Army National Guard's new Med student program details.

[soldier2surgeon]

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Yes that's correct. You theoretically should only have to drill for three years after ASR (total 6 years in the National Guard). The remaining 2 can be done in IRR if you want...but I don't recommend it..

I'm not sure if this has been discussed, but if you are prior service and have fulfilled your 8 year MSO, you do not incur an additional MSO from ASR. This means that you can walk away from the guard after the 3 years of ASR and not owe anything.

 

[soldier2surgeon]

I just got an email from CPT Wire, he is now the AMEDD accessions POC at NGB(I guess he replaced MAJ Law who is listed on all the official ASR correspondence from 2008) and he said all the spots are full for this fiscal year. As the POC, I assume he knows what he is talking about...

I guess I'm hoping for a 1 OCT spot.

There were 4 spots left for FY09 going into the USAREC board on 14 APR. My state AMEDD recruiter is confident that those 48 slots being vacated by graduating students will be filled this FY.

Additionally, I am currently assigned to Cadet Command, so if anyone has any questions about going to medical school after ROTC, please PM me with them.

 

[koojo]

I'm not sure if this has been discussed, but if you are prior service and have fulfilled your 8 year MSO, you do not incur an additional MSO from ASR. This means that you can walk away from the guard after the 3 years of ASR and not owe anything.

Ya pretty much. However in order to leave you need to put in your resignation and it has to be approved.

 

[EMH]

I'm not sure if this has been discussed, but if you are prior service and have fulfilled your 8 year MSO, you do not incur an additional MSO from ASR. This means that you can walk away from the guard after the 3 years of ASR and not owe anything.

Not according to the ASR contract. You owe the ARNG 1:1 for the time you are on ASR. You could do 3 years ASR and 3 years drilling and then separate.

 

[EMT2DO]

The direct wording from my email says "Unfortunately there are no more seats this Fiscal year as we have reach our 200 max. I would recommend that you work with CPT Elliot to get you USAREC Board Approved. Once you are approved you can apply for a control number and then decide if you want to come into the ARNG."

So my understanding is that no one is confirming or denying the future of ASR come 1 OCT 09. Either there will be 48 seats available from those that graduate this spring, or there will be 200, or the budget will be cut and there will be none. All I know is that if you're not in now, you're not getting in til 1 OCT 09, if you're lucky.

Hate to repeat bad news, but my recruiter confirmed it also, The slots are now full. He also said that no one in my state is graduating, so as far as any of the 48 grad slots going to me, the chances are nil because I think the ASR control numbers are allocated to each state AMEDD, so when someone graduates, the state keeps the spot. The best shot is going to be increased funding (good luck with this administration) and more slots for Oct 09. This sucks because I did all the paperwork, and secondly because if I do get in OCT, I will be 3 months into 3rd year. So I incur the same obligation, and get basically half of the benefits. It would still be a sweet deal though, so I guess I'll just keep hoping they will see how well this works for recruitment and keep funding it.......

 

[notdeadyet]

He also said that no one in my state is graduating, so as far as any of the 48 grad slots going to me, the chances are nil because I think the ASR control numbers are allocated to each state AMEDD, so when someone graduates, the state keeps the spot.

Where are you getting that last piece from? I don't think anyone's heard that the slots are allocated by state.

The best shot is going to be increased funding (good luck with this administration)

I thought the complaint was that this administration has been too loose with the money?

This sucks because I did all the paperwork, and secondly because if I do get in OCT, I will be 3 months into 3rd year. So I incur the same obligation, and get basically half of the benefits.

Comparing how sweet the deal is you're getting to how sweet it is someone else is getting doesn't mean anything.

Ask yourself: is the program worth doing for $12K less than what I was planning on signing up for? If the answer's yes, keep it moving, keep your fingers crossed, and champagne if it comes through.

I was supposed to start a quarter before I did. I decided the program paying out $12K less was still a good program. And no regrets since...

 

[punkiedad]

I know I should have asked this before and I have reviewed the stuff I have obtained this far, and cannot for the life of me find out what, if any, assistance we get in the National Guard and or ASR as far as uniforms, etc. Do we get any type of allowance or are we on our own? Do we need to get like one of everything or.....well, you get my drift. I am clueless. I did get the link posted the other day though.

Also, I went through the previous posts, as I know there was a link to tell how many seats were left in the upcoming OBC and the link was dead. All I got was some error, so if anyone has an updated one, I would appreciate it.

Thanks, in advance (again....) for the guidance.

 

[EMH]

I know I should have asked this before and I have reviewed the stuff I have obtained this far, and cannot for the life of me find out what, if any, assistance we get in the National Guard and or ASR as far as uniforms, etc. Do we get any type of allowance or are we on our own? Do we need to get like one of everything or.....well, you get my drift. I am clueless. I did get the link posted the other day though.

Officers are responsible for buying their uniforms. You get a uniform allowance when you complete OBLC ($450 I've heard). What you'll have to buy is an ACU (army combat uniform) uniform and the patches, undershirts, belt, boots, cover, beret (eventually), PT uniform, and PT jacket and pants. If you bought everything the $450 would cover it. The list of stuff you're supposed to bring to OBLC says 3 uniforms, 2 pairs of boots and a few other things. I bought a second uniform and a second pair of boots since I hate the first pair I purchased. I know these are expensive but these boots are awesome (and also on sale).

You are able to get some stuff issued to you which I have. I won't mention it all but some of it is: Gore-tex ACU jacket, fleece, poncho liner, Kevlar helmet, camelbak, and various field gear (also known as TA-50). This stuff you don't own, you owe it back at some point.

 

[EMH]

Also, I went through the previous posts, as I know there was a link to tell how many seats were left in the upcoming OBC and the link was dead. All I got was some error, so if anyone has an updated one, I would appreciate it.

Try this link.

and also this one.

I'm not confident that you can check and see how many unfilled spots there are left. I think you need an ATRRS login to do that.

 

[punkiedad]

Try this link.

and also this one.

I'm not confident that you can check and see how many unfilled spots there are left. I think you need an ATRRS login to do that.

EMH.........as usual everything I needed. Thanks. just trying to plan ahead. After commissioning next week and hoping to go to OBC in June but will hav to wait and see.

Thanks again.

 

[DeadCactus]

So ASR is full and people not in now are basically SoL and praying to luck out for one of a handful of slots that open each year?

Also, anyone know what happens if you are in ASR but want to take a year or two to do a Master's in the middle of medical school?

 

[koojo]

EMH.........as usual everything I needed. Thanks. just trying to plan ahead. After commissioning next week and hoping to go to OBC in June but will hav to wait and see.

Thanks again.

Ya I'm on the list to go in June as well...my fed rec is still pending (go figure right?) and once that's done (hopefully in a couple weeks) I can get orders for OBLC.

 

[EMH]

So ASR is full and people not in now are basically SoL and praying to luck out for one of a handful of slots that open each year?

Also, anyone know what happens if you are in ASR but want to take a year or two to do a Master's in the middle of medical school?

I wouldn't go so far as to say SOL. There may still be 200 new spots open in October. That is what all the memos still say and the word on how the program might change is still unofficial. If you want to do the program, go forward with it and just see if you can get a control #.

About taking a year off you would need to ask your recruiter but I'd think #1 you couldn't stay on ASR while you're doing it and #2, you'd want to make sure you stay in a slot protected from deployment while you're there.

gl

 

[msotiroglou]

I am an 11B infantryman and I have 3 years left on my contract. I will be done with undergrad approximately a year after my contact expires with the Infantry and I really want to pursue this program.

I don't know what I should do.

Should I reenlist with infantry and then try and get into this ASR program after I finish my undergrad?

or

Am I supposed to reenlist with the medical corps until I am done with my undergrad?

Please Help!

 

[koojo]

I am an 11B infantryman and I have 3 years left on my contract. I will be done with undergrad approximately a year after my contact expires with the Infantry and I really want to pursue this program.

I don't know what I should do.

Should I reenlist with infantry and then try and get into this ASR program after I finish my undergrad?

or

Am I supposed to reenlist with the medical corps until I am done with my undergrad?

Please Help!

If you reenlist and take a bonus you have to wait a year before you can swear in for your direct commission. Also, you need a med school acceptance letter before you can start ASR. Keeping these things in mind may make your decision easier.

 

[AlphaPower]

Anyone ask a recruiter in the know how many applications are currently in the pipeline? If there are 200+ in the pipeline already, then even if funding is approved for the next fiscal year, it will be full before it even starts.

 

[notdeadyet]

Anyone ask a recruiter in the know how many applications are currently in the pipeline?

By "in the pipeline", do you mean in the application process, or approved for control numbers but haven't yet been paid.

They are apparently already at 200 control numbers for the year. How many are waiting for new control numbers to be released next fiscal year? I don't think recruiters have that information at their finger tips.

If you mean how many people are in the application process, you're not going to find that.

If there are 200+ in the pipeline already, then even if funding is approved for the next fiscal year, it will be full before it even starts.

Applications have been rising. There were 30-40 in most quarters and it's been gone up a bit with the last two quarters. But there aren't 200 people approved and waiting for control numbers. That would be a heck of an uptick.

If I were considering the program, I'd definitely go ahead and apply now. If you get your paperwork moving, there's no reason to believe that there won't be slots available in October.

 

[soldier2surgeon]

Not according to the ASR contract. You owe the ARNG 1:1 for the time you are on ASR. You could do 3 years ASR and 3 years drilling and then separate.

You sure about that? Paragraph 10 of the LOI states "There is no additional contractual service obligation beyond the mandatory service obligation (MSO) incurred by all service members upon entry into the military."

 

[soldier2surgeon]

I am an 11B infantryman and I have 3 years left on my contract. I will be done with undergrad approximately a year after my contact expires with the Infantry and I really want to pursue this program.

I don't know what I should do.

Should I reenlist with infantry and then try and get into this ASR program after I finish my undergrad?

or

Am I supposed to reenlist with the medical corps until I am done with my undergrad?

Please Help!

I would recommend not reenlisting for any period that will extend your ADSO past when you are looking at starting school. If you are currently in the active component, you will want to ETS and transition to the guard. Make sure you get with the RC career counselors when you ACAP. They will amend your ETS orders to release you from AC to the guard, so that you don't have a break in service. You will join the guard as an 11B. Make sure the state AMEDD recruiter is working with the basic branch assignments officer so that they know that whatever basic branch unit you're put in really doesn't own you. Each state has a board, which meets monthly, to branch transfer anyone from a basic branch to MS/MC Student, MS/DC Student, etc. It is at that board that they will assess you as a MS 2LT. Don't worry about switching your MOS prior to.

 

[MidAtlantic]

An AMEDD recruiter informed me that the ASR program's benefits (I assume for new folks) are being cut. Does anybody know any details about this?

Thanks.

 

[notdeadyet]

An AMEDD recruiter informed me that the ASR program's benefits (I assume for new folks) are being cut. Does anybody know any details about this?

Nope. When you hear a rumor like this, feel free to post it. If you get confirmation from a few folks, be worried. If no one else has heard about it, write it off as just more rumor. There is a lot of that going around.

 

[amindwalker]

I just got some bad news from my CO. She said that official word came from Guard Bureau today that the funds are cut. If you are currently in the program or have a control number, you're safe. The rest of you will be put on a wait list (as you already know), but future ASR slots will only become available as current ASRs graduate. Punkiedad: you're still set!

I have not actually read this anywhere, so everyone, please confirm.

 

[notdeadyet]

I just got some bad news from my CO. She said that official word came from Guard Bureau today that the funds are cut. If you are currently in the program or have a control number, you're safe. The rest of you will be put on a wait list (as you already know), but future ASR slots will only become available as current ASRs graduate. Punkiedad: you're still set!

Good to know that those with control numbers are still safe anyway.

This is going to make the dynamics of recruiting for the program very interesting. Aside from the small percentage of folks who might drop-out of med school, die, etc., almost all new slots will be coming each year in May/June, correct?

If that's the case, recruiting is going to be a little challenging. After a bunch of new slots are awarded, students will be incented to get their apps in early. So they submit in June and wait a year to find out if they're in the program. Folks who submit later will be told they might have a slot next June, or they might have one a year from June.

Recruiting for this for the long haul might be challenging.

 

[amindwalker]

I just talked to a certain Captain with whom many (dare I say most) of us are acquainted. He has confirmed my last post. He declined to offer any instructions regarding how we are to conduct our recruiting duties since that is up to our chains of command. Recruiting is pretty much on hold nation-wide since so many people are joining the military due to lost jobs/economy. Pennsylvania is actually full (in fact 600 people gotta go). Please refer to your chain of command for confirmation and instructions.

 

[notdeadyet]

Recruiting is pretty much on hold nation-wide since so many people are joining the military due to lost jobs/economy. Pennsylvania is actually full (in fact 600 people gotta go).

The Guard may be overstaffed, but I'll bet every state is still falling way short in physician slots. Most folks I've talked to in different states have filled only 40-70% of physician slots with physicians.

Be curious to see where this leads for us...

 

[punkiedad]

I just got some bad news from my CO. She said that official word came from Guard Bureau today that the funds are cut. If you are currently in the program or have a control number, you're safe. The rest of you will be put on a wait list (as you already know), but future ASR slots will only become available as current ASRs graduate. Punkiedad: you're still set!

I have not actually read this anywhere, so everyone, please confirm.

whew.....I appreciate the honorable mention BUT, I am still concerned. t minus 36 hours ( or so) till I raise the right arm.......I am guessing if something was wrong they would tell me beforehand......either way I am committed to the guard though. BTW....they better not be out of decoder rings too!.......thanks for the heads up amindwalker. At least my neurotic tendencies were warranted.

 

[amindwalker]

Be advised, the current administration has officially cut the funding for all decoder rings.

 

[notdeadyet]

Can still afford emoticons though, right?

 

[amindwalker]

Emoticons still on stand-by.

 

[AlphaPower]

but future ASR slots will only become available as current ASRs graduate.

Just making sure, graduate here means from med school right? not residency or end of MSO.

 

[notdeadyet]

Just making sure, graduate here means from med school right? not residency or end of MSO.

Graduate means complete medical school.

You are done with ASR when you are done with medical school. ASR = AMEDD Student Recruiting, in which you get full-time officer pay for part-time recruiting into the program. When you graduate medical school, you are no longer in ASR, you're just a drilling Guardsman.

 

[AlphaPower]

Graduate means complete medical school.

You are done with ASR when you are done with medical school. ASR = AMEDD Student Recruiting, in which you get full-time officer pay for part-time recruiting into the program. When you graduate medical school, you are no longer in ASR, you're just a drilling Guardsman.

Thanks. Wow. You're super fast with replies! That's what I thought. I suppose I'll just wait for people like amindwalker to graduate next year, and hopefully get in then. Is there a breakdown of how many people with control numbers are MS1, 2, 3, 4 etc? In any case, I would like to meet whoever decided to cut the funding for ASR, and tell them how they just messed up a great program to recruit the best and the brightest physicians for the military. And then try to bribe them to reinstate the funding.

 

[notdeadyet]

I suppose I'll just wait for people like amindwalker to graduate next year, and hopefully get in then.

Keep reading up on this thread, as we'll post more solid info when it becomes available.

My hunch is that there will be a queue of applications awaiting people to graduate each May, so I'm not sure how that's going to work for those in the pipeline.

Is there a breakdown of how many people with control numbers are MS1, 2, 3, 4 etc?

Not that I know of. But keep in mind that it's kind of moot. People with control numbers (should) already have slots. The open seats that will come in May should be those who are on the wait list but do not have control numbers.

 

[superiordoc]

So your guess is that they will maintain the 200 spots currently available indefinitely, just replacing students as they graduate each year? What about the fact that they could just let the 200 spots run their original 3-year courses and end it there? I realize that no one can really say for sure now, but what makes you lean towards the former?

 

[tsbuqh]

So my packet finaly got approved at the USAREC board. My recuiter tells me that the official email yesterday said they were already 13 over the 200 for ASR, but that it did not give any numbers of people graduating out of the program this spring.

I am willing to wait for ASR. Even if I have to wait a year, it is still the best option for me. That said I am scheduled to swear in today and I am a little uncomfortable about how well I am protected against deployment if I do not have an ASR Control Number. He forwarded me the attached memo, which I am not convinced completely protects you if you are not in ASR or MDSSP (the spirit and intent is there, but that does not always hold up for much in the military). I will be assigned to the State Med Cmd in as a drilling medical student while I wait.

Most likely everything will be fine, but...

Anyone have any insight?

 

[soldier2surgeon]

Post deleted

 

[iatrosB]

I am not convinced completely protects you if you are not in ASR or MDSSP (the spirit and intent is there, but that does not always hold up for much in the military). I will be assigned to the State Med Cmd in as a drilling medical student while I wait.

Most likely everything will be fine, but...

Anyone have any insight?

You are worthless to the Guard at this point, there's no point to deploy you...you can't practice medicine.

 

[soldier2surgeon]

So my packet finaly got approved at the USAREC board. My recuiter tells me that the official email yesterday said they were already 13 over the 200 for ASR, but that it did not give any numbers of people graduating out of the program this spring.

I am willing to wait for ASR. Even if I have to wait a year, it is still the best option for me. That said I am scheduled to swear in today and I am a little uncomfortable about how well I am protected against deployment if I do not have an ASR Control Number. He forwarded me the attached memo, which I am not convinced completely protects you if you are not in ASR or MDSSP (the spirit and intent is there, but that does not always hold up for much in the military). I will be assigned to the State Med Cmd in as a drilling medical student while I wait.

Most likely everything will be fine, but...

Anyone have any insight?

I'm in the same boat as you, somewhere on this waiting list of 13. Here are my thoughts.

If you look at the ASR MOI, paragraph 17 states "should funding be terminated while on ADOS orders, ASR participants may be released from their statutory service obligation." This refers to your 8 year MSO that you incur from joining the military. I would check to see if joining the guard without a control number in hand will mean that you can not take advantage of the release from your MSO, because you are technically not an ASR participant when you incur your MSO. If the program is terminated before you even get to start ASR, I’m sure that they would not let you opt out of your MSO. If you are committed to serving no matter what, this will not apply to you.

As for how shielded you are from deployments without participation in MDSSP or ASR, I’m pretty sure you’re ok. Army ROTC has an almost identical program called SMP, where Cadets will be members of drilling units, but are in a non deployable status. They don’t need to be scholarship Cadets. It is the same deal here. Make sure you have a MS student MOS (00E67).

One last thing. Take a good look at the exemption policy where it says “I reserve the right to withdraw or modify this policy should it become necessary to provide medical support to future Army operational requirements.” Every program, contract, and assignment you enter into while in the military will have some “needs of the Army” clause in it. Don’t just shrug this off. While you will most likely never have to worry about this, there are plenty of people on transition teams in Iraq and Afghanistan who thought they didn’t need to worry about it either. You are probably safe, but if all of a sudden, it’s like Red Dawn and soviet paratroopers start falling from the sky, all bets are off.

 

[iatrosB]

In my opinion...and it's just that...we will see a draft before we see med students being called up (assuming they are actually in the right MOS). The stories you hear about student deployments are not in the med student MOS. Obviously, don't join the military lightly, but understand that if we're called up...all heck has broken loose.

 

[EMH]

You sure about that? Paragraph 10 of the LOI states "There is no additional contractual service obligation beyond the mandatory service obligation (MSO) incurred by all service members upon entry into the military."

From my contract:

2. In exchange for the monthly pay and allowance I will receive under this agreement, I agree:
k. That upon completion of medical, osteopathic, dental school, or masters level physician assistant program, I will serve in and participate satisfactorily in the ARNG for one year for year (or part thereof) for which I recieved full pay and allowances. I agree to serve in the ARNG and agree that such service will include not fewer than 12 days of AT or Active duty for training in each year of my obligation.

This won't affect many people because the 8 year obligation will be longer. The people this would affect would be those that are prior service. If it's a concern I'd bring it up with your recruiter.

 

[EMH]

One last thing. Take a good look at the exemption policy where it says “I reserve the right to withdraw or modify this policy should it become necessary to provide medical support to future Army operational requirements.” Every program, contract, and assignment you enter into while in the military will have some “needs of the Army” clause in it. Don’t just shrug this off. While you will most likely never have to worry about this, there are plenty of people on transition teams in Iraq and Afghanistan who thought they didn’t need to worry about it either. You are probably safe, but if all of a sudden, it’s like Red Dawn and soviet paratroopers start falling from the sky, all bets are off.

Really all that's important to me is that I can show a residency program a letter that says I won't have my residency interrupted. I just want to match.

 

[soldier2surgeon]

In my opinion...and it's just that...we will see a draft before we see med students being called up (assuming they are actually in the right MOS). The stories you hear about student deployments are not in the med student MOS. Obviously, don't join the military lightly, but understand that if we're called up...all heck has broken loose.

I concur. Things would have to get pretty bad before they start pulling folks out of med school. Again, make sure that they assign you an MOS of 00E67. 00E is a student MOS, and 67 is the Medical Service Corps designation. If you get assigned an MOS of 67A, you are a Medical Service Corps Health Services officer and will not be considered a student in the eyes of the military. This means that you could find yourself as a medical platoon leader in an infantry battalion in Afghanistan and not have much argument for them not to send you. Have this all ironed out before you swear in.

 

[soldier2surgeon]

Really all that's important to me is that I can show a residency program a letter that says I won't have my residency interrupted. I just want to match.

Just walk into every interview with a copy of the soldiers and sailors act and tell them that if they turn you down, you will sue them for not accepting you on the grounds that you are in the Guard, regardless of their true motivations. They'll probably admire your tenacity.

 

[notdeadyet]

I just got some bad news from my CO. She said that official word came from Guard Bureau today that the funds are cut. If you are currently in the program or have a control number, you're safe. The rest of you will be put on a wait list (as you already know), but future ASR slots will only become available as current ASRs graduate.
...
I just talked to a certain Captain with whom many (dare I say most) of us are acquainted. He has confirmed my last post.

I just got off the phone with my AMEDD recruiter who just got off the phone with NGB. The current situation is this. Funding is not (as of now) being cut for ASR. The reason that NGB is not handing out control numbers right now is that they reached the limit of 200 for FY09. As mentioned above, everyone above the 200 will be put on an order of merit list, first come first served. There are 12 people on the list as of now. These people will receive control numbers when they become available. That will be when:

A) Someone graduates and vacates an ASR slot.

B) October 1st rolls around and the new FY brings 200 new slots.

So there will be 200 new slots in October or not 200 slots in October? Hmmmm...

These mixed messages are really going to make a negative impact on recruiting. There are going to be a lot of potential recruits that are not willing to wait until May, 2010 to possibly start in ASR. These recruits might jump on HPSP or other programs.

So if I have someone that's interested in joining for 1 October 2009, but not 1 July 2010, I'm not exactly sure what to tell them. Getting definitive word would be nice.

 

[EMH]

So there will be 200 new slots in October or not 200 slots in October? Hmmmm...

These mixed messages are really going to make a negative impact on recruiting. There are going to be a lot of potential recruits that are not willing to wait until May, 2010 to possibly start in ASR. These recruits might jump on HPSP or other programs.

So if I have someone that's interested in joining for 1 October 2009, but not 1 July 2010, what do I tell him? This shrugging and saying, "I dunno" starts to look bad.

This isn't a whole lot different than the AF does on the HPSP. They take 200 (or maybe it was 150) new HPSP students a year. They usually have all 200 taken by the first day of class so you wind up having to wait a year to get on the AF HPSP.

 

[notdeadyet]

That said I am scheduled to swear in today and I am a little uncomfortable about how well I am protected against deployment if I do not have an ASR Control Number. He forwarded me the attached memo, which I am not convinced completely protects you if you are not in ASR or MDSSP (the spirit and intent is there, but that does not always hold up for much in the military).

First off, congratulations. You've come a far way.

Second off, I understand where you're coming from. The attached memo only specifically exempts from mobilization folks in STRAP, residency, and folks in the ARNG Medical and Dental Student Commissioning Program. If you're just someone who happens to join the Guard in hopes of maybe going into ASR, I'm not sure if you're covered.

I agree with iatrosB in that you're extremely unlikely to be called up, as you're worth a lot more to the Guard as a trained physician in 7 years than an untrained unclassed nobody right now. But I understand your feeling exposed.

 

[notdeadyet]

This isn't a whole lot different than the AF does on the HPSP. They take 200 (or maybe it was 150) new HPSP students a year. They usually have all 200 taken by the first day of class so you wind up having to wait a year to get on the AF HPSP.

HPSP is pretty transparent though. It's a scholarship that starts in the fall of every year, so folks know the exact timeline to apply. If you get your app in early, you'll pretty much get a spot.

My concern with ASR is that even those who are AMEDD Student Recruiters have no solid info on when folks should apply, now many seats are available, or when more will be available.

Again, I'm going with the assumption that 200 seats are opening up in the fall until I'm told otherwise by my CO. But with ASR folks getting conflicting information from their respective COs, its' easy for recruits to be a little confused.

 

[tech2doc]

Swore in this morning! I'm officially Lt. Tech2Doc.

I also signed a document stating that I will begin ASR in July. I already had a control number, so punkiedad, you're safe. Don't worry about it. Good luck tomorrow.

 

[notdeadyet]

If you look at the ASR MOI, paragraph 17 states "should funding be terminated while on ADOS orders, ASR participants may be released from their statutory service obligation." This refers to your 8 year MSO that you incur from joining the military. I would check to see if joining the guard without a control number in hand will mean that you can not take advantage of the release from your MSO, because you are technically not an ASR participant when you incur your MSO. If the program is terminated before you even get to start ASR, I'm sure that they would not let you opt out of your MSO. If you are committed to serving no matter what, this will not apply to you.

I agree. The "get out of your 8 year MSO" card is language for folks in ASR if the program is cut. If you join the Guard but are not in ASR, if the program is cut, I don't see this as applying to you.

As for how shielded you are from deployments without participation in MDSSP or ASR, I'm pretty sure you're ok. Army ROTC has an almost identical program called SMP, where Cadets will be members of drilling units, but are in a non deployable status. They don't need to be scholarship Cadets. It is the same deal here. Make sure you have a MS student MOS (00E67).

The "pretty sure" part is the danger. SMP is shielded from deployment and there's paper on it. I haven't seen any paper saying that 00e67's as a rule are protected from deployment. The only protection I've seen is for folks outlined in the memo's that have gone around (like the one above) and it doesn't make any mention of folks who sign up in the Guard without doing so under protection of an identified program.

Again, I have never heard of the Guard activating someone out of med school in any capacity. But if not being in an official non-deployable status is a deal-breaker for folks, they should make sure they find out where they stand on paper.

One last thing. Take a good look at the exemption policy where it says "I reserve the right to withdraw or modify this policy should it become necessary to provide medical support to future Army operational requirements."

Very true. At the end of the day, we're all in the Army. If we want 100% positive guarantees about where we stand or whether we'll be activated or deployed, we should join the Peace Corps.

 

[notdeadyet]

Just walk into every interview with a copy of the soldiers and sailors act and tell them that if they turn you down, you will sue them for not accepting you on the grounds that you are in the Guard, regardless of their true motivations. They'll probably admire your tenacity.

I help make my point by slapping the non-deployment memo on their desk and then stabbing a Ka-Bar through it.

They're impressed. Either frightened or impressed. It's so hard to tell sometimes...