Thanks for the response, docdok. I guess my post gave the wrong impression. I am prior service, so I already know what I'm getting myself into. I enjoy military service, and can't wait to deploy as a Dental Officer. The reason I asked my question is because I wanted to know if there were still opportunities to deploy after one had become an Endodontist. It sort of seems like, if you want to deploy, you should get those experiences under your belt before you specialize because there don't seem to be many opportunities once you become an Endodontist. If that is the case, I would prefer to put specialization off for several years.
del Sol
Thank you for the clarification; I was under the assumption you had zero military experience!
In response to opportunities to deploy as an endodntist? Yes, the opportunity is there, however you will be limited due to the fact that you are very much needed wherever you are stationed. If they had a lot of endodontists in your same area then yes the chances go up, but again the deployment probably is limited due to the fact that vast majority of deployments require a general dentist.
If you were to deploy then it would be as head of a dental team in afghan for example. there was an endodontist who did that, that person wanted to stay in same city and of course wants to make higher rank so doing such a deployment makes sense and is supported.
If deploying is your main goal i would highly recommend becoming a Comprehensive Dentist. As a comp dentist you stay as a GP, but you got the specialty designation so you get the specialty bonus, also, duty stations and deployments are open to you since you can function as a highly trained GP.
Another option is to stay GP when u first enter the Navy; ask for overseas billet so you can live overseas, ask for either a ship from overseas or US, or go with Marines and deploy. Or you can go seabees and deploy with seabees.
THis is possible because you are a LT general dentist and you are the type that they need to deploy most.
Once you get all the deployment and travel and adventures out of your system then apply for residency and enjoy the rest of your life in a nice clinic in US or overseas and teach the next generaton of LT's who enter the service. Or go to Bethesda and ask to be an instructor!
If you are single and young; then I don't see the harm in holding off on specializing until you did all the above! I did it; and honestly it was the best thing. Of course the down side is that i am going back to school to specialize now and it is no fun!!
Overall, you and i seem to be on the same page. I spent the last several years living overseas, did humanitarian missions and went and sucked up dirt with the Marines. It was great! However, now i am married and i have other priorities so time to move on to other things! =)
Endo is going nowhere; it will be there next year and 10 years down the line......do your thing see the world and have fun....then apply to endo be a specialist and concentrate on building your wealth and if married; a family....OS, Ortho, Endo those are the 3 most highly desired specialty in the Navy......it is lucrative when u get out, and if you moonlight on side it is great way to add to your income while in the Navy if u need money that badly.
Since you are prior service; it is easy to see you doing 20 years and retire for the pension...no brainer; do it!!
Money is great on the outside; but it will be there when u retire in 20 years...beauty of being a specialist? You can open a practice or just work somewhere and the lifestyle is good!
I wish i could turn back the clock and be that new LT again....i have great memories and i cherish them everyday...
Please let me know if i can be of further help!
