Graduating in 2009- thinking of joining?

[KnowledgeSeeker]

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Hello,

I will be graduating in 2009 and am trying to figure out what I want to do post-graduation.

I am tossing the idea of the military around- as is my husband... I, honestly, know very little about how the different branches work (except from rumors and those have not been good!)....as far as joining, benefits of one branch versus the other, joining with a spouse, etc. He thinks Army... I have heard Air Force is better for dentists.

Obviously, if I was going to join it would have been a lot smarter to do it four years ago--but any thoughts of doing it now? Has anyone done it this way?

Thanks!

 

[krmower]

Hello,

I will be graduating in 2009 and am trying to figure out what I want to do post-graduation.

I am tossing the idea of the military around- as is my husband... I, honestly, know very little about how the different branches work (except from rumors and those have not been good!)....as far as joining, benefits of one branch versus the other, joining with a spouse, etc. He thinks Army... I have heard Air Force is better for dentists.

Obviously, if I was going to join it would have been a lot smarter to do it four years ago--but any thoughts of doing it now? Has anyone done it this way?

Thanks!

Pay is obviously the same regardless of the service. If you do join with your husband any service will keep you guys together for assignemnts. The main difference between services are the following: 1) location 2) lifestyle 3) opportunities for specialization.

Location - Air Force bases tend to be the nicest ones, while the other services are not bad. As an officer many prefer to live off base and buy a house however some do live on base - so housing on base may not be as much of an issue. With the Navy you may be on a ship, in a clinic, or with the Marines. The advantage is most locations are by the ocean. If you stay in any longer than 4 years you will more than likely have a chance to do more than one of those. Army bases are a mixed lot. Some are located near major cities, some are more isolated. Many locations overseas in Germany and some in Italy, Belgium, Japan, and Korea if you want to travel. Air Force is similar to the Army. Some locations near major cities, others more remote. The advantage with all the services is that you would have priority for assignments over other dental students. You can make it a condition of joining that they try to work you into one of your top choices.

Lifestyle - This is coming from friends I have had in the services over the past 6 years. Navy - deployments on a ship will vary from 6-9 months. Locations of bases can be pretty fun. Air Force does not end up being quite as busy as the Army - not as much dentistry that occurs (this coming from Colonels in the Air Force I work with). Deployments for them are 4 months. Army you see a lot and you will do a lot. Bigger dental clinics. Deployments are normally 6 months. A few special assignments can be for 12 months.

Specialization - All military specialty training is top notched and accredited by the American Dental Association. Army has more training slots available in all specialties than the other 3 services.

If you want to talk to another female dentist that joined the military after school with her husband (he was already in - she wasn't) - let me know and I will get you in touch with them.