Should I sign up for the Air Force?

[MilDoc23]

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Hey everyone!
I have been thinking quite a bit about joining the Air Force for dentistry, but I can't make up my mind. (My uncle is a general in the AF, and he said he could get me in contact with the right people to talk to.) I have always had a desire to serve, and I think it would be great to provide oral healthcare to those who defend our country. The fact that most of your dental school expenses are covered is attractive as well. Ultimately, I need to do more research before I make up my mind. For those of you who decided to take this route (or join the Navy or Army), could you tell me more about the process? Is it a competitive for those trying to receive a 4yr full scholarship? What are the advantages and disadvantages of joining the armed forces as a dentist? Additionally, I am considering specializing in ortho. Is it any more difficult or easier to specialize as an orthodontist in the AF? Would I go to four yrs of dental school, three yrs of ortho program w/in the AF, and then serve for seven years? How does this work?

I apologize for the length of this post, but I really need some advice. Thanks a bunch.

 

[jmick101]

I hate to be short, but this question has been asked and answered in numerous ways already. The ask an army dentist/ ask a navy dentist thread is pretty good.

By the way, with a General in your corner, all things are possible military wise.

 

[baddog]

I hate to be a downer but first, get into dental school before you worry about whether you will specialize or not. Second, get the grades to even apply for speciality training, civilian or military. Ortho is very competative, and you're a looooooong way off from that decesion, but then, it is nice to have goals. Regarding Ortho training in the AF--very competative, and few get acepted. Not many are used in the AF anymore as we did when there were many overseas bases with loads of dependent kids to be treated. Now, that is a thing of the past. Regarding the AF over other services--the AF is not as "military" as the other branches, that may be either a good or bad thing depending on what you want to get out of a military career. If you want to sleep in the mud and run two miles with an M-16, join the Army, or go away from your family for 6 months at a time on a cruise with a bunch of other guys, the Navy, or stay three weeks in a hotel with bad AC and no cable, then join the AF. They don't rough it, so it's up to you as to what you want. Regarding your uncle who is a General, if you join the AF, DO NOT tell your fellow dentist about this little tid bit or you will be universally hated by your peers--trust me on this one. Just make it your "little secret". Good luck👍

 

[MilDoc23]

I hate to be a downer but first, get into dental school before you worry about whether you will specialize or not. Second, get the grades to even apply for speciality training, civilian or military. Ortho is very competative, and you're a looooooong way off from that decesion, but then, it is nice to have goals. Regarding Ortho training in the AF--very competative, and few get acepted. Not many are used in the AF anymore as we did when there were many overseas bases with loads of dependent kids to be treated. Now, that is a thing of the past. Regarding the AF over other services--the AF is not as "military" as the other branches, that may be either a good or bad thing depending on what you want to get out of a military career. If you want to sleep in the mud and run two miles with an M-16, join the Army, or go away from your family for 6 months at a time on a cruise with a bunch of other guys, the Navy, or stay three weeks in a hotel with bad AC and no cable, then join the AF. They don't rough it, so it's up to you as to what you want. Regarding your uncle who is a General, if you join the AF, DO NOT tell your fellow dentist about this little tid bit or you will be universally hated by your peers--trust me on this one. Just make it your "little secret". Good luck👍

Thanks for both of your responses. I am going to Penn dental next year so I guess I have to decide somewhat soon whether I want to go the military route or not. Does anyone have any other advice/suggestions?

 

[Smills91]

Thanks for both of your responses. I am going to Penn dental next year so I guess I have to decide somewhat soon whether I want to go the military route or not. Does anyone have any other advice/suggestions?

The HPSP 4 year scholarships are all filled up. I am one who is on the 'alternate list' and should find out here in the next month or so if it works out for me or not. So if you want to do AF THIS year, you're only option is a 3 year HPSP scholarship, which technically starts your sophomore year and you get stuck with a year of dental school debt(but you also have one less year of payback. Otherwise if you haven't applied already you're out of luck on the 4 year HPSP.