Navy HPSP Credentialing Tour

[navygravy]

My goal is for this thread to be a place to share ideas and information regarding the upcoming Navy credentialing tour for new 2022 grads.

About me: I am graduating this spring with the Navy's four year HPSP scholarship. I was recently accepted to the Navy's AEGD program, but have declined the offer in preparation of doing a credentialing tour during my first year as an active duty dentist for the Navy. I am recently engaged, and my fiancé will be moving will be to my first duty station. We have plans to get married in 2023. I have a few questions for those with military experience -- Is it wise of us to get legally married before starting my active duty service to decrease the likelihood of deployment? Further, what are the chances of being deployed during the credentialing tour, and does it differ for single vs. married service members. Also, how often can you serve at the same location as where your credentialing tour took place? Any word on where the potential credentialing stations may be/will they use where we ranked for the AEGD program locations? Any advice, information, or words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated!

Go Navy.

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[SirBrotherJam]

Is it wise of us to get legally married before starting my active duty service to decrease the likelihood of deployment?

Doesn't matter. Navy will use you how it sees fit and for THEIR best benefit. You will not get deployed during a credentialling tour, but it may be cut short to fill a need on an operational platform such as a ship/marines. I personally had this happen to me. You can stay in an area and hop commands such as San Diego or Norfolk, but you probably will not get a back-to-back kinda thing. After you do your credentialing tour you WILL go operational. Expect to deploy especially with the cut in billets. You did join the Navy after all. If you decline the PGY-1, they will consider your recommendations and try to place you accordingly but is completely dependent on manning. I was told if I wanted North, South, East, or West. The Navy can be a great opportunity and you can see and do many things and I would urge you to see it this way. Reading your post really makes me wonder why you joined if you don't want to actually experience the Navy and would just want to be a dentist at a shore command. Your peers will know that you skirted around an operation tour and took a billet from someone that "did their time." This outlook can seriously affect how the next 4 years go.

Not trying to be harsh, but wanted to give you a reality check. I served for 6 years AD credentialled, deployed, separated, and now in a civilian residency. Feel free to msg me if you have any follow-up questions.

 

[Big Time Hoosier]

If you ask to do your credentialing tour at a place like 29 Palms, I’m sure the detailer will be plenty happy to give you follow on orders to stay there.

Big Hoss

 

[Lil Norkii the Supreme]

Lol navy will abuse you buckle the eff up

 

[jjdd]

My goal is for this thread to be a place to share ideas and information regarding the upcoming Navy credentialing tour for new 2022 grads.

About me: I am graduating this spring with the Navy's four year HPSP scholarship. I was recently accepted to the Navy's AEGD program, but have declined the offer in preparation of doing a credentialing tour during my first year as an active duty dentist for the Navy. I am recently engaged, and my fiancé will be moving will be to my first duty station. We have plans to get married in 2023. I have a few questions for those with military experience -- Is it wise of us to get legally married before starting my active duty service to decrease the likelihood of deployment? Further, what are the chances of being deployed during the credentialing tour, and does it differ for single vs. married service members. Also, how often can you serve at the same location as where your credentialing tour took place? Any word on where the potential credentialing stations may be/will they use where we ranked for the AEGD program locations? Any advice, information, or words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated!

Go Navy.

Credentialing tour is the way to go IMO. So good choice there. There is no preference for married /unmarried for duty stations generally. However, you might consider a courthouse wedding just before active duty. Your spouse would then get health care and you’d get a little extra for housing (BAH/BAS). Not a ton but something to consider. I decided to pick a less desirable base (29 palms…) and applied for an extension. Since no one wanted to go they were happy to let me stay. I didn’t deploy as we were quite busy and they tasked people from more desirable bases to go instead. Worked out well for me. Let me know if you have additional questions

 

[LFA20]

During credentialing tour you will not be deployed. After that year you usually will go operational on a ship/with marine battalions(lejeune and okinawa are most popular destinations). With that said I know a few people who got shore duty after their AEGD/credentialing tour but this is pretty rare. Also just because you are on a ship or with the marines it does not mean you will deploy. It will depend on the ship's/batallion's mission at that time. You could have a ship who just came back from deployment or is in the middle of a repair and is just docked for your entire 2-year tour.

I'd definitely do the paperwork before you begin military service though. You don't want to miss out on the extra pay and benefits for your wife.

 

[navygravy]

During credentialing tour you will not be deployed. After that year you usually will go operational on a ship/with marine battalions(lejeune and okinawa are most popular destinations). With that said I know a few people who got shore duty after their AEGD/credentialing tour but this is pretty rare. Also just because you are on a ship or with the marines it does not mean you will deploy. It will depend on the ship's/batallion's mission at that time. You could have a ship who just came back from deployment or is in the middle of a repair and is just docked for your entire 2-year tour.

I'd definitely do the paperwork before you begin military service though. You don't want to miss out on the extra pay and benefits for your wife.

I appreciate the response -- very helpful. This really helps put everything into the proper context to get an idea of what's to come. Any words of advice or things you would've done differently during your credentialing tour? Dental school is becoming a drag - averaging about two patients a week. Really looking forward to getting started with some likeminded and motivated colleagues.

 

[SirBrotherJam]

I appreciate the response -- very helpful. This really helps put everything into the proper context to get an idea of what's to come. Any words of advice or things you would've done differently during your credentialing tour? Dental school is becoming a drag - averaging about two patients a week. Really looking forward to getting started with some likeminded and motivated colleagues.

Yeah, 1) don't be shocked if you get stuck doing 70-80% exams as a credentialler. 2) try to set up your own rotations with Endo, OS as that will be the best way to get experience in those areas and under specialists. 3) as an officer you will have additional jobs (collaterals) including your normal dentist duties. 4) don't make waves!

 

[27DODoc]

Doesn't matter. Navy will use you how it sees fit and for THEIR best benefit. You will not get deployed during a credentialling tour, but it may be cut short to fill a need on an operational platform such as a ship/marines. I personally had this happen to me. You can stay in an area and hop commands such as San Diego or Norfolk, but you probably will not get a back-to-back kinda thing. After you do your credentialing tour you WILL go operational. Expect to deploy especially with the cut in billets. You did join the Navy after all. If you decline the PGY-1, they will consider your recommendations and try to place you accordingly but is completely dependent on manning. I was told if I wanted North, South, East, or West. The Navy can be a great opportunity and you can see and do many things and I would urge you to see it this way. Reading your post really makes me wonder why you joined if you don't want to actually experience the Navy and would just want to be a dentist at a shore command. Your peers will know that you skirted around an operation tour and took a billet from someone that "did their time." This outlook can seriously affect how the next 4 years go.

Not trying to be harsh, but wanted to give you a reality check. I served for 6 years AD credentialled, deployed, separated, and now in a civilian residency. Feel free to msg me if you have any follow-up questions.

How hard is it to get into a specialty of your choice? Say like Ortho or Gen Surg? And what happens if you don’t get into your speciality of choice, could you opt for a GMO and reapply?

Also what if I wanted to apply civilian and military, is there a way to get a waiver?

 

[chlrbwls]

How hard is it to get into a specialty of your choice? Say like Ortho or Gen Surg? And what happens if you don’t get into your speciality of choice, could you opt for a GMO and reapply?

Also what if I wanted to apply civilian and military, is there a way to get a waiver?

you know that this is a dental thread right? not forum for medical residencies