Military Service

[ClickityClack]

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Hello,

I've posted on here before, a long time ago. I'm a sophomore, Lab Animal Science major. My overall GPA is 3.6, and my sci GPA is 3.51. I haven't taken the DAT yet.
The dentist I've shadowed has told me that my prior military service would help me tremendously toward gaining entry into school. I'm a two-time combat veteran, along with a 6-month stint in Kosovo.
I've been really worried about my grades, lately. With the economy dropping so badly, I anticipate a very high number of applicants (most with a higher GPA than I) by the time I graduate. I'm wondering what kind of an impact that my prior service would have on the accepting committees, if any.
My apologies for possibly seeming "holier-than-thou". I know military service isn't the holy grail of dental school acceptance. Hence the reason why I'm confused about what the DDS said.
Any confirmed opinions would be welcomed.

 

[ClickityClack]

I'm fairly well decorated, after 8 years. No Bronze Star though, unfortunately.
I was a tank gunner in the calvary squadron that led the main push in OIF, among other things.
Probably doesn't help much.

I'm planning on doing alot of volunteer work at a local free dental clinic this summer, as well. And, I've finished an internship with Cummins Diesel last summer (as a Mech.Eng. major).

 

[ClickityClack]

Thanks, that's what I'll do.

 

[blankguy]

If you've been in the military as enlisted you'll think that being in the military as commissioned will be heaven. That is if you choose to rejoin via HPSP. People like me who've never had prior military experience might end up whining and crying over stuff. Well I'll try not to be like that.😉

 

[ClickityClack]

Depends on what you call heaven. Thanks, though.

 

[blankguy]

Depends on what you call heaven. Thanks, though.

I was speaking very generally. You could be in hell even as a commissioned officer. I happen to have an uncle who is a retired lieutenant general and a cousin who is married to a major general.

 

[ClickityClack]

Well, thanks for your opinion.

 

[blankguy]

very "general"ly huh?

I was told that dentist get treated very well compared to enlisted. It may not be relevant here since we are primarily focused on dentistry/HPSP. This is coming from a high school acquaintance of mine who is in the army JAG corp.

The other thing that I'll like to add is that I've known people who were enlisted in the AF and have had a chance to visit them on base. The officers and enlisted have separate facilities. I've seen that the officers have nicer ones than the enlisted plus all the other benefits as an officer.

I'm surmising that if the previous experience is as an enlisted grunt rejoining as a commissioned officer will definitely be an upgrade. I think I overdid it by calling it "heaven" but it definitely is an upgrade.

Also I've dealt with dental school faculty who previously had 20+ yrs in the military and retire to join the school. I think this is a compelling career path but I may sacrifice $$$$$$.

In a way I've seen more than the average individual who is considering HPSP. I've had relatives in the military and it is an excellent opportunity with the scholarship offer. I feel that the people who get the most out of the military are those who join as enlisted relatively young. If I were evaluating somebody who was in the military I'd view them as mature, and disciplined.

 

[ClickityClack]

Are you finished?

 

[blankguy]

Are you finished?

Yup, but why are there two threads. One here and the other in the military forum?

 

[ClickityClack]

Because I don't know how to close or move a thread, and you keep giving me your expert opinion.