Army NG and Med School

[nca1810]

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Hello,

I am currently a medical services officer (70B) serving in the Army NG. I was wondering if it is possible to attend medical school while continuing my service obligation incurred during ROTC. If it helps, I am only about 2.5 years into my 8 year contract. I plan on talking to my command next drill to get a better feel for my options, but any advice is appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[deleted707454]

I've met 2 people at my school who do that. It is possible

 

[deleted480308]

Hello,

I am currently a medical services officer (70B) serving in the Army NG. I was wondering if it is possible to attend medical school while continuing my service obligation incurred during ROTC. If it helps, I am only about 2.5 years into my 8 year contract. I plan on talking to my command next drill to get a better feel for my options, but any advice is appreciated.

Thanks!

Medical student officer is an aoc

I do know of an rotc student who got into med school and is serving during school for their obligation.

 

[nca1810]

Great! I have researched the financial incentives such as STRAP, MDSSP, etc. but was worried about not being able to do it with my current obligation. Does anyone have any information about how easy it is to switch to the med student AOC once you matriculate? I assume (I know, dangerous) the Army would prefer to have another doc as opposed to another MS officer.

 

[deleted480308]

Great! I have researched the financial incentives such as STRAP, MDSSP, etc. but was worried about not being able to do it with my current obligation. Does anyone have any information about how easy it is to switch to the med student AOC once you matriculate? I assume (I know, dangerous) the Army would prefer to have another doc as opposed to another MS officer.

I don’t know the process of switching but yes, it’s harder to get an army doc than an army (almost any other officer)

 

[nca1810]

Has anyone on this forum been in this situation before and successfully done both Guard and med school?

 

[deleted480308]

Has anyone on this forum been in this situation before and successfully done both Guard and med school?

Yes, a number of regular posters in the military subforum have

 

[DeadCactus]

You probably had your next drill so I'm curious how it went. Sorry for the delayed response.

The beauty of the Guard is that you can do whatever you want outside of drill. You don't need permission to go to medical school like the active duty folks do. You do need to speak with your command about your plans and your state's medical corps leadership. The more they are on board, the easier your life is. Civilians joining after being accepted to medical school want the 00E AOC because it means they're joining as a student and not expected to go to any initial training beyond BOLC at some point. It's probably less relevant to you. You're presumably fully trained as a 70B, you can't use your lack of training to protect you. You really need your command on board to protect you from deployment and prevent drill from being an undue burden during medical school. Maybe they'll be cool about it in hopes you'll stay around longer as a physician. Maybe they'll want you to accept an incentive program. No way to know without exploring it with them.

Definitely speak with the Medical Corps folks in your state. Physicians will generally understand your situation and be the most invested in assisting you. The Medical Corp in most states is small and easy to network into, especially once you are accepted to medical school. The leadership of the MC will be best positioned to help you maneuver to where you need to be. Hopefully your current command is supportive as well, but a supportive Medical Corps can help overcome even a hostile command.

 

[lp430]

Has anyone on this forum been in this situation before and successfully done both Guard and med school?

I did ROTC then Med schoo/ARNG and am still currently in the guard during residency. Definitely doable. Feel free to PM me.