How difficult is to get a 72D Direct Commission?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 14 Mar 2019 00:10:53 -0400

I’ll like some guidance on the process and all the complications to do it. I been looking forward to do this and I want to do a most as I can to get this. Please, any advice will be awesome! I’m got the heart on this! I do have a BS and I been in the system for 6 years.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Mar 14 at 2019 12:19 AM

LTC Jason Mackay — Thu, 14 Mar 2019 00:19:50 -0400

SSG Private RallyPoint Member you need to work with a medical recruiter, not the regular recruiter. They are the current experts

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Mar 14 at 2019 12:35 AM

LTC Jason Mackay — Thu, 14 Mar 2019 00:35:03 -0400

SSG Private RallyPoint Member check the message in RP. Got you an experienced 72D to guide you

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 14 at 2019 4:12 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 14 Mar 2019 16:12:59 -0400

There are a number of factors, that when combined, will make you competitive for the 72D selection board. I was recently selected during the October 2018 board. You'll need to compile your package via an Army Medical Services recruiter nearest to you (not the guys in the mall). To offer some competition background: they get about 150-200 applicants, per year, for around 10-15 available slots. The vast majority of applicants are people fresh out of college, with a qualifying degree, but no experience. To be very competitive, you'll want some combination of the factors/experience below:

Academics: Having a BS/BA (or higher) in an environmental discipline is the cornerstone to being competitive. Personally, I earned a BS in Environmental Health through Missouri Southern State University (mostly distance learning). A key thing to note (this comes directly from the 72D Consultant): 45 semester hours must be a combination of science and math courses (any combination). Course titles like geology, botany, biology, epidemiology, environmental science, etc., all count towards adding up to 45. GPA is factored in by the board: having a 3.5 or higher would set you apart.
Certification/Licenses: Personally, I had already earned a state-level license as a Registered Environmental Health Specialist, and had the Dept. of Defense Pest Management Applicators License (ties into disease vector control). Any kind of public health, environmental, or related professional certification increases your competitiveness.
Letters of Recommendation: You must have at least 3, but you can have up to 5. At least 3 of my letters were from Lt. Col’s or higher, and 2 were from my academic program. Definitely aim for 5 letters from people that matter.
Military Experience or Civilian: In general, being prior service is a huge plus. Likewise, having completed service schools (NCO Academy, etc), are a plus. If you already work in military health, that will give you a slight edge, especially if your MOS is related to 68S or another preventive medicine or veterinary corps MOS. These Army MOS's are competitive: Medic, Water Treatment Specialist, CBRN Specialist, Preventive Medicine Specialist, and the various veterinary corps specializations. Civilian experience in public health, environmental health, wastewater, food safety, vector control, etc, are also desirable. Regarding the military experience, having ANY military experience, even if unrelated to preventive medicine/public health, is certainly liked by the selection board.
Volunteer Experience: For 4 years, I volunteered as a merit badge instructor for the Boy Scouts, teaching the Environmental Science Badge, and the Public Health Badge. Doing this in your free time really communicates to the selection board that you embody the 72D MOS.
To conclude, all of these factors combined is what got me selected, and definitely made competing much easier. Good luck.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2019 3:16 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 16 Mar 2019 15:16:15 -0400

The way I did it was, I had a BS in Biology, Masters in Biology, 10 years plus of Experience as a scientist and educator, had a letter of recommendation from a Navy Captain O6, and a few certificates under my belt. I was 35 when I joined. I got a Direct Commission no problem.
What they look for, BS in Environmental Science, Industrial Hygiene, Chemistry, Physics or Biology. If you have a BS in any of the above and also a Masters in any of the above and your MOS is a 68S, you are 85% with your foot in the door. All you need is a Medical Recruiter, a packet, a letter of recommendation and not have any articles of misconducts in your record. Then it is all up to the board.

If you are a 68S, 68W, 68T, and have a Bachelor your chances are good. If you are any other non-medical MOS have a BS but your BS is not in the sciences you must talk to a recruiter because I have no idea how you can do it as a direct commission. You can do it applying as green to gold, or applying to OCS, but again it is all about talking to a recruiter. Best of luck... I am here if you have questions

Response by LTC Charles T Dalbec made Jul 23 at 2019 10:56 AM

LTC Charles T Dalbec — Tue, 23 Jul 2019 10:56:08 -0400

Hooah and good luck Lizmari

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 4 at 2019 6:52 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 04 Nov 2019 18:52:03 -0500

Hello and thank you in advance. I am prior service AF medical tech (Separated in 2017). I earned a BS in Environmental Sciences and currently working on a MS in Energy Policy. I would like to submit my application packet for the Army AD 72D. I am 36 y/o and I read the cut-off age is 35. Any suggestions
and advice will be appreciated.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 3 at 2022 7:40 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 03 Feb 2022 19:40:59 -0500

I have a BS in Biology, GPA 3.45, active duty E6, MOS 68M ( Nutrition Care Specialist), 33 years old, what are the chances of me getting into 72D. Any advice will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.