Reserves or VA

[cwoodds]

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I am entering dentistry as a second career (hopefully..applying this year) and am interested in joining the reserves and/or working for the VA after dental school. Can anyone work for the VA or do you need to be military? Can you all give me a quick summary of what options are out there other than active duty? Or should I just go talk to a recruiter?

Also, in my previous life I dropped out of the Air Force Academy. Do you think this would have any affect on my ability to join the reserves?

Any input is appreciated.

 

[Kam1]

I am entering dentistry as a second career (hopefully..applying this year) and am interested in joining the reserves and/or working for the VA after dental school. Can anyone work for the VA or do you need to be military? Can you all give me a quick summary of what options are out there other than active duty? Or should I just go talk to a recruiter?

Also, in my previous life I dropped out of the Air Force Academy. Do you think this would have any affect on my ability to join the reserves?

Any input is appreciated.

I can help with one of your questions: Most VA dentist positions are open to the public, however, many require applicants to have completed a GPR. Good luck.

 

[vinnie83]

I don't know any thing about being a dentist in the reserves, but after my active duty time was up and before I started dental school I did a year and a half as a traditional reservist. In my former afsc you were required to join a specific unit, not just the reserves as a whole, and the units interviewed each individual. I don't think having dropped out of usafa will definitely hurt your chances, but it will not help you in any way. Be ready for a question about why you quit and have a good answer about how you learned from it or something along those lines.

Also, the financial contribution the reserves will make towards your education is really not very significant.

 

[cwoodds]

Also, the financial contribution the reserves will make towards your education is really not very significant.

How is a $250,000 loan payback not significant?

 

[vinnie83]

$250k is news to me. Can you provide any more details? I was contacted by a reserve recruiter when word got out that I was leaving my unit for HPSP and they mentioned something around $30k for school and I've heard similar things for other branches for those willing to go TR after school. Would this be for an AGR position as opposed to TR?

 

[cwoodds]

$250k is news to me. Can you provide any more details? I was contacted by a reserve recruiter when word got out that I was leaving my unit for HPSP and they mentioned something around $30k for school and I've heard similar things for other branches for those willing to go TR after school. Would this be for an AGR position as opposed to TR?

Sorry, Vinnie, I'm not up on all of the acronyms, have enough to worry about in my current line of work! I have seen offers from the Reserves and the Guard for 40K a year loan repayment for up to 6 years. However, I have been looking into these programs as someone who will be joining after graduation/licensing. I don't know how it works if you are going into school as a Reservist, which it sounds like you are doing.

 

[R1Guy]

Does anyone know what your obligations are as a dentist in the reserves/what you do/how much you work? For example, do you just work weekends, occasional weekends etc? The individual branch websites do not really specify what exactly you do as a dentist in the reserves.

Thanks!

 

[cwoodds]

R1guy, look around this forum, you will find all of the information you are looking for.

 

[krmower]

$250k is news to me. Can you provide any more details? I was contacted by a reserve recruiter when word got out that I was leaving my unit for HPSP and they mentioned something around $30k for school and I've heard similar things for other branches for those willing to go TR after school. Would this be for an AGR position as opposed to TR?

No special bonuses available as far as I am aware if you are a dental student - just regular reserve/guard bonuses. The $250k bonus is for a 6 yr commitment after you are a dentist.

 

[tbeaven]

Here is my 2 cents as I am a dentist with the VA and also in the Army Reserve.
The VA is a civilian job. The postings for these positions are through usajobs.gov. You will need a GPR to apply, and preference is given to dentists that have had GPR training within the VA system. I did my GPR with the VA I am currently employed at, a few years of private practice, and than offered to come back and work for them full time.

I joined the Reserves after working for the VA. The new current deal is taking either a 25K bonus or 40K loan reimbursement before taxes. You can take up to 250K in loan reimbursement. My contract is for 6yrs, but I've heard some negotiate for 4. In the Army the Dentist is at only like 40% occupancy rate as they would like. So, they need you. You will have 1wknd a month at a unit and an additional 2wks a year of Annual Training. You are eligable for deployment, and if deployed it will be no longer than 4 months. After that deployment you can not be redeployed for at least 18 months. I've been in 2yrs now and not deployed. I have had great experiences and met some great people.