SHould I take Army HPSP?

[Polo Gal]

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I am not sure what to do right now. I have received the Army HPSP 4-year scholarship. After reading all the different threads, I am starting to feel doubtful about accepting the scholarship. Another choice I have is to apply for the Air Force 3-year HPSP next year. I think the main thing I am not sure of is the possibility of being deployed for 12-15 months, especially if I have a family. Any advice??? (I am interested in doing OMFS or Comprehensive).

1) SHould I accept the Army scholarship (and risk higher deployment rates and longer time as well) or wait to apply for AF 3-year next year (and hope that I get the scholarship)?

2) If I accept this scholarship, is there a possibility of me changing from the Army into the Air Force? How and when would I be able to go about doing this?

3) As far as OMFS goes, does anyone know when you start the OMFS residency in AF (how longer after graduation)? I know in the Army, you serve 1 year active duty as GD then start residency a year later (ie. graduate May/June 2010, start OMFS August/Sept 2011).

4) also, does anyone know how many dentists are deployed from the Army each year?

5) Main differences between being a dentist in the Army and AF?

6) Does anyone know if it is too late to apply for Navy HPSP?

 

[63B2B]

I am not sure what to do right now. I have received the Army HPSP 4-year scholarship. After reading all the different threads, I am starting to feel doubtful about accepting the scholarship. Another choice I have is to apply for the Air Force 3-year HPSP next year. I think the main thing I am not sure of is the possibility of being deployed for 12-15 months, especially if I have a family. Any advice??? (I am interested in doing OMFS or Comprehensive).

1) SHould I accept the Army scholarship (and risk higher deployment rates and longer time as well) or wait to apply for AF 3-year next year (and hope that I get the scholarship)?

2) If I accept this scholarship, is there a possibility of me changing from the Army into the Air Force? How and when would I be able to go about doing this?

3) As far as OMFS goes, does anyone know when you start the OMFS residency in AF (how longer after graduation)? I know in the Army, you serve 1 year active duty as GD then start residency a year later (ie. graduate May/June 2010, start OMFS August/Sept 2011).

4) also, does anyone know how many dentists are deployed from the Army each year?

5) Main differences between being a dentist in the Army and AF?

6) Does anyone know if it is too late to apply for Navy HPSP?

If you are remotely worried about getting deployed overseas in time of war, if you are remotely worried about getting your hands wet doing other things outside of dentistry, then maybe Army isn't for you.

If you like dunking donuts in a coffee mug and like sitting around looking pretty then the air force may be a better choice IMHO.

 

[menardst]

I have served in both the Army (Active and National Guard) and now the Air Force. I can tell you that service in the Air Force is better when compared to the Army... except if you are looking for more of the ground combat experience. The Air Force is more oriented to Family and serving their people. Also, the mission of the AF is different than the Army. You are not as close to the battle (for the most part) when you are in the AF. Army is a different story. As far as dentists go... well, there's really no need to have one in the battle field or near enemy lines... unless you are an oromaxillary surgeon.. then that may be a different story. Otherwise, I think AF is best.

 

[del Sol DOHC]

First of all, you will deploy in any branch, so be comfortable with that. As far as I was told, the majority of Army deployments are 6 months, with some having to go for 12 months depending on the unit. Air Force deployments are 6 months now, up from 4... who knows, it may go longer... It would be a shame to throw away a gauranteed 4 year schlarship, get into the Air Force, and then find out in 4 years they are doing 12 month deployments too. Or even worse, throw away a guaranteed 4 year scholarship, and then not be selected for a 3 year with the Air Force at all. If you are really interested in OMFS, you should probably stick with the Army, since they are the largest service and have more training opportunities. By the way, Navy HPSP is full, so the best they could offer is a 3 year as well. Navy has 6 month deployments too. Good luck.

 

[Polo Gal]

Sounds good. Thanks for the help!

 

[krmower]

I am not sure what to do right now. I have received the Army HPSP 4-year scholarship. After reading all the different threads, I am starting to feel doubtful about accepting the scholarship. Another choice I have is to apply for the Air Force 3-year HPSP next year. I think the main thing I am not sure of is the possibility of being deployed for 12-15 months, especially if I have a family. Any advice??? (I am interested in doing OMFS or Comprehensive).

1) SHould I accept the Army scholarship (and risk higher deployment rates and longer time as well) or wait to apply for AF 3-year next year (and hope that I get the scholarship)?

Depends on how likely you think you are to get an AF 3yr next yr. If last year is an indicator for this year, most of those who were an the alternate list for the 4yr scholarship were offered the 3yr scholarship in the Army - so those went very quickly this year. You may not have as good of a chance of getting the Army 3 yr as you do the Army 4 yr.

2) If I accept this scholarship, is there a possibility of me changing from the Army into the Air Force? How and when would I be able to go about doing this?

No. Once you sign the contract you have made an obligation. On occassion if you found someone else in the service you wanted to trade with - both services could make an exchange, but this is rare. Also, you would have to pay the Army back the $20k sign on bonus. If you sign with any service - realize you will be with them until the completion of your obligation.
3) As far as OMFS goes, does anyone know when you start the OMFS residency in AF (how longer after graduation)? I know in the Army, you serve 1 year active duty as GD then start residency a year later (ie. graduate May/June 2010, start OMFS August/Sept 2011).

I defer to AF to answer.
4) also, does anyone know how many dentists are deployed from the Army each year?

That information is not released publicly. Just realize that with the draw down in Iraq, less dentists will be there. If the conflict in Afghanistan increases - they may shift there. You need to think about what the world situation will be when you graduate - not necessarily at this moment.

If you do not want to deploy - do not join any service. Current deployments are about 25% of Army dentists. Of those 90% of them deploy for 6 months.

5) Main differences between being a dentist in the Army and AF?

Locations, opportunities in the future for promotion, and opportunities for specialty training.

6) Does anyone know if it is too late to apply for Navy HPSP?
Defer to the Navy.

Good luck. If you are unsure - do what it takes to feel good about your decision. There is nothing worse than making a life-changing choice that you feel uncomfortable with.

 

[AFDDS]

I am not sure what to do right now. I have received the Army HPSP 4-year scholarship. After reading all the different threads, I am starting to feel doubtful about accepting the scholarship. Another choice I have is to apply for the Air Force 3-year HPSP next year. I think the main thing I am not sure of is the possibility of being deployed for 12-15 months, especially if I have a family. Any advice??? (I am interested in doing OMFS or Comprehensive).

1) SHould I accept the Army scholarship (and risk higher deployment rates and longer time as well) or wait to apply for AF 3-year next year (and hope that I get the scholarship)?Tough question to answer. This one really depends on you. You are the only one that can decide the importance of this. It's not a guarantee that you will get an AF 3-year HPSP.

2) If I accept this scholarship, is there a possibility of me changing from the Army into the Air Force? How and when would I be able to go about doing this?No is the simple answer.

3) As far as OMFS goes, does anyone know when you start the OMFS residency in AF (how longer after graduation)? I know in the Army, you serve 1 year active duty as GD then start residency a year later (ie. graduate May/June 2010, start OMFS August/Sept 2011). Depends. Some start right out of school. You have to interview with the OMS consultant to do this. If not, you will serve at least a year before starting.

4) also, does anyone know how many dentists are deployed from the Army each year? I'll leave this one to Army

5) Main differences between being a dentist in the Army and AF? Again, most answers you get here will be subjective. However, the AF does not have TOE slots or brigade dentists.

6) Does anyone know if it is too late to apply for Navy HPSP?

No matter which service you go with, the HPSP is a hard deal to beat. I think the main part of your question is #1. I'd recommend you make a pros and cons list for Army and AF and see which ones mean the most to you.

 

[Hawk2thDoc]

In the Army, most specialists deploy for 6 months, and most general dentists deploy for 6 months. The most likely people to deploy for 12 months are the 1 year AEGD grads that are assigned to a brigade, in which case they deploy for the whole time their brigade is deployed. So that could factor into whether you decide to do the 1 year AEGD. If you don't do the AEGD it is unlikely you will be assigned to a brigade or be deployed for longer than 6 months.

 

[drsomeday1]

In the Army, most specialists deploy for 6 months, and most general dentists deploy for 6 months. The most likely people to deploy for 12 months are the 1 year AEGD grads that are assigned to a brigade, in which case they deploy for the whole time their brigade is deployed. So that could factor into whether you decide to do the 1 year AEGD. If you don't do the AEGD it is unlikely you will be assigned to a brigade or be deployed for longer than 6 months.

At the same time, 6 extra months of deployment for all the AEGD training is not a bad deal. It's one of the main reasons I'm doing HPSP. From the more senior HPSPers I've talked to, one of the major regrets I've heard is that some didn't do the AEGD. Awesome experience. Lots of continuing education you'd have to pay for later. I can say the one consistent thing I've heard from over 10 people in the three branches is, "Knowing what I know now, if I had to do it again, I would."

 

[Tiankum]

I agree... the whole reason I want the HPSP is so that I get back into military life (I was an army brat growing up) and have a chance to deploy and serve my country...on top of it all...your dental education would be free as well!

 

[korndoctor]

Can both Army and AF elaborate on differences in both branches in terms of specialty training opportunities....ie how much harder is it to specialize in orthodontics or oral surgery in AF compared to army? Any stats would be appreciated.

What's the time frame to being promoted in army compared to af and navy?

 

[krmower]

Can both Army and AF elaborate on differences in both branches in terms of specialty training opportunities....ie how much harder is it to specialize in orthodontics or oral surgery in AF compared to army? Any stats would be appreciated.

What's the time frame to being promoted in army compared to af and navy?

It's been reviewed and discussed on the forums if you do a search.