ROTC and ODS

[lizzers729]

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I'm on a Navy ROTC scholarship, but I've also accepted for the HPSP scholarship. Because I've done 4 years of ROTC and am already eligible for a commission (without HPSP), I think it would be silly for me to go to ODS this summer, but my recruiter seems to think I have to. I already know how to march, wear a uniform, have been on a ship, taken leadership and ethics, done damage control, etc...

Did anyone else do ROTC and then HPSP? If so, did you have to attend ODS?

 

[NavyFP]

I'm on a Navy ROTC scholarship, but I've also accepted for the HPSP scholarship. Because I've done 4 years of ROTC and am already eligible for a commission (without HPSP), I think it would be silly for me to go to ODS this summer, but my recruiter seems to think I have to. I already know how to march, wear a uniform, have been on a ship, taken leadership and ethics, done damage control, etc...

Did anyone else do ROTC and then HPSP? If so, did you have to attend ODS?

ROTC = no ODS. Enjoy the summer off.

 

[TheGoose]

^^ same for usuhs

 

[SirGecko]

I'm on a Navy ROTC scholarship, but I've also accepted for the HPSP scholarship. Because I've done 4 years of ROTC and am already eligible for a commission (without HPSP), I think it would be silly for me to go to ODS this summer, but my recruiter seems to think I have to. I already know how to march, wear a uniform, have been on a ship, taken leadership and ethics, done damage control, etc...

Did anyone else do ROTC and then HPSP? If so, did you have to attend ODS?

Did your recruiter make you fill out that application for a commission document as well? (mine wants the form though it really has a lot of spots where I just don't fit because I'm already getting commissioned!🙄 ) I think the recruiters really have no clue what to do with the ROTC people.

(also, cool seeing another NROTC person on here)

HPSP in general seems to be a little zonky. I sent them the exact same physical that I sent up the pipeline for commissioning. NROTC comes back all clear for commissioning but HPSP needs a note for a minor temporary condition that I happend to have when I got the physical.

 

[lizzers729]

ROTC = no ODS. Enjoy the summer off.

So how do I go about respectfully informing a LT CDR of that?

And SirGecko, yes, I had to fill out the application for commissioning. And yeah, I feel the frustration with the medical thing. I had my commissioning physical, and it came back as qualified for commission. And the HPSP made me do about 100 other tests (okay, so maybe only 4 but still). There is definitely a disconnect between HPSP and ROTC... the people involved in one no nothing about the other. It's frustrating, but I guess that's the military for ya.

 

[NavyFP]

So how do I go about respectfully informing a LT CDR of that?

And SirGecko, yes, I had to fill out the application for commissioning. And yeah, I feel the frustration with the medical thing. I had my commissioning physical, and it came back as qualified for commission. And the HPSP made me do about 100 other tests (okay, so maybe only 4 but still). There is definitely a disconnect between HPSP and ROTC... the people involved in one no nothing about the other. It's frustrating, but I guess that's the military for ya.

One of two things,

Ask him to check with the HPSP office.

or

Nod your head go along with the idea but prior to going to ODS, make sure the HPSP office knows you are ROTC and they will take you off the list. You never have to tell your recruiter you did not go.

I recommend the first, since he/she will never try to do that again.

 

[tobeatrev]

So how do I go about respectfully informing a LT CDR of that?

Is your recruiter in the Hampton Roads area (Norfolk)? I'm a SWO (pre-med as well) and a couple of my buddies are officer recruiters. They're easy to talk to and may be able to back fill some references that you need. Funny thing about the Navy if you don't have (or can't find) the reference you might experience some pain in whatever the process may be no matter who is directing you.

 

[lizzers729]

Is your recruiter in the Hampton Roads area (Norfolk)? I'm a SWO (pre-med as well) and a couple of my buddies are officer recruiters. They're easy to talk to and may be able to back fill some references that you need. Funny thing about the Navy if you don't have (or can't find) the reference you might experience some pain in whatever the process may be no matter who is directing you.

No, I'm in the Raleigh, NC recruiting district. At this point, I don't really have any solid information about HPSP other than the selection letter, so any further documents/information would be amazing.

 

[Founder]

Check the HPSP website for CDR McLean. I think he can email the right people to tell them no ODS for you. I was referred to him about the question.

My recruiter thought I still had to do ODS. I was ROTC as well. But then I was informed I didn't have to do ODS.

Good times.

 

[NavyFP]

Check the HPSP website for CDR McLean. I think he can email the right people to tell them no ODS for you. I was referred to him about the question.

My recruiter thought I still had to do ODS. I was ROTC as well. But then I was informed I didn't have to do ODS.

Good times.

Good plan.
Contact info for CDR McLean -

email david.mclean at med.navy.mil

301-295-1217

 

[nova100]

I'm also NROTC going to school next year on HPSP and am not clear on what my status is...

Am I actually in the medical corps after commissioning (should I get medical officer shoulder boards for the ceremony?) or am I medical corps once I graduate med school. HPSP students are inactive reservists for most of the year, with no Navy commitment except the summer, right?

Also, I know 3-45 day active duty periods are required - should I try to get stashed at a hospital somewhere to make some money this summer and knock one of these out since I seem to be on my own until school starts in the fall (Balboa would be nice to work 40 hours a week over the summer)? Who do I contact about this?

Can I get a move paid for by the Navy to take some stuff across the country to my new school like everyone going unrestricted line/active duty?

Anyone with insight would be great - my unit has no idea what to do with the two of us going to medical school...At least my recruiting chief knew I didn't need OIS and took care of the physical for me.

 

[Perrotfish]

Am I actually in the medical corps after commissioning (should I get medical officer shoulder boards for the ceremony?) or am I medical corps once I graduate med school.

You will be in the Medical Corps, USNR, as soon as you take the oath of office. Is you feel the need to wear a uniform during the ceremony feel free to get the shoulder boards

HPSP students are inactive reservists for most of the year, with no Navy commitment except the summer, right?

Correct

Also, I know 3-45 day active duty periods are required - should I try to get stashed at a hospital somewhere to make some money this summer and knock one of these out since I seem to be on my own until school starts in the fall (Balboa would be nice to work 40 hours a week over the summer)? Who do I contact about this?

If you have nothing else to do, this would be a good time, yes. That way you don't need to waste one set of orders on school orders when you're done with boards. Chances are you would need to find a research position or school to go to, though. Hospitals generally won't let you rotate through until 3rd year. If you're interested, contact the ODS staff NOW. These things take awhile.

Can I get a move paid for by the Navy to take some stuff across the country to my new school like everyone going unrestricted line/active duty?

No, though they will move you out when med school is done.

 

[colbgw02]

You will be in the Medical Corps, USNR, as soon as you take the oath of office. Is you feel the need to wear a uniform during the ceremony feel free to get the shoulder boards

Getting commissioned after a 4 year ROTC program is an appreciably bigger deal than taking the oath of office is for HPSP. He would not only look like an a** for not having A) a uniform and B) the correct uniform, he would also get his butt chewed for it. If the Navy assigns its medical students to the medical corps, then he absolutely has to get those shoulder boards/insignia.

 

[NavyFP]

I'm also NROTC going to school next year on HPSP and am not clear on what my status is...

1) Am I actually in the medical corps after commissioning (should I get medical officer shoulder boards for the ceremony?) or am I medical corps once I graduate med school. HPSP students are inactive reservists for most of the year, with no Navy commitment except the summer, right?

2) Also, I know 3-45 day active duty periods are required - should I try to get stashed at a hospital somewhere to make some money this summer and knock one of these out since I seem to be on my own until school starts in the fall (Balboa would be nice to work 40 hours a week over the summer)? Who do I contact about this?

3) Can I get a move paid for by the Navy to take some stuff across the country to my new school like everyone going unrestricted line/active duty?

Anyone with insight would be great - my unit has no idea what to do with the two of us going to medical school...At least my recruiting chief knew I didn't need OIS and took care of the physical for me.

1) Absolutely, you are Medical Corps. Army and AF would stick you in the Medical Service Corps, but we in the Navy are more enlightened. 😀 Yes, you should get boards and look like a proper Naval Officer.

2) No. Once you graduate, you are a member of the IRR. While you are entitled to four 45 day AT periods while on scholarship, your benefits don't actually start until school starts. So you are not entitled to an AT this summer. Students do attend ODS prior to school starting but this is a convenience issue.

3) No. Your friends are reporting to active duty on orders. That is why they are getting their move paid by the Navy. You are IRR and receive no such benefit.

Enjoy your summer. First year is tough. Get plenty of rest and relaxation. It goes away come August.

 

[notdeadyet]

Good plan.
Contact info for CDR McLean -

Unless you have it in for CDR McLean, you might edit your post to read "
david.mclean-at-med.navy.mil" or somesuch.

Web spiders target all URLs beginning with http://forum or http://forums and scan for anything surrounding an @ to sign up on hundreds of spam lists. The more sites your email address is posed on the web, the more spam you'll receive.

 

[NavyFP]

Unless you have it in for CDR McLean, you might edit your post to read "
david.mclean-at-med.navy.mil" or somesuch.

Web spiders target all URLs beginning with http://forum or http://forums and scan for anything surrounding an @ to sign up on hundreds of spam lists. The more sites your email address is posed on the web, the more spam you'll receive.

Thanks, I fixed it.
Don't want to be evil to him.

 

[lizzers729]

Thanks for all of this information; it has been very useful!

I have another question though...all I've gotten so far is my official selection letter, and this makes me really nervous. Can I not sign anything accepting/confirming the scholarship before commissioning?

 

[NavyFP]

Thanks for all of this information; it has been very useful!

I have another question though...all I've gotten so far is my official selection letter, and this makes me really nervous. Can I not sign anything accepting/confirming the scholarship before commissioning?

I suppose you could sign your contract, but you won't be fully in until you are commissioned.