Military with family and some other specific air force questions.

[drduke]

I have a couple specific questions concerning the Air Force that I can't seem to find the answers for in the forum.

1. I don't mind getting stationed just about anywhere, I just want to know if I can take my wife and daughter with me. When can I not?

2. How much say do you get in where you are stationed. I ask this because my wife and I would love the opportunity to go somewhere in Europe or Japan for a couple of years. Again, can I take my family with me?

3. If overseas, where does my daughter attend school and can someone comment on her quality of life (friends, quality of education ect..)?

4. Does the Air Force offer AEGD's or GPR's and do they count toward your commitment? In general, how much exposure does the fresh general dentist get to endo, implants and other advanced procedures?

5. I am interested in the 3 year scholarship. I read somewhere there is 3 years of active duty and 5 years of reserve duty or something. If this is true, what exactly does it mean? When do I start the application process if the scholarship doesn’t kick in until my second year?

I appriciate any input that anyone can provide. Thanks

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[baddog]

First of all, all of the military services are very family oriented, therefore your family goes to almost all assignments. Very few of the assignments are "unaccompanied", and those that are are in places you probably wouldn't want your family. There are a tremendous number of activities your children and wife have availiable on a military installation, lots for both of them to do. Your kids will be educated in DOD (department of defense) schools which are better than most civilian community schools--however, it depends as some are great, other not so great, but most folks I know thought they were more than adequate. You should talk to your recruiter about where you can get an assignment, they can give you at least some idea, also, if you do an AEGD program there are sepcific bases that you will be stationed at, usually larger ones with specialists who will be instructors in the residency program. I took that route and never regreted it, you get great experience and on the job training. Regarding payback, usually year for year, inactive reserve time is usually no sweat as you will never get called up. Active Reserve guys get called up first. However, watch out for the Army, they have a habit of calling their reservists up whenever they feel like it-ha! NO kidding. Good luck!

 

[baddog]

Almost forgot, the AF does offer one and two year advanced general dentistry programs. The two year program qualifies you for speciality pay as well as board certification pay if you pass the boards. Both programs are excellent and I would highly recommend you take one if you can get it. Usually a year per year payback in conjunction with your HPSP payback (I think??). Overseas assignments may be difficult for a new guy to get as those are largely "plums" that are doled out. HOwever, if you can get one--do it, it is a fantastic way to see the world with your family. Again as I noted, there are very good family support services overseas that will make your wife and children very comfortable in a foreign environment. Hope this helps.

 

[drduke]

Anyone else's comments are welcome

 

[dheav005]

the way the current HPSP contract reads, the AEGD/GPR year is a 'neutral' year. it no longer counts as payback, but but you dont owe another year either. if you apply for the comp dent program (2 year AEGD), there would be a debt of two payback years.

 

[shamrock2006]

the way the current HPSP contract reads, the AEGD/GPR year is a 'neutral' year. it no longer counts as payback, but but you dont owe another year either. if you apply for the comp dent program (2 year AEGD), there would be a debt of two payback years.

So wait, does this mean that someone on the HPSP can apply for the 2 yr AEGD? Or is this something that you can only really do after you've done some time in the military. I've heard the 2 yr program is phenomenal, but I also have never actually heard of someone going right from d-school into that program.

 

[dheav005]

there are cases of people going right into the Navy's Comp Dent program from school. it amounts to 6 years of dental school, and i know i was plenty done with school after a mere four years. basically, you can probably apply but know that the 2 year program comes with a definite payback amount whereas the AEGD/GPR does not.

from what i have learned of the comp dent program and have experienced in my own AEGD...take the one year to start with. if you decide to make the military a career and want to be a highly trained general dentist, then apply for the comprehensive training. you will be regarded as a specialist within the military (though not in civilian life) and get specialty pay, not too shabby.