Okay, currently I am a senior in high school. I am looking to go into medicine as a physician, and the Army Heath Professions Scholarship Program has come across my attention.
From my understanding, I would have to have my bachelor’s degree and be accepted into medical school. Now what I don’t understand is the requirement of qualifying as a commissioned officer.
I know there is AMEDD Officer Leaders Basic Course. Does it mean I have to be eligable for that? I know that there is no basic training as there is for enlisted, just this training course. Obviously I still would have to meet the height/weight/fitness requirements to join, and pass the background/security check.
I would be O-1 while I was in school but promoted O-3 as Captain after graduation? Would I be O-1 active or reserve? It says that I would get active pay while I wasn’t in school (for breaks) because I’ll be on bases, working. But I also think I’ve read that my time in school would qualify as reserve time, and that it would count towards my 4 years reserve time?
Thank you in advanced.
Qualifying as a commissioned officer is as you stated: "Obviously I still would have to meet the height/weight/fitness requirements to join, and pass the background/security check." and successfully completing the abbreviated OCS course "AMEDD Officer Leaders Basic Course" to commission as an officer. Correct, O-1 while in medical school promoted to O-3 on graduation, O-1 will be in reserve status. Have to serve 45 days active duty each year, usually during the summer and paid as an O-1, 2nd Lieutenant or Ensign(Navy). Active duty service obligation is served after a residency is completed and will be the longer of time spent in medical school or time spent in residency, since these service obligations are served concurrently. The program works the same for the Army, Air Force and Navy and is explained in the Navy HPSP Handbook:
http://www.med.navy.mil/sites/navmedmpte/accessions/Documents/Navy%20HPSP%20Student%20Guide%20by%20LT%20Brent%20Lacey-%20Final.doc
The Navy serves as the medical corps for the Marines. If there is a concern of possibly deploying to a location near possible combat, Air Force is probably the way to go. There is also another program, HSCP, that might be a better choice to a student enrolled in a low tuition state medical school.
http://www.waynesdyno.net/MCHSCP.html
Good Luck!
November 10th, 2009 at 7:13 pm
Qualifying as a commissioned officer is as you stated: "Obviously I still would have to meet the height/weight/fitness requirements to join, and pass the background/security check." and successfully completing the abbreviated OCS course "AMEDD Officer Leaders Basic Course" to commission as an officer. Correct, O-1 while in medical school promoted to O-3 on graduation, O-1 will be in reserve status. Have to serve 45 days active duty each year, usually during the summer and paid as an O-1, 2nd Lieutenant or Ensign(Navy). Active duty service obligation is served after a residency is completed and will be the longer of time spent in medical school or time spent in residency, since these service obligations are served concurrently. The program works the same for the Army, Air Force and Navy and is explained in the Navy HPSP Handbook:
http://www.med.navy.mil/sites/navmedmpte/accessions/Documents/Navy%20HPSP%20Student%20Guide%20by%20LT%20Brent%20Lacey-%20Final.doc
The Navy serves as the medical corps for the Marines. If there is a concern of possibly deploying to a location near possible combat, Air Force is probably the way to go. There is also another program, HSCP, that might be a better choice to a student enrolled in a low tuition state medical school.
http://www.waynesdyno.net/MCHSCP.html
Good Luck!
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