Does it help to get things in writing before joining the military?

[lcl6]

So the military is going to do whatever it wants ultimately when it comes to sending you where ever to do whatever but, does it actually help to get some things in writing before you join up with the army, navy, etc.? For example, where you'll be sent and what your job description will be? Would it even matter if you did get it in writing?

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[73BARMYPgsp]

So the military is going to do whatever it wants ultimately when it comes to sending you where ever to do whatever but, does it actually help to get some things in writing before you join up with the army, navy, etc.? For example, where you'll be sent and what your job description will be? Would it even matter if you did get it in writing?

What exactly is it you are trying to avoid/do while on active duty that you are hoping to get in writing?

There will be nothing in writing that states: "You will never be deployed and your first duty station will be Germany" or "you will always get to see exactly the kind of patients you want to see, and be off work by 1630 every day" if that's what you mean.

 

[IgD]

I would say any grandiose claims that are made. For example, if the recruiter says you would get your choice of specialty training, be exempt from a GMO tour or get your first choice of duty station. If this happens, send them an e-mail and say "I just wanted to confirm ...." Save the reply in your file.

 

[notdeadyet]

There will be nothing in writing that states: "You will never be deployed and your first duty station will be Germany" or "you will always get to see exactly the kind of patients you want to see, and be off work by 1630 every day" if that's what you mean.

I don't really think the OP's question is as outrageous as you seem to think it is.

The Army has lots of programs when you enlist that will give you promises in writing. They can guarantee you training, your first post, or who you enter basic with.

Since there are programs like this for the enlisted, it doesn't seem unreasonable to ask if there are programs like this for entering milmed officers.

That said, I doubt you'll get much in writing, OP. Hell, I can't seem to get any figures from the military in terms of what scholarships they're offering now (FAP, for example). I doubt you'll get much put in writing.

 

[73BARMYPgsp]

I don't really think the OP's question is as outrageous as you seem to think it is.

The Army has lots of programs when you enlist that will give you promises in writing. They can guarantee you training, your first post, or who you enter basic with.

Since there are programs like this for the enlisted, it doesn't seem unreasonable to ask if there are programs like this for entering milmed officers.

That said, I doubt you'll get much in writing, OP. Hell, I can't seem to get any figures from the military in terms of what scholarships they're offering now (FAP, for example). I doubt you'll get much put in writing.

I kind of figured as much, as I was enlisted and got a few cool things the first time around. I just have never seen such things as the "married couples program" or whatever for officers so I didn't want the OP to get their hopes up. You might be able to get something, but probably not.

 

[The White Coat Investor]

The only thing you get in writing is your contract. I wouldn't expect an individual recruiter has the authority to change that. I recently reviewed my contract and compared it to a colleague who came in via FAP. We realized that FAPs are NOT given time for pay for civilian residency years and HPSPers are. It pays to read those suckers closely.

 

[Perrotfish]

I don´t believe that HPSP recruiters (or any officer recruiter, for that matter) has the power to alter your contract. They have one contract, and it´s the same for every applicant, and they´re just there to sell the product they have. The phenomenon of ´getting it in writing´ is specific to the enlisted side, where you not only need to apply to join the military, but also to negotiate what job you´re going to get, what kind of bonus they´re going to give you for joining, etc. That´s where you here horror stories about people getting promised one thing, not reading over their contract carefully, and signing up for something else (I knew a college grad that ended up an E-1 throgh that type of "mistake"). This one size fits all contract for officers is actually nice, in a way, since you don´t need to do stupid BS like going to every service´s recruiters and pretending you´re entertaining multiple offers to make sure your recruiter gives you the best deal.

You do get a contract with lots of things in writing, which you should read very closely (I was surprised at how clear the language was when I actually sat down and read it, and made some of my friends read theirs), but your recruiter shouldn´t be able to alter it. Also nothing that your recruiter says that´s not in the contract ´counts´. If you save Emails and charge the recruiter with dishonesty you might make his/her life miserable but I doubt that it would help your situation at that time. Just read through SDN and know what you´re getting into in advance.

 

[elderjack21]

Since there are programs like this for the enlisted, it doesn't seem unreasonable to ask if there are programs like this for entering milmed officers.

Enlisting and joining as an officer are two different things. You generally don't have a whole lot of choices as an officer until you are actually in the service, and even then it takes some work on your part to get what you want (sometimes this doesn't even pan out). When I separated in January, as an officer, the offered me 35K to stay in, or choice of duty assignment, or grad school/language school. But for new officers, I have never seen any promises of assignment or job. But know knows, couldn't hurt to ask.

(Although a recruiter would not be able to authorize this for you nor are they likely to do the leg work for you either, essentially you are an unproven entity to them until you get into the pipeline. Why should they give you some cherry assignment over a seasoned doctor who has suffered a deployment/GMO tour/etc?)