HSPS Air Force

[SonofanOpt]

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I have looked for information/testimonials on this site regarding HSPS (Air Force) for Optometry students and haven't had much luck. I have received information from my listed recruiter, but I was just curious if there was anyone here who is currently serving their time or has already fulfilled their service requirement.

I would like to hear someone's personal opinion/testimonial regarding this scholarship and the service it entails, rather than having the recruiter feed me information.

If there is anyone out there and wouldn't mind a few questions, post here or shoot me a message so I can potentially "talk" to you about it.
Thank you in advance!

 

[lkg2837]

I actually just read this and found it interesting: http://lukeballard.tripod.com/HPSP.html

 

[SonofanOpt]

I am pretty sure the scholarship/experience varies for each health profession. Thanks for the info though.

 

[lkg2837]

I thought the same thing.. let me know if you get some good optometry specific info.

 

[optsuker]

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=575085&highlight=HPSP

Most recruiters have very little knowledge about the HPSP program. make sure you talk to one that deals with medical professions.

 

[optsuker]

Thank you for that information. I am definitely appreciative. If I may, can I ask you a couple of questions? I realize I would be applying for the Air Force and potentially the Navy, but I am sure the experiences are similar to yours in the Army...
After serving your time after graduation, are you considered a "Reserve" (not combat reserve, obviously) for the next 3-4 years? - Is it possible you could get stationed somewhere for a couple of months?
How much work/time away would I have to spend working towards this during the school year, or could it get done during the summer?
Thank You.

Things may have changed since I did it but:
Once accepted, you are technically considered an 2Lt (O-1) in th Reserves. You are not required to do any weekend training/active duty time while in school. Just going to school is your only duty.

You must attend an Officer Basic Training course prior to being assigned a post/base. Most do this immediately after graduation and go on to practice on Active Duty as a CPT (O-3) for 3-4 years. After completing your required AD, you can re-enlist or leave. If you leave, you'll be considered Ready Reserves for 4-5 years (no mandatory training, just "on-call')

What I did:
I did my Officer Basic Training during the summer between 3rd & 4th year (my school excused me from clinicals since it was military duty). This allowed me to start practicing immediately after graduation (1 took 3 weeks off before starting), I was also promoted to CPT right away, so technically I outranked my classmates who still had to take Basic.
I recieved Active Duty pay all during Basic.

I also did a rotation during my 4th year at a military hospital for which I requested a voluntary Active Duty TDY (temporary duty). These can be done at any base (HI, Europe, etc) I recieved Active Duty pay and my housing/food were paid for.

I wound up getting paid a salary during 1/2 of my 4th year while my classmates were paying to the same thing.