Commissioning options

[USNHM2009]

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I've looked through the old threads, and while they've all been really helpful, and this site is a great resource, I haven't had much luck finding info on my particular situation.

I'm currently active duty enlisted in the Navy (hence the sn), and plan on putting in my package as soon as I hit 4 years (I'm at 3 and change now). I should be an E5 by the time I place my package. I just don't really understand my scholarship options, so I was hoping for some advice. (My career counselor is ok but we don't have a large number of doctors who were enlisted, there're mostly nurses so her knowledge is more based on enlisted retention/nursing programs)

I'd start via the STA-21 program, but after that I'm a little foggy on details. If I chose to attend USUHS then the full cost would be covered, but if I chose to do a civilian school I'd have to get HSPS or FAP correct? I don't mind the time needed for repayment (I plan on retiring) so the difference in time is a non-issue.

Also, because of my enlisted time, upon entering med school I'd be commissioned as an O1-E. I know from talking to my nurses who are Mustangs that E = extra pay but does it do anything for advancement time? (I know the officer advancement/rank system is a lot different than the enlisted side) And the STA-21 states I'd get paid active duty salary/benefits; so realistically I could be looking at (for example) E5 with dependant pay and BAH for my zip code during college (with the ability to gain rank and higher earnings for those three years in undergrad)?

Last question: Navy-wise, I'm already a field-trained corpsman (I've been through the Marine medical training). I don't have my warfare device yet but I do have the training. I know there is an officer version of this course; would I have to attend it in order to go green as an officer, or would my enlisted training suffice?

I know for sure I am going to at least try for a commission; I really enjoy the patient demographics of milmed, deploying isn't an issue to me, and the military mindgames don't bother me that much. I'm in the Navy as long as the Navy will let me be. It's been so amazing getting to do even the more limited scope of "practice" that I have as a corpsman and I'd love to expand on the knowledge I already have. (Remember, try to be nice to your corpsmen/medics/med techs; the main reason I'm so interested in commission is because of some amazing doctors I've met and worked with)

Thank you so much for reading my massive post. Any help is appreciated!

 

[Cooperd0g]

I've looked through the old threads, and while they've all been really helpful, and this site is a great resource, I haven't had much luck finding info on my particular situation.

I'm currently active duty enlisted in the Navy (hence the sn), and plan on putting in my package as soon as I hit 4 years (I'm at 3 and change now). I should be an E5 by the time I place my package. I just don't really understand my scholarship options, so I was hoping for some advice. (My career counselor is ok but we don't have a large number of doctors who were enlisted, there're mostly nurses so her knowledge is more based on enlisted retention/nursing programs)

I'd start via the STA-21 program, but after that I'm a little foggy on details. If I chose to attend USUHS then the full cost would be covered, but if I chose to do a civilian school I'd have to get HSPS or FAP correct? I don't mind the time needed for repayment (I plan on retiring) so the difference in time is a non-issue.

For undergrad: If you haven't looked it yet, check out http://www.sta-21.navy.mil. Basically you stay on active duty at your rank with the possibility for advancement while in school. They will give you $10,000 on top of your salary to help pay for school, but anything above that you have to pay for. Hint: go to your state school. You could also go to a more expensive school and combine this with your Post 9/11 GI Bill, but I wouldn't if I were you. Go to a state school and save the GI Bill for your future spouse or kids.

For med school you are correct. You will have the options of USUHS or civilian school. Using HPSP would probably be your best option during civilian school because remember that they want you back on active duty after your undergrad. Applying for HPSP and getting a deferment on returning to active duty is analogous to ROTC or academy guys going to civilian med school. Going straight civilian (using your GI Bill or not) and then doing a civilian residency and coming back on active duty via FAP is highly unlikely. You owe them time from STA-21 and they aren't just going to let you go of that. That is why USUHS and HPSP are your only real options.

Also, because of my enlisted time, upon entering med school I'd be commissioned as an O1-E. I know from talking to my nurses who are Mustangs that E = extra pay but does it do anything for advancement time? (I know the officer advancement/rank system is a lot different than the enlisted side) And the STA-21 states I'd get paid active duty salary/benefits; so realistically I could be looking at (for example) E5 with dependant pay and BAH for my zip code during college (with the ability to gain rank and higher earnings for those three years in undergrad)?

Yes to your statement about STA-21 during undergrad. And yes, you would get commissioned as O-1E. But that doesn't really buy you anything if you go HPSP as it pays a fixed stipend. Your annual "drill" pay would be higher as an O-1E during med school, but not that much. Now, if you go USUHS the O-1E definitely pays more because you are on active duty drawing full pay and benefits.

Last question: Navy-wise, I'm already a field-trained corpsman (I've been through the Marine medical training). I don't have my warfare device yet but I do have the training. I know there is an officer version of this course; would I have to attend it in order to go green as an officer, or would my enlisted training suffice?

Remember that there are no "green" doctors. You can try and work exclusively with Marines during GMO time and also try and get station at Marine Corps base hospitals. Also, do not mistake corpsman training for physician training. While I do not know definitively, your current training would unlikely count. Consider the analogy - if you were a nuke, would you be able to skip power school and prototype if you went for a commission and wanted submarines? Hell no you couldn't because the officer version of power school and prototype is much more advanced than the enlisted version(s) - there are different enlisted pipelines and only one officer one.

I know for sure I am going to at least try for a commission; I really enjoy the patient demographics of milmed, deploying isn't an issue to me, and the military mindgames don't bother me that much. I'm in the Navy as long as the Navy will let me be. It's been so amazing getting to do even the more limited scope of "practice" that I have as a corpsman and I'd love to expand on the knowledge I already have. (Remember, try to be nice to your corpsmen/medics/med techs; the main reason I'm so interested in commission is because of some amazing doctors I've met and worked with)

Thank you so much for reading my massive post. Any help is appreciated!

Things change in life and deploying may become more of an issue as well as the military mind games. The question is if you are happy enough overall to tolerate those aspects. Overall it seems like you have a solid plan. My recommendation would be to do the STA-21 at your state school and go for USUHS. Since you plan is long term military that would yield you with the maximum pay and benefits in the process - pay during undergrad, but no time towards retirement, but both pay AND time towards retirement at USUHS.

 

[IgD]

Last question: Navy-wise, I'm already a field-trained corpsman (I've been through the Marine medical training). I don't have my warfare device yet but I do have the training. I know there is an officer version of this course; would I have to attend it in order to go green as an officer, or would my enlisted training suffice?

That's interesting. If you receive the FMF pin as an enlisted service member, I'm curious if you would be able to wear it as an officer. There is a separate FMF pin for officers. I wonder if you could wear both. Maybe it has reciprocity so after becoming an officer you would automatically be permitted to wear the officer version. Please find out the answer and let us know!

You can serve with the Marines and chose not to earn a pin but it would be a black mark on your record.

 

[Cooperd0g]

That's interesting. If you receive the FMF pin as an enlisted service member, I'm curious if you would be able to wear it as an officer. There is a separate FMF pin for officers. I wonder if you could wear both. Maybe it has reciprocity so after becoming an officer you would automatically be permitted to wear the officer version. Please find out the answer and let us know!

You can serve with the Marines and chose not to earn a pin but it would be a black mark on your record.

Yes, you could continue to wear your enlisted qualification pin as an officer. I highly doubt there would be reciprocity for the officer pin. Just like enlisted dolphins and officer dolphins are very similar in shape, but different color, they are also different in the requirements to earn them. There is little reason to believe the case isn't the same here.