- Joined
- Feb 25, 2008
- Messages
- 160
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There is one issue with the Army that I think should be made very clear to any considering joining the Army Dental Corps, that is the Brigade Dentist. It's kind of like a dirty little issue that the recruiter "forgets" to explain. It breaks down like this. There are 2 "umbrellas" where you might fall under in the Army. The first is the Dental Command (DENCOM) and the other is FORSCOM. The ideal setting is that you are under DENCOM and just go to a post/base and do dental work. Yes you might deploy, but the army just changed things so that all Dentist profis deployments under DENCOM are 6 months. Yes it's still 6 months, but I would jump on that like that dude did on the grenade. This is the ideal setting, life is actually pretty good. You show up do your thing and go home. Honestly it's a painfully easy lifestyle if you can deal with the intricacies of the military.
The other side of the house is the Brigade/MTOE slot. This basically means that you are assigned to a Brigade Combat Team...infantry etc. There are several variations, but you are no longer under the umbrella of DENCOM. This means you are subject to whatever the Brigade/BTN Commander want. (My commanders had the brilliant idea of setting up the field equipment in the motorpool so that I could work out of there. I thought that was well thought out, seeing how I would be treating patients right next to the Humvee repair shop. Luckily I derailed that idea with some helpr from the Dentac Commander) I am currently in this situation, on my way to IRAQ. It's been a struggle, and my situation is alot better than some friends I've talked to. It is entirely up to the commander of your unit if/when you are able to go to the clinic. There is a very good chance that less than 1/2 your time will be at the clinic. Some buddies of mine in Germany are lucky to get to the clinic 2-3 times a month. (Sucks to be them). I am constantly getting pulled from the clinic for classes, ranges, field exercises and just about any other thing they think is important. (But hey I now have drivers licenses for the 5 ton and tracked vehicles (113's)). Also as a medical officer in a brigade slot, you're rank is under a 2LT. I could care less, but some people get all bent about that. As a CPT I do have to report to a 2LT. I could be a MAJ or LTC and it would be the same. When you go to the field, you are basically a private. Nothing like setting up tents and camo for 16-18 hours in all weather conditions on 3 hours sleep to ask yourself why the hell I did it.
One final thing, if you are under DENCOM the chances of "stoploss" are small. If you are getting closer to your get out date (ETS) just volunteer for a 6 month deployment and get it over with, but in the Brigade....you are subject to their rules. You get the full 12-15 months deployment, and they could care less when you are supposed to get out. I will effectivly see my ETS date come and go from the beaches of Iraq, and I will probably have 6-9 months of "extra" involuntary service. I've come to terms with it now, but it can really be a blow when you are trying to make long term plans as far as setting up a practice somewhere, and not konw when you will be able to get that going.
I know I'm going to catch crap for this, "I should have known what I was signing up for." The fact is I didn't. I will be very greatfull for my experience when it is over. You never ask a marathon runner during the race if they are glad they did it. But that is my point. I want to make sure whoever decides to sign up, to be fully aware of what they are doing. If I could do it again, I would very seriously look at the NAVY/AF. I may switch over to the Guard or Reserves, just depends what the war is like in 15 months. Just know what you're getting into. The Army has been a blessing to me and my family, but they give me very little reason to stay.
The other side of the house is the Brigade/MTOE slot. This basically means that you are assigned to a Brigade Combat Team...infantry etc. There are several variations, but you are no longer under the umbrella of DENCOM. This means you are subject to whatever the Brigade/BTN Commander want. (My commanders had the brilliant idea of setting up the field equipment in the motorpool so that I could work out of there. I thought that was well thought out, seeing how I would be treating patients right next to the Humvee repair shop. Luckily I derailed that idea with some helpr from the Dentac Commander) I am currently in this situation, on my way to IRAQ. It's been a struggle, and my situation is alot better than some friends I've talked to. It is entirely up to the commander of your unit if/when you are able to go to the clinic. There is a very good chance that less than 1/2 your time will be at the clinic. Some buddies of mine in Germany are lucky to get to the clinic 2-3 times a month. (Sucks to be them). I am constantly getting pulled from the clinic for classes, ranges, field exercises and just about any other thing they think is important. (But hey I now have drivers licenses for the 5 ton and tracked vehicles (113's)). Also as a medical officer in a brigade slot, you're rank is under a 2LT. I could care less, but some people get all bent about that. As a CPT I do have to report to a 2LT. I could be a MAJ or LTC and it would be the same. When you go to the field, you are basically a private. Nothing like setting up tents and camo for 16-18 hours in all weather conditions on 3 hours sleep to ask yourself why the hell I did it.
One final thing, if you are under DENCOM the chances of "stoploss" are small. If you are getting closer to your get out date (ETS) just volunteer for a 6 month deployment and get it over with, but in the Brigade....you are subject to their rules. You get the full 12-15 months deployment, and they could care less when you are supposed to get out. I will effectivly see my ETS date come and go from the beaches of Iraq, and I will probably have 6-9 months of "extra" involuntary service. I've come to terms with it now, but it can really be a blow when you are trying to make long term plans as far as setting up a practice somewhere, and not konw when you will be able to get that going.
I know I'm going to catch crap for this, "I should have known what I was signing up for." The fact is I didn't. I will be very greatfull for my experience when it is over. You never ask a marathon runner during the race if they are glad they did it. But that is my point. I want to make sure whoever decides to sign up, to be fully aware of what they are doing. If I could do it again, I would very seriously look at the NAVY/AF. I may switch over to the Guard or Reserves, just depends what the war is like in 15 months. Just know what you're getting into. The Army has been a blessing to me and my family, but they give me very little reason to stay.