Army Recently Dental School grad got selected for Army Direct Commission and also got Match into PROS Residency questions

[gsxra4b6]

I have served 8 years of active duty in the Military as enlisted, left to go to school fulltime in 2011. Was not able to get the HPSP Scholarship & attended an out of state dental school. My current student loan is 480K. I applied for Direct Commission into the Dental Corps and also Civilian Pros Residency. As of today I have been selected/accepted for both but now not sure which one I should choose.

I initially wanted to do the military so I can serve 12 more years to finish my time on active duty to get retirement pay & start a civilian career after. I assume I would be able to get promoted to O5 in the next 12year, hopefully O6. Also I could use public service loan repayment to get my loans forgiven & attend pros residency for free while on active duty.

I am leaning towards attending my state Pros Residency since I am already accepted which is 17K per year, it also offers a stipend of 7k PGY1, 12K PGY2, 12K PGY3 & then reapplying for Direct Commission after completing residency or work as a civilian prosthodontist. I am technically single & do not have any kids so I am open to working anywhere after residency.

I am 37 years old & my primary goal is my student loans debt and then making some real more & investments for retirement. I do not have any interest in opening my own practice. Looking for some advice and feedback on which option is best.

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[ModifiedBass]

I would say do pros in the Army. They’re basically begging people to apply for it, and have re-opened the board selection twice to try to draw in and fill the slots for the past couple years. If you’re already set on another 12 years, then time in the residency shouldn’t make a difference for you and you’ll get paid more/start to work on that debt earlier.

 

[yappy]

My 0.02;

If you don’t want to own a practice then I would just stick to the military and not do the civilian prosth program. If you’re motivated to continue to serve in the military then sure, go for it.

If you are just doing the military for financial reasons (see sunk cost fallacy), or retirement, maybe reconsider the prospect of buying a practice or becoming a partner to optimize your career choice.

 

[ShortShortsDad]

You are in such a good place personally and professionally. Forget the money at this point, what do you want to do with your life? I find the Army insufferable and hate the incompetence/inefficiency. You will know what your feelings were from your prior service. If you didn’t love it then don’t consider it now. Youd be looking at starting your civilian life in your 50s and then it’s just not worth starting your own business, best bet would be working for someone you like for a few years until hanging up your hat - may not even be worth it at that point (any marketable skills will be gone). If you are any good at prosth you will not enjoy the Army. The things that make prosth great like running your own lab, milling full arch zirc, cosmetics for people who can pay/appreciate are absent in the military. The only ****nuts prosth I’ve met in the army who’ve stayed for a career were worse than the average third year dental student and don’t know **** about ****. If you just want to prep a single unit in the morning and take an impression in the afternoon living off the welfare military medical system and don’t care about being forcibly moved randomly and your bosses caring more about your ability to do a plank than a clinical case then you may be happy in the military. If you want to do what you see these prosth gods do on Instagram then tell the Army to get ****ed, there’s a reason prosth is a “critical shortage”

 

[Big Time Hoosier]

If you are just doing the military for financial reasons (see sunk cost fallacy)

This! The Navy Reserve reached out to me and said that they would consider my four years in school with the HPSP as qualifying years towards retirement, in addition to my 4 years of active service. For a brief second I actually thought about doing the Reserve for 12 years...but then I came to my senses.

Big Hoss

 

[Big Time Hoosier]

You are in such a good place personally and professionally. Forget the money at this point, what do you want to do with your life? I find the Army insufferable and hate the incompetence/inefficiency. You will know what your feelings were from your prior service. If you didn’t love it then don’t consider it now. Youd be looking at starting your civilian life in your 50s and then it’s just not worth starting your own business, best bet would be working for someone you like for a few years until hanging up your hat - may not even be worth it at that point (any marketable skills will be gone). If you are any good at prosth you will not enjoy the Army. The things that make prosth great like running your own lab, milling full arch zirc, cosmetics for people who can pay/appreciate are absent in the military. The only ****nuts prosth I’ve met in the army who’ve stayed for a career were worse than the average third year dental student and don’t know **** about ****. If you just want to prep a single unit in the morning and take an impression in the afternoon living off the welfare military medical system and don’t care about being forcibly moved randomly and your bosses caring more about your ability to do a plank than a clinical case then you may be happy in the military. If you want to do what you see these prosth gods do on Instagram then tell the Army to get ****ed, there’s a reason prosth is a “critical shortage”

Big Hoss

 

[Lil Norkii the Supreme]

Do military if you like getting pegged with a barb wired baseball bat military healthcare in its entirety is an effin joke i experienced it first hand both as provider and as a patient at battalions and hospitals leaderships are made up of bunch of no good imposter syndrome suffering bixch azzes always overcompensating for their lack of brain cells and clinical skills with their rank and bs rules also always grabbing their ankles for the whiny line officers reward system is also based on anything but merit the fact that pos like brandon picks up rank while being a complete idiot and lazier than a sloth goes to show military doesnt want good doctors i hope dha completely dissolves military healthcare jk dha is a shizzshow as well with genesis a multibillion dollar program that cant track readiness correctly after gotdamn many years of trial period saddest part about military is there are many good ppl but ultimately mission readiness gets in the way of good will of those good men and women also there are few too many lazy fudges that you cant sock em in the face tbh no one can blame them they are just products of the environment but doesnt change the fact that many cant stand them

 

[Big Time Hoosier]

Do military if you like getting pegged with a barb wired baseball bat military healthcare in its entirety is an effin joke i experienced it first hand both as provider and as a patient at battalions and hospitals leaderships are made up of bunch of no good imposter syndrome suffering bixch azzes always overcompensating for their lack of brain cells and clinical skills with their rank and bs rules also always grabbing their ankles for the whiny line officers reward system is also based on anything but merit the fact that pos like brandon picks up rank while being a complete idiot and lazier than a sloth goes to show military doesnt want good doctors i hope dha completely dissolves military healthcare jk dha is a shizzshow as well with genesis a multibillion dollar program that cant track readiness correctly after gotdamn many years

And there you have it, folks.

Big Hoss

 

[ShortShortsDad]

Do military if you like getting pegged with a barb wired baseball bat military healthcare in its entirety is an effin joke i experienced it first hand both as provider and as a patient at battalions and hospitals leaderships are made up of bunch of no good imposter syndrome suffering bixch azzes always overcompensating for their lack of brain cells and clinical skills with their rank and bs rules also always grabbing their ankles for the whiny line officers reward system is also based on anything but merit the fact that pos like brandon picks up rank while being a complete idiot and lazier than a sloth goes to show military doesnt want good doctors i hope dha completely dissolves military healthcare jk dha is a shizzshow as well with genesis a multibillion dollar program that cant track readiness correctly after gotdamn many years saddest part about military is there are so many good ppl but ultimately readiness gets in the way of good will of many

And I thought I was salty. Totally agree 100%. Best thing DHA could do is dissolve itself and punt everything to civ healthcare with limited brigade slots and reservists being called up if war kicks off. If the mission is primary healthcare, and soldiers readiness, and sometimes retirees, and our “military training” then the mission means nothing

 

[gsxra4b6]

I would say do pros in the Army. They’re basically begging people to apply for it, and have re-opened the board selection twice to try to draw in and fill the slots for the past couple years. If you’re already set on another 12 years, then time in the residency shouldn’t make a difference for you and you’ll get paid more/start to work on that debt earlier.

Thanks for sharing your recommendation.

 

[gsxra4b6]

My 0.02;

If you don’t want to own a practice then I would just stick to the military and not do the civilian prosth program. If you’re motivated to continue to serve in the military then sure, go for it.

If you are just doing the military for financial reasons (see sunk cost fallacy), or retirement, maybe reconsider the prospect of buying a practice or becoming a partner to optimize your career choice.

I will say that the Sunk Cost Fallacy is definitely applicable to my situation & part of the reason why I wanted to get back in the military, mainly was the retirement pay I could obtain in just 12years. I think you made a good point about considering becoming a partner or the buying a practice.

 

[gsxra4b6]

You are in such a good place personally and professionally. Forget the money at this point, what do you want to do with your life? I find the Army insufferable and hate the incompetence/inefficiency. You will know what your feelings were from your prior service. If you didn’t love it then don’t consider it now. Youd be looking at starting your civilian life in your 50s and then it’s just not worth starting your own business, best bet would be working for someone you like for a few years until hanging up your hat - may not even be worth it at that point (any marketable skills will be gone). If you are any good at prosth you will not enjoy the Army. The things that make prosth great like running your own lab, milling full arch zirc, cosmetics for people who can pay/appreciate are absent in the military. The only ****nuts prosth I’ve met in the army who’ve stayed for a career were worse than the average third year dental student and don’t know **** about ****. If you just want to prep a single unit in the morning and take an impression in the afternoon living off the welfare military medical system and don’t care about being forcibly moved randomly and your bosses caring more about your ability to do a plank than a clinical case then you may be happy in the military. If you want to do what you see these prosth gods do on Instagram then tell the Army to get ****ed, there’s a reason prosth is a “critical shortage”

Thanks for your insight. I do want to and I hope to deliver treatment as those pros doc on Instagram.

 

[Big Time Hoosier]

I do want to and I hope to deliver treatment as those pros doc on Instagram.

Outside of residency, you won’t be doing that in the military.

Big Hoss

 

[Lil Norkii the Supreme]

Thanks for your insight. I do want to and I hope to deliver treatment as those pros doc on Instagram.

Thats not happening just do civ program and go private practice

 

[gsxra4b6]

You are in such a good place personally and professionally. Forget the money at this point, what do you want to do with your life? I find the Army insufferable and hate the incompetence/inefficiency. You will know what your feelings were from your prior service. If you didn’t love it then don’t consider it now. Youd be looking at starting your civilian life in your 50s and then it’s just not worth starting your own business, best bet would be working for someone you like for a few years until hanging up your hat - may not even be worth it at that point (any marketable skills will be gone). If you are any good at prosth you will not enjoy the Army. The things that make prosth great like running your own lab, milling full arch zirc, cosmetics for people who can pay/appreciate are absent in the military. The only ****nuts prosth I’ve met in the army who’ve stayed for a career were worse than the average third year dental student and don’t know **** about ****. If you just want to prep a single unit in the morning and take an impression in the afternoon living off the welfare military medical system and don’t care about being forcibly moved randomly and your bosses caring more about your ability to do a plank than a clinical case then you may be happy in the military. If you want to do what you see these prosth gods do on Instagram then tell the Army to get ****ed, there’s a reason prosth is a “critical shortage”

You mentioned starting my civilian life at 50 & any marketable skills will be gone. What do you think about teaching at a dental school after? Job Opportunities | American College of Prosthodontists

 

[schmoob]

You mentioned starting my civilian life at 50 & any marketable skills will be gone. What do you think about teaching at a dental school after? Job Opportunities | American College of Prosthodontists

Why not be a program director for pros residency in the army?

I’m a GP in PP and I likely will be making more than you as an active duty specialist. One of the good things you have going for you is your enlisted time. Don’t focus only on retirement, but also on PSLF if it still exists, as well as concurrent retirement and VA disability benefits if you qualify. Also, I pay something around $10K a year for health insurance coverage.

There’s always taking a week off to moonlight for some extra cash. A single arch of AoX a month would make a world of a difference in what you earn

Don’t get me wrong, my time in the Navy made me salty (pun intended), as well as my time working with the Army. But there are some serious pros and cons to weigh. You may not “start” your life until 50, but you definitely won’t be strapped for cash. Your kids (if you have any) will be older, and you won’t have exactly be needing to break your back to produce while AD or when you retire. Maybe I’m just feeling nostalgic now that I’m a few years out, but I would do it. It seems like a sweet deal to me.

 

[schmoob]

I forgot to ask. Is this NADDS or FTOS?

 

[ShortShortsDad]

You mentioned starting my civilian life at 50 & any marketable skills will be gone. What do you think about teaching at a dental school after? Job Opportunities | American College of Prosthodontists

You just need to figure out what you want to do. Some faculty are great and are there since they want to teach and research. Many are there since they hold an international license. Many couldn’t hack it in the real world or are taking a stepping stone to full retirement. If you find a great program and like research and academia you may enjoy it. It really comes down to what you want to do. I just can’t fathom a life of forfeited potential as a career army specialist but only you know what you’ll be fulfilled doing

 

[gsxra4b6]

Why not be a program director for pros residency in the army?

I’m a GP in PP and I likely will be making more than you as an active duty specialist. One of the good things you have going for you is your enlisted time. Don’t focus only on retirement, but also on PSLF if it still exists, as well as concurrent retirement and VA disability benefits if you qualify. Also, I pay something around $10K a year for health insurance coverage.

There’s always taking a week off to moonlight for some extra cash. A single arch of AoX a month would make a world of a difference in what you earn

Don’t get me wrong, my time in the Navy made me salty (pun intended), as well as my time working with the Army. But there are some serious pros and cons to weigh. You may not “start” your life until 50, but you definitely won’t be strapped for cash. Your kids (if you have any) will be older, and you won’t have exactly be needing to break your back to produce while AD or when you retire. Maybe I’m just feeling nostalgic now that I’m a few years out, but I would do it. It seems like a sweet deal to me.

I am okay with being a program director for Pros in the Army. My friend told me I could also do 2yr AEGD and that's a specialty which I can also get multi retention bonus.

 

[gsxra4b6]

You just need to figure out what you want to do. Some faculty are great and are there since they want to teach and research. Many are there since they hold an international license. Many couldn’t hack it in the real world or are taking a stepping stone to full retirement. If you find a great program and like research and academia you may enjoy it. It really comes down to what you want to do. I just can’t fathom a life of forfeited potential as a career army specialist but only you know what you’ll be fulfilled doing

I enjoy teaching but not a big fan of research. My hesitation is the BS I will have to deal with in the Army but it seems like joining the Army is better option.

 

[schmoob]

I am okay with being a program director for Pros in the Army. My friend told me I could also do 2yr AEGD and that's a specialty which I can also get multi retention bonus.

That’s correct, a 2-year Comp AEGD is considered a specialty in the military, only. Once you retire though you are a general Dentist. That means your fees and what you charge will be that of a GP, not a specialist.
You can do any combined 2 year AEGD or GPR and join the military as a Comp dentist. However it has to be a 2 year curriculum like the Richmond VA GPR. It cannot be a 1 year program with an optional 2nd year.

If you want to specialize, do the extra year and earn the certificate.

 

[Lil Norkii the Supreme]

I am okay with being a program director for Pros in the Army. My friend told me I could also do 2yr AEGD and that's a specialty which I can also get multi retention bonus.

2yr comps are as useful as a rock its a bs made up make belief thing military is going away with offering multiyear retention in general except for surgeons someone probably looked at the numbers and realized highest paid officers havent done shiz for years in terms of real tangible production military healthcare is run by tears and deep despair of jos

 

[gsxra4b6]

Why not be a program director for pros residency in the army?

I’m a GP in PP and I likely will be making more than you as an active duty specialist. One of the good things you have going for you is your enlisted time. Don’t focus only on retirement, but also on PSLF if it still exists, as well as concurrent retirement and VA disability benefits if you qualify. Also, I pay something around $10K a year for health insurance coverage.

There’s always taking a week off to moonlight for some extra cash. A single arch of AoX a month would make a world of a difference in what you earn

Don’t get me wrong, my time in the Navy made me salty (pun intended), as well as my time working with the Army. But there are some serious pros and cons to weigh. You may not “start” your life until 50, but you definitely won’t be strapped for cash. Your kids (if you have any) will be older, and you won’t have exactly be needing to break your back to produce while AD or when you retire. Maybe I’m just feeling nostalgic now that I’m a few years out, but I would do it. It seems like a sweet deal to me.

What do you think about attending Civ pros program using NAVY Financial Assistance Program (FAP)? 40k grant & 2400 monthly stipend.

Tuition is 17,500K per year.
School give a stipend of 7K 1st year, 12K 2 & 3rd year.

I can also still use PSLF while in residency to start paying off my loans. ( payments should be less?)

After residency, I will get back on active duty as a specialist & possible avoid some crappy tour( i.e like being stationed great lakes doing exam etc). I am not sure, just asking? I am also not sure where Navy Prosthodontist would most likely be stationed.

 

[schmoob]

What do you think about attending Civ pros program using NAVY Financial Assistance Program (FAP)? 40k grant & 2400 monthly stipend.

Tuition is 17,500K per year.
School give a stipend of 7K 1st year, 12K 2 & 3rd year.

I can also still use PSLF while in residency to start paying off my loans. ( payments should be less?)

After residency, I will get back on active duty as a specialist & possible avoid some crappy tour( i.e like being stationed great lakes doing exam etc). I am not sure, just asking? I am also not sure where Navy Prosthodontist would most likely be stationed.

I would just do an in-service residency if they are offering. Start your AD time and finish it. Get a retention bonus your last four years and use PSLF. Retire. Enjoy life.

 

[Lil Norkii the Supreme]

What do you think about attending Civ pros program using NAVY Financial Assistance Program (FAP)? 40k grant & 2400 monthly stipend.

Tuition is 17,500K per year.
School give a stipend of 7K 1st year, 12K 2 & 3rd year.

I can also still use PSLF while in residency to start paying off my loans. ( payments should be less?)

After residency, I will get back on active duty as a specialist & possible avoid some crappy tour( i.e like being stationed great lakes doing exam etc). I am not sure, just asking? I am also not sure where Navy Prosthodontist would most likely be stationed.

Navy doesnt need any prosthodontist youre not coming back ad even if you grabbed your ankle without lubes

 

[schmoob]

Navy doesnt need any prosthodontist youre not coming back ad even if you grabbed your ankle without lubes

Please show some professionalism. I’ve let a number of posts slide. If you can’t provide legitimate feedback without graphic commentary then you will not be a part of this discussion anymore. Thank you.

 

[Lil Norkii the Supreme]

Please show some professionalism. I’ve let a number of posts slide. If you can’t provide legitimate feedback without graphic commentary then you will not be a part of this discussion anymore. Thank you.

Minus the graphic commentary are you suggesting that my feedbacks are not legitimate? Please do tell what "legitimate" feedback looks like should i just sugar coat everything and make it sound like military dentistry is some utopian world where everything is rainbows and unicorns? I can fill this page with names of ppl, implemented rules, and daily worksheets that would prove everything wrong with military healthcare system both from providers perspective and patients perspective if you only want someone who would lie about things on here to sell patriotism so future doctors can be abused and exploited go ahead delete my comments abuse your power its very fitting of a career admin officer or someone whos still drunk on the koolaid

 

[gsxra4b6]

I would just do an in-service residency if they are offering. Start your AD time and finish it. Get a retention bonus your last four years and use PSLF. Retire. Enjoy life.

Thanks for your advice.

 

[Big Time Hoosier]

I know retention bonuses have been on the chopping block for just about everyone aside from OMFS, as they try to thin out the numbers of dentists. They may not be a thing for you. If you go in, don’t expect a retention bonus when the time comes, just be pleasantly surprised if it happens.

I don’t know if it’s been brought up in this thread, and I don’t want to go back and reread it, but you could consider being a civilian prosthodontist with the Army Reserves as a side hustle. Could give you the best of both worlds.

Big Hoss

 

[schmoob]

Minus the graphic commentary are you suggesting that my feedbacks are not legitimate? Please do tell what "legitimate" feedback looks like should i just sugar coat everything and make it sound like military dentistry is some utopian world where everything is rainbows and unicorns? I can fill this page with names of ppl, implemented rules, and daily worksheets that would prove everything wrong with military healthcare system both from providers perspective and patients perspective if you only want someone who would lie about things on here to sell patriotism so future doctors can be abused and exploited go ahead delete my comments abuse your power its very fitting of a career admin officer or someone whos still drunk on the koolaid

1. There is nothing wrong with your advice. That’s exactly what it is, advice. I don’t care that you disagree with me, I encourage it in fact. This gives the OP two sides to weigh their options.

2. If you have a bone to pick with the military, this is not the appropriate place to do it.

3. The issue is not your opinions, but your commentary. It is completely unprofessional. It’s graphic, childish, and explicit. It has no place on this thread or any other.

4. I am not, nor ever have been a career admin officer. Always operational. The many awatds on my chest would show that. No, not some end of tour ribbon, but actual awards.

5. I encourage the use of punctuation in your posts; makes them easier to read.

6. Kool-Aid does not contain alcohol.

7. If you truly believe I am abusing my power then I encourage you to report me. If it is found that I am abusing my power then appropriate and potentially punitive measures will be taken against me. But keep in mind, your posts will be evaluated as well and some of my fellow staff members are less forgiving than I am. Especially the military ones.

8. Now let’s all get back on topic and continue to provide our opinions to OP as to what choice we would make and why.

 

[gsxra4b6]

Update: I decided on direct accession. I joined in the fall of 2022 and, after DDC and BOLC, I made it to my first assignment in the spring of 2023. I applied to PROS and was selected. I’m starting PROS this summer. Interestingly, @ShortShortsDad , your comment stating that you find the Army insufferable and hate the incompetence/inefficiency is so accurate. It’s a mirror reflection of my entire experience in the Army thus far.

 

[Big Time Hoosier]

Interestingly, @ShortShortsDad , your comment stating that you find the Army insufferable and hate the incompetence/inefficiency is so accurate. It’s a mirror reflection of my entire experience in the Army thus far.

Big Hoss

 

[ShortShortsDad]

Update: I decided on direct accession. I joined in the fall of 2022 and, after DDC and BOLC, I made it to my first assignment in the spring of 2023. I applied to PROS and was selected. I’m starting PROS this summer. Interestingly, @ShortShortsDad , your comment stating that you find the Army insufferable and hate the incompetence/inefficiency is so accurate. It’s a mirror reflection of my entire experience in the Army thus far.

I remember a dozen or so years ago watching a pros resident get a FMR back from the lab and the pros mentor didn’t like the shade and made the resident strip the porcelain off back to the copings and restack it himself… hopefully things have improved since then. But in your limited experience so far do you thing the good pros have stayed in or got out?

The army pros I see now are great and have super strong core fundamentals but any new tech like exocad, stackable guides, fixed hybrids, even basic single implant restorations they have had to learn on their own (not that they weren’t taught, but what they were taught was super antiquated).

Have fun in the lab, I wish you the best, but when things suck you can’t say you weren’t warned

 

[distressstudent]

Update: I decided on direct accession. I joined in the fall of 2022 and, after DDC and BOLC, I made it to my first assignment in the spring of 2023. I applied to PROS and was selected. I’m starting PROS this summer. Interestingly, @ShortShortsDad , your comment stating that you find the Army insufferable and hate the incompetence/inefficiency is so accurate. It’s a mirror reflection of my entire experience in the Army thus far.

This is interesting lol

It's the same in my branch. I am considering specializing just to be able to do what GP can be doing outside, because otherwise the inefficiency just isn't giving me the luxury to practice how I want.

 

[brooktgold]

Update: I decided on direct accession. I joined in the fall of 2022 and, after DDC and BOLC, I made it to my first assignment in the spring of 2023. I applied to PROS and was selected. I’m starting PROS this summer. Interestingly, @ShortShortsDad , your comment stating that you find the Army insufferable and hate the incompetence/inefficiency is so accurate. It’s a mirror reflection of my entire experience in the Army thus far.

Hi, I’m an Army HPSP student who just applied for pros residency. Any interview tips?

You just started this summer but how are you liking it so far? How does the program compare to civilian? I’ve not been able to find much on it honestly.

 

[gsxra4b6]

Sorry, haven't had time to check on this. @

brooktgold​

Did you get your questions answered?

 

[schmoob]

Update: I decided on direct accession. I joined in the fall of 2022 and, after DDC and BOLC, I made it to my first assignment in the spring of 2023. I applied to PROS and was selected. I’m starting PROS this summer. Interestingly, @ShortShortsDad , your comment stating that you find the Army insufferable and hate the incompetence/inefficiency is so accurate. It’s a mirror reflection of my entire experience in the Army thus far.

Question: How did you get your pros residency right after direct accession? And how is the residency? Is it a “classical” pros residency or is it surgically heavy with implant placement/AoX? Thanks!

 

[gsxra4b6]

Question: How did you get your pros residency right after direct accession? And how is the residency? Is it a “classical” pros residency or is it surgically heavy with implant placement/AoX? Thanks!

You are not allowed to go directly into a prosthodontics residency through direct accession that’s what I was told. HPSP recipients are allowed to, but not those entering via direct accession.

If you want to go directly into a prosthodontics residency, I would recommend trying the Air Force. I know someone in the Air Force who left private practice, joined, and went directly into residency.

In my case, I had to join the Army, complete direct accession training in Oklahoma, followed by basic officer training in San Antonio, Texas (approximately six months total), then report to my first duty station before applying for a prosthodontics residency.

Important considerations:

• If you plan to apply as soon as you arrive at your duty station, it may be difficult to get a strong officer evaluation or a letter of recommendation from your Commander (which is required).
• To improve your chances of selection, you’ll likely need some time at your duty station to take on additional duties and build a strong application.
• Even after being selected, you won’t start your residency until two years later, unless someone drops out, in which case you may be able to class up and begin earlier.

My approach to strengthening my application:

1. I informed two of my dental school faculty members that I was applying to a prosthodontics residency the following year and will be requesting letters of recommendation.
2. Once I arrived at my duty station, I informed my commander of my intention to apply that year. He told me he wouldn’t be able to provide a strong letter of recommendation since I had just arrived, which I understood.
3. To set myself apart from other applicants, I asked to attend Air Assault training, completed it, and took on additional responsibilities.
4. When the application cycle opened, I requested letters from my dental school faculty, which was allowed since I had only six months of service at the time of my application.
5. I then submitted my letter of intent (personal statement) and NBDE scores.

I was also accepted to the University of Florida’s prosthodontics program, so I talked about why I chose the military instead. That may have strengthened my application as well.

Fortunately, someone dropped out, and I was able to class up early. You are not restricted to your branch's prosthodontics program. If space is available or if someone drops out, you may be able to attend another branch's program such as the Air Force or Navy’s program at Walter Reed, MD, instead of Fort Gordon for the Army Prosthodontics Program. Sorry I don’t know much about the Army program.

 

[schmoob]

You are not allowed to go directly into a prosthodontics residency through direct accession that’s what I was told. HPSP recipients are allowed to, but not those entering via direct accession.

If you want to go directly into a prosthodontics residency, I would recommend trying the Air Force. I know someone in the Air Force who left private practice, joined, and went directly into residency.

In my case, I had to join the Army, complete direct accession training in Oklahoma, followed by basic officer training in San Antonio, Texas (approximately six months total), then report to my first duty station before applying for a prosthodontics residency.

Important considerations:

• If you plan to apply as soon as you arrive at your duty station, it may be difficult to get a strong officer evaluation or a letter of recommendation from your Commander (which is required).
• To improve your chances of selection, you’ll likely need some time at your duty station to take on additional duties and build a strong application.
• Even after being selected, you won’t start your residency until two years later, unless someone drops out, in which case you may be able to class up and begin earlier.

My approach to strengthening my application:

1. I informed two of my dental school faculty members that I was applying to a prosthodontics residency the following year and will be requesting letters of recommendation.
2. Once I arrived at my duty station, I informed my commander of my intention to apply that year. He told me he wouldn’t be able to provide a strong letter of recommendation since I had just arrived, which I understood.
3. To set myself apart from other applicants, I asked to attend Air Assault training, completed it, and took on additional responsibilities.
4. When the application cycle opened, I requested letters from my dental school faculty, which was allowed since I had only six months of service at the time of my application.
5. I then submitted my letter of intent (personal statement) and NBDE scores.

I was also accepted to the University of Florida’s prosthodontics program, so I talked about why I chose the military instead. That may have strengthened my application as well.

Fortunately, someone dropped out, and I was able to class up early. You are not restricted to your branch's prosthodontics program. If space is available or if someone drops out, you may be able to attend another branch's program such as the Air Force or Navy’s program at Walter Reed, MD, instead of Fort Gordon for the Army Prosthodontics Program. Sorry I don’t know much about the Army program.

Thanks! Thats a lot of great information. I’m 10 years enlisted but have been out for 9 years. It may be tough to get any letters. But I didn’t realize I could apply to all branches. I’m looking at the Army though I’m partial to the Navy, nostalgia and all.
Air Force wouldn’t be too bad. San Antonio was my last duty station and their postgrad dental facilities are incredible

 

[Big Time Hoosier]

Air Force wouldn’t be too bad.

Big Hoss

 

[schmoob]

View attachment 400449

Big Hoss

One of the scariest moments in my life was flying in an Air Force C-130 in Afghanistan. The turbulence wasn’t an up and down motion like a commercial plane, but a weird side to side drifting motion and the wings were floppy. It was December and there is no heat so I was jackhammering. No bathroom, just a bowl shaped urinal behind the cockpit. Then we flew over a high profile area (at night) and dropped a ton of leaflets, shot a flare and did a vertical nosedive for a few hundred feet and leveled off to avoid any RPGs. My butt lifted off the seat and if I wasn’t buckled in my head would’ve hit the top of the fuselage. I spent the next 3 hours white knuckling the cargo net behind me because, of course, my FOB was the last stop.

So yeah, Air Force.

 

[Big Time Hoosier]

There was a guy a class or two above me in dental school who was accepted to the prosth residency at our school. He was getting sponsored by the Air Force to do the program and he wasn’t on the HPSP or prior service. Not sure what program he had applied to to make this happen.

Big Hoss

 

[schmoob]

There was a guy a class or two above me in dental school who was accepted to the prosth residency at our school. He was getting sponsored by the Air Force to do the program and he wasn’t on the HPSP or prior service. Not sure what program he had applied to to make this happen.

Big Hoss

Probably FTOS

 

[Big Time Hoosier]

Probably FTOS

Isn’t that limited to those already in? I think he applied to the AF the same time he was applying to residency. Maybe the specialty was critically undermanned at the time.

Big Hoss