question about bases

[echecchio]

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Are there any bases you would recomend? I have two young kids. O am I will be a new hpsp so I am sure my choices are limited

Also what about the base near barstow CA. Looks like a desert.

 

[HawkeyeDDS]

What service are you talking about Airforce (base) Army (post) Navy (base)?

Ft Irwin Ca is a wonderfull place, especially if you get lucky enough to spend a month of your time there at NTC.

Not much to do there, but it is close to Vegas and LA.

 

[OSU_DentGirl]

Is it true that there are certain Army bases that get deployed more often than others? I thought you get deployed when your unit gets deployed.

Also, does anyone know anything about Ft. Knox, Kentucky?

One more thing: will most Army dentists (who just do 4-5 years) stay in one place the whole time, or will they need to move? Do you choose where you move?

Thank you in advance for your insight! This will help me with my decision!

 

[krmower]

Is it true that there are certain Army bases that get deployed more often than others? I thought you get deployed when your unit gets deployed.

Also, does anyone know anything about Ft. Knox, Kentucky?

One more thing: will most Army dentists (who just do 4-5 years) stay in one place the whole time, or will they need to move? Do you choose where you move?

Thank you in advance for your insight! This will help me with my decision!

Deployments are only slightly influenced by the base. Deployments are decided by the Regional Commanders (Currently 3 in the states, 1 in Pacific, and 1 in Europe). They make a list of all their dentists and rank/prioritize them for deployments. The Dental Corps does not make those assignments (only for Oral Surgeons and Comprehensive Dentists). Just like it has been stated in other posts - deployments have recently been filled mostly by volunteers, and they are usually 6 months long.

As far as bases to be stationed - It depends on you. What region of the country do you want to live in? What are your hobbies? Do you want a lot of shopping - or is that not as important? West Coast you are more limited than central, east, or europe. Pick a region and shoot me an email and I can make some suggestions - it does ultimately come down to what is available when you graduate.

I have a friend at Ft Knox that you can talk to if you want to know more about it.

 

[echecchio]

Is fort irwin really a great place or were you just kidding? I though becuase it was isolated there would be alot to do on the base. I am very interested it it becuase it is close to family but then again I do not want to be stuck somewere too isolated. thanks

 

[HawkeyeDDS]

Is fort irwin really a great place or were you just kidding? I though becuase it was isolated there would be alot to do on the base. I am very interested it it becuase it is close to family but then again I do not want to be stuck somewere too isolated. thanks

Sorry sarchasm is hard to portray on line. It's kind of just there in the middle of nowhere. There's not a whole lot to do, but if family is close by it might not be to bad. I was only there for NTC, so my views might be a little disstorted. There's really not much to doon Irwin, but like I said Vegas and LA are not far away. And the clinics are not bad. I worked in one for 2 weeks and it was pretty nice.

 

[krmower]

Is fort irwin really a great place or were you just kidding? I though becuase it was isolated there would be alot to do on the base. I am very interested it it becuase it is close to family but then again I do not want to be stuck somewere too isolated. thanks

If you are single it is not good. For families it is fairly self sufficient, and I have known guys that have thought it was great. I knew a Colonel that stayed there for 7 years. Shopping will be limited - you will have the PX - Barstow is the next closest thing being 45 min away.

I have thought about requesting it.

 

[desert rat]

Best assignement is Levenworth. The base is heavy in officers and right in Kansas City. No specialists so you can do more dentistry as well.

I was at Fort Knox and liked it. If you can get Margetis clinic you will be happier. As a CPT you will be assigned to Fort Brag for mobility reasons. Just because you work in a non mobile base does not mean they won't send you to war with another base.

Irwin is nice, but remote. You will work with alot of specialits and others so it will be iffy that you get to do alot of fun procedures.

Go overseas while you can and enjoy the world at the military expense. Life is short make the most of it.

Go to an Army base and get hold of an Army times newspaper and start a subscription. You will learn a ton.

Talk to the person that handels all the assignments for general dentists and get to know the person and let them know long before basic your duty assignment requests. I had my base picked out 6 months in advance.

I went to five Army bases and talked to the DENTAC commander (dental clinics commander) at each base and they gave me a tour and told me what I would be doing if at their base. It allowed me to learn where I wanted to be and also see how the dental clinincs work. The commanders will be happy to show you around the base and let you see the housing, the exchanges, the clinics etc.

Good luck