Dentquestionsthrwy
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Hello,
I first want to thank everyone for all the great information on the HPSP as I have been longtime reader of the thread and have read all the general threads about HPSP which has helped me out a lot.
Now for my questions I am currently applying to both Navy and Air force for HPSP and had first a question about some Navy stationing and then a question between the branches. Sorry in advance for long post but hopefully I am conveying all my questions well.
For the Navy I was wondering when you get your list of possible PCS , If I place (Like everyone else) Naval base San Diego number 1, am I also picking a specific ship docked at this base or purely the base? When I was at MEPS talking to some older Navy members they stated I would be able to see the schedule (Not exact of course) of the planned "itinerary" for when a ship would be docked or when it would be out to sea. I am not someone who is trying to shirk my obligation of spending time on a ship, this is the Navy I understand that is a likely path. This being said it would be incredible for planning purposes (I know everything is subject to change) knowing that my assigned ship is planned to be docked state side these months and then deployed 6 months after that. Building off of that for the Navy I really like the Idea of being stationed on a Mercy Class Ship (correct terminology for USNS Comfort or Mercy I believe). With my limited research I have learned that it is likely these ships are not equipped with a full time dentist but instead one would be recruited to join when they ship out for their assignment. Is this correct and if so how does that work? If I am Year 2 dentist working at a naval base am I able to request to be deployed with one of these ships when they go out and leave my current assignment for this duration? If so is this a situation where everyone in the Navy is fighting for this chance and realistically I am fighting the odds each year for a slim to none chance? To me the Idea I could work on one of these ships be deployed anywhere in the world helping others while getting my loans repaid seems like a dream that is too good to be true so wondered if anyone has any experience with this or something similar.
Lastly which kind of ties together my whole post. These missions that are more humanitarian based are a big passion of mine. I was wondering outside the Mercy class ships do any of the other branches have similar opportunities or at least opportunities for someone working as a Dentist. I recently was reading the thread talking of cross training and saw the "combat lifesaver / TCCC training" or an even more advanced medical one the Army offered (I can't remember name right now). I was wondering if anyone had a good experience with any of the branches having this cross training and actually using it consistently. I worry this is mostly reserved for someone outside role of dentist but wondered if being the guy wanted to deploy and help out after a hurricane for example would get me some cool opportunities to do more and learn even outside my role.
One final questions I just thought of was my understanding was OCONUS was a 3 year PCS. If my understanding is correct would someone with 3 year HPSP if they did a year 1 credentialing tour they would no longer be eligible for a OCONUS PCS and Would this change if an AEGD or GPR was taken?
Thanks in advance for all the help
I first want to thank everyone for all the great information on the HPSP as I have been longtime reader of the thread and have read all the general threads about HPSP which has helped me out a lot.
Now for my questions I am currently applying to both Navy and Air force for HPSP and had first a question about some Navy stationing and then a question between the branches. Sorry in advance for long post but hopefully I am conveying all my questions well.
For the Navy I was wondering when you get your list of possible PCS , If I place (Like everyone else) Naval base San Diego number 1, am I also picking a specific ship docked at this base or purely the base? When I was at MEPS talking to some older Navy members they stated I would be able to see the schedule (Not exact of course) of the planned "itinerary" for when a ship would be docked or when it would be out to sea. I am not someone who is trying to shirk my obligation of spending time on a ship, this is the Navy I understand that is a likely path. This being said it would be incredible for planning purposes (I know everything is subject to change) knowing that my assigned ship is planned to be docked state side these months and then deployed 6 months after that. Building off of that for the Navy I really like the Idea of being stationed on a Mercy Class Ship (correct terminology for USNS Comfort or Mercy I believe). With my limited research I have learned that it is likely these ships are not equipped with a full time dentist but instead one would be recruited to join when they ship out for their assignment. Is this correct and if so how does that work? If I am Year 2 dentist working at a naval base am I able to request to be deployed with one of these ships when they go out and leave my current assignment for this duration? If so is this a situation where everyone in the Navy is fighting for this chance and realistically I am fighting the odds each year for a slim to none chance? To me the Idea I could work on one of these ships be deployed anywhere in the world helping others while getting my loans repaid seems like a dream that is too good to be true so wondered if anyone has any experience with this or something similar.
Lastly which kind of ties together my whole post. These missions that are more humanitarian based are a big passion of mine. I was wondering outside the Mercy class ships do any of the other branches have similar opportunities or at least opportunities for someone working as a Dentist. I recently was reading the thread talking of cross training and saw the "combat lifesaver / TCCC training" or an even more advanced medical one the Army offered (I can't remember name right now). I was wondering if anyone had a good experience with any of the branches having this cross training and actually using it consistently. I worry this is mostly reserved for someone outside role of dentist but wondered if being the guy wanted to deploy and help out after a hurricane for example would get me some cool opportunities to do more and learn even outside my role.
One final questions I just thought of was my understanding was OCONUS was a 3 year PCS. If my understanding is correct would someone with 3 year HPSP if they did a year 1 credentialing tour they would no longer be eligible for a OCONUS PCS and Would this change if an AEGD or GPR was taken?
Thanks in advance for all the help
