Do Prior Service Enlisted have to attend AMEDD DCC (Direct Commission Course)?

2018-04-16T16:13:59-04:00

I just spoke with branch and they advised me that all AMEDD direct commission officers have to attend DCC. When I asked if this applied to prior service, I didn't really get an answer. My understanding is that other branches count BMT/BCT as a substitute for this. Does anyone have feedback or comments? Thanks in advance!

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 16 at 2018 5:34 PM

2018-04-16T17:34:30-04:00

Yes, I think I was one one of the last bunch of folks who didn't have to go through before I went to BOLC in the Fall of 2016. I had did a 2 week "Gentlemen's Course" at Ft Sam before BOLC started but it was very informal and pretty much had banker's hours, including weekends off. I think the DCC started back up in in Jan or so of 2017. The prior enlisted in the class below me in my current program definitely had to go when they arrived last fall.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 16 at 2018 5:37 PM

2018-04-16T17:37:35-04:00

What is DCC?

Response by CPT Enrique M. made Apr 16 at 2018 5:38 PM

2018-04-16T17:38:19-04:00

Good news as a whole as a lot of Direct commissioned soldiers needs this program
But to make prior enlisted go. that's news to me.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 16 at 2018 11:28 PM

2018-04-16T23:28:57-04:00

There is very little to be gained by sending a prior service to this course. However, as we all know, everyone has different experiences when they are enlisted and policies and rules change. By making all directs go they establish a minimum standard. The CAPT, she was a direct commission to the Army back in the day - they had no DCC. She went straight to the basic course. She said, “ I guess they don’t want them looking like the Public Health Service.” How long is DCC?

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Apr 17 at 2018 7:52 AM

2018-04-17T07:52:36-04:00

Would probably give some insight on what to expect.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Apr 17 at 2018 9:24 AM

2018-04-17T09:24:01-04:00

If you don't want to do it, then go to a different branch. Seriously each branch as it's own rules & customs, if your branch is you go then you go.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 17 at 2018 12:14 PM

2018-04-17T12:14:28-04:00

This is news to me, must be some kind of new requirement. I rec'd my Direct Commision in the Army Medical Department in 1999 after 16 years as an Enlisted.

Response by CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 17 at 2018 12:40 PM

2018-04-17T12:40:36-04:00

Yes, CG of the AMEDD C&S made this a requirement across the board. And yes, it is new.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 17 at 2018 2:28 PM

2018-04-17T14:28:26-04:00

Looks like it’s official. Just got this email even though I commissioned in JAN. Someone’s ears must’ve been tingling haha

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 17 at 2018 7:28 PM

2018-04-17T19:28:28-04:00

Go with an attitude to contribute. Be a mentor. Drop your gripes.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 21 at 2018 10:50 PM

2018-04-21T22:50:06-04:00

Every one gets to go. I had Rangers who had been enlisted, went to PA school and subsequently commissioned, and had to attend AMEDD BOLC.

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made Apr 24 at 2018 11:28 PM

2018-04-24T23:28:06-04:00

Delete

Response by MSG John Duchesneau made Apr 25 at 2018 12:30 AM

2018-04-25T00:30:12-04:00

Yes. You live in a "one size fits all" Army.

Response by CPT Jeff Reichardt made Apr 26 at 2018 9:56 PM

2018-04-26T21:56:22-04:00

I was prior service when I got my direct commission into the nurse corps. Did OBC THE FOLLOWING SUMMER.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 6 at 2018 3:33 PM

2018-05-06T15:33:24-04:00

LT if you are referring to something like BOLC. Whereas an NCO upon completing something like nursing school then YES. I have several friends that I want to 68C school and they all did the ECP and obtained their BSN. Then had to attend the next BOLC course at FT Sam. As for the IPAP (Inservice Physician Assistant Program), I am not sure about that since it is being taught in-service. I would assume that is part of the course.

Response by LT Private RallyPoint Member made May 12 at 2018 8:15 AM

2018-05-12T08:15:14-04:00

Navy Chaplain here - so I don't have a lot to chime in on the specifics of training Army Medical or Nursing Officers. However, I am a direct commission with no prior service. There were prior service (enlisted) in my DCO Indoc course (which was NOT designator specific so we had chaps, docs, nurses, JAGs, Intel, etc. all learning together!) and they were an invaluable asset to the rest of us. I gather that some of the material was redundant to them, but you are part of a team. Teamwork means that you are there to help your teammates (in this case, the non prior service DCOs) succeed! I would encourage you to bring your A-game and a positive attitude. If you do, you will make a positive difference for your classmates for whom this is their first go-round in the Army. Thank you for your service.

Response by CPT Ian Stewart made Jun 19 at 2018 12:47 PM

2018-06-19T12:47:08-04:00

This question brought back a funny memory.
In the mid-1980s the Army in Europe was critically short of doctor's. The shortage was the catalyst that started the Physician Assistant (PA) program. However, even with PAs, battalion sized units (~600 soldiers plus family members) needed at least one physician in place.
There was a US armored cavalry unit in the town where I was stationed. It had gone through some tough times - bad discipline, trouble with the local nationals and Polizei, etc. It got so bad the the unit commander was relieved and a new commander was installed with the mandate to whip the unit into shape, which he was doing with vigor - lots of PT, relatively severe punishments for infractions and so forth.
At this time the unit received its brand new doctor. He had just received his direct commission as a captain and because the shortage was so critical Dr. (CPT) X- was not sent to Ft. Sam Houston for the Medical Officer Direct Commision Course. Instead, he was assigned directly from his home in Brooklyn and arrived with no uniforms or any idea of what a Private was let alone a Lt. Col., who was a stickler for military protocol. A day or so later, Dr. X-, now in a new set of BDUs, ran into the unit commander on the street and greeted him with a wave of his hand and in his finest Brooklyn accent said "Hi, howz it goin'?" Needless to say the unit commander went apoplectic and chewed out the good doctor as only thee commander could. From that day forward Dr X- did his best to avoid his nemesis and maintained a very low profile whenever the two of them were in the same room.
Postscript: Dr. X- did eventually learn the ways of the Army. He also learned the authority that a unit's surgeon had when it came to medical matters and would use it, often to the consternation of the commander. He was also a great doc who served all of us in the community very well

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 19 at 2018 11:46 PM

2018-06-19T23:46:58-04:00

Sir, I got a question, you may know or not know the answer, but since is an open forum, hopefully anyone can answer.
How difficult can be the direct commission packet? Hopefully I’ll be graduating from Environmental Management and I’m really interest on 72D.

Response by SFC John Mikelson made Jun 21 at 2018 2:29 PM

2018-06-21T14:29:40-04:00

Yes, because you've never been an AMEDD officer before. you will be a peer leader since you have experience as a soldier

Response by SSgt Boyd Herrst made Jun 25 at 2018 6:19 AM

2018-06-25T06:19:24-04:00

Maybe depends how long ago one attended BMT... prob’ly wasn’t that
Long ago for most..

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 13 at 2018 5:28 PM

2018-07-13T17:28:05-04:00

Yes, all direct commission officers must attend the DCC regardless of prior service.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 24 at 2018 1:01 PM

2018-07-24T13:01:00-04:00

I just found out about this change for FY18... I started my commissioning process back when I would have BOLC phase 1 online. My recruiter never told me about the change, even though I asked. My unit has no idea and I’ll get to inform them next month at drill.

I understand my employer can’t say no, but being gone for two 4-week courses is going to really affect my co-workers, patients, and family. I don’t know that I would have commissioned had I been updated. Too late now. So now in planning mode.

Anyone have the dates for AMEDD DCC for FY19??? I have to start planning this thing out in order to make the least possible negative effects on others...

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 4 at 2018 6:41 PM

2018-08-04T18:41:18-04:00

UPDATE: Just got back from this course and I learned a lot more than I thought I would. There are a number of things enlisted soldiers don’t really learn. Aside from the curricula, I learned a lot about patience and got some tough lessons in leadership. Onto the next one!

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 29 at 2018 3:45 PM

2018-08-29T15:45:57-04:00

Did you attend the course yet? How was it?

Response by MAJ(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 29 at 2018 6:46 PM

2018-08-29T18:46:49-04:00

So having just left company command in an AMEDD Recruiting Company. AS of now, yes they are making all go. The intent is however that the DCC be strictly for those without prior service. So like I did BOLC II, I had over 8 years prior service....did I really need to get indoctrinated into battle drills, marching, etc......no....but I went anyway.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 22 at 2018 3:47 PM

2018-11-22T15:47:14-05:00

It’s a new requirement that everyone goes. I am cool with it because I would rather be somewhat educated than have 0 formal training as a new Army Officer.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 4 at 2018 11:54 AM

2018-12-04T11:54:17-05:00

hello 2LT Kyle, i have a couple of questions, how long after taking the Oath, did you receive the AMEDD DCC welcome email? and how long after the Oath did you receive your orders to be able to report to you reserve unit? thanks in advance!

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 15 at 2018 4:28 PM

2018-12-15T16:28:02-05:00

You won’t have to attend DCC, but you will still have to attend BOLC.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 26 at 2019 7:46 PM

2019-07-26T19:46:21-04:00

ROTC does not everyone else does.