Army National Guard's new Med student program details.

[koojo]

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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.

Yes. ASR is a simple ADOS (Active Duty for Operational Support) program where you get paid for full-time while in the National Guard. Your pay is determined upon your RANK and TIME IN SERVICE. I'm not sure how they will determine your rank (since most of us getting a commission will start as an O1) but if you have prior service experience you will certainly have built up some time in service. I have 8 years of military experience on the enlisted side which will help me get a lot more money than an O1 with no past history.

Here are the 2009 Military Pay Charts: http://www.navycs.com/09militarypaychart.html

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

Yes. Again, while on ASR you will be on ADOS orders, which means you are considered active. You will get 1 retirement point every day that you are on ADOS orders...which should be 365 points/year.

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

While on ASR you requirements are to recruit future docs in the the National Guard. Now you will have to work with your recruiter to figure out what the time commitement will be. Mine told me that we can have lunch once a month and discuss any leads...which works for me. I'm sure others who are currently in the program can chime in.

After ASR you will have to find a national guard unit that you can drill in, even though you might still be in school (your 4th year). You will also have to drill during your residency. However there are 'flexible training schedules' for med students and those in residency which may reduce your drilling to once every 3 months or so. It really depends on your Company commander and what he will do. It's been said that it's probably better to go to a unit where there are doctors or med students as the commander will probably be more linient...whereas it may be different at a line unit.

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

The GI Bill is completely seperated from the ASR program. As long as the GI Bill you're taking does not have anything against soldiers who are on active orders then you should be good to go.

 

[CoyoteDoc]

I am currently in the process of joining the ASR and came across some info some of you might find useful. I haven't contacted the bank on this yet, but was told by an acquaintance with about 7 years in the guard who recently got commissioned that USAA bank (www.usaa.com) will give up to a $25,000 loan at only 2% int. to officers. He told me the offer is good within 6 months of being commissioned, but again, I haven't personally seen the specifics.

Also, I recently read an article on MSN money http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Banking/BetterBanking/banks-offer-big-perks-to-lure-savers.aspx

It gives a few banks that are offering 6% return on the first $25,000 deposited into a checking account given that you keep some of their requirements such as using the debit card 10 or 12 times a month.

Seems like a no brainer to me. Pull out a loan at 2% and put it in an account making 6% Then just use your pay from ASR to pay the loan off. In about 5 years you make over 6 grand.

 

[iatrosB]

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

I don't think it has anything to do with the MSO. Not sure.

 

[koojo]

I don't think it has anything to do with the MSO. Not sure.

But officers don't technically have a contract after they are done their MSO. Unlike enlisted soldiers who have confirmed deadlined contracts, we don't. So I'm not sure where the '6 years left in your contract' plays a role here, unless it's talking about your MSO...but even then it limits the ability to take out the FTA, which really makes no sense.

Just sounds confusing.

 

[iatrosB]

But officers don't technically have a contract after they are done their MSO. Unlike enlisted soldiers who have confirmed deadlined contracts, we don't. So I'm not sure where the '6 years left in your contract' plays a role here, unless it's talking about your MSO...but even then it limits the ability to take out the FTA, which really makes no sense.

Just sounds confusing.

The wording specifically said "officer must serve for 6 years of active drilling after receiving last payment" or something like that. It didn't say you had to have a contract for that long, just that you drill that long. You can stop early, but it said you might have to pay back the FTA.

Honestly, if it's a make-or-break for you, don't take the FTA. The FTA in-and-of it's self is not good enough to extend your time.

But if you do take it, be prepared to drill for 6 years after final payment (not a problem for me).

 

[tsbuqh]

Pay / Rank: AMEDD cuts your time in service in half to calculate your rank if you were not in the medical community. So as a line officer O3 w/ 6 years service, I will come in as an O2 with 1.5 years time in grade, and 6 years service. I will not be eligable for O3 until graduating medical school even though I will hit 4 years time in grade before that. Also you may have read a thread about "save pay" for prior service officer who are medical students on AD orders, this does not include ADOS orders so you will not get that on ASR.

FTA: the concern with prior service officers is not the 4 or 6 years required service, most of us have enough time in we are thinking retirement. But will those required year, have to be "paid back" consecutively or concurently. If concurently then take the money. If consecutively then it is better to wait and take the $25k special pay after residency. From the wording stated in the above post it is concurent if you already have a commitment greater than 6 years, so it will probably be concurent for those of us with less than 6 years too.

GI Bill: Post 9/11 GI bill may not pay out as well as the chapt 32 (old GI bill) because while on ADOS orders you are already getting a housing stipent, so you would wave your right to that portion of the post 9/11. You may want to do the old bill for the first 3 years on ADOS, then elect to change to the post 9/11. Also you get an additional 12 months of benefits for your Reserve service, which can be converted to the post 9/11. va Q&A

 

[agonzalez06]

This is the passage in the tuition assistance application I am concerned about:

5. All officers who accept FTA and check yes on this SOU Agreement affirm their agreement to the Active Duty Service Obligation (ADSO) or Reserve Duty Service Obligation (RDSO) requirements, whichever applies, as stipulated in this paragraph. All Active Duty officers and commissioned warrant officers (including ARNG AGR officers) receiving FTA agree to complete at least a two years of additional Active Duty service commencing upon the ending date of the last class for which FTA was received. All Selected Reserve officers and commissioned warrant officers receiving FTA agree to complete at least four years of additional Selected Reserve Duty service commencing upon the ending date of the last class for which FTA was received.

Enlisted Soldiers, warrant officers, and TPU warrant officers (without commissions) must have sufficient time remaining in their term of service to complete the class/s, including Distance Learning courses, for which FTA was received before their ETS unless involuntarily separated.

The way I am interpreting that is that you commit for an extra 2 years if you are active duty from your graduation date if you accept tuition assistance, and to an additional 4 years if you are reserve. As part of ASR are we counted as active duty or reserve for the purposes of this program?

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?

I guess my question is, if you are extending your commitment by taking the tuition assistance now, will they still offer you the more lucrative incentives available during residency to stay in since they already have you. I guess they could tack on that time to any time you've committed to by taking the tuition assistance.

 

[koojo]

This is the passage in the tuition assistance application I am concerned about:



The way I am interpreting that is that you commit for an extra 2 years if you are active duty from your graduation date if you accept tuition assistance, and to an additional 4 years if you are reserve. As part of ASR are we counted as active duty or reserve for the purposes of this program?

Hmmm the wording is tricky...I'm interested to know.

 

[tsbuqh]

USAA bank (www.usaa.com) will give up to a $25,000 loan at only 2% int. to officers.

Here is the number to call. Their career starter loan rates are often dependent on your commissioning source. 1-800-862-6909

FYI, as an officer you are highly sought after by banks. So if you are not getting great service, look into USAA or Navy Federal.

 

[agonzalez06]

Hmmm the wording is tricky...I'm interested to know.

koojo, you posted this a while back (I went through the thread again):

Federal Tuition Assistance – Everyone can apply, but will depend on if there are funds available.

• $4500/year x 4 years= $18000/total
• Officers must have 4 years remaining in their service contract after the last payment is made.
• Tax-free

Do you know if this means 4 years of drilling status just the MSO? If you do know, thanks in advance.

 

[the prodogy]

Since there are only 200 spots available each year, what are the chances that I will get into the program the year I start med school? How fast do these spots fill up. The new fiscal year starts October 1, but if I go to med school, I don't see myself getting accepted until December, or maybe early January. How likely is it that there will still be spots open during that time, after 2-3 months have already gone by?

 

[iatrosB]

Here is the number to call. Their career starter loan rates are often dependent on your commissioning source. 1-800-862-6909

FYI, as an officer you are highly sought after by banks. So if you are not getting great service, look into USAA or Navy Federal.

this is also a good offer:

The Navy Mutual Aid Association’s (NMAA’s) Career Assistance Loan and Insurance Program - New officers coming into the uniformed services are eligible during the first 6 months of their commission to receive a one-time “career assistance loan”. The loan is $5,000 and is paid back at a 1% interest rate. Generally, you pay it back in 2.5 years, and in this time, you pay about $103 in interest (GREAT deal!). The loan is intended to help new officers get settled in their new job by providing money for personal expenses that may arise shortly after commissioning. It is directly withdrawn out of your paycheck. http://www.navymutual.org

Man! I didn't know about this. Do they have anything for someone who's been in for about 8 months?!

 

[iatrosB]

Man! I didn't know about this. Do they have anything for someone who's been in for about 8 months?!

I may have answered my own question:

What is required?
Please carefully read these requirements. To get this loan, you must do the following:

Eligibility for the loan is defined as 18 months prior to commissioning date through 12 months following commission date. If already commissioned, payment is deferred for 90 days after loan closing date.

 

[koojo]

koojo, you posted this a while back (I went through the thread again):



Do you know if this means 4 years of drilling status just the MSO? If you do know, thanks in advance.

I'm pretty certain that it doesn't matter. Once you finish the last class for which payment was made, you must serve at least 4 years of drilling (no matter if you have reached your MSO or not).

Since there are only 200 spots available each year, what are the chances that I will get into the program the year I start med school? How fast do these spots fill up. The new fiscal year starts October 1, but if I go to med school, I don't see myself getting accepted until December, or maybe early January. How likely is it that there will still be spots open during that time, after 2-3 months have already gone by?

Next year it will probably be even more competitive than previous 2 years because of the publicity of ASR. If you are applying to med school this up-coming cycle I would contact an AMEDD recruiter, explain the ASR suituation, and maybe he could get you started on the basic paperwork. Once you receive an acceptance letter from the school is when you can really start the ball rolling. I just got into the program for April, so six months have past since the fiscal year started back in October, so there are still spots left I'm sure. Just next year you might want to be on top of things.

 

[Chuck's Right Foot]

What should I do if I am not sure which state I will be in? I have two acceptances in Illinois, but I am hoping to be in PA, FL, or VA.....

Should I try to go to my state recruiter and get the paper work and turn it in once I get the final decision?

 

[notdeadyet]

What should I do if I am not sure which state I will be in? I have two acceptances in Illinois, but I am hoping to be in PA, FL, or VA.....

Should I try to go to my state recruiter and get the paper work and turn it in once I get the final decision?

You can. Or many of us have used a national recruiter that is very helpful. He runs your packet for you until you have a state you know you'll be going to, then he hands it off to them and works with the local recruiter to make sure you're treated right and things continue to move along. PM me if you want his info.

 

[tele turnin]

Based on what I've read here and found out from friends in this, I am just a hair shy of 100% that I want to do this. Is sure beats HPSP in my book. I tried getting a hold of a recruiter here in Idaho where I am, but they said they really can't talk to me until I have a letter of acceptance in hand. I would like to get an early jump on this, so when the letter comes (I know I may come off as cocky but I like to think of it as hopeful and confident) I have somewhat of a headstart. Does anyone know of a recruiter I could contact in order to do this?

Also, has anybody had problems with travel restrictions doing this program? I'm from Alaska and won't be going to school there, but would love to go home whenever I could. Just wondering.

 

[notdeadyet]

I would like to get an early jump on this, so when the letter comes (I know I may come off as cocky but I like to think of it as hopeful and confident) I have somewhat of a headstart. Does anyone know of a recruiter I could contact in order to do this?

I just PM'd you the name of a top notch national recruiter a few of us have used and very much liked.

 

[tele turnin]

Thanks a ton. I'll give him a call tomorrow.

 

[docntraining728]

I seem to think I have read the answer to my question on this thread, but I cannot find it. Does USAREC meet once a month, twice a month, once a week, or what? My packet has supposedly been there since Monday or Tuesday. I am very curious as to when I might hear from them. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I have been reading on here for a few years and finally decided to join. This site is a great resource.

 

[koojo]

I seem to think I have read the answer to my question on this thread, but I cannot find it. Does USAREC meet once a month, twice a month, once a week, or what? My packet has supposedly been there since Monday or Tuesday. I am very curious as to when I might hear from them. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I have been reading on here for a few years and finally decided to join. This site is a great resource.

They meet once a month. I saw that actual schedule at my recruiters office but didn't copy down the dates...I should have. They usually meet the whole week and they release a letter with names of those who were accepted. This will probably come at the end of the week in which they meet. Most likely you'll hear next week.

 

[mfrizzo3]

What benefit does getting the paperwork started early provide? Will people who have an acceptance in hand automatically be pushed passed all those who do not?

 

[Mr. Freeze]

What benefit does getting the paperwork started early provide?

Have you seen the packet? Getting a start on it can help speed up the process. Getting transcripts from other schools, getting medical records if you have stuff they'll ask about, etc. Those things take time, and time is money, literally in this case. If your packet goes in one day later than it could, you're out a quarter's worth of pay.

 

[m026186]

Hey guys,
I know this is sort of silly regarding that I am not in the program yet, but how do you guys plan to spend/invest the money. Do you plan on paying off tuition and living expenses and then use the rest for investment purposes? or do you plan on taking out low interest loans and using the ASR money for investments that hopefully will have a high rate of return then the interest rate on the loans? just wondering because investing seems to be the better way, long term investments tend to return around 10 percent, and with the "sale" stock right now it may be even higher. Any thoughts on this? I've only recently thought about how I would spend/save this money.

I'm not in the program either, but have been following this thread for a little while and have another suggestion.... On top of the countless others I'm sure you've heard by now. Why not try to limit yourself to taking only subsidized loans (currently $8500 per year, Federal, although others may be available)? That way, if your investments make anything less than 6.8%, you're still in great shape (As long as it doesn't make less than 0%, actually), and just pay pay it all off upon graduation.

Or, if you decide to go into a specialty, like primary care, that has loan repayment or are able to make a deal with a state to practice in an understaffed area, you can get someone else to help you pay back your loans and keep the money you've invested. And, if you really enjoy the National Guard, they also have some repayment programs you can enroll in for an added commitment (HPLRP is mostly for surgery, internal medicine, and family practice, it seems).

And, if that USAA money is available, I'd highly recommend it. I had that option a few years ago (I don't think they'll let me do it again, unfortunately), and can't say enough good things about it. USAA is great to their military members.

To summarize my thoughts:
1) Take out subsidized loans
2) Invest at least an equal amount of money
3) Pay back loans immediately when subsidized period ends...
-----OR-----
3) Keep the money and utilize a loan repayment program
4) Join USAA (At least if you don't mind great service and some great options on loans and insurance)

Thanks again to all who support this thread.

 

[mfrizzo3]

Have you seen the packet? Getting a start on it can help speed up the process. Getting transcripts from other schools, getting medical records if you have stuff they'll ask about, etc. Those things take time, and time is money, literally in this case. If your packet goes in one day later than it could, you're out a quarter's worth of pay.

I am referring to the previous poster who mentioned applying before one has an acceptance letter. Does applying early reserve a spot for you so you will be priority if you get an acceptance? I assume people who have an acceptance letter will breeze right past people in the process to those who do not. That is what I was referring to by applying early

 

[koojo]

I am referring to the previous poster who mentioned applying before one has an acceptance letter. Does applying early reserve a spot for you so you will be priority if you get an acceptance? I assume people who have an acceptance letter will breeze right past people in the process to those who do not. That is what I was referring to by applying early

Which poster are you referring to exactly?

You can't apply without an acceptance letter. You can however get started with the packet. I think that's what was referred to. My packet in the end was about 1.5" thick...there's a lot of paperwork involved.

 

[mfrizzo3]

Which poster are you referring to exactly?

You can't apply without an acceptance letter. You can however get started with the packet. I think that's what was referred to. My packet in the end was about 1.5" thick...there's a lot of paperwork involved.

So, as I understand it you can contact this national recruiter and he will allow to start some of the basic paperwork. My state recruiter says they do not work with people until you get a letter of acceptance.

 

[koojo]

So, as I understand it you can contact this national recruiter and he will allow to start some of the basic paperwork. My state recruiter says they do not work with people until you get a letter of acceptance.

It seems that's what he has been doing in the past. If I were you I would contact him. Even if you get told no, ask for a list of paperwork you will need so you can start compiling them.

 

[amindwalker]

Unfortunately, you are worth nobody's time until you have an unconditional acceptance letter in hand, fact. However, if you can find the appropriate document; the AMEDD DCA User Applicant Worksheet, you could start filling it out while you wait.

If I were to take the time to hook you up with said documents, and then you didn't get in to (or chose not to attend) a school in my state, I might be a bit nonplussed over my gross misappropriation of ATP. I submit that you might find this to be a common perception amongst our merry little band of med students/recruiters.

You can find the documents if you look hard enough. Fill them out. When you get accepted into med school, tell us or even better, contact an ASR in your state to set things in order for you.

 

[doctiggity]

I have a friend who is interested in the ASR program, but has also made an application to the National Health Services Corp Scholarship program. The program pays for tuition, fees, etc., and gives a monthly stipend of 1282/month. But you must commit to serving an underserved community in the primary care specialities or Psych after finishing your residency. He says that it may be possible to do both programs, because there is a section that states that military reservists can enter the program, but must understand that if they are deployed they are still obligated to finish their service committment when they return. Is the ASR program considered the NG reserve or Active duty? If one could do both programs, might be a pretty sweet deal, if you are interested in primary care. Still waiting on my USAREC results, wish me luck, and hopefully I can proceed to the next step!!!!!!!🙂🙂🙂

 

[amindwalker]

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/

2 things;
1) Thanks EMH! As usual, you are a blessing.
2) It is worth noting that there are no D.O. schools listed in the drop-down thingy

I contacted them and was able to secure a code for Yours Truly. FREE Epoc is really useful on rotations, so I recommend that you DO students out there in TV-land contact the friendly folks at the above posted link to get yours, toot sweet.

(Please don't correct my French, phoque!)

doctiggity: NHSC + ASR = above my pay grade. If I were to hazard a SWAG, I would say no, but it would be worthy of further investigation.

May USAREC smile on you, I have a pocket full of smilies on standby.

 

[notdeadyet]

He says that it may be possible to do both programs, because there is a section that states that military reservists can enter the program, but must understand that if they are deployed they are still obligated to finish their service committment when they return. Is the ASR program considered the NG reserve or Active duty?

The make-or-break is going to be up to the NHSC folks. At the end of the day, if you're called or need to be deployed, you're going. But if the NHSC folks are fine with you leaving your job for the sake of deployments, then I wouldn't see any problem. I'd run it by both the Guard and NHSC to be sure. I thought NHSC specifically had a clause requiring that you NOT accept any other scholarship or program that required service, but apparently military is excluded from this.

One thing to keep in mind is that transferring from one state to another's National Guard is theoretically a matter of paperwork, but that's not always the case. Some folks I know who went the NHSC route have had to move twice between states to go after appealing jobs. That would make switching units a little painful.

Lastly, and I can't stress this enough: a majority (literally a majority) of premeds enter medical school thinking that they want to go into primary care. By the time folks graduate medical school, most of these folks change their minds.

Just keep it in mind. I have problems with the NHSC program for the same reasons I have problems with HPSP. Whether or not they will be a godsend or one of the worst mistake of your life depends on you knowing things that you have absolutely no way of knowing at this point in your training. Caveat emptor.

 

[iatrosB]

I have a friend who is interested in the ASR program, but has also made an application to the National Health Services Corp Scholarship program. The program pays for tuition, fees, etc., and gives a monthly stipend of 1282/month. But you must commit to serving an underserved community in the primary care specialities or Psych after finishing your residency. He says that it may be possible to do both programs, because there is a section that states that military reservists can enter the program, but must understand that if they are deployed they are still obligated to finish their service committment when they return. Is the ASR program considered the NG reserve or Active duty? If one could do both programs, might be a pretty sweet deal, if you are interested in primary care. Still waiting on my USAREC results, wish me luck, and hopefully I can proceed to the next step!!!!!!!🙂🙂🙂

ASR is still considered Guard at the end of the day (that's what your commitment is to) and that is allowed in NHSC. I'd say both are fine together. I'll tell you though, NHSC is super competitive and very hard to get (especially as a 1st year, so I wouldn't count on it).

 

[iatrosB]

I thought NHSC specifically had a clause requiring that you NOT accept any other scholarship or program that required service, but apparently military is excluded from this.

Not the military...only the Guard/reserves specifically.

I mean seriously, how would that look if the federal government didn't hire you (basically what the scholarship is) if you were in the guard.

 

[notdeadyet]

Not the military...only the Guard/reserves specifically.

Makes sense.

I mean seriously, how would that look if the federal government didn't hire you (basically what the scholarship is) if you were in the guard.

I was actually surprised to see a program so stringent on service requirements (you must go into these specialties, you can't do a fellowship, etc.) wouldn't have firm requirements that you not have an obligations, civilian or military, that would interrupt your payback.

You can't discriminate hiring someone due to having obligations to the military, but you can require that any time away from contract violates it. I know of a fellow who had a federal contract voided because he was called up and could no longer honor the timeline.

 

[doctiggity]

Not the military...only the Guard/reserves specifically.

I mean seriously, how would that look if the federal government didn't hire you (basically what the scholarship is) if you were in the guard.

My friend is correct, I checked it out, if you are in the military reserves you can apply for the NHSC scholarship, but it has a few caveats. If anyone is interested here's the link. ftp://ftp.hrsa.gov/nhsc/applications/scholarship/aib.pdf

Actually, it's not so bad, if you KNOW that you want to go into a primary care speciality and that you don't want to do any further training after you complete residency and as long as you are not deployed longer than 7 weeks, you don't have to extend your contract, but I think things could get tricky because you have to find a spot that will accept a reservist and one where there is more than 1 doc, so if you get deployed the community won't be left stranded, so someone who does both programs, maybe limited in the places that will hire them. It sounds really nice considering making 5K a month, tuition paid, health insurance paid by both programs, books & equipment paid for by NHSC, ASR could technically be completed by the time some of us graduate from residency......Hmm, almost sounds too good to be true!!!!!!

 

[the prodogy]

I've got a question. Scenario:
Lets say I get accepted to a DO school, in late September. I apply for ASR, then get accepted. January comes along and I get accepted to an MD school. If I decide to go to the MD school instead of the DO school, will that be allowed?

Also, lets say I get accepted early for the ASR program, can I swear in my oath before med school starts and start doing drills then? Or do I have to wait for med school to start before starting drills?

 

[koojo]

I've got a question. Scenario:
Lets say I get accepted to a DO school, in late September. I apply for ASR, then get accepted. January comes along and I get accepted to an MD school. If I decide to go to the MD school instead of the DO school, will that be allowed?

When you commission into the military, you will most likely commission into the state where you will be going to school and doing ASR. That being said, you join ASR in the state where you are accepted to school. If you join ASR after being accepted to one school I'm not sure if you can than transfer that ASR program to a different state because you'll be going elsewhere....that's something you need to talk to a recruiter about. I'm just not sure if it's transferable.

Also, lets say I get accepted early for the ASR program, can I swear in my oath before med school starts and start doing drills then? Or do I have to wait for med school to start before starting drills?

You can't get accepted into ASR without first taking the oath and joining the national guard. You will first take the oath, and soon after you will get your ASR (considering all is well). If you get accepted to school in September and join ASR say in January or April, than you will now be considered full-time. That means you are at the discretion of the recruiting command in the state where you joined ASR. They can have you give presentations or whatever. Who knows.

Here is my story...it might help you out. Found out I got into school last October. Starting ASR this April 1st in WV. I will still be living in VT until I move down to WV in July...so I'm not exactly sure what I'll be doing. The recruiter said that he might have me do presentations here and there, but his main concern was to get me paid, and thus the April 1st start.

 

[aloepathic]

So how does it work from when you sign? I find it really hard to believe that you automatically become active duty without any kind of training camp or anything else?

 

[koojo]

So how does it work from when you sign? I find it really hard to believe that you automatically become active duty without any kind of training camp or anything else?

Being ASR does not make you part of the Active Army. You are considered ADOS in the National Guard...which basically makes you full-time in the National Guard...not Active Army. You are owned by the National Guard...not Active Army. Your job in ASR is to spread the word of what the National Guard has to offer to physicians.

 

[aloepathic]

Being ASR does not make you part of the Active Army. You are considered ADOS in the National Guard...which basically makes you full-time in the National Guard...not Active Army. You are owned by the National Guard...not Active Army. Your job in ASR is to spread the word of what the National Guard has to offer to physicians.

I understand that, but there's gotta be some kind of training or something? I mea, do they literally just hand you the uniform and say "go forth and spread the word?"

 

[koojo]

I understand that, but there's gotta be some kind of training or something? I mea, do they literally just hand you the uniform and say "go forth and spread the word?"

Pretty much. You will talk to the recruiter and find out what they expect from you while you're on ASR, and you get it done. It's pretty simple.

You are expected to go to OBLC (Officer Basic Leadership Course) though. I think it's within 2 years of taking the oath you have to go to that school...it's about 27 days down in Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas.

 

[AlphaPower]

Hi, guys remember a couple of pages back, I was asking if my thyroid issue was gonna be a deal breaker for me? My recruiter just emailed me this:

"I now have permission for my medical applicants to schedule their own
appointment times from a list of approved doctors in the area. It is called a
DoDMERB physical which uses Army Medical Entrance Standards. This should eliminate you from being disqualified for your thyroid issues. (The Army allows you to enlist as long as your thyroid problem is not severe or recent) If you like we can go this route, and you would receive instructions tomorrow on how to schedule the physical.

OR you are approved to appear at MEPS anytime beginning this Wednesday. Because MEPS uses a stricter standard, They will disqualify you. I can request a waiver afterwards, it just takes a bit more time.

Let me know what you want, and I will either get you scheduled at MEPS or request the DoDMERB instructions be sent to you."

You guys know anything about this DoDMERB?

 

[punkiedad]

OK guys, here is an update as far as the boards go.

USAREC is meeting this week.

National Recognition board meets on April 23rd.

Not sure if this is the same for everyone or just here in PA, but thought I would throw it out there for anyone interested.

Hopefully my packet gets approved by USAREC and can proceed to national recognition board.

 

[docntraining728]

OK guys, here is an update as far as the boards go.

USAREC is meeting this week.

National Recognition board meets on April 23rd.

Not sure if this is the same for everyone or just here in PA, but thought I would throw it out there for anyone interested.

Hopefully my packet gets approved by USAREC and can proceed to national recognition board.

That's good to hear about USAREC. What is the national recognition board? I thought once USAREC approved you, all that was left was the interview and swearing in at your home base. Is that what the national recognition board is? Thanks

 

[punkiedad]

That's good to hear about USAREC. What is the national recognition board? I thought once USAREC approved you, all that was left was the interview and swearing in at your home base. Is that what the national recognition board is? Thanks

I am guessing the national recognition board is the interview and from what I understand if all goes well there, they can do the swearing in right then and there........though koojo, notdeadyet or amindwalker would know better. I am just a wannabe waiting for smileys.

 

[notdeadyet]

I am guessing the national recognition board is the interview and from what I understand if all goes well there, they can do the swearing in right then and there........though koojo, notdeadyet or amindwalker would know better. I am just a wannabe waiting for smileys.

You need to be approved both nationally and by your state. Once both are done, you're good to swear in.

You usually do fed rec first (which is all paperwork, no interview), then you go before your state board. That involves an (easy) interview and you swear in on the spot after they talk about you.

Sometimes it's done backwards. They can have you do the state interview first, but you don't swear in while you wait for word back from fed rec. Then when it comes in, someone from the state will come meet you at your house or (literally) a Starbuck's or something and has you raise your right hand.

 

[the prodogy]

I had a few questions about the PT test:

How often do we have to do the PT test?

What are the minimum men/women have to do to pass?

Is there anything special about scoring a perfect 300?

And I was looking at how they administer the test. It says you have 2 minutes for the push up and sit up portions. Can you rest during the 2 minute period? For example, can I do 60 push ups, rest for a few seconds, then do 40 more, or do I have to do it continually?

 

[Mr. Freeze]

I had a few questions about the PT test:

How often do we have to do the PT test?

What are the minimum men/women have to do to pass?

Is there anything special about scoring a perfect 300?

And I was looking at how they administer the test. It says you have 2 minutes for the push up and sit up portions. Can you rest during the 2 minute period? For example, can I do 60 push ups, rest for a few seconds, then do 40 more, or do I have to do it continually?

Google FM 21-20.

 

[notdeadyet]

How often do we have to do the PT test?

During ASR, you need to pass 2x/year.

What are the minimum men/women have to do to pass?

Look up Army Physical Fitness Test. A bunch of sites have calculators and tables that show what you need for what score. It's broken down by age and gender.

FM 21-20 probably has all that too, but it looks kinda military-y. I like the sites that spoon feed it to me quick.

Is there anything special about scoring a perfect 300?

It's special in that there's no 301. They won't promote you to general or anything.

And I was looking at how they administer the test. It says you have 2 minutes for the push up and sit up portions. Can you rest during the 2 minute period? For example, can I do 60 push ups, rest for a few seconds, then do 40 more, or do I have to do it continually?/QUOTE]
You can rest during push-ups and situps, but in both, you need to be in the up position.