Ask an Army Dentist

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About the time differences, is that something that can only be determine during the year you are graduating?

Also when you say applying for the specialty training, does that also include 1 year AEGD?

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1 yr AEGD is not a specialty. The length of BOLC can change by the year, so there will be no way to know now what things will be like 4 years from now.
 
The packet of information that came with our distance learning CD indicated that if we wait until after graduation to complete BOLC, then it will be an 11-week training. But, what krmower has stated makes sense, that it could all change again by the time we do actually graduate. But, it may not, too.
 
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I was recently selected as a recipient for the Army HPSP scholarship and needless to say, I'm very excited. I have a quick question for you guys: I'm prior navy serviceman and I was just wondering if the medals and ribbons that I earned while I was in the navy (Navy and Marine Corps Achievement medals, Good Conduct medal, etc) will transfer over to the army, as in will I be able to wear them on my army service uniform?
 
I was recently selected as a recipient for the Army HPSP scholarship and needless to say, I'm very excited. I have a quick question for you guys: I'm prior navy serviceman and I was just wondering if the medals and ribbons that I earned while I was in the navy (Navy and Marine Corps Achievement medals, Good Conduct medal, etc) will transfer over to the army, as in will I be able to wear them on my army service uniform?
http://community.armystudyguide.com/groupee/forums/a/tpc/f/5261056041/m/9691082232
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20071219122521AAygLAb

Here are some links that should help you with your question.
 
how are students able to receive 3-year scholarships through UOP?
aren't most of the 3-year scholarships taken by 1st year dental school students??
 
how are students able to receive 3-year scholarships through UOP?
aren't most of the 3-year scholarships taken by 1st year dental school students??
No. Army converts them. If you search through the threads you will see this. If you have any question about it PM USArmyHPSP about it.
 
anyone a current a HPSP recipient? About how much is the current monthly stipend after taxes? Trying to see what kind of budget I may have for housing etc..

I was selected a few days ago..my recruiter told me for when i begin receiving payments each month it is $3000
 
I was selected a few days ago..my recruiter told me for when i begin receiving payments each month it is $3000

Haha I wish that's true! Stipend each month is 75% of basic pay for a 2LT, except for the 1.5ADT each year. It comes to ~$1850 per month after taxes.
 
Haha I wish that's true! Stipend each month is 75% of basic pay for a 2LT, except for the 1.5ADT each year. It comes to ~$1850 per month after taxes.

I read on the army website that it increases each year; so wouldn't new recipients receive more than you?..i was surprised when she told me $3000/month bc Its higher than what I've heard/expected..I know sometimes they can be very wrong about things haha

Did you do BOLC before school? whether you did or not is it something any of us can sign up for now if we prefer not to wait. Or is it like a selection process?
 
The payment is actually around $2000 each month. I have a friend who got selected for the Navy HPSP last year and he gets that amount every month and HPSP stipend pay is the same for all three branches (AF, Army, and Navy).
 
I read on the army website that it increases each year; so wouldn't new recipients receive more than you?..i was surprised when she told me $3000/month bc Its higher than what I've heard/expected..I know sometimes they can be very wrong about things haha

Did you do BOLC before school? whether you did or not is it something any of us can sign up for now if we prefer not to wait. Or is it like a selection process?

It does increase every year, because everyone's basic pay increases 1-2% each year (however it's being proposed to cut back). Ask your recruiter about BOLC...there are pros and cons for doing it before or after school.
 
My recruiter told me it'll be 2200 before taxes.

What are some pros and cons for doing BOLC before or after?

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Currently the stipend pay is $2,122 before taxes. How much you net from that will depend on each individual, but I net just over $1,900 from it. There's a lot of info in this thread (and others) about the pros/cons of doing BOLC before or after graduation, but the two main differences that come to mind are 1) possibly having a longer training time (11 wks vs 6 wks) if you wait until after graduation, and 2) not being able to enter a specialty early should the [rare] opportunity arise for you (e.g. filling the spot of a previous year applicant who dropped out before program started).
 
Currently the stipend pay is $2,122 before taxes. How much you net from that will depend on each individual, but I net just over $1,900 from it. There's a lot of info in this thread (and others) about the pros/cons of doing BOLC before or after graduation, but the two main differences that come to mind are 1) possibly having a longer training time (11 wks vs 6 wks) if you wait until after graduation, and 2) not being able to enter a specialty early should the [rare] opportunity arise for you (e.g. filling the spot of a previous year applicant who dropped out before program started).

Those are 2 great reasons to do it before school..I'm going to inquire about it when i go to commission. Thank you for the info!
 
Assuming I’m a competitive candidate, will waiting for the March committee to meet still be OK to give me a GREAT chance of attaining the HPSP. Nearly all my paperwork is done just waiting on the physical and wont make the deadline for February.
 
Your chance at this point probably isn't that great IMHO. If what my recruiter told me is true, then the majority of Army HPSP has been given out back in Jan and the rest will most likely be given out this month, so only a very small amount of spots if any will be left for March.
 
I have also heard the same. More than half have been given out, with Feb still to come. Do recruiters give false hope as far as the four year HPSP at this point? I've been told repeatedly "oh no yes you are fine no problem, if we get you in by march you will be in good shape". It doesn’t seem to be that way.
 
It depends; some will be honest with you while others will give you false hope. Mine has been straight up honest with me since the beginning. What's your stats like though? If your numbers and LOR's are good enough then you may still have a chance.
 
I asked my recruiter this the other day but he did not know...if you do OBLC before or during dental school you will get paid as a 2 Lt. but if you wait and do it after dental school you will get paid as a captain? is that correct? if so how much of a difference are we talking about
 
according to a basic pay military pay chart i found, O1 (2LT) would be paid $2876 a month where as an O3 (Captain) would get $3835 a month.

not sure of how it goes exactly, or if there are other things that factor into the pay since BOLC before school is 26 days vs. 11 weeks (I think?) for after DS
 
according to a basic pay military pay chart i found, O1 (2LT) would be paid $2876 a month where as an O3 (Captain) would get $3835 a month.

not sure of how it goes exactly, or if there are other things that factor into the pay since BOLC before school is 26 days vs. 11 weeks (I think?) for after DS

You can still attend the 26day HPSP BOLC after graduation. Remember that graduates have priority for BOLC over those who are not. As for pay, one of the benefits of doing BOLC before or during school is that you can start working right away after graduation or take an extended summer before reporting to your first duty station.
 
oh thats great! krmower, would this imply that it would be more possible to be picked up for a specialty right after school? or do the short course dates still conflict with the start dates of the specialties?
 
oh thats great! krmower, would this imply that it would be more possible to be picked up for a specialty right after school? or do the short course dates still conflict with the start dates of the specialties?
When you are selected for specialty training December of the year you are graduating you are applying for specialty training 18 months later. Sometimes there are spots open from the previous year that someone declined and they were not able to fill them.

If this occurs and you had already done BOLC you have a possibility of being put in the spot. If you did not do BOLC before or during school you will not be done with BOLC in time to be considered for the specialty training immediately after graduation.
 
First off thank you ahead of time for answering my questions. I am a 4th year dental student and have just received my ranking list for bases available to be sent after completion of OBLC. I will post my current list below and I was wondering if you know of any bases in particular out of these that are good or bad. I had fort benning as first because I heard some good things about it as a base in general but was unsure of how it was for an army dentist. Europe sounds very interesting although i am a little worried about spending all 4 years there. Fort Sam Houston and Virginia are also 2 areas i am debating on putting first. I would like to be somewhere in a good area but would also prefer to have a good dental experience. Any insight or people to contact would be great. Thanks.


Ft. benning, GA
Europe
Ft. eustis, VA
Ft. sam houston, TX
Honolulu, HI
Ft. meyer, VA
Ft. stewart, GA
Ft. jackson, SC
Ft. lee, VA
Ft. Lewis, WA
 
I also have the same question, as I am in the same boat where am ranking my top 10 assignments. Also, if you were to be stationed at a Air Assault Training Base (eg. Ft. Benning, Ft. Campbell, Ft. Hood), are dentist allowed to take the course? I have read in past post that its possible, but is it still true in todays Army?
 
I also have the same question, as I am in the same boat where am ranking my top 10 assignments. Also, if you were to be stationed at a Air Assault Training Base (eg. Ft. Benning, Ft. Campbell, Ft. Hood), are dentist allowed to take the course? I have read in past post that its possible, but is it still true in todays Army?
If you are stationed at locations where the programs are run you have a chance of going still (Campbell = Air assault, Benning = Airborne). Also if you are assigned to a combat unit (will not happen to you coming out of school initially) you have a good chance of being allowed to go. I am not sure how the current budget issue may/may not affect things.
 
Different people like different things, so what people like may vary.
Ft. benning, GA Large training base for the infantry. Several different clinics. 12 month AEGD location. All the specialists located here.
Europe I would personally love to go anywhere in Europe since the chance to get stationed there is shrinking with how the Army is changing.
Ft. eustis, VA I was stationed near Ft. Eustis and went there frequently for meetings. It it has a some trainees that you will work on in addition to permanent party (regular Soldiers). As of a few years ago it has all the traditiomal specialties except ortho. The base was nice and it was near large population centers as well as the beach. It had 2 dental clinic with one being rennovated. Expensive cost of living.
Ft. sam houston, TX This is the medical headquarters. 2 clinics here. 1 of the clinics is primarily where all the specialists are assigned. This is the medical training base for all 3 services. Located in San Antonio.
Honolulu, HI I was stationed here for 2 years and enjoyed it very much. You will be at either Schofield Barracks or Tripler (more likely Schofield) for at least 3 years (4 if you had a 4 yr HPSP and are not staying in). 25th Infantry division is located here. Very nice location. Expensive cost of living. Has a 2 yr AEGD and OMFS training program.
Ft. meyer, VA Very small base. Has 1 comprehensive dentist (2 yr AEGD) and 2-4 other general dentists. Specialty support at either Ft. Belvoir or Pentagon to refer to if needed. Very high cost of living.
Ft. stewart, GA This base has a smaller town around it, but is within a few hours of the beach. It has most of the traditional specialties located there (don't think ortho). It is not a training base, so you will not have patients only there for a few months which means you can treatment plan more comprehensive care. You have the 3rd infantry division located there.
Ft. jackson, SC This location is one of the Army's largest training bases. It has a 1 yr AEGD location. It is located near Columbia, SC. Beaches are within an hour or two.
Ft. lee, VA I was stationed here for 4 years and it has only gotten better since I left. It has 2 new clinics. It is a large training base. Close to Richmond. When I was there it had OMFS and endo. I am not aware if it has gotten other specialists since then. I enjoyed the assignment.
Ft. Lewis, WAInfantry base near a large metropolitan area. Only base besides Europe that I haven't actually visited, so I can't give much info. Has an OMFS and 12 month AEGD training. Has all the specialists there.
 
Does participating in either 1-yr or 2-yr AEGD greatly increase your chance of being placed in a deployable unit? And thank you for your valuable insight on those locations.
 
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krmower, thank you for the information on each of the bases, it definitely helped. One of my major concerns was if I would be competing against some of the AEGD members at some of the bases such as benning and jackson considering I am not doing an AEGD. I think I have a good list though and all I can do now is wait. Thanks again
 
krmower, I really appreaciate your reply regarding the list of bases, as I could only find info regarding each base on wikepedia only. Could you please provide more information on the following bases/region as well? Walter Reed, Ft. Hood, Japan and Korea.

I am very much into the military side of things and would love the opportunity for more training or deployment (Eg. CEs, Air Assault, EFMB)

Also, do you think its a good thing or bad thing if you're stationed somewhere with a lot of specialist, I would think you'll have more opportunity to learn from them, but at the same time wouldn't they take potential cases away from you?
 
krmower, I really appreaciate your reply regarding the list of bases, as I could only find info regarding each base on wikepedia only. Could you please provide more information on the following bases/region as well? Walter Reed, Ft. Hood, Japan and Korea.

I am very much into the military side of things and would love the opportunity for more training or deployment (Eg. CEs, Air Assault, EFMB)

Also, do you think its a good thing or bad thing if you're stationed somewhere with a lot of specialist, I would think you'll have more opportunity to learn from them, but at the same time wouldn't they take potential cases away from you?

I'm interested about this as well... I've lived in Okinawa, Japan for about 8 years as a military brat and loved it, I know they have an army base there so I would love to go back. What is the likelihood of someone who has just graduated from dental school being stationed in Japan? Would completing AEGD after dental school increase one's chances?
 
Does participating in either 1-yr or 2-yr AEGD greatly increase your chance of being placed in a deployable unit? And thank you for your valuable insight on those locations.
The question that should be asked is whether those programs will make you a better dentist and the answer is yes. What a shame to turn down any type of training that will make you better because you think that it may increase your chance of deploying. Now is the time to invest in yourself and your career. Whether you stay in or not you will be a better dentist. Once you are in private practice, you will never again have the chance to learn the skills you would learn in an AEGD (unless you want to spend a lot of money and lose a lot of income by taking time out of your practice).

Joining the Army increases your chance of deploying. Any specialty can deploy (except for ortho and public health - I have never seen them go).
 
krmower, I really appreaciate your reply regarding the list of bases, as I could only find info regarding each base on wikepedia only. Could you please provide more information on the following bases/region as well? Walter Reed, Ft. Hood, Japan and Korea.

I am very much into the military side of things and would love the opportunity for more training or deployment (Eg. CEs, Air Assault, EFMB)

Also, do you think its a good thing or bad thing if you're stationed somewhere with a lot of specialist, I would think you'll have more opportunity to learn from them, but at the same time wouldn't they take potential cases away from you?
Could you please provide more information on the following bases/region as well?

Walter Reed This is the Navy's dental school and one of the new joint service bases. Because it is the Navy dental school they have every type of specialty program taught there. Location is nice since it is in the DC area (unless you don't like traffic). Parking at the hospital and traffic on/off the hospital is problematic. Cost of living is high.

Ft. Hood Near Austin, Kileen, and Waco texas. Large Armor/Combat Army base. Has a 2 yr AEGD program there. I have not been there, but they have multiple dental clinics and a full complement of specialists.

Japan Smaller base with few openings. Does not have most of the specialties.

Korea Full complement of specialists. Several different bases scatterred across the country. The large clinic will be moving to a new base in the next few years. In the past when you go to Korea you have not always been able to take your family (Command Sponsored). This is changing, so definately something to ask about. Assignment lenght is changing. When you haven't had your family go it has been 1 year, they are transitioning to making it a 3 year assignment for everyone.

I am very much into the military side of things and would love the opportunity for more training or deployment (Eg. CEs, Air Assault, EFMB). EFMB can be done anywhere. Your Commander should be supportive and help you get to the location. Same things with CE's. Air Assault is going to be mainly Ft. Campbell (occassionally some other locations in Hawaii and Germany), and Airborne is at Ft. Benning.

Also, do you think its a good thing or bad thing if you're stationed somewhere with a lot of specialist, I would think you'll have more opportunity to learn from them, but at the same time wouldn't they take potential cases away from you? My personal opinion is that several specialists are good. When I have been stationed with Prosthodontists, there always seems to be enough 3 unit and single units to go around. Endodontists seem to not have a lot of overflow/extra cases. Same with perio. OMFS does not seem to be able to keep up with all the extractions (YMMV). That being said, as a 2 yr AEGD graduate, I have always been able to keep any cases I want to. Again that is my experience in 11 yrs and may not be the same everywhere. I have learned a ton by being stationed with specialists, although it will depend on their personality. Some are more willing to teach than others. The same thing with 2 yr AEGD graduates, you can learn a lot from them.
 
I'm interested about this as well... I've lived in Okinawa, Japan for about 8 years as a military brat and loved it, I know they have an army base there so I would love to go back. What is the likelihood of someone who has just graduated from dental school being stationed in Japan? Would completing AEGD after dental school increase one's chances?
No. In a clinic setting a graduate from a 1 yr AEGD or someone without a 1 yr AEGD are interchangeable. There is not requirement for a particular skill set.
 
My recruiter told me it'll be 2200 before taxes.

What are some pros and cons for doing BOLC before or after?

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Do BOLC asap! You are not eligible for your new specialty pays until you have completed BOLC and possess a dental license. If you do BOLC ahead of time..you would be eligible to sign your bonuses (assuming you have a state dental license) sooner.

Do it and get it done!
 
The question that should be asked is whether those programs will make you a better dentist and the answer is yes. What a shame to turn down any type of training that will make you better because you think that it may increase your chance of deploying. Now is the time to invest in yourself and your career. Whether you stay in or not you will be a better dentist. Once you are in private practice, you will never again have the chance to learn the skills you would learn in an AEGD (unless you want to spend a lot of money and lose a lot of income by taking time out of your practice).

Joining the Army increases your chance of deploying. Any specialty can deploy (except for ortho and public health - I have never seen them go).

I agree with Kendall here...if you are afraid of deploying..you are in the wrong area. The odds of you actually deploying right now are very low...however..you should always plan for it.

If you turn down training because you are "afraid" of deploying..the let someone else have the training that will put it to use.
 
When I started looking into this scholarship I asked the Army and Air Force recruiters why their specific branch over the other. Neither was able to really give me a good answer. Simply that I should choose the branch that I felt would best fit me and my family. Well, I had absolutely no clue what that meant as I had no understanding of the true differences, if any, between the branches. Do you know of any differences that would entice someone to gravitate in a specific direction? I have done my best to research this as much as possible but it is hard to find good credible information that I can count on. I keep hearing that the Air Force is more family friendly, more laid back, they have better living condition, equipment and labs. I have heard that due to the "job" of the Air Force, you have a lesser chance of being put into harms way in deployment. (I understand deployment can happen in any branch - its the military, and I am ok with that. However, there must be some data or evidence on if one happens more than another or if one is sent in harms way more than another in general) Do you know if there is any truth to these statements or are they just random statements I have come across?

I originally always thought I would enter the Air Force if I decided to take this scholarship. When I heard that the Army had the $20,000 sign on bonus, I was pulled in that direction because I couldn't figure out any substantial differences. Ultimately, the $20,000 bonus isn't what is important, the main thing is that if I may have a completely different experience in one branch over another that I choose the one thats best for me and my family.

As always any information you can provide is greatly appreciated.
 
I was offered the scholarship and was wondering if I need more time to think and do more research about it, is there a way that I can ask to have an extension before finalizing the decision?

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Thats something you should ask ur recruiter I think. Didnt u find out over a month ago that u made it? Or r u waiting on the AF?

My gf and i both are applying for the air force so i wanted to wait and see if we both can get in (even though chances are slim) but if only one of us get into the airforce then I will most like choose the army.

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Okay, so I've been doing some research on Army residencies. From what I have read, if I do HPSP for 4 years in school, I know I have 4 years to pay back. Say I got into an endo residency (just for example) with the military as soon as I graduated dental school. I would complete the residency and still only have 4 years to pay back. Correct? The residency is neutral and I can pay back both my HPSP obligation and residency at the same time (whichever is longer). This is what I understood from what I read. I would love to have someone confirm that for me though. I would also love to hear from some Army Dentists about their experience with placement. Were you able to get stationed where you requested? It's not a big deal to me, but there are certainly some places I would prefer over others. Thanks!
 
Okay, so I've been doing some research on Army residencies. From what I have read, if I do HPSP for 4 years in school, I know I have 4 years to pay back. Say I got into an endo residency (just for example) with the military as soon as I graduated dental school. I would complete the residency and still only have 4 years to pay back. Correct? The residency is neutral and I can pay back both my HPSP obligation and residency at the same time (whichever is longer). This is what I understood from what I read. I would love to have someone confirm that for me though. I would also love to hear from some Army Dentists about their experience with placement. Were you able to get stationed where you requested? It's not a big deal to me, but there are certainly some places I would prefer over others. Thanks!

You would owe for the HPSP and Endo...Endo is a 3 year payback..HPSP 4...so you would owe 7..
 
You would owe for the HPSP and Endo...Endo is a 3 year payback..HPSP 4...so you would owe 7..

Everyone I've ever talked to or seen says residency is neutral.
So it would be

4 years of dschool
3 years residency
4 years payback

11 years total dschool, residency, and payback.
 
Everyone I've ever talked to or seen says residency is neutral.
So it would be

4 years of dschool
3 years residency
4 years payback

11 years total dschool, residency, and payback.

Well, all residency programs, except 1 yr AEGD, would incur active duty service obligation (ADSO). They are not neutral. The only catch is that when there is outstanding ADSO from HPSP, HSPS ADSO and residency ADSO would run concurrently.

It's becoming rarer to start any residency right after d-school, so while it's possible (and I've seen a few), you should really not count on it. I finished OBLC b/f d-school, and my stats are pretty good, but I was told repeatedly by the AMEDD that the graduating seniors are generally considered ineligible to start right away, because of many uncertainties (passing the boards, regional board for license, graduating on time, PT, etc).

So the most practically ideal situation goes like:

HPSP --> (let's suppose) OS: 1 yr as GP (snowbird) --> OS 4 yrs --> 4 yrs payback (3 from HPSP plus 4 from OS = 4), total 9 years. You should note that if you elected to receive IP for the final year, your active service is actually close to 9.5 years because each IP incurs a separate 1 yr ADSO, and while your HSPS ADSO started upon graduation and began active duty, IP ADSO starts upon the receipt of a state license, which is generally months after graduation.

But, let's suppose you didn't make OS while in dental school but you made it while 3 years into your active duty:

HPSP --> 3 yrs as GP --> 1 yr of snowbird (b/c military selects 1 yr in advance) --> OS for 4 yrs --> 4 yrs payback for OS ADSO, total 12 years (or 12.5 yrs).

As you can see, if you had already "used up" your ADSO from HPSP, doing a residency would incur its own ADSO you'd have to payback. So it's not neutral in this scenario.

Hope it helps, :laugh:
 
Well, all residency programs, except 1 yr AEGD, would incur active duty service obligation (ADSO). They are not neutral. The only catch is that when there is outstanding ADSO from HPSP, HSPS ADSO and residency ADSO would run concurrently.

It's becoming rarer to start any residency right after d-school, so while it's possible (and I've seen a few), you should really not count on it. I finished OBLC b/f d-school, and my stats are pretty good, but I was told repeatedly by the AMEDD that the graduating seniors are generally considered ineligible to start right away, because of many uncertainties (passing the boards, regional board for license, graduating on time, PT, etc).

So the most practically ideal situation goes like:

HPSP --> (let's suppose) OS: 1 yr as GP (snowbird) --> OS 4 yrs --> 4 yrs payback (3 from HPSP plus 4 from OS = 4), total 9 years. You should note that if you elected to receive IP for the final year, your active service is actually close to 9.5 years because each IP incurs a separate 1 yr ADSO, and while your HSPS ADSO started upon graduation and began active duty, IP ADSO starts upon the receipt of a state license, which is generally months after graduation.

But, let's suppose you didn't make OS while in dental school but you made it while 3 years into your active duty:

HPSP --> 3 yrs as GP --> 1 yr of snowbird (b/c military selects 1 yr in advance) --> OS for 4 yrs --> 4 yrs payback for OS ADSO, total 12 years (or 12.5 yrs).

As you can see, if you had already "used up" your ADSO from HPSP, doing a residency would incur its own ADSO you'd have to payback. So it's not neutral in this scenario.

Hope it helps, :laugh:
1 yr AEGD incurs a 1 yr payback (ADSO) as well.
 
I am a tufts dental student. I wasn't lucky enough to get military scholarship. I was wondering if there is a program or any way to help me out of this massive debt if I work for army after I graduate from school. So I would be applying to be General dentist in army but not in any pay-tuition scholarship program. Thank you.
 
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