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- Sep 25, 2012
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First I just had to say, I know this topic has been discussed extensively but I couldn't find specific answers to some questions I have so your help is very appreciated!
Some background, I'm a non traditional student, been out of college a couple years and am currently doing a DIY post bacc where I'm simply taking upper level undergrad science courses to raise my GPA. I've been an E-4 in the National Guard for 1 year now and started ROTC this Fall semester as an MS1.5. I live in a very expensive area of of the country, moving is not feasible and to put it simply, I'm really broke and money is a big factor. I get the MGIB and the MGIB Kicker along with drill pay. But ROTC gives you a 400 monthly stipend along with a GRFD scholarship that can pay up to $10,000 a year towards my rent, since my tuition is covered. Without the money from ROTC, I can not handle more than 4 credit hours a semester because I would need to work 50-60 hours a week to pay my rent, bills, car and food. I'm sure you can also imagine that it would take me a ridiculously long time to ever raise my GPA only taking 8 credits a year. It's unrealistic. With ROTC money, I can handle 12 credits and hold down a part time job. This route would allow me to apply to medical school in 3-4 years, without it, I can't apply for another 6-8.
So my question is, I've read about this educational delay and that if you don't go to medical school right after graduating ROTC, they can place you in a line officer position and you will be stuck there for 4 years. This completely confuses me:
1) I'm on a GRFD scholarship so I will only branch Army National Guard, the branch I currently serve in. I do NOT want to be active duty in the military-- which is why I do NOT want to do HPSP, USUHS or MDSSP or AMEDD or any of these other programs. I'd rather be 250k in debt than let the military tell me that I have to move my family across the country when I'm 40 years old. I'm more than happy to serve in the National Guard part time and serve my deployments every couple years without picking up my family.
2) Even if you did graduate ROTC and they placed you as a line officer, I have always been told by friends, family in the military and my COC that once you are accepted to medical school, your national guard unit will put you on flex-drilling status and you are considered non deployable until you finish. And I've been told flex-drilling status is regardless of whether you are in HPSP or MDSSP, that there is an army regulation that places healthcare professionals finishing school in this program (AR 350-1)
https://dmna.ny.gov/arng/ocs/Flex_Training.pdf
3) My contract upon graduating ROTC and branching guard is 8 years, so I don't understand what people are talking about on the forums that if you graduate ROTC and don't go straight to medical school that you have to serve in the army for 4 years before you can apply to medical school. Active duty I can understand, but having to serve the Guard 4 years.. what? Lol
Sorry for how lengthy this is, but I really couldn't find answers to these specific things on the forum.
Some background, I'm a non traditional student, been out of college a couple years and am currently doing a DIY post bacc where I'm simply taking upper level undergrad science courses to raise my GPA. I've been an E-4 in the National Guard for 1 year now and started ROTC this Fall semester as an MS1.5. I live in a very expensive area of of the country, moving is not feasible and to put it simply, I'm really broke and money is a big factor. I get the MGIB and the MGIB Kicker along with drill pay. But ROTC gives you a 400 monthly stipend along with a GRFD scholarship that can pay up to $10,000 a year towards my rent, since my tuition is covered. Without the money from ROTC, I can not handle more than 4 credit hours a semester because I would need to work 50-60 hours a week to pay my rent, bills, car and food. I'm sure you can also imagine that it would take me a ridiculously long time to ever raise my GPA only taking 8 credits a year. It's unrealistic. With ROTC money, I can handle 12 credits and hold down a part time job. This route would allow me to apply to medical school in 3-4 years, without it, I can't apply for another 6-8.
So my question is, I've read about this educational delay and that if you don't go to medical school right after graduating ROTC, they can place you in a line officer position and you will be stuck there for 4 years. This completely confuses me:
1) I'm on a GRFD scholarship so I will only branch Army National Guard, the branch I currently serve in. I do NOT want to be active duty in the military-- which is why I do NOT want to do HPSP, USUHS or MDSSP or AMEDD or any of these other programs. I'd rather be 250k in debt than let the military tell me that I have to move my family across the country when I'm 40 years old. I'm more than happy to serve in the National Guard part time and serve my deployments every couple years without picking up my family.
2) Even if you did graduate ROTC and they placed you as a line officer, I have always been told by friends, family in the military and my COC that once you are accepted to medical school, your national guard unit will put you on flex-drilling status and you are considered non deployable until you finish. And I've been told flex-drilling status is regardless of whether you are in HPSP or MDSSP, that there is an army regulation that places healthcare professionals finishing school in this program (AR 350-1)
https://dmna.ny.gov/arng/ocs/Flex_Training.pdf
3) My contract upon graduating ROTC and branching guard is 8 years, so I don't understand what people are talking about on the forums that if you graduate ROTC and don't go straight to medical school that you have to serve in the army for 4 years before you can apply to medical school. Active duty I can understand, but having to serve the Guard 4 years.. what? Lol
Sorry for how lengthy this is, but I really couldn't find answers to these specific things on the forum.
