? Is my shoulder a problem, could I get a waiver for that?

 

[EMH]

Great, thanks for the help. Physically I can meet all the requirements, I think I can get above 90 on all the fitness tests, and I don't take any stimulants. What I'm asking is if my shoulder and/or technical diagnosis of asthma would mean that I don't meet the listed requirements. I have NEVER had a problem with asthma, it was a misdiagnosis that I never bothered to make go away because the doctor is a family friend. That being said, I do still have a diagnosis in my folder and have been prescribed inhalers (that I have never used). Is that something I can get a waiver for (lung function above 90)? Is my shoulder a problem, could I get a waiver for that?

I'll quote AR 40-501 available here.

2-11-b. Current joint dislocation if unreduced, or history of recurrent dislocations of any major joint such as shoulder (831), hip (835), elbow (832), knee (836), ankle (837), or instability of any major joint (shoulder (718.81), elbow (718.82), hip (718.85), ankle and foot (718.87) or multiple sites (718.89)) is disqualifying. History of recurrent instability of the knee or shoulder is disqualifying.

2-11-e. Current devices, including, but not limited to silastic or titanium, implanted to correct orthopedic abnormalities(V43), are disqualifying.

2-11-f. Current or history of contusion of bone or joint; an injury of more than a minor nature that will interfere or prevent performance of military duty, or will require frequent or prolonged treatment without fracture nerve injury,
open wound, crush or dislocation, which occurred within the preceding 6 weeks (upper extremity (923), lower extremity (924), ribs and clavicle (922)) is disqualifying.

2-23-d. Asthma (493), including reactive airway disease, exercise-induced bronchospasm or asthmatic bronchitis, reliably diagnosed and symptomatic after the 13th birthday, is disqualifying. Reliable diagnostic criteria may include any of the following elements: substantiated history of cough, wheeze, chest tightness, and/or dyspnea that persists or recurs over a prolonged period of time, generally more than 12 months.

Those are the ones I found that relate to your two questions. What I can't do is give you advice on how these regs will affect your specific case since I don't have the experience to know. You may try starting a new thread in this forum that asks the question of "is this disqualifying?" and "advice for how to get past it". Since these are the regs for all people who wish to join the army there should be others that are familiar with it.

 

[Rebelutions]

I have just read most of this forum in one sitting; I am very interested in the ASR program, as I have been wondering how I will finance medical school (or rather my bills from debt and other living costs while in medical school) when I get to that point in 2 years. I have my B.A., but it will be 2 years for me to do some post-bacc work on the prereqs......... putting my potential matriculation into medical school at about 2011.

So... I was surprised when I saw discussion about a total of 600 ASR spots-- 200 spots/ year for 3 years (2008- 2010?). I just need some clarification on this, because I read for 2 hours until this point came up, and I am disappointed that ASR may not be an option in 2 more years. Thanks in advance for any clarification!

 

[aloepathic]

If I want to discuss my med-waiver issues with a recruiter, who should I talk to? I go to school in Boston, am a permanent resident of Ohio, and would be going to school in Michigan. Also, is this done over the phone or face to face.

 

[EMH]

On a side note, here is an outstanding deal I just got in my e-mail that I thought I'd share. It's epocrates essentials free for a year if you register by Wed.

http://www.epocrates.com/downloaddays/

 

[Mr. Freeze]

I have just read most of this forum in one sitting; I am very interested in the ASR program, as I have been wondering how I will finance medical school (or rather my bills from debt and other living costs while in medical school) when I get to that point in 2 years. I have my B.A., but it will be 2 years for me to do some post-bacc work on the prereqs......... putting my potential matriculation into medical school at about 2011.

So... I was surprised when I saw discussion about a total of 600 ASR spots-- 200 spots/ year for 3 years (2008- 2010?). I just need some clarification on this, because I read for 2 hours until this point came up, and I am disappointed that ASR may not be an option in 2 more years. Thanks in advance for any clarification!

ASR may not be an option in 2 more years.

 

[iatrosB]

ASR may not be an option in 2 more years.

I would say it will most likely NOT be an option. It has been wildly sucessfull and it costs a lot of money. It's only a matter of time before it gets cut.

 

[mfrizzo3]

I would say it will most likely NOT be an option. It has been wildly sucessfull and it costs a lot of money. It's only a matter of time before it gets cut.

So do you guys think that the students accepted in the upcoming cycle will have a shot at this program?

 

[iatrosB]

So do you guys think that the students accepted in the upcoming cycle will have a shot at this program?

Yes, if they act quickly.

 

[tele turnin]

How long does this process take to get into the ASR program? I was considering the HPSP, but that idea went out the window when I found out and looked into the NG. Also, how easy is it to transfer between states? I will most likely be in one state for 2 years, a different for the 2 years of clerkship, and probably a third state for residency. Anybody have any thoughts or knowledge about these two questions I have?

 

[agonzalez06]

If I want to discuss my med-waiver issues with a recruiter, who should I talk to? I go to school in Boston, am a permanent resident of Ohio, and would be going to school in Michigan. Also, is this done over the phone or face to face.

Have you been accepted to medical school? I am also in Boston and have just started the ASR program. Send me a private message if you would like me to get you in touch with the MA recruiter.

tele turnin, it took me about 9 months to get in after applying, but I was delayed because I had to lose about 15 pounds to meet the weight requirement. I would count on at least 6. In theory, you can transfer between states, but until someone on here does it, I can't say how easy that is in practice.

I have a question. Has anyone in ASR taken the 4,500 of annual tuition assistance? Any insights into the application process? Does this add to your obligation to the National Guard? Is it better not to touch this money so that you are eligible for better offers once in residency?

 

[iatrosB]

I have a question. Has anyone in ASR taken the 4,500 of annual tuition assistance? Any insights into the application process? Does this add to your obligation to the National Guard? Is it better not to touch this money so that you are eligible for better offers once in residency?

I have taken the 4,500. It won't extend your comittment if you take it early (you have to have 6 years of obligation left, which we all have 8 to start with).

I'm not sure what your other question is...you can't get tuition assistance in residency, and taking it now doesn't preclude you from STRAP. Does that answer your question?

 

[koojo]

I have taken the 4,500. It won't extend your comittment if you take it early (you have to have 6 years of obligation left, which we all have 8 to start with).

I'm not sure what your other question is...you can't get tuition assistance in residency, and taking it now doesn't preclude you from STRAP. Does that answer your question?

Where did you hear that you have to have 6 years left on your contract after receiving the last federal tuition assitance payment? Looking at this website http://www.virtualarmory.com/education/fedbenefits/tuition_fta.aspx it says officers need 4 years left. So theoretically if you commission right before the start of school, take FTA for 4 years, and then once you graduate, the remaining 4 years will be served while you're still under your 8 year MSO.

 

[iatrosB]

Where did you hear that you have to have 6 years left on your contract after receiving the last federal tuition assitance payment?

It was in the papers I signed...I didn't look to closely because I knew I had 8 years left.

 

[notdeadyet]

Where did you hear that you have to have 6 years left on your contract after receiving the last federal tuition assitance payment?

I've read the 6 year requirement too. That you need to have six years of obligation left to take a given year's FTA. I remember reading this, because I have it in my spreadsheet of what I could take when.

 

[koojo]

I've read the 6 year requirement too. That you need to have six years of obligation left to take a given year's FTA. I remember reading this, because I have it in my spreadsheet of what I could take when.

Soo...what if I have no obligation left (since I've finished my MSO).....maybe that's when that rule applies? After taking the last payment I have to serve for a minimum of 4 more years. Hmm

 

[m026186]

First, I want to thank everyone who has been providing info on this board. I've been skimming it over the past hour or so and have a few questions unique to my situation. If this info has already been discussed, I apologize for asking again. Thanks in advance for the help.

1) Does prior military experience affect ASR pay? I was active duty Navy, and got out as an O3 with 6 yrs.

2) Does ASR time count towards retirement, or just the time after school? What about MDSSP?

3) Do you drill during school, during residency, or both?

4) I have some benefits already under the "New GI Bill." Will I still be able to use them if enrolled in this program?

Thanks again.