All Branch Topic (ABT) MOVSM while in HPSP

[FermiParadox42]

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I was talking with another Navy HPSP student today. As a medical student, we do a crap-ton of volunteer service. Can we apply for the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal for that volunteer work while in HPSP? How do we go about doing it?

 

[pawprint]

No, you cannot get this award while in HPSP as you are in IRR and are therefore ineligible for receiving the award.

How do I know this? I'm in HPSP and asked the Navy chain of command in August and they contacted BUMED, who responded saying they don't grant awards to IRR members (our 6 week Active Duty service obligation per year doesn't do anything for us in that category). I was told that if I was really interested in it, to record all my hours and then I can submit for it whenever I first go on Active Duty as an intern.

 

[bourbon&waffles]

Also, submitting yourself for awards is kind of a d-bag move.

 

[backrow]

Also, submitting yourself for awards is kind of a d-bag move.

Actually it's pretty much the only way medical corps officers get awards unless it's end of tour or deployment related. The medical corps (at least Navy anyway) is historically horrible at awarding it's physicians in my opinion. I just saw a person get a Letter of Commendation (not even a FLOC which is still fairly worthless for an officer) for being the Officer of the Year at their command.

 

[bourbon&waffles]

Yeah, I would posit that a physician (or anyone else) thats concerned with getting ribbons for their uniform is likely a d-bag, or maybe tool/schmuck is more accurate. But I'm a little bit of a contrarian.

 

[notdeadyet]

I've nominated a soldier for the volunteering service award. He had devoted about 10 of so hours a week to a particular charity for over 8 years and had gotten other Guardsmen involved and acted as advocate for this charity (which was not related to his professional life in any way).

Finish medical school and residency. If you are working (not studying or training) and still spend several years devoting a significant portion of your remaining free time to a charity that has little to do with your professional life (I.e. you are not doing it for professional standing or furthering interests), I'd have no problem nominating you for it.