- Joined
- Feb 8, 2005
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Hello all
I seek some urgent advice. I have privately messaged a couple of you individually, but I also value the input some of you Army dentists may have to offer.
Does the AF HPSP offer a significantly different experience from the Army HPSP after I have done my AEGD (1yr or 2 yr)?
I am struggling between what to do for my HPSP scholarship and possibly for the next 10 yrs or so of my life. I have been accepted to the Army HPSP program for 3 yrs, but am also currently waiting to hear back from the Air Force. The army has given me a deadline of next week and i don't think I'll hear from the AF by then - so if I accept the Army i'll forfeit my possibility with the AF. However, I do think my chances of getting into the AF are rather low because of the very limited spots and high number of applicants.
So, do you think I should join the Army in lieu of the AF, or not at all. Do you think that the AF offers a significantly better quality of life and experience than the Army, that it is not worth doing the Army, or do you think that the Army will be unpleasant. Or should I just hope i get into the AF and not consider the army.
Something to consider:
1) I do NOT NEED to join the military for financial reasons. I'm really joining it to get the experience.
2) I do NOT come from a military background. In fact, very much the opposite. I sometimes feel out of place when talking to enlisted, because it becomes immediately apparent that I have a much higher level of education. (Not trying to be arrogant here, just explaining a concern that I may have with regards to fitting into the Army, or the military for that matter).
3) I do NOT have kids, and am not married. However, I am in a relationship now, and while I hope to marry this girl, she has explained she is supportive. But most importantly I am concerned about the "sacrifice" she may have to make by following me (if she does. I am ok living apart if it means she is happy to stay where she wants to stay). I do NOT want to subject her to such sacrifices and other unknown sacrifices that might take place in our lives because of my commitment to the military.
4) I am also concerned about the likelihood of being attached to an Army brigade, and being deployed for 12-15months. I think i could easily handle 6 months - but 12-15months is significant. And all possible means of avoiding that possible deployment of 12-15mths require specializing or doing the two yr comprehensive AEGD (which i can considering anyway). But I don't want to join the Army and become stuck to the amalgam line - i really want to make the most of it, but i wonder if there are inherent limitations to the Army.
I know a number of you are in the Army and i have read almost all posts - and you guys were the inspiration for applying to the Army - so thanks!! If any of you do find insult with this post - please don't! I've spend ages trying to figure out if the military is right for me, and I have come to the conclusion it is.
I am ultimately trying to find out if there is a significant difference in the experience one will get from being a dentist in either the Army or AF. Following graduation, I definitely plan on doing either a 1yr AEGD or the 2yr Comprehensive AEGD. Will this in some way affect my quality of life in either branches of the military? (I believe having a 2yr comp AEGD will prevent me from being deployed for 12-15months - tho I very much look forward to humanitarian work with Afgans/kids). I really do not know what my life would otherwise be if i do NOT join the military.
Look forward to any replies!
kind regards snorkeling doc.
I seek some urgent advice. I have privately messaged a couple of you individually, but I also value the input some of you Army dentists may have to offer.
Does the AF HPSP offer a significantly different experience from the Army HPSP after I have done my AEGD (1yr or 2 yr)?
I am struggling between what to do for my HPSP scholarship and possibly for the next 10 yrs or so of my life. I have been accepted to the Army HPSP program for 3 yrs, but am also currently waiting to hear back from the Air Force. The army has given me a deadline of next week and i don't think I'll hear from the AF by then - so if I accept the Army i'll forfeit my possibility with the AF. However, I do think my chances of getting into the AF are rather low because of the very limited spots and high number of applicants.
So, do you think I should join the Army in lieu of the AF, or not at all. Do you think that the AF offers a significantly better quality of life and experience than the Army, that it is not worth doing the Army, or do you think that the Army will be unpleasant. Or should I just hope i get into the AF and not consider the army.
Something to consider:
1) I do NOT NEED to join the military for financial reasons. I'm really joining it to get the experience.
2) I do NOT come from a military background. In fact, very much the opposite. I sometimes feel out of place when talking to enlisted, because it becomes immediately apparent that I have a much higher level of education. (Not trying to be arrogant here, just explaining a concern that I may have with regards to fitting into the Army, or the military for that matter).
3) I do NOT have kids, and am not married. However, I am in a relationship now, and while I hope to marry this girl, she has explained she is supportive. But most importantly I am concerned about the "sacrifice" she may have to make by following me (if she does. I am ok living apart if it means she is happy to stay where she wants to stay). I do NOT want to subject her to such sacrifices and other unknown sacrifices that might take place in our lives because of my commitment to the military.
4) I am also concerned about the likelihood of being attached to an Army brigade, and being deployed for 12-15months. I think i could easily handle 6 months - but 12-15months is significant. And all possible means of avoiding that possible deployment of 12-15mths require specializing or doing the two yr comprehensive AEGD (which i can considering anyway). But I don't want to join the Army and become stuck to the amalgam line - i really want to make the most of it, but i wonder if there are inherent limitations to the Army.
I know a number of you are in the Army and i have read almost all posts - and you guys were the inspiration for applying to the Army - so thanks!! If any of you do find insult with this post - please don't! I've spend ages trying to figure out if the military is right for me, and I have come to the conclusion it is.
I am ultimately trying to find out if there is a significant difference in the experience one will get from being a dentist in either the Army or AF. Following graduation, I definitely plan on doing either a 1yr AEGD or the 2yr Comprehensive AEGD. Will this in some way affect my quality of life in either branches of the military? (I believe having a 2yr comp AEGD will prevent me from being deployed for 12-15months - tho I very much look forward to humanitarian work with Afgans/kids). I really do not know what my life would otherwise be if i do NOT join the military.
Look forward to any replies!
kind regards snorkeling doc.
