Joining active reserves ... questions

[Army Doctor]

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Hi
I am a practicing Internal Medicine hospitalist and have few questions about Army reserves.
I have never served before and hence this is very new to me.
I have been working with a recruiter but it sometimes feels like he does not have all the answers.
I will be initially committing to 6 years in active reserves and then 2 years in inactive reserves.
My questions:
1) How does PROFIS and deployment work?
2) Is it true I can only be deployed for a maximum of 120 days?
3) What is the deciding factor for brigade or battalion surgeon? Is it only for active duty or also for reserves?
4) I will be getting direct commission as O4. The recruiter calculated me to be at 10.5 years at this time. When and how to get promoted to O5? Do I need to go to any specific course besides BOLC?
5) I have no student loans but I have significant investments and I have real estate loans over 6 million. I have very good credit. Will this affect the security clearance?
6) For GI bill benefits, do you need to maintain active reserves for at least 10 years?
7) How does the new pension system work?
8) Any helpful tips?
Thanks a lot and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

 

[Army Doctor]

Hi
I am a practicing Internal Medicine hospitalist and have few questions about Army reserves.
I have never served before and hence this is very new to me.
I have been working with a recruiter but it sometimes feels like he does not have all the answers.
I will be initially committing to 6 years in active reserves and then 2 years in inactive reserves.
My questions:
1) How does PROFIS and deployment work?
2) Is it true I can only be deployed for a maximum of 120 days?
3) What is the deciding factor for brigade surgeon? Is it only for active duty or also for reserves?
4) I will be getting direct commission as O4. The recruiter calculated me to be at 10.5 years at this time. When and how to get promoted to O5? Do I need to go to any specific course besides BOLC?
5) I have no student loans but I have significant investments and I have real estate loans over 6 million. I have very good credit. Will this affect the security clearance?
6) For GI bill benefits, do you need to maintain active reserves for at least 10 years?
7) How does the new pension system work?
8) Any helpful tips?
Thanks a lot and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

 

[TheEarDoc]

Hi
I am a practicing Internal Medicine hospitalist and have few questions about Army reserves.
I have never served before and hence this is very new to me.
I have been working with a recruiter but it sometimes feels like he does not have all the answers.
I will be initially committing to 6 years in active reserves and then 2 years in inactive reserves.
My questions:
1) How does PROFIS and deployment work?
2) Is it true I can only be deployed for a maximum of 120 days?
3) What is the deciding factor for bridge surgeon? Is it only for active duty or also for reserves?
4) I will be getting direct commission as O4. The recruiter calculated me to be at 10.5 years at this time. When and how to get promoted to O5? Do I need to go to any specific course besides BOLC?
5) I have no student loans but I have significant investments and I have real estate loans over 6 million. I have very good credit. Will this affect the security clearance?
6) For GI bill benefits, do you need to maintain active reserves for at least 10 years?
7) How does the new pension system work?
8) Any helpful tips?
Thanks a lot and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

1. No sure. I know my medical recruiter did not discuss much of it
2. No. You can be deployed for as long as they need you to be deployed up to 12 months as far as I know
3. Couldn't tell you as I am not in this program
4. I would check your paperwork carefully before you sign. Telling you and giving you are 2 different things once the board reviews everything. Not sure of your age
or how long you've been in practice, but going in directly as a Major usually takes a lot of years of work in the field and most folks would not meet the age requirements
for direct commission at the 04 level. As for BOLC yes you would attend it. To be promoted on as a captain to major it requires minimum time in grade and often times a
captain's career course a lot of times
5. As long as your credit is good and you haven't defaulted on loans it should be fine
6. Most likely you will deploy for at least 120 consecutive days and will be considered a veteran and then I believe your GI bill benefits kick in. I know the VA home loan you
are eligible for after 6 years in the active reserves or 120 days of consecutive active duty service. Check the veterans web pages for GI bill eligibility rules. I never worried
about them because I don't plan on getting another degree and at most I would just transfer the GI bill monies to my child
7. Couldn't tell you
8. Enjoy it! Serving is a privilege not a right. Going in after really the military not able to offer you anything and you offering a lot is a very noble thing. I know I am in the process of joining and Uncle Sam isn't giving me anything to join except pay for my drill days. No SLRP, no sign on bonus, etc.

 

[Army Doctor]

Thank you Ear Doc for your reply!
My recruiter called to tell me that the December boards selected my application for Commission as an O4 in Army Reserve.
He also said there would be a sign on bonus but he does not know the exact number for that.
The official orders have not arrived yet. He said some delay due to the Holidays.
He said there is an enlistment contract I sign and then I sign another contract for the actual Commission.
Would all of this come written as part of the official orders?
Or do I need to confirm it with his superiors before signing?
Again, I am very new so I have no idea.
It sometimes seems the process is not very transparent!

 

[deleted480308]

the 120 days is a national guard policy....90 deployed with a total of 30 for misc on either side. It's just a policy so they can change it on us at some point, but as I understand it's a different rule than the reserves

 

[TheEarDoc]

Thank you Ear Doc for your reply!
My recruiter called to tell me that the December boards selected my application for Commission as an O4 in Army Reserve.
He also said there would be a sign on bonus but he does not know the exact number for that.
The official orders have not arrived yet. He said some delay due to the Holidays.
He said there is an enlistment contract I sign and then I sign another contract for the actual Commission.
Would all of this come written as part of the official orders?
Or do I need to confirm it with his superiors before signing?
Again, I am very new so I have no idea.
It sometimes seems the process is not very transparent!

That is awesome about the direct commission as an O4! How long have you been practicing in the field if you don't mind me asking? I know I am kind of on the bubble in terms of my civilian service counting as time in grade to decide between O3 and O4. I know my MOS does not have a sign on bonus (it varies by MOS), but awesome if you get one! Just make sure the form for the sign on bonus is on there and you read the fine print (many of the loan repayment programs and bonuses they can take from you if you fail a PT test or have other issues with your service record).

As far as I know the process works as you get the contract and review it and sign it and then you are a captain or in your case a major in the Army Reserves then and there. I've not heard of medical officers in AMEDD signing an enlistment contract and then a commission contract separately on separate days. That is something that perhaps someone more experienced could answer for you. My guess is you go take the oath and sign both in his office that day. Just as with any other contract read through it and if you have questions ask them.

Congrats!!!! Hopefully I will be seeing one of those after I get my packet before the boards!

 

[TheEarDoc]

the 120 days is a national guard policy....90 deployed with a total of 30 for misc on either side. It's just a policy so they can change it on us at some point, but as I understand it's a different rule than the reserves

Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB)
Army Reserve: Drilling
Benefit Fact Sheet
Summary:

The Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) provides up to 36 months of education benefits to eligible Soldiers and Veterans for programs such as: college, business, technical, or vocational school; apprenticeship / on-the-job training; correspondence courses; remedial, deficiency, and refresher training (in some cases); and flight training.



Eligibility:

An Army Reserve Soldier on drill status may be eligible for Montgomery GI Bill-Selected Reserve, Chapter 1606, benefits if he or she:

• Have a six-year obligation to serve in the Selected Reserve signed after June 30, 1985. If you are an officer, you must have agreed to serve six years in addition to your original obligation. For some types of training, it is necessary to have a six-year commitment that begins after September 30, 1990;
• Complete your initial active duty for training (IADT);
• Meet the requirement to receive a high school diploma or equivalency certificate before completing IADT. You may not use 12 hours toward a college degree to meet this requirement;
• Remain in good standing while serving in an active Selected Reserve unit. You will also retain MGIB - SR eligibility if you were discharged from Selected Reserve service due to a disability that was not caused by misconduct. Your eligibility period may be extended if you are ordered to active duty.

If a Soldier has been mobilized on or after 9/11/01 for at least 90 consecutive days, he or she may be eligible for Chapter 1607 benefits.

http://myarmybenefits.us.army.mil/H..._Page/Montgomery_GI_Bill_(MGIB).html?serv=228

 

[deleted480308]

Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB)
Army Reserve: Drilling
Benefit Fact Sheet
Summary:

The Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) provides up to 36 months of education benefits to eligible Soldiers and Veterans for programs such as: college, business, technical, or vocational school; apprenticeship / on-the-job training; correspondence courses; remedial, deficiency, and refresher training (in some cases); and flight training.



Eligibility:

An Army Reserve Soldier on drill status may be eligible for Montgomery GI Bill-Selected Reserve, Chapter 1606, benefits if he or she:

• Have a six-year obligation to serve in the Selected Reserve signed after June 30, 1985. If you are an officer, you must have agreed to serve six years in addition to your original obligation. For some types of training, it is necessary to have a six-year commitment that begins after September 30, 1990;
• Complete your initial active duty for training (IADT);
• Meet the requirement to receive a high school diploma or equivalency certificate before completing IADT. You may not use 12 hours toward a college degree to meet this requirement;
• Remain in good standing while serving in an active Selected Reserve unit. You will also retain MGIB - SR eligibility if you were discharged from Selected Reserve service due to a disability that was not caused by misconduct. Your eligibility period may be extended if you are ordered to active duty.

If a Soldier has been mobilized on or after 9/11/01 for at least 90 consecutive days, he or she may be eligible for Chapter 1607 benefits.

http://myarmybenefits.us.army.mil/H..._Page/Montgomery_GI_Bill_(MGIB).html?serv=228

I'm not sure what you are replying to?

 

[Lee]

Hi
I am a practicing Internal Medicine hospitalist and have few questions about Army reserves.
I have never served before and hence this is very new to me.
I have been working with a recruiter but it sometimes feels like he does not have all the answers.
I will be initially committing to 6 years in active reserves and then 2 years in inactive reserves.
My questions:
1) How does PROFIS and deployment work?
2) Is it true I can only be deployed for a maximum of 120 days?
3) What is the deciding factor for brigade or battalion surgeon? Is it only for active duty or also for reserves?
4) I will be getting direct commission as O4. The recruiter calculated me to be at 10.5 years at this time. When and how to get promoted to O5? Do I need to go to any specific course besides BOLC?
5) I have no student loans but I have significant investments and I have real estate loans over 6 million. I have very good credit. Will this affect the security clearance?
6) For GI bill benefits, do you need to maintain active reserves for at least 10 years?
7) How does the new pension system work?
8) Any helpful tips?
Thanks a lot and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

1. You will deploy for ~90 days at a time -- for IM, during the high-deployment times of 2005-2010, you could expect deployments every 2-3 years. It's dropped-off a lot.

2. Generally yes - but that is boots on ground, meaning your time starts only when you hit theatre. The Army is pretty good at getting PROFIS docs into theatre within 2 weeks of mobilization

3. You'll probably work in a CSH (field hospital). Generally active duty docs go to the BN/BDE surgeon positions, but not always.

4. O3 or O4, depends on what you negotiate - make sure it's in writing in your contract

5. Probably not

6. This information is online through the VA: http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/

7. Not sure

8. Have the Army assign you to a unit near your home of record and drill there monthly. Avoid being attached to a unit far from your home; you need as much drilling experience as possible so that you can get a reasonable understanding of how the Army works.

 

[TheEarDoc]

I'm not sure what you are replying to?

The poster was asking about his GI bill stuff.

 

[Army Doctor]

That is awesome about the direct commission as an O4! How long have you been practicing in the field if you don't mind me asking? I know I am kind of on the bubble in terms of my civilian service counting as time in grade to decide between O3 and O4. I know my MOS does not have a sign on bonus (it varies by MOS), but awesome if you get one! Just make sure the form for the sign on bonus is on there and you read the fine print (many of the loan repayment programs and bonuses they can take from you if you fail a PT test or have other issues with your service record).

As far as I know the process works as you get the contract and review it and sign it and then you are a captain or in your case a major in the Army Reserves then and there. I've not heard of medical officers in AMEDD signing an enlistment contract and then a commission contract separately on separate days. That is something that perhaps someone more experienced could answer for you. My guess is you go take the oath and sign both in his office that day. Just as with any other contract read through it and if you have questions ask them.

Congrats!!!! Hopefully I will be seeing one of those after I get my packet before the boards!

Thank you EarDoc.
I have been in practice for 5 years but I do have multiple other accomplishments, including leadership experience.
Did you also apply for the December boards?
If so, did your contract arrive?
I am still waiting except for the telephone confirmation from the recruiter.
He said everyone's contract in his office is delayed due to Holidays!

He said any one who joins Army for the first time has to sign a general enlistment contract besides other papers!
We will, hopefully, know the specifics soon.

 

[deleted480308]

Thank you EarDoc.
I have been in practice for 5 years but I do have multiple other accomplishments, including leadership experience.
Did you also apply for the December boards?
If so, did your contract arrive?
I am still waiting except for the telephone confirmation from the recruiter.
He said everyone's contract in his office is delayed due to Holidays!

He said any one who joins Army for the first time has to sign a general enlistment contract besides other papers!
We will, hopefully, know the specifics soon.

recruiters often know nothing about medical/officer life. My recollection was that I never signed an enlistment paper. I think the process is a direct commission. Maybe some of the more senior posters here can clarify

 

[Army Doctor]

1. You will deploy for ~90 days at a time -- for IM, during the high-deployment times of 2005-2010, you could expect deployments every 2-3 years. It's dropped-off a lot.

2. Generally yes - but that is boots on ground, meaning your time starts only when you hit theatre. The Army is pretty good at getting PROFIS docs into theatre within 2 weeks of mobilization

3. You'll probably work in a CSH (field hospital). Generally active duty docs go to the BN/BDE surgeon positions, but not always.

4. O3 or O4, depends on what you negotiate - make sure it's in writing in your contract

5. Probably not

6. This information is online through the VA: http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/

7. Not sure

8. Have the Army assign you to a unit near your home of record and drill there monthly. Avoid being attached to a unit far from your home; you need as much drilling experience as possible so that you can get a reasonable understanding of how the Army works.

Thank you Lee for your insight.

I have attached the specific AMEDD 90 day rotation policy.
There is an exception that if you get deployed as a brigade or battalion surgeon, then it does not apply.
And you can be gone for a whole year, or longer.
Also, you can volunteer for longer deployment.

Per PROFIS, it seems reserves are used as fillers for Active duty physicians but can anyone shed light on the specifics?

It seems the pension process was recently changed but does someone know the specifics for the Reserves?

 

[Army Doctor]

recruiters often know nothing about medical/officer life. My recollection was that I never signed an enlistment paper. I think the process is a direct commission. Maybe some of the more senior posters here can clarify

Thank you sb247!

 

[TheEarDoc]

Thank you EarDoc.
I have been in practice for 5 years but I do have multiple other accomplishments, including leadership experience.
Did you also apply for the December boards?
If so, did your contract arrive?
I am still waiting except for the telephone confirmation from the recruiter.
He said everyone's contract in his office is delayed due to Holidays!

He said any one who joins Army for the first time has to sign a general enlistment contract besides other papers!
We will, hopefully, know the specifics soon.

No I was trying for October boards, but did not make tape so packet got put on hold. I am trying to drop more tonnage and then reapply with my packet materials updated for March boards for my billet.

I am working directly with the medical recruiter for AMEDD for a state.

I have been in practice about the same amount of time as you and with publications and leadership experience. Hoping this means that when my packet goes through I could be looking at O-4 rather than O-3 rank for direct commission.

 

[TheEarDoc]

Thank you Lee for your insight.

I have attached the specific AMEDD 90 day rotation policy.
There is an exception that if you get deployed as a brigade or battalion surgeon, then it does not apply.
And you can be gone for a whole year, or longer.
Also, you can volunteer for longer deployment.

Per PROFIS, it seems reserves are used as fillers for Active duty physicians but can anyone shed light on the specifics?

It seems the pension process was recently changed but does someone know the specifics for the Reserves?

Yeah this was basically what my recruiter told me was that if I was deployed most likely I would be a back fill person CONUS for an active duty person being deployed overseas. It was not guaranteed that I would never be deployed overseas, but with my MOS it would be highly unlikely.

Good info! Thank you for posting it!

 

[Army Doctor]

Yeah this was basically what my recruiter told me was that if I was deployed most likely I would be a back fill person CONUS for an active duty person being deployed overseas. It was not guaranteed that I would never be deployed overseas, but with my MOS it would be highly unlikely.

Good info! Thank you for posting it!

Thank you!!
Good luck for the March Boards!!

 

[Homunculus]

i think i read in another thread that they won't deploy you for the first 2 years of your reserve time as well. didn't see that mentioned about but something to potentially clarify. i may be attempting the AD-RC move when the time comes, so in a few years i may have more personal info on the subject.

--your friendly neighborhood counting down his ADSO caveman

 

[Gastrapathy]

i think i read in another thread that they won't deploy you for the first 2 years of your reserve time as well. didn't see that mentioned about but something to potentially clarify. i may be attempting the AD-RC move when the time comes, so in a few years i may have more personal info on the subject.

--your friendly neighborhood counting down his ADSO caveman

This is only true for the AD -> SELRES transition.

 

[Army Doctor]

Yes, the recruiter said that I will have to go BOLC.
After that, I can be deployed any time.
He did mention that I do not need to go BOLC right away and I will have to discuss the timing of that with my CO.

 

[Naffenea]

It seems the pension process was recently changed but does someone know the specifics for the Reserves?

The pension change will only affect those who enlist/commission after Jan 1 2018. Currently in the reserves your pension is calculated off of your points earned over the course of your time in, with a minimum of 20 years service to receive anything (exceptions exist but they are exceptions, not the norm). So 20 x points earned = 20 year retirement pay. It goes up if you serve longer and do more than just being a regular TPU. The new retirement change includes a 401k type package with 5% match that you take with you when you leave the military.

The other thing I would point out is to get clarification on the "enlistment" papers. Officers don't enlist, they commission. There is a universe of difference between life as an E4 and O4.

 

[Lee]

Yeah this was basically what my recruiter told me was that if I was deployed most likely I would be a back fill person CONUS for an active duty person being deployed overseas. It was not guaranteed that I would never be deployed overseas, but with my MOS it would be highly unlikely.

Good info! Thank you for posting it!

At least in my experience, reserve docs deploy to combat zones more often than not. They rarely serve more than ~90 days in country and usually only if they volunteered to do so - don't worry about BDE or BN surgeon jobs.

The only way you are guaranteed to stay CONUS is if you get it in your contract. But, I would recommend against asking for that because the one doc I knew with that clause was disappointed he wasn't able to go downrange like the rest of us.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN Mobile mobile app

 

[notdeadyet]

At least in my experience, reserve docs deploy to combat zones more often than not. They rarely serve more than ~90 days in country and usually only if they volunteered to do so - don't worry about BDE or BN surgeon jobs.

I think what the OP's recruiter is likely getting at is that when domestic slots need to be back filled by Reserve Corps, it goes to Army Reserve, not National Guard. The ARNG call ups are almost exclusively overseas or domestic emergencies, not backfill.

 

[Army Doctor]

Thank you everyone for their replies.

My orders did arrive.
As speculated, the recruiter was wrong (or did not know) about the rank.
The board approved me for an O3. I need to complete BOLC to get promoted to O4.
The recruiter did not know or did not share with me about that.
He claims he just learnt that as well.

I did get the reserve unit I was promised (less than 20 miles from my home).
I will need to enlist as an E4 as I am a MAVNI applicant.
Then wait for US citizenship for about 3-4 months, and then go back in for the actual Commission.