What advice do you have for a prior-service Infantryman who wants to pursue an education and become an Officer in the medical field?

2019-05-17T20:25:37-04:00

I've recently been separated from the us army. I did 12 yrs as an infantryman. 32 yrs of age. I want to pursue an education and eventually become an officer in the medical field. Any advice? Good or bad will do. Thanks

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made May 17 at 2019 8:32 PM

2019-05-17T20:32:45-04:00

SGT Tim Fletcher if you are starting from square one of your education or have at least 2 years left I strongly recommend you pursue ROTC. OCS will get you there but you'll be on your own financially and you may be constrained on branch selection depending on what is available at the time. You are not guaranteed a branch regardless of route. You need to sit down with an ROTC Recruiter or ROTC Ops officer at the nearest school and find out what your age is waivable to. Age limits OCS and ROTC commissioning. Get the details under no obligation right from the source.

Some go Direct Commissioning for 70B for the USAR. CPT Private RallyPoint Member

ROTC branch process: https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/how-do-i-choose-an-army-branch-a-framework

You also have to consider which component you are commissioning to. With your years of service, I'd go AD, knock out a minimum 10 years AFCS and you are retirement eligible. Everything after is gravy. Because you were in before BRS, you can get the legacy retirement system.

How do I choose an Army Branch?: A Framework | RallyPoint

The purpose of this article is to address one of the biggest Rally Point questions among Army ROTC Cadets: I am a with a major in , which branch should I choose? One of my goals is to help you filter through what you will get back. After all, don’t we all turn to the nameless, faceless internet trolls to determine our future? The immediate challenge is that the people responding are well intentioned but generally don’t know you from Adam....

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 17 at 2019 8:35 PM

2019-05-17T20:35:49-04:00

I went the direct route (joined in the reserves and made SGT and then Green to Gold). My biggest advice is rely on your NCO knowledge but dont step into the NCO lane unless absolutely required. It sounds easy but as a PL I would find myself taking over NCO tasks because I was familiar.

Response by CPT Ray Gilmore made May 17 at 2019 8:45 PM

2019-05-17T20:45:01-04:00

Use your education benefits to knock out undergraduate.

Then apply to schools, and finish your secondary education, and certification.

Then go back to a recruiter about direct commission as an Officer in your field of practice.

Age waivers for medical are easy, and there are options for loan forgiveness, but those come and go, so be vigilant and in touch with the recruiters in your area.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made May 17 at 2019 9:09 PM

2019-05-17T21:09:04-04:00

http://www.usphs.gov

Look up Jr and Sr COSTEP under USPHS...elaborate on associates, bachelors, grades, GPA, which field(s) you'd want, I can suggest a good deal.for you, I'm doctoral.allied health, total perm.disabled,.we shut my life we sell yrs ago, honest, the more you relate, the more I can suggest...if you'd be willing to go psych related, USPHS has an interest agreement to let USPHS serve with triservice for 3 yr tours, I get what you want, honest, I wanted to go UzsPHS, I trained under an O-6 of theirs during an externship, it's depend on what level you want, what field, go into hobbies, reading g I terests, sports incl martial arts, so I can gauge your mind, ok? I have an interest in such career/educ stuff, I always ask for that so as to suggest things, esp.for those who want clinical, I trained at multiple VA hosps, also, I've been around enough I can suggest stuff, just give me enough to be able to fathom your mind more, as I'd said, no rush, whenever you want, ok?

www.usphs.gov

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made May 17 at 2019 9:10 PM

2019-05-17T21:10:24-04:00

http://www.ocsfoundation.org

Look.at this, you'll find it of interest...I've got lots more, I don't want to overwhelm, do a really detailed thorough biosketch, and ill.suggest all I can, ok?

OCS Foundation

SERVICES FOR: Candidates Alumni Officer Families

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 17 at 2019 9:19 PM

2019-05-17T21:19:43-04:00

Long term good decision and worthy the pay

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 17 at 2019 9:35 PM

2019-05-17T21:35:05-04:00

SGT Tim Fletcher - Direct commission through AMEDD is a great opportunity. Seeing that you tagged pharmacy I'm going to assume you're planning on pursuing that route?

Speak to an AMEDD Recruiter as soon as possible to get a working knowledge of all of the programs. They are specialized in all of the options available for the Army Medical Department and are a different type of recruiter. Off the top of my head, you'd want to look into the Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP) or even the Uniformed Services University for Health Sciences (USUHS). Below are links to medical recruiters and info on those programs.

https://recruiting.army.mil/mrb/
https://m.goarmy.com/amedd/education/hpsp.m.html
https://www.usuhs.edu/

Now if you're wanting to look at 70B- Healthcare administration, that's a great option in AMEDD that allows you to be an officer in any number of functional areas. It's not something you'd pursue if you have plans of becoming a provider, but I'm particularly fond of the AOC myself.

Medical Recruiting Brigade

The official website for the Army Recruiting Command (USAREC)

Response by LTC Eugene Chu made May 17 at 2019 10:06 PM

2019-05-17T22:06:45-04:00

Others have already mentioned direct commission. For medical career and your situation, it is probably the way to go. OCS and ROTC may both be difficult because of age limit.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 17 at 2019 10:23 PM

2019-05-17T22:23:52-04:00

The biggest question is which medical field are you trying to commission into? There are so many AMEDD commissioning routes that you absolutely have to narrow down specifically where you are with your education now and what your end goal is.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 17 at 2019 10:43 PM

2019-05-17T22:43:47-04:00

Better hurry before you miss the age cut off! You only live once persue your passion!

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made May 17 at 2019 11:29 PM

2019-05-17T23:29:13-04:00

Biggest question is what do you want to do? Many changes along with funding are changing with Defense Health Agency (DHA) taking over and you are most likely years from a nursing commission. Direct commissions for med-surg nurses have been significantly down and your best chances there are coming in with a specialty. Best bet is PA or medical school with the unknown direction of DHA.

Response by 1LT Shawn Coxen made May 18 at 2019 12:35 AM

2019-05-18T00:35:31-04:00

I was prior service Military Police and Corrections. I wanted to be an MP officer. I was broached Field Artillery. Needs of the Army come first.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made May 18 at 2019 2:35 AM

2019-05-18T02:35:26-04:00

http://www.usphs.gov

Look up.Jr and Sr COSTEP, the USPHS analogues to.ROTC...give.me.more.soecifics...associates, bachelors, grad.level, grades, GPAs, which specific clinicwl.fields you want...nursing?.PA? NP? PT? OT?.Dental?.Full med?.Other allied health?.Doctoral level? Hobbies? Interests? Reading tastes?.sports, incl.martial arts? The more detail you give, the more I can suggest, I'm doctoral allied health, total perm.disabled, I wanted exactly what you want, I can help.suggest stuff, but you need to.give me.soecifics, honest, no rush, whenever you've got time, ok? The more.you give, the more I can suggest, as I'd said, ok?

www.usphs.gov

Response by COL Gary Gresh made May 19 at 2019 3:18 AM

2019-05-19T03:18:06-04:00

Sounds great. Pursue your dream. But you must hurry as there are probably age limits in some fields. Many medical fields can also apply for direct commissions for example registered nurses and doctors and dentists. Depends on field and needs of the service. Never give up your dreams.

Response by LTC Roderic Hewlett made May 19 at 2019 9:12 PM

2019-05-19T21:12:51-04:00

Nursing

Response by CPL Gary Pifer made May 21 at 2019 12:50 PM

2019-05-21T12:50:51-04:00

Beware ETS....you're now drawing lost time... 11B's come with a lot of bagage... Joints...PTSD...hearing....environmental exposure....Psych....what the modern Army does not want is a non-deployable potential expensive service member....who is 8 years from retirement. Is it worth their investment? Also beware of filling VA disability as you have entered into the Veteran zone....I would get into a medical unit in the Reserves...any branch ASAP...you may be bored and not like it...once you kill the clock for lost time. And back in...then work on your dream....

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 2 at 2020 2:45 AM

2020-02-02T02:45:40-05:00

Go for it. I did it. I branched Armor first and later transferred to JAG. It’s easier if you stay connected to the military through the NG or Reserves.