Europe

[PreDentRob]

One of the biggest draws to military dentistry for me is having the opportunity to be stationed in Europe. What are your chances in Army or AF of getting stationed in Europe?

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[krmower]

One of the biggest draws to military dentistry for me is having the opportunity to be stationed in Europe. What are your chances in Army or AF of getting stationed in Europe?

In the Army it is pretty good for Germany - tougher for Belgium or Italy. Realize that in Germany there are dental companies that deploy. Your chance of getting to Germany is good - what unit/location you go to will vary.

 

[ArmyDDS2013]

In the Army it is pretty good for Germany - tougher for Belgium or Italy. Realize that in Germany there are dental companies that deploy. Your chance of getting to Germany is good - what unit/location you go to will vary.

There is a base in Italty where we can be stationed at? I would assume it's pretty rare but possible?

 

[krmower]

There is a base in Italty where we can be stationed at? I would assume it's pretty rare but possible?

Vicenza, Italy. Anything is possible.

 

[PreDentRob]

I've also heard lots of different rumors about how the Army and Air Force allows you to choose your preferences. Can anyone give the official method of how that system works. Can you put down all European places for all your preferences?

 

[krmower]

I've also heard lots of different rumors about how the Army and Air Force allows you to choose your preferences. Can anyone give the official method of how that system works. Can you put down all European places for all your preferences?

Yes you can. It is called a "wish list". However realize if none of those locations have an opening, or if 10 people all want 1 spot - you won't get it. It then reverts to the assignments people telling you what is available and you choose from their list.

 

[PreDentRob]

Yes you can. It is called a "wish list". However realize if none of those locations have an opening, or if 10 people all want 1 spot - you won't get it. It then reverts to the assignments people telling you what is available and you choose from their list.

So the way you described this makes it sound like YOU get to choose from available assignments. I've heard you get to put in a few requests, but I thought that was a the end of it. So first you choose your "wishes", then if none of those are available, they tell you choices of available locations, and you get to choose again from those? That's nice.

Also, do they always give priority to your wish list over their other needs if you have listed a location with an available spot? (assuming everyone else isn't also requesting the same spot)

How many locations are you able to list on your wish list?

 

[krmower]

So the way you described this makes it sound like YOU get to choose from available assignments. I've heard you get to put in your requests, but I thought that was a the end of it. So first you choose your "wishes", then if none of those are available, they tell you choices of available locations, and you get to choose again from those? That's nice.

How many locations are you able to list on your wish list?

Typically 3. Although you can provide them more than that (makes their job easier). One of my moves - gave them 20 locations (10 CONUS and 10 OCONUS). None of those locations were available, so they gave me several different locations to choose from.

 

[ArmyDDS2013]

Typically 3. Although you can provide them more than that (makes their job easier). One of my moves - gave them 20 locations (10 CONUS and 10 OCONUS). None of those locations were available, so they gave me several different locations to choose from.

Sounds like its a crap shoot for requesting any base. Let's say 2 spots are open and 10 people want it. How do they choose who goes where? Is it random or can networking or knowing the CO or people stationed at the base requested help your chances?

 

[krmower]

Sounds like its a crap shoot for requesting any base. Let's say 2 spots are open and 10 people want it. How do they choose who goes where? Is it random or can networking or knowing the CO or people stationed at the base requested help your chances?

Couldn't tell you how they choose. Who you know at the clinic would have little/no impact.

 

[AFDDS]

You submmit the European bases as part of your wish list for the AF. Your chances of getting a base can be affected by which base you choose, their manning level, and/or your level of training. Smaller bases need people that have completed an AEGD, but not everyone has to be AEGD trained. Larger bases just need an opening. Remember, you're talking about some popular bases, so competition for these spots can be steady.

 

[NAVY DDS 2010]

Couldn't tell you how they choose. Who you know at the clinic would have little/no impact.

I agree who you know at the clinic has little or no impact, except if there is a General/Admiral at that base that you are friends with who could "ask" for you to come to his base. I've seen it happen. Plus, get to know al the dentists you can in the military. You never know if one of them will become the junior officer detailer. If you gave that person a good impression of you, it could help out in the end. You could get one of the good slots. For instance, I didn't know my detailer back in 2000. He gave me orders without even paying attentino to my request. I called him up because I did not want to go to Japan at that time (I'd love to now). He said fine. He ended up looking at looking at his 3 hard fills and told me here are your choices. I chose to go to a carrier Washington. Well, what I didn't know is that 6 months later, I ended up working under him on the carrier when I stood watches. I got to know him well. He apologized to me. He told me he had a slot in Naples, Italy and a slot in Jacksonville, FL that he had open, but he didn't know me. He figured it really didn't matter what I got since he didn't know me. He said he would have given it to me had I known him before (and he brought this up without me approahing him about this). My point - get to know people because you never know when it will benefit you!

 

[PreDentRob]

If you are a specialist, would it be more difficult or easier to get stationed in Europe? It seems like there would be less spots that have a need for specialties.

Is there official info available for Army or AF, esp Army of what specialists or how many are needed in European locations?

Also, if you do an AEGD, would that increase your chances of having precedence for a location over a GD which hasn't completed one (given similar rankings..)? I am aware that some bases require an AEGD, so I'm assuming in general, that it would increase your chance of getting a spot in Europe. But does it help your chances at a location which they don't necessarily need an AEGD dentist?

 

[krmower]

If you are a specialist, would it be more difficult or easier to get stationed in Europe? It seems like there would be less spots that have a need for specialties.

Is there official info available for Army or AF, esp Army of what specialists or how many are needed in European locations?

Also, if you do an AEGD, would that increase your chances of having precedence for a location over a GD which hasn't completed one (given similar rankings..)? I am aware that some bases require an AEGD, so I'm assuming in general, that it would increase your chance of getting a spot in Europe. But does it help your chances at a location which they don't necessarily need an AEGD dentist?

As a Comprehensive dentist (2-yr AEGD) the chance would be good since there is typically 1 at each clinic. You are right about the other specialtists - certain specialties are only at certain locations. If you go pedo or ortho your chance is greater since they are used more overseas.

No official website - you have to talk to the assignments branch

No location requires a 1-yr AEGD graduate over someone that is not a graduate. Certain jobs may prefer one - but it is not a requirement. 1-yr AEGD graduates are better suited (initially) for small clinics, or for assignments where they may not have other specialties to support. However other general dentists as their speed and experience increase will be considered equally also.

Here's the soapbox (not saying this applies to you). Your ability to get stationed in Germany will increase if you are open to the idea of being assigned to one of the dental companies (deployable units) that are stationed over there. Assignment people really don't like it when people start giving them demands. "I'll go to Germany - but only if I'm in a clinic and not assigned to a unit that deploys and only if I'm near a major city". A better response would be "I'd like to go to Germany". In their mind - what makes you so special that you should not be considered for a deployment, but CPT Smith should. A dentists that was a few years older then me once told me "Always remember...you didn't join the boyscouts".

 

[ArmyDDS2013]

As a Comprehensive dentist (2-yr AEGD) the chance would be good since there is typically 1 at each clinic. You are right about the other specialtists - certain specialties are only at certain locations. If you go pedo or ortho your chance is greater since they are used more overseas.

No official website - you have to talk to the assignments branch

No location requires a 1-yr AEGD graduate over someone that is not a graduate. Certain jobs may prefer one - but it is not a requirement. 1-yr AEGD graduates are better suited (initially) for small clinics, or for assignments where they may not have other specialties to support. However other general dentists as their speed and experience increase will be considered equally also.

Here's the soapbox (not saying this applies to you). Your ability to get stationed in Germany will increase if you are open to the idea of being assigned to one of the dental companies (deployable units) that are stationed over there. Assignment people really don't like it when people start giving them demands. "I'll go to Germany - but only if I'm in a clinic and not assigned to a unit that deploys and only if I'm near a major city". A better response would be "I'd like to go to Germany". In their mind - what makes you so special that you should not be considered for a deployment, but CPT Smith should. A dentists that was a few years older then me once told me "Always remember...you didn't join the boyscouts".

What happened to all the pedo slots - i saw that the past few years no one got selected? Is there not enough demand (qualified dentists) or has it been like budget cuts or something along those lines? Where are pedo training locations?

 

[PreDentRob]

As a Comprehensive dentist (2-yr AEGD) the chance would be good since there is typically 1 at each clinic. You are right about the other specialtists - certain specialties are only at certain locations. If you go pedo or ortho your chance is greater since they are used more overseas.

No official website - you have to talk to the assignments branch

No location requires a 1-yr AEGD graduate over someone that is not a graduate. Certain jobs may prefer one - but it is not a requirement. 1-yr AEGD graduates are better suited (initially) for small clinics, or for assignments where they may not have other specialties to support. However other general dentists as their speed and experience increase will be considered equally also.

Here's the soapbox (not saying this applies to you). Your ability to get stationed in Germany will increase if you are open to the idea of being assigned to one of the dental companies (deployable units) that are stationed over there. Assignment people really don't like it when people start giving them demands. "I'll go to Germany - but only if I'm in a clinic and not assigned to a unit that deploys and only if I'm near a major city". A better response would be "I'd like to go to Germany". In their mind - what makes you so special that you should not be considered for a deployment, but CPT Smith should. A dentists that was a few years older then me once told me "Always remember...you didn't join the boyscouts".

Thanks for the info. What exactly entails being assigned to one these deployable dental companies? Is it still like a normal assignment at a dental clinic at a base in Germany, only your chances of getting deployed are greater? Or does it mean you will for sure be deployed during your time there? Does your family still live with you there in Germany if you are in that kind of deployable unit? Can you clarify what exactly that means?

 

[krmower]

Thanks for the info. What exactly entails being assigned to one these deployable dental companies? Is it still like a normal assignment at a dental clinic at a base in Germany, only your chances of getting deployed are greater? Or does it mean you will for sure be deployed during your time there? Does your family still live with you there in Germany if you are in that kind of deployable unit? Can you clarify what exactly that means?

When you are assigned to a dental company in Europe (there are 2), it means that you will typically work in one of the surrounding clinics seeing patients, but if that unit deploys - you go with them. Because these units are not owned by the Dental Corps - if you deploy there is a very good chance it will be for 12 months instead of the 6 months most other dentists do. Your family can come with you to Germany, and when/if you deploy they can stay there - or go home to be with family - your choice.

One thing to also consider is with the way the Army is transforming, these units are scheduled to deactivate. When that happens (as Germany shifts Soldiers back to the states), the deployment situation there will also change and this may not be something you have to worry about when the time comes.