How long is your average deployment in dentistry?

[CornIsMyJob]

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I'm currently a pre-dental student but guaranteed to join some branch of the military after school. I've tried searching other forums but they seem outdated, so I apologize beforehand if I've repeated a question. I would like to join a branch but I don't see myself being able to compete for the HPSP scholarship simply because my first year was a joke. For that reason I've decided I'd like to join after school but I have concerns as to joining as active duty or reserves.

My only concerns are deployment lengths. How long are your average deployments as of 2017? I can't be away from my mother for longer than 6 or 7 months due to unpredictable flare ups from her Lupus. I know that's a bit detailed but I would like to have a general idea. I know that with reserves I would only be needed for much less time than Active duty obviously.

Do any branches have shorter deployments than the others? I have no interest in the Navy so I should probably ask for information about the Air Force, Army, etc.. Thank you very much!

 

[68PGunner]

The current deployment length for these cushy area beautification times has been 9 months.

In times of war, you can expect a 12-15 deployment with a plus or minus 3-4 months from that range depending on the mission.

 

[Perrotfish]

I
My only concerns are deployment lengths. How long are your average deployments as of 2017? I can't be away from my mother for longer than 6 or 7 months due to unpredictable flare ups from her Lupus. I know that's a bit detailed but I would like to have a general idea. I know that with reserves I would only be needed for much less time than Active duty obviously.

If those are you're requirements then don't join. It's not just deployments, they could easily move you somewhere for your entire.commitment where she could not receive care with civilian insurance. South Korea, for example, is not a 'deployment' but a duty station, where you can be called up to serve for more than a year. Ditto Germany. Which isn't a problem for your spouse and children, who could receive medical care on base (that's what you're for, after all) but would basically be a no go for anyone who is insured by Medicare.

Deployments are typically 9 months but that had changed before and can change again if we start a new war. There is nothing that legally stops them from deploying you for the entire length of your commitment, and there is a recent precedent for deployments up to 15 months.

 

[A7x1]

If those are you're requirements then don't join. It's not just deployments, they could easily move you somewhere for your entire.commitment where she could not receive care with civilian insurance. South Korea, for example, is not a 'deployment' but a duty station, where you can be called up to serve for more than a year. Ditto Germany. Which isn't a problem for your spouse and children, who could receive medical care on base (that's what you're for, after all) but would basically be a no go for anyone who is insured by Medicare.

Deployments are typically 9 months but that had changed before and can change again if we start a new war. There is nothing that legally stops them from deploying you for the entire length of your commitment, and there is a recent precedent for deployments up to 15 months.

Hi Perrot,

I am in a similar situation as Corn. What about secondary dependency? How hard is it to make a sick parent your dependent if you are indeed providing for over 50% of their expenses while you are in service? I am speaking specifically once someone has begun their ADSO. From my understanding, dependent parents would then be eligible to receive health care if their children support them financially.

 

[Perrotfish]

Hi Perrot,

I am in a similar situation as Corn. What about secondary dependency? How hard is it to make a sick parent your dependent if you are indeed providing for over 50% of their expenses while you are in service? I am speaking specifically once someone has begun their ADSO. From my understanding, dependent parents would then be eligible to receive health care if their children support them financially.

1). I have seen this done exactly once, and I have no idea how it works.

2). Do not join the military if you are planning to use a family member's existing illness to avoid all of the hard parts of being in the military. It's one thing if lightning strikes while you are on active duty and your spouse or child develops a serious illness, but for F--ks sake don't join with the intention of making someone else to spend their time moving back and forth between Leemore and Guam while you shirk.

 

[A7x1]

Hello Perrot,

I agree with you that one should not use a family member's existing illness to avoid the hard parts of being in the military. However, are you saying that someone who has a family member who has a pre-existing illness should not serve? For instance, should a married person decide against joining the military if one of his children had a pre-existing physical disability? I just want to clarify if that was your point.

 

[Helpful Troll]

Hi Perrot,

I am in a similar situation as Corn. What about secondary dependency? How hard is it to make a sick parent your dependent if you are indeed providing for over 50% of their expenses while you are in service? I am speaking specifically once someone has begun their ADSO. From my understanding, dependent parents would then be eligible to receive health care if their children support them financially.

This is off topic to the OP but, ... Healthcare benefits are extremely limited for secondary dependents. This article indicates they are only eligible for Tricare plus which is care at military MTF's only when space is available. They aren't eligible for care with Tricare at civilian medical facilities. @A7x1 post here if you find anything that indicates additional medical care is available for secondary dependents.

Tricare Help: Can parents qualify for Tricare as dependents?

 

[A7x1]

This is off topic to the OP but, ... Healthcare benefits are extremely limited for secondary dependents. This article indicates they are only eligible for Tricare plus which is care at military MTF's only when space is available. They aren't eligible for care with Tricare at civilian medical facilities. @A7x1 post here if you find anything that indicates additional medical care is available for secondary dependents.

Hello HT,

Thanks for the clarification. I was referring to Tricare Plus, actually. I did not know how limiting the PLUS program is. I can definitely see how health care overseas could be a problem for a secondary dependent if Tricare PLUS was not available at a particular MTF, and/or if the secondary dependent had a chronic illness.

 

[HighPriest]

Some dentists never really come back, man.