Early Appointment Program for Physicians (Air National Guard)

[JDMD243.0]

Just wondering if there were any ANG docs or med students that had heard of or participated in this program. What did you do for AT, during drills? During residency? How have you balanced your job with ANG? Where do you see ANG MC going in the future? Don't need the standard military medicine lecture--been in since 1998, am currently working in the med group at my unit, and will start med school this fall.

I'm attaching a link to the reg for the program in case anyone is interested, seems like a good alternative to HPSP, FAP, USUHS. I also know the ANG has 50K +30K bonuses for certain spicy shrimp--this seems like a pretty good deal to me. I just haven't run across too many people on SDN or in the Guard who are in this program and I don't know much more than is written in the reg.

http://www.ngbpdc.ngb.army.mil/pubs/41/angi41_102.pdf

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[ohio23]

For those interested in the Air Guard's Early Commissioning Program for Physicians, google the regulation ANGI 41-102 or check out this link:

http://www.ngbpdc.ngb.army.mil/pubs/41/angi41_102.pdf

I've heard from a regional health professional recruiter for the ANG that the reg is being updated now but not going to be changed significantly.

SUMMARY OF EARLY COMMISSIONING PROGRAM FOR PHYSICIANS

• Get commissioned as a 2LT
• Attend COT or RCOT (4 or 2 weeks) Training for officers
• Drill and get paid
• Guaranteed non deployable

I'm 90% sure I'll do this, though I'm considering the possibility of the Army ASR AMEDD student recruiter program. (Looking into how the MSO works out for us prior service folks)

 

[n618ft]

I'm digging this one back up. Cry me a river. Anything change here in the past year? Does anyone have any state-specific info? I'm waiting for the local ANG recruiter to get back to me with a whole list of answers to my questions.

 

[notdeadyet]

Does anyone have any state-specific info? I'm waiting for the local ANG recruiter to get back to me with a whole list of answers to my questions.

You don't see a lot of difference between states when it comes to programs offered, just little bennies here and there, and different interpretations of drill.

The program above is still offered by the Air National Guard if you're interested. You get drill pay and are non-deployable during med school. That's it. It's offered by the Army National Guard as well. You have the standard 8 year MSO, 6 year drilling.

Air National Guard also offers a version of STRAP that used to run about $1,000/month while in residency. Don't know if that's gone up to meet the ARNG's $1,900 or not. I don't know if they have a version of MDSSP yet. They didn't used to, but may have started.

They also have the special pay and loan repayment programs, but they haven't gone up to meet the ARNG's levels yet. That may change, as I understand they are very short-staffed of physicians, in some states much more so than in the ARNG.

 

[bco001]

I will be attending medical school in Mississippi and my state recruiters know nothing about this program and don't seem like they want to take the time to look it up. What am I supposed to do?

 

[forrest300]

I will be attending medical school in Mississippi and my state recruiters know nothing about this program and don't seem like they want to take the time to look it up. What am I supposed to do?

I would directly call the medical group at the guard base you are interested in and try to talk to someone in charge of physician recruitment. Alternatively, call the recruiter and see if it is possible to setup a meeting with someone from the medical group.

I only found out about the program at my local guard unit by speaking with a physician already involved.

So far the recruiters have been no help to me either.

 

[notdeadyet]

I only found out about the program at my local guard unit by speaking with a physician already involved.

So far the recruiters have been no help to me either.

I've heard this from several folks already. Between lack of program offereings and blase recruiters, this is probably why the ANG is in such a pinch for docs.

I've had a good few people really interested in the Air National Guard (or usually people who wanted to serve part-time and couldn't stomach the Army thing) that were interested in joining up. I tried for several weeks to get in touch with a ANG medical recruiter that I could establish a relationship with and send people to. Tumbleweeds. No replies. Oi....

 

[Pemberley]

I'm digging this one back up. Cry me a river. Anything change here in the past year? Does anyone have any state-specific info? I'm waiting for the local ANG recruiter to get back to me with a whole list of answers to my questions.

I tried to do this in Texas and in my city it was an absolute no-go.

First, I had to find a competent recruiter who had heard of the program -- that took a couple of months. If you're not getting answers from one guy, bug other people until you find the right one. I wish I could remember how I finally got answers -- it took some real doing, and not a few people giving me that "what on earth are you talking about?" look -- but I can't find my notes. Finally I ended up with somebody very knowledgeable, who unfortunately found out that the ANG unit in my city wasn't interested in taking anybody into this program.

They did have some spots in Houston, but their commander (at that time) was not interested in offering any flexibility in drilling -- it wouldn't have mattered if I had a test on Monday, I still would have driven to Houston to put in a drill weekend. This seemed a non-starter for me (given that I'm not at the top of my class to begin with) so I stayed an IMA in the USAFR. I want to stay in, but I'm getting closer to burning out (more medical school's fault than the reserves -- they've been great -- and expecting my first child in April isn't helping.)

@nondeadyet -- I thought I'd investigated ANG options pretty thoroughly, but I've totally missed the STRAP-like program for residency that you mention. Do you have any contacts or details?

 

[n618ft]

The recruiter I'm talking to mentioned there are some stipends available but that he'd pass my list of questions to some higher-ups... will update any info if you guys don't get to it first.

 

[forrest300]

The recruiter I'm talking to mentioned there are some stipends available but that he'd pass my list of questions to some higher-ups... will update any info if you guys don't get to it first.

My recruiter can't figure out the difference between medical student, resident, and fully licensed physician.

I was just e-mailed the most recent set of guidelines (Dec 3, 2009) for ANG Incentive Programs.. if anyone wants it, send me a PM.

Stipends are available for residents in indicated "Critical Medical Corps specialties" and according to the document I just received, they are now at $1,992 per month.

Additionally, there is a $75,000 cash bonus for those specialties, or $50,000 in loan repayment. (Not sure if you can stack them by extending your commitment) I was told that the loan repayment would be dramatically increasing soon, but it hasn't happened yet.

Critical Care Specialties are:
EM, Family, Internal Med, Anesthesia, Ortho, General Surgery, Flight Surgeon

 

[notdeadyet]

@nondeadyet -- I thought I'd investigated ANG options pretty thoroughly, but I've totally missed the STRAP-like program for residency that you mention. Do you have any contacts or details?

Only on various state Air National Guard sites, like this one, which advertises $975/month for residents (no info about payback requirements.

BIG caveat: My only interest in the Air National Guard has been to try to help out folks interested in it. There may be other, better programs out there, and I'd encourage people to look. I just personally haven't been able to find anything. Frankly, I haven't been impressed.

Pemberly: I remember seeing you from the old days when you were weighing your options. Hope you found a happy home...

 

[Pemberley]

Pemberly: I remember seeing you from the old days when you were weighing your options. Hope you found a happy home...

Thanks! So far I'm making it work... IMA while in medical school isn't something I'd recommend unless somebody's a MUCH swifter medical student than I am... but, good idea or not, I'm not sorry that I've taken it this far. I just have to get this medical school thing the HELL over with. My multiple-choice fun-meter is pegged. 🙂

I'm guessing you're a year ahead of me, now, since I took an extra year (for multiple reasons)... hope 3rd year's going well.

 

[7starmantis]

I guess this thread is supposed to be pulled up once each year.

 

[YodaJJ]

I am strongly considering the early appointment program, in Pennsylvania. I'm visiting a unit this weekend, to got more information. I haven't checked the regs out yet - I thought it was a 4 year commitment, rather than what was listed above. My only concern now, is if I can't match to a residency program close to my school/guard unit, then how much of a hassle will it be to change units. I'm guessing travelling or leaving much during residency, especially intern year, would be pretty tough.

 

[7starmantis]

Actually I was told its really not that big of a deal to move units even out of state, but I would certainly ask your unit. Also, see if you can get in touch with the medical commander, apparently they have all the say in how much you have to do during med school and residency as far as the guard (drilling, etc) is concerned.