Army National Guard's new Med student program details.

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n618ft said:
No new info on recycling the ASR spots? What's everyone doing right now if you were in the process? I was told that in my state I can still commission and drill while I await ASR spots to free up or whatever program I end up choosing. Anyone else getting this?
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While I live in Florida now, I will be attending medical school in Georgia. I have submitted all of my paperwork to the GA Guard recruiter and am waiting on an appointment to go to MEPS.

The goal is to get past the MEPS physical and submit the package to the AMEDD board in February or March. My recruiter has taken a lot of leave in the last two months and she is a little backed up. I likely won't make the February board.

While ASR is suspended (or gone - who really knows), I am submitting my application to be commissed as a medical student and hope that ASR returns. If it does or doesn't, I get O1E pay (four years prior service enlisted) for drilling plus $4,500 per year in tuition assitance.

If ASR slots open due to resignations, graduations, etc., perhaps I can get an ASR slot. Or, if we are really fortunate, there will be additional ASR funding. That said, I'm not holding my breath. Even if ASR isn't available, I like the loan repayment money for later on.

I was hoping for a February Board to comission earlier in hopes that I could go to and complete OBLC before medical school starts in mid August. That isn't likely now. Looks like I'll do OBLC (26 days) between 1st and 2nd years of medical school. If I don't I can't get promoted to 1LT in 18 months after commissioning.
 
DeadCactus said:
So how have you ASR folks decided to handling your income?
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Good question. It feels great to have to make such decisions. I agree with notdeadyet. I took enough loans to pay tuition and fees and I'm living off the cash I get from the NG. After a year of it I've managed to pay back all my credit cards, paid off my car, and a small loan I took out as a Freshman when I needed some cash. My situation is a bit different since I'm 31 and have 3 kids and a wife so my expenses are higher. But even if I could pay my tuition with my NG money I'd still take loans for the tuition and fees because I do plan on taking that loan repayment money later and anything you could put back while in school is bound to help you while in residency.

Something worth noting is that your loans you take have to be spent on "living and education". It would be a violation of your loan agreement to invest your student loans. So if you had to you could live off the student loans and invest the extra $ from the NG.
 
Its been and while. Hope the ASR program and medical school is treating everyone well. Can't complain myself. Can anyone tell me if there are any OBLC training course dates available for this summer? I know they had them last summer, but the last I heard about this coming summer is that its a no go. Not sure why, considering a lot of the officers are medical students or students of some kind (albeit not all are students i'm sure). Also, what is the link for website for OBLC? Thank you and good luck.
 
Yea, the first thing I did was pay off my credit cards. I've got too major plans I'm balancing.

1) Take out only the subsidized loans I'm offered and decline the rest. Between FTA and subsidized loans, almost all of my tuition is covered. Then just spread the 3 years of pay out to 4 years of living expenses and maybe some savings/investment.

That would leave me with about $60k in debt when I graduate. Small enough to manage with any reasonable income and provides the most career freedom.

2) Take out all loans, save as much income from ASR as possible. Leaves me with the full burden of medical school debt, but in a good position to benefit from HLRP if I decide to stay in. If I get out, I just pay off the loans and lose a small amount to interest.

Since I believe Flight Surgeons qualify for HLRP (which removes concersn of going into a specialty eligible for it), I guess the main questions are how likely I am to want to do HLRP (leaning toward it for now) and how much I trust myself to actually save a substantial amount of the ASR money...
 
lawyerdoc2b said:
While I live in Florida now, I will be attending medical school in Georgia. I have submitted all of my paperwork to the GA Guard recruiter and am waiting on an appointment to go to MEPS.

The goal is to get past the MEPS physical and submit the package to the AMEDD board in February or March. My recruiter has taken a lot of leave in the last two months and she is a little backed up. I likely won't make the February board.

While ASR is suspended (or gone - who really knows), I am submitting my application to be commissed as a medical student and hope that ASR returns. If it does or doesn't, I get O1E pay (four years prior service enlisted) for drilling plus $4,500 per year in tuition assitance.

If ASR slots open due to resignations, graduations, etc., perhaps I can get an ASR slot. Or, if we are really fortunate, there will be additional ASR funding. That said, I'm not holding my breath. Even if ASR isn't available, I like the loan repayment money for later on.

I was hoping for a February Board to comission earlier in hopes that I could go to and complete OBLC before medical school starts in mid August. That isn't likely now. Looks like I'll do OBLC (26 days) between 1st and 2nd years of medical school. If I don't I can't get promoted to 1LT in 18 months after commissioning.
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That's my plan but with MDSSP at the end of this year if for whatever reason ASR funding doesn't return.
 
So what exactly are the service obligations for people with prior military service joining the ASR program. The way it seems to me is that there isn't much, since they do not sign the 8 year service obligation.
 
DM5765 said:
So what exactly are the service obligations for people with prior military service joining the ASR program. The way it seems to me is that there isn't much, since they do not sign the 8 year service obligation.
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The prior service ASR folks I've talked to tell me that they have no further obligation an could leave after they finish their three years on ASR. For them, it is a ridiculously good deal.

I assume Guard feels that someone with time already served (and interested in signing any more contracts from the government) who is presented an offer of 5-10 years of deployment-free time in will be highly likely to stay in past residency with the goal of retiring...
 
DeadCactus said:
The prior service ASR folks I've talked to tell me that they have no further obligation an could leave after they finish their three years on ASR. For them, it is a ridiculously good deal.

I assume Guard feels that someone with time already served (and interested in signing any more contracts from the government) who is presented an offer of 5-10 years of deployment-free time in will be highly likely to stay in past residency with the goal of retiring...
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A few questions here, hopeful someone can answer...

1. I know this has been discussed before, but I haven't been able to dig the thread up. I know (because I read it last night in papers from my recruiter) that once you start taking MDSSP you take it all the way through med school, then you can choose whether or not to take STRAP. The wording suggests that pay back would begin during residency unless takin STRAP at which point the MDSSP commitment would be cut in half. Here's my question that I couldn't find in the mound of documents she gave me: if I start MDSSP and the ASR program gets more funding, could I switch? Anyone seen an answer to this in writing?

2. My recruiter suggested I not do MDSSP since the commitment would be such that it would be many years before I could take advantage of the other (better) incentives for physicians in the guard (and I agree). I have three kids, I'm not sure I can make it on just loans. She suggested I just join the guard so I get drill and annual training pay, and that she would put me on orders as often as possible to help with recruiting at my school (which has no ASR) or to help physicians in the guard with physicals, etc. Anyway, she said that medical students, even if not ASR or MDSSP, are non-deployable, but I haven't seen that in writing. Anyone know definitively?

3. Does anyone know when a decision will be made regarding the future of the ASR program?

4. What pay should I expect for drilling and annual training? I have no prior service.

Sorry for the barrage of questions, but I'd been hoping for the Guard to make school manageable for me and my family. I think, depending on what I find out, my plan is to join the Guard, not take MDSSP unless we're not eating, and then take an ASR spot if more funding is secured. Thanks for any insight/advice!
 
DeadCactus said:
The prior service ASR folks I've talked to tell me that they have no further obligation an could leave after they finish their three years on ASR. For them, it is a ridiculously good deal.

I assume Guard feels that someone with time already served (and interested in signing any more contracts from the government) who is presented an offer of 5-10 years of deployment-free time in will be highly likely to stay in past residency with the goal of retiring...
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My contract states I have a 1 for 1 payback for ASR time which I must spend as an M-day soldier and must complete 15 days of AT each year of that payback. Good news is the payback starts as an intern so it's over by the end of residency.
 
stonewall22 said:
A few questions here, hopeful someone can answer...

1. if I start MDSSP and the ASR program gets more funding, could I switch? Anyone seen an answer to this in writing?
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I've been told multiple times that the answer is NO. I haven't seen it in writing.

stonewall22 said:
2. Anyway, she said that medical students, even if not ASR or MDSSP, are non-deployable, but I haven't seen that in writing. Anyone know definitively?
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Until you are a licensed physician (after your first year of residency) you don't serve much purpose to the Army. You're an officer that isn't qualified to really do anything so why would they deploy you. Once your licensed you can practice and sign paperwork and then you are useful. There is a federal policy that states they won't deploy residents that you can ask for a copy of. FYI: policy's can change but I wouldn't expect this one to.

stonewall22 said:
3. Does anyone know when a decision will be made regarding the future of the ASR program?
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I doubt anyone does. It has to do with funding. When/If they can get their hands on more cash they'll bring it back. I'm just guessing but I'd say around OCT we might expect to see more spots.

stonewall22 said:
4. What pay should I expect for drilling and annual training? I have no prior service.
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There's tables to look this up in but it's based on your rank and how long you have been in. When you first start here's what it will look like:
Drill weekend: 366.08
AT per day: 91.52

Once you graduate and make captain and have 4 years in it looks like this
Drill weekend: 651.12
AT per day: 162.78

stonewall22 said:
I think, depending on what I find out, my plan is to join the Guard, not take MDSSP unless we're not eating, and then take an ASR spot if more funding is secured. Thanks for any insight/advice!
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I think this is absolutely the best idea. You may suffer some more on the front end but the amount of money you get isn't worth the amount you would lose later and it would greatly reduce your options post residency. 👍
 
thanks for the reply. the reason I ask is because i served a 5 year enlistment and i am in the ASR program but i dont recall signing any contracts. From what i understand the way the guard keep the people is through the 8 year service obligation.... but prior service don't have to sign that commitment. I don't believe that the ASR program adds any obligation in itself. Did you sign a contract that spelled out your specific obligations for receiving ASR money?
 
DM5765 said:
thanks for the reply. the reason I ask is because i served a 5 year enlistment and i am in the ASR program but i dont recall signing any contracts. From what i understand the way the guard keep the people is through the 8 year service obligation.... but prior service don't have to sign that commitment. I don't believe that the ASR program adds any obligation in itself. Did you sign a contract that spelled out your specific obligations for receiving ASR money?
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Yes but you're not the only person I've talked to that said they have no memory of this contract.
 
stonewall22 said:
A few questions here, hopeful someone can answer...

1. I know this has been discussed before, but I haven't been able to dig the thread up. I know (because I read it last night in papers from my recruiter) that once you start taking MDSSP you take it all the way through med school, then you can choose whether or not to take STRAP. The wording suggests that pay back would begin during residency unless takin STRAP at which point the MDSSP commitment would be cut in half. Here's my question that I couldn't find in the mound of documents she gave me: if I start MDSSP and the ASR program gets more funding, could I switch? Anyone seen an answer to this in writing?

No. It's in the memo giving the ASR guidelines. A link is posted within the last 5 pages.

2. My recruiter suggested I not do MDSSP since the commitment would be such that it would be many years before I could take advantage of the other (better) incentives for physicians in the guard (and I agree). I have three kids, I'm not sure I can make it on just loans. She suggested I just join the guard so I get drill and annual training pay, and that she would put me on orders as often as possible to help with recruiting at my school (which has no ASR) or to help physicians in the guard with physicals, etc. Anyway, she said that medical students, even if not ASR or MDSSP, are non-deployable, but I haven't seen that in writing. Anyone know definitively?

I believe this is true IF you enter as an 00E67 (Medical Student). That said, I question the financial benefit of joining in relation to the time you have to spend away from studying. I suppose with FTA and any state benefits there might still be enough of an incentive to join, but I would be careful of taking on such a large burden for a comparatively small financial return.

3. Does anyone know when a decision will be made regarding the future of the ASR program?

No one here has expressed that knowledge and while I'm sure someone knows, it hasn't propagated down yet.

4. What pay should I expect for drilling and annual training? I have no prior service.

I believe about $367 per drill weekend. I could be off as I'm not completely sure I'm calculating it right and accounting for everything...

Sorry for the barrage of questions, but I'd been hoping for the Guard to make school manageable for me and my family. I think, depending on what I find out, my plan is to join the Guard, not take MDSSP unless we're not eating, and then take an ASR spot if more funding is secured. Thanks for any insight/advice!
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My advice is to take a deal if they offer you one you like or walk away. Military commitments are bad things to compromise on in hopes of things working out in the end...

Edit:

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

In regards to MDSSP to ASR, see 9b.

EMH, not sure what contract you signed. Maybe this is out of date or I'm misinterpreting it, but 10 makes it seem that there is no additional obligation.
 
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i have copies of everything I signed and i did not sign any contract with any service obligations, only an "understanding of obligation" which states i will serve my entire minimum statutory obligation or two years from initial commissioning which ever is later. I also have paperwork that says that there is no direct "money for time" repayment for ASR. The non prior service students at my school don't have a one for one payback.

I guess my question was just aimed at other prior service ASR students to see if they were obligated in any way for ASR.
 
Something interesting I just noticed on the memo. Under the position description, it lists O1, O2, O3 as applicable ranks. This would seem to imply that we are indeed eligible for promotion to O2...
 
DeadCactus said:
EMH, not sure what contract you signed. Maybe this is out of date or I'm misinterpreting it, but 10 makes it seem that there is no additional obligation.
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Right now I'm left with a big WTF. I'm wondering what the deal is here. I remember I didn't actually sign this until a few weeks after I had gotten paid the first time. From reading the document it seems like it's typed up like a standard contract and doesn't have any thing on it that would identify it as a document made up just for my state. This may go back to one of the points I made at the beginning of this post was "there may be differences from state to state."
 
cactus, what memo are you referring too, I'd just like to take a look at it, thanks.
 
The promotion question seems to be a sticky one. As I have posted before, the state of Kentucky does not promote medical or dental students on ASR, or MDSSP. I do not see how this is possible since there is nothing in any memo, or the army promotion regs preventing promotion.

http://www.army.mil/USAPA/epubs/pdf/r135_155.pdf

However no one responded when I asked if they knew of anyone who had been promoted. This thread started in Aug 08, so I am guessing EMH or Amindwalker should be close to or have passed the 18 month window - have you gentlemen been or expecting promotion?

I talked to my commanding officer about this, and she did not know why we would not be eligible for promotion. She is a COL who sat on one of last years promotion boards. But still no medical or dental students have been promoted.... I am still hoping one of you out there in the know, will have better answer than "we do not get promoted because we are automatically promoted when we graduate medical school"
 
tsbuqh said:
The promotion question seems to be a sticky one. As I have posted before, the state of Kentucky does not promote medical or dental students on ASR, or MDSSP. I do not see how this is possible since there is nothing in any memo, or the army promotion regs preventing promotion.

http://www.army.mil/USAPA/epubs/pdf/r135_155.pdf

However no one responded when I asked if they knew of anyone who had been promoted. This thread started in Aug 08, so I am guessing EMH or Amindwalker should be close to or have passed the 18 month window - have you gentlemen been or expecting promotion?

I talked to my commanding officer about this, and she did not know why we would not be eligible for promotion. She is a COL who sat on one of last years promotion boards. But still no medical or dental students have been promoted.... I am still hoping one of you out there in the know, will have better answer than "we do not get promoted because we are automatically promoted when we graduate medical school"
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In my state, many MDSSP students and I'm pretty sure one ASR PA student have been promoted. I have been told that at 18 months and after attending OBLC, I can promote.
 
Hey I'm new to this thread, but I've been lurking for a little while and doing lots of research on the ASR program, waiting on my first acceptance. I was so bummed that the ASR program got suspended before my first acceptance came in...but since it came in this morning (yay!!), I thought I'd break my silence and ask a couple questions.

First, talking to a recruiter--I haven't contacted anyone on my own yet, since it seems to be hit-or-miss with finding someone that's really knowledgeable about the ASR program, but can anyone here hook me up with a good recruiter? I'm in Cali right now, and would love to stay (still crossing my fingers on my #1 choice here in LA), but right now my only acceptance is in Louisiana, and I'm waiting on a decision from my #2 choice, in North Carolina. So what state's recruiter should I be talking to? I want to get started on paperwork right away, since ppl have mentioned that IF the ASR program gets re-funded or spots open up as ppl graduate, in theory they'd begin enrolling new ASR recruits in the order in which they filled out their paperwork. (I realize that's speculation, but I'd like to increase my chances of getting into the ASR program if it's still possible, and at worst understand what my options are if it's not)

Also, I'm pretty much sold on the National Guard (I'm not adverse at all to deploying, and I love the idea of being a part-time soldier), but I have only one reservation. Being a doctor is hectic and crazy enough...I know one weekend a month doesn't sound like much, but when you barely have time for your family anyways, it does worry me a little. Does anyone have experience with balancing doctors life, family life, and National Guard commitment? Do you feel like it's a genuine strain on your free-time?

Finally, I'm aware no one really knows what's going to happen with the ASR program right now, and it's entirely possible that it's not an option for me. If that's the case, stonewall suggested that MDSSP is not a great option in the long-run, but I'm not sure I understand why. You mentioned incentives for army docs in the future that we'd be missing out on--can you (or anyone) elaborate on that? It definitely seems like ASR is by far the best option...but I'm still interested in the National Guard, and I'd like to understand what the options are without ASR.. Like I said above, I want to start my paperwork, but I don't want to sign anything until I know what I'm getting into and know that it's the best possible deal.
 
tsbuqh said:
However no one responded when I asked if they knew of anyone who had been promoted. This thread started in Aug 08, so I am guessing EMH or Amindwalker should be close to or have passed the 18 month window - have you gentlemen been or expecting promotion?
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I've been in about 14 months but haven't been to OBLC yet. I was told that if I went to OBLC and then did the whole song and dance that is done to get a promotion that I would be able to do it after being in 18 mo and completing OBLC. There is a guy in my unit that is planning on doing this and is just beginning the process of the paperwork.
 
DM5765 said:
i have copies of everything I signed and i did not sign any contract with any service obligations, only an "understanding of obligation" which states i will serve my entire minimum statutory obligation or two years from initial commissioning which ever is later. I also have paperwork that says that there is no direct "money for time" repayment for ASR. The non prior service students at my school don't have a one for one payback.

I guess my question was just aimed at other prior service ASR students to see if they were obligated in any way for ASR.
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I'd strongly advise prior service folks to ask their recruiter in writing what their commitment is to the National Guard. All folks I've talked to have said they were told 1:1.

A lot of prior service folks on the threads have mentioned not seeing anything about any commitment other than an 8 year MSO (which they've satisfied) but most states that I know of (which are granted only a handful) also have a mandatory 6 year drill commitment that all officers agree to when they sign up.

So if you're prior service, please email your recruiter and ask in writing how many years drilling you are committed to after you graduate medical school. If you don't remember signing anything specific and your recruiter emails you (i.e.: in writing) that you are free and in the pink after taking a full time salary for three years, congratulations. But if you don't get this in writing and just make assumptions, I don't think many folks are going to have too much sympathy later.

I wouldn't roll the dice on this if it's a deal-killer. Trying to play Mattlock with the military is not exactly negotiating from a position of power as an O-1 or O-2.

Caveat emptor...
 
EMH said:
I've been in about 14 months but haven't been to OBLC yet. I was told that if I went to OBLC and then did the whole song and dance that is done to get a promotion that I would be able to do it after being in 18 mo and completing OBLC. There is a guy in my unit that is planning on doing this and is just beginning the process of the paperwork.
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Yeah, the policy is pretty specific that you are eligible for promotion to O-2 after 18 months time-in-grade and have been to OBLC. If anyone's state is dragging their feet, I'd refer them to NGB. Ordinarily, I'd shrug it off, but you're talking about thousands and thousands of dollars here.
 
MsTaco said:
First, talking to a recruiter--I haven't contacted anyone on my own yet, since it seems to be hit-or-miss with finding someone that's really knowledgeable about the ASR program, but can anyone here hook me up with a good recruiter? I'm in Cali right now, and would love to stay (still crossing my fingers on my #1 choice here in LA), but right now my only acceptance is in Louisiana, and I'm waiting on a decision from my #2 choice, in North Carolina. So what state's recruiter should I be talking to?
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If you're interested in applying for ASR, I'd find a recruiter in the state you're going to wind up in.

Back in the day, you might have found some recruiters willing to work with you. I started people on their packets before they were accepted, or when they didn't know if they were going to end up in my state. But that was when ASR was still rolling. At this point, I don't think you're going to find recruiters wanting to spend significant time working with candidates on applications to programs that no longer take apps from candidates who don't have a plan to stay in-state.

It's late January. You should probably here from those other states in a month or so. I'd apply then.
MsTaco said:
If that's the case, stonewall suggested that MDSSP is not a great option in the long-run, but I'm not sure I understand why. You mentioned incentives for army docs in the future that we'd be missing out on--can you (or anyone) elaborate on that? It definitely seems like ASR is by far the best option...but I'm still interested in the National Guard, and I'd like to understand what the options are without ASR..
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MDSSP is a good option. You just owe more years than ASR. Instead of a six year drilling commitment with ASR that starts in med school (i.e. 6 years from swearing in) you owe 2:1 year drilling commitment from the time you graduate medical school (i.e.: 12 years from the time you swear in). You also get a stipend of $1,990/month during med school instead of a O-1 salary (about $4,000/month). Lastly (and this is the deal killer for many), you can not apply to ASR if you're currently in MDSSP.

So personally, if you're still pining for ASR, I'd recommend holding out another 6-8 months. If ASR doesn't open doors by then, it ain't opening doors, and you can go ahead an apply to MDSSP or hold off for STRAP.

Do a search on either of these terms in this thread and you'll find descriptions about them that goes through them in detail, as well as HPLRP and Special Pay.
 
Hey Dead Cactus, I'm having the same trouble with CAC login and the FTA application (endless loop). I've tried setting everything in IE to the lowest security levels, but I'm probably missing something. Anyone else have this problem? And what did you do to fix it? Thanks!
 
notdeadyet said:
I'd strongly advise prior service folks to ask their recruiter in writing what their commitment is to the National Guard. All folks I've talked to have said they were told 1:1.

A lot of prior service folks on the threads have mentioned not seeing anything about any commitment other than an 8 year MSO (which they've satisfied) but most states that I know of (which are granted only a handful) also have a mandatory 6 year drill commitment that all officers agree to when they sign up.

So if you're prior service, please email your recruiter and ask in writing how many years drilling you are committed to after you graduate medical school. If you don't remember signing anything specific and your recruiter emails you (i.e.: in writing) that you are free and in the pink after taking a full time salary for three years, congratulations. But if you don't get this in writing and just make assumptions, I don't think many folks are going to have too much sympathy later.

I wouldn't roll the dice on this if it's a deal-killer. Trying to play Mattlock with the military is not exactly negotiating from a position of power as an O-1 or O-2.

Caveat emptor...
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This brings up a good point. The person I know who says they have no additional obligation was a prior service Army officer. Someone who is prior service enlisted or from another branch most likely owes time to pay for their Army officer training. This could explain the difference among people's obligations...

TheWholeTooth said:
Hey Dead Cactus, I'm having the same trouble with CAC login and the FTA application (endless loop). I've tried setting everything in IE to the lowest security levels, but I'm probably missing something. Anyone else have this problem? And what did you do to fix it? Thanks!
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Did you make sure that "Enable Protected Mode" is unchecked?
 
DeadCactus said:
This brings up a good point. The person I know who says they have no additional obligation was a prior service Army officer. Someone who is prior service enlisted or from another branch most likely owes time to pay for their Army officer training. This could explain the difference among people's obligations...
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If folks are curious, they can read AR 135-91, which deals with Service Obligations, Methods of Fulfillment, Participation Requirements, and Enforcement Procedures concerning the Reserves and Guard.

Key points, as summarized here:
- All folks who first sign up for the military incur a statutory 8 year military service obligation, an MSO. You fulfill this by a combination of active duty, reserve/guard drilling, and IRR.
- Upon commissioning into the National Guard, all officers incur a contractual obligation for a minimum 6 years drilling, plus remaining MSO oblligation (if any).

This is how it's been explained to me when I asked in writing.

If anyone is prior service and under the impression they'll collect ASR and get out after graduating med school, I hope they have written correspondence with their recruiter prior to signing indicating this is true. If these folks are just sort of keeping their fingers crossed, they might find out that they owe the 6 years drilling that all commissioned officers get when joining the Guard.

This doesn't need to be all that confusing. All it takes is an honest conversation. Trying to slip under the radar may results in unpleasant and unplanned surprises that folks will have limited sympathy for.

If you raised your hand and were commissioned into the National Guard, you are obligated to six years of drill, unless you have written material saying otherwise.

DeadCactus- if your buddy went from active, reserves, or IRR directly into the Guard, he might not have needed to be commissioned and would avoid the 6 years. But if folks run down their 8 year MSO and pull the plug and get re-commissioned, they would not incur another 8 year MSO, but would incur the 6 years drill...
 
n618ft said:
That's my plan but with MDSSP at the end of this year if for whatever reason ASR funding doesn't return.
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The only problen with MDSSP is the one year obligation for every six months you take it. My recruiter told me that you are better off getting on the merit list and waiting for ASR to open up for that fist year as ASR money is capped at three years anyway.

If she is correct, I'll drill, take the $4,500 in tution assistance, sell some stock that I own and, if I need to, take out a loan that is the subsidized interest part.

Bottom line as I'm avoiding MDSSP for the first year while I wait on some word on ASR funding. But, if you take MDSSP money you are not eligible for ASR. So, I'm following NotDeadYet's advise and holding out for ASR the first year and see what happens.

Anyone else have an opinion on this?
 
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lawyerdoc2b said:
Anyone else have an opinion on this?
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I believe you are making the right decision. This is the second time the program has been suspended. There's a M1 in my unit that started applying when the program was suspended, he's now on ASR orders. You can start on the packet, clear MEPS and then decide to wait to finish the application until the program comes back.
 
EMH said:
I believe you are making the right decision. This is the second time the program has been suspended.
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True enough, though to prevent getting false hopes up, last year they never formally announced the program was "suspended," they just didn't confirm it's return until summer. And the big difference is that the ASR program was originally set up with the intent to run for three years, with this year being the third and final year.

It still could restart or something similar take it's place next year. But that wasn't the original intent.
 
Does anyone know if taking the FTA will exclude one from taking HPLRP following the initial ASR commitment? I read over on the Mil Denistry forum that the federal government will only provide up to 4 years of tuition assistance. It appeared important for those dental students taking the HPSP and then wanting to take HPLRP.
 
notdeadyet said:
I'd strongly advise prior service folks to ask their recruiter in writing what their commitment is to the National Guard. All folks I've talked to have said they were told 1:1.

A lot of prior service folks on the threads have mentioned not seeing anything about any commitment other than an 8 year MSO (which they've satisfied) but most states that I know of (which are granted only a handful) also have a mandatory 6 year drill commitment that all officers agree to when they sign up.
Click to expand...

This is exactly what is confusing me, if you are committing to six years of drilling I would assume that this needs to be signed and in writing on some document?
 
I just wanted to shoot out a question to any fourth years who are currently interviewing for residency, what bearing the ASR program has had on your application? I just wanted to see how PDs , interviewers etc. have viewed your participation. Ive heard (through hearsay) that some PDs might be a bit scared about having a resident with a commitment. We have about 15 dental students and only 4 med students in the southern part of our state as ASRs, so it'd be nice to know from some actual med students about to graduate.

PS. I know we're federally protected from discrimination based on military status, as well as the whole nondeployable during internship. But nobody really knows where they were ranked on the match list.
 
sublime447 said:
Does anyone know if taking the FTA will exclude one from taking HPLRP following the initial ASR commitment?
Click to expand...
Taking FTA obligates you to stay in the National Guard for a year. You last take FTA your senior year of medical school. You can't take HPLRP until you're board certified, so there's no overlap.
sublime447 said:
I read over on the Mil Denistry forum that the federal government will only provide up to 4 years of tuition assistance. It appeared important for those dental students taking the HPSP and then wanting to take HPLRP.
Click to expand...
I've never heard of the federal government only providing tuition assistance for four years (though that doesn't mean much). But HPLRP is not tuition assistance, it's loan reimbursement. And there's nothing in the HPLRP language that makes mention of FTA.
 
notdeadyet said:
Taking FTA obligates you to stay in the National Guard for a year. You last take FTA your senior year of medical school. You can't take HPLRP until you're board certified, so there's no overlap.
Click to expand...

I'm not quite sure that's right. I've read two different things. This is a quote from virtualarmory.com:
"Officers must serve 2 years after course completion"

The thing I remember reading when applying I thought was different than that but unfortunately their site is down so I can't look it up. I thought it said 4 years.
https://minuteman.ngb.army.mil/benefits
 
EMH said:
I'm not quite sure that's right. I've read two different things. This is a quote from virtualarmory.com:
"Officers must serve 2 years after course completion"

The thing I remember reading when applying I thought was different than that but unfortunately their site is down so I can't look it up. I thought it said 4 years.
https://minuteman.ngb.army.mil/benefits
Click to expand...
Huh. I stand corrected.

I didn't give it too close a read after I saw the thing that indicated very plainly that if we leave the Guard early, we pay back the FTA money they gave us. With that kind of parachute, I wasn't sweating it.
 
Hey, quick question. So, I am thinking of joining the National Guard MDSSP program. However, I am currently accepted to a DO school (LECOM-SH), so my 3rd and 4th year rotations could potentially send me all over the US. How does this affect drilling status for those two years? Will I have to transfer to a differnt unit each time I do a differnt rotation in a differnt state? Or will I have to travel back to PA for one weekend each month...Also, will I have to obtain permission from my unit commander to go on my out of state rotations each time?..I am guessing that if I do, it isnt usually a problem as it is part of my education; but what if I end up with a douche-bag of a CO? could that potentially screw up my medical degree?
 
The thing to keep in mind about FTA is that it doesn't extend your obligation. If you leave earlier than the FTA writing prescribes (I believe it's four years), you repay a prorated amount. So it would be advisable to take it as you can always pay it back, but you can't ask for it retroactively...
 
ShinyDome19 said:
Hey, quick question. So, I am thinking of joining the National Guard MDSSP program. However, I am currently accepted to a DO school (LECOM-SH), so my 3rd and 4th year rotations could potentially send me all over the US. How does this affect drilling status for those two years? Will I have to transfer to a differnt unit each time I do a differnt rotation in a differnt state? Or will I have to travel back to PA for one weekend each month...Also, will I have to obtain permission from my unit commander to go on my out of state rotations each time?..I am guessing that if I do, it isnt usually a problem as it is part of my education; but what if I end up with a douche-bag of a CO? could that potentially screw up my medical degree?
Click to expand...

He'd have to be a ***** to screw up your schooling. They want you to be a doc and if he's getting in the way of that I'd get political. Get someone high up in recruiting to talk to him would be my first step. Getting the docs in your state's advise would help too. Each state is different but if you were on an out of state rotation and they insisted you come back for drill I would be shocked.
 
ShinyDome19 said:
However, I am currently accepted to a DO school (LECOM-SH), so my 3rd and 4th year rotations could potentially send me all over the US. How does this affect drilling status for those two years?
Click to expand...
ShinyDome- Did you mention anything when you applied?

Here's the gig, you can miss two out of every three months' drill if need be, so worst comes to worst, you'd need to do a rotation close enough for a commute (or even a flight) back to your home area.

Even an expensive flight four times/year will be worth the ASR pay. Be up front with your CO as you get closer to the time, and ask for his suggestions about which months would be key to drill at when you do third year planning. If he feels involved in the process, he's less likely to squawk.
 
Don't count on being able to miss two of every three drills. I am in a medical unit and our new CO (a medical service corps officer, not a doc) requires us to attend every month. He interprets equivalent training very narrowly, and I'm guessing it's going to be tough to work out a split. Additionally, he's the medical strength mgr (the recruiter to whom all us ASRs report). And now he's in the process of reassigning us all to different units (nonmedical) so we can get "more training opportunities." Which could mean suddenly being a 2LT in a supply or artillery unit instead of drilling in a med unit. (Not looking forward to having to explain my utter lack of qualifications to, say, an infantry CPT who just got back from Iraq.)
 
TheWholeTooth said:
Don't count on being able to miss two of every three drills. I am in a medical unit and our new CO (a medical service corps officer, not a doc) requires us to attend every month. He interprets equivalent training very narrowly, and I'm guessing it's going to be tough to work out a split. Additionally, he's the medical strength mgr (the recruiter to whom all us ASRs report). And now he's in the process of reassigning us all to different units (nonmedical) so we can get "more training opportunities." Which could mean suddenly being a 2LT in a supply or artillery unit instead of drilling in a med unit. (Not looking forward to having to explain my utter lack of qualifications to, say, an infantry CPT who just got back from Iraq.)
Click to expand...

Humm, you may say "Sir, I believe I can accomplish my mission of recruiting easier if I'm in a medical unit. If life on medical student's isn't too rough we can probably recruit more of them." I believe the recruiters in my state understand that.
 
notdeadyet said:
ShinyDome- Did you mention anything when you applied?

Here's the gig, you can miss two out of every three months' drill if need be, so worst comes to worst, you'd need to do a rotation close enough for a commute (or even a flight) back to your home area.

Even an expensive flight four times/year will be worth the ASR pay. Be up front with your CO as you get closer to the time, and ask for his suggestions about which months would be key to drill at when you do third year planning. If he feels involved in the process, he's less likely to squawk.
Click to expand...

I havent applied to the National Guard yet, and I know that ASR is no longer available... But, I have started talking to a recruiter for MDSSP, here in Mississippi (I am waitlisted at my 1st choice school - University of Mississippi SOM, but accepted at my 2nd choice LECOM-SH, in PA). The recruiter I have talked to is a SSG. of the local AMEDD recruiting office (so I dont think he knows as much about what medical school is like/what all is required...especially DO schools since they are just now getting a DO school here in Mississippi), but if I did end up staying here in Mississippi, I wouldnt have to worry about the away rotations. The recruiter did say he would be happy to get my paper work rolling because it could take up to a year to get everything finished, and if I end up going to the PA school, he would just transfer me there.

My thinking, and please correct me if I am wrong, is that since it can take "a year" for all the paper-work to be finalized (I guess it takes a while for all of the higher-ups to grant you an officer commission), that until the day I finally swear in, which I assume would be after I am granted a commission, that if ASR opens back up before that date, I could request a switch over to ASR...

Secondly, going by what you said, that I must attend atleast one drill every three months, is it possible sign up for a rotation at a military hospital every couple of months and have that count as my drilling time?
 
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