Questions about AF vs Army residency & specialty

[snorkelingdoc2b]

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I have some decisions to make regarding joining the AF or the Army, not with respect to life style, but more specifically to implications it might have on my career and future aspirations as a dentist.

My future life in either Army or Airforce:

1) Is it easier to get into an AEGD in the Army than the AF? I ask because I heard some individuals in the AF not get matched for the AEGD (and are on an alternative list). I have not thus far heard of Army dentists being rejected for AEGD.

2) Is it easier to get matched for specialty in the Army than in the AF? I believe that might be because the AF generally doesn't have a shortage of dentists whereas the Army does.

3) If I don't do the Officer Basic Training during this coming summer, which is my only really free summer to do it, does that push out of cycle everything to do with AEGD or specialty applications, so that the time i commence the program is 1 yr later?

I have been asked by a group of undergrads to be the trip leader for non-profit work in Africa during the summer - and I REALLY want to help since I have alot of travel experience. However, I'm concerned that post-poning my officer basic training until after the completion of school will push back my cycle application for AEGD or specialty programs for the year after?

 

[AFDDS]

Some of these have been answered in other threads, but I'll put my $.02 worth in here.

I have some decisions to make regarding joining the AF or the Army, not with respect to life style, but more specifically to implications it might have on my career and future aspirations as a dentist.

My future life in either Army or Airforce:

1) Is it easier to get into an AEGD in the Army than the AF? I ask because I heard some individuals in the AF not get matched for the AEGD (and are on an alternative list). I have not thus far heard of Army dentists being rejected for AEGD. Don't know this one. Someone from the Army will have to answer for them. We do have a few that do not get into residencies in the AF. But the number is very low. We approach 100% for those applying. The AF offers 85 AEGD-1 training slots. The Army has around 40.

If someone applies to an AEGD, but doesn't get in, we try to get them to larger bases with specialists or a strong A to mentor them and allow for some rotations.

2) Is it easier to get matched for specialty in the Army than in the AF? I believe that might be because the AF generally doesn't have a shortage of dentists whereas the Army does. Statistically, not really. The Army has more training positions than we have because they are authorized more dentists than we are. So if you look purely at # of training slots to # of applicants, its roughly the same. It differs from year to year based on end strength.

3) If I don't do the Officer Basic Training during this coming summer, which is my only really free summer to do it, does that push out of cycle everything to do with AEGD or specialty applications, so that the time i commence the program is 1 yr later? Not in the AF

I have been asked by a group of undergrads to be the trip leader for non-profit work in Africa during the summer - and I REALLY want to help since I have alot of travel experience. However, I'm concerned that post-poning my officer basic training until after the completion of school will push back my cycle application for AEGD or specialty programs for the year after? Remember, in the AF you are required to apply to an AEGD when you graduate. You are not required to accept. You can also only attend an AEGD-1 right out of school. If you don't go to one then, the 2-year is the only option.

 

[krmower]

I have some decisions to make regarding joining the AF or the Army, not with respect to life style, but more specifically to implications it might have on my career and future aspirations as a dentist.

My future life in either Army or Airforce:

1) Is it easier to get into an AEGD in the Army than the AF? I ask because I heard some individuals in the AF not get matched for the AEGD (and are on an alternative list). I have not thus far heard of Army dentists being rejected for AEGD.

1 yr AEGD has 100 % acceptance. 2 yr AEGD has had almost 100% acceptance rate (last year there were some alternates - first time in 10 yrs).

2) Is it easier to get matched for specialty in the Army than in the AF? I believe that might be because the AF generally doesn't have a shortage of dentists whereas the Army does.

Read the posts - info has been posted. I can email you the info for Army also if you need it.

3) If I don't do the Officer Basic Training during this coming summer, which is my only really free summer to do it, does that push out of cycle everything to do with AEGD or specialty applications, so that the time i commence the program is 1 yr later?

No. 1 yr AEGD always start in September. When you are selected for specialties it is for 1 1/2 yrs in the future. So if you apply during dental school it will be for the summer following your first year in the Army.

I have been asked by a group of undergrads to be the trip leader for non-profit work in Africa during the summer - and I REALLY want to help since I have alot of travel experience. However, I'm concerned that post-poning my officer basic training until after the completion of school will push back my cycle application for AEGD or specialty programs for the year after?

Nope - see info above.