How can I commission as officer from 68W?

Etieno Akpakpan — Fri, 25 Dec 2020 00:06:21 -0500

I just enlisted as 68w (E-3) and shipping for BCT in February. I am currently a final year medical student. Please how do I get Commissioned as an officer?
Also can I choose my first duty station?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 25 at 2020 12:23 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 25 Dec 2020 00:23:35 -0500

Why would you possibly enlist, if you are in your final year of med school? Finish school, speak to an AMEDD recruiter, and commission.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 25 at 2020 12:28 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 25 Dec 2020 00:28:52 -0500

You should go talk to an AMEDD recruiter as soon as possible (like on Monday). If you want to commission and are in your final year of med school, there is really no point in enlisting and attending BCT. You should be able to start the commissioning process right now as a civilian.

https://www.goarmy.com/amedd.html
https://recruiting.army.mil/mrb/

Medical Careers & Jobs: AMEDD

Looking for a job in medicine? Check out the Army AMEDD program and be a part of the medical profession with extensive options in military medical careers.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 25 at 2020 12:29 AM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 25 Dec 2020 00:29:42 -0500

Are you a naturalized citizen yet?

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 25 at 2020 12:43 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 25 Dec 2020 00:43:49 -0500

Right now you are in DEP (Delayed Entry Program), more commonly known as the Future Soldier Program, as of right now you have NO obligation to the Army, yeah they make you sign a bunch of stuff, but you haven’t taken your oath and you haven’t started BCT. You need to contact your recruiter ASAP and tell them you want to void your contact because you want to Commission through AMEDD. They’re going to pressure you and tell you all kinds of things to get you to change your mind, but that’s because they work in numbers and now they have to work twice as hard to get a replacement.

Whatever you do, if you want to Commission, especially as a final year med student, DO NOT SHIP TO BCT. Now because you didn’t mention whether or not it’s active duty, reserves or National Guard, I’m going to assume it’s active duty, in which case we are at the worst case scenario. You will not be able to do your internship or residency and your medical career (as a doctor) will pretty much be over before it’s started. The Army won’t give one flying damn that you graduated Med school if you’re active duty. Go to your recruiter and tell them you have reconsidered and will no longer be enlisting. Once that’s done contact an AMEDD recruiter who will put you in the Army as an Officer, and more importantly, a Doctor.

Now I don’t know a whole lot about the AMEDD process so I don’t know if you have to have completed your internship and residency or not, that’s a question for them. But I do know a whole lot about the normal commissioning program (came in through OCS and served 18 months as OCS Cadre). You cannot commission into AMEDD through normal OCS, they do no allow it, as AMEDD has their own program and selection criteria. I know because we have had several Candidates come through OCS whose recruiters had told them they could. Once they were in OCS, there was nothing we could do for them. We no shit had a Candidate with an M.D. who had to take a commission as a Chemical Corps officer because her recruiter screwed her. We tried to work with AMEDD but they said “tough luck” (in a few more words). So talk to a AMEDD recruiter pronto. Best of luck.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Dec 25 at 2020 12:48 AM

LTC Jason Mackay — Fri, 25 Dec 2020 00:48:56 -0500

Please change your profile to your real name.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 26 at 2020 6:26 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 26 Dec 2020 18:26:41 -0500

Get in touch with the AMEDD recruiter for your state. They can reach out to your current recruiter and get that contract switched. Sure your current recruiter won’t be happy, but if they knew you were in medical school and still pushed you through enlisted then they were not serving your best interests.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 27 at 2020 8:09 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 27 Dec 2020 20:09:23 -0500

I totally agree. Don’t go to BCT. I was totally screwed doing it this way. No guarantees to be an MD after you complete. I’m a nurse with prior service active duty time. If you come in through AMEDD you don’t even have to go to BCT. Direct commission is the way to go. 4 weeks of DCC and then 4 weeks at BOLC!! They will talk you into anything to make their numbers!!

Response by CW2 Matt Baum made Jan 8 at 2021 9:12 AM

CW2 Matt Baum — Fri, 08 Jan 2021 09:12:44 -0500

Find an applicable AMEDD Officer recruiter (Guard/Active). Sounds like you may be eligible for a direct commission, therefore potentially skipping BCT/OCS. I doubt that you can choose duty stations...any thing you are promised, get it in writing. That said, I LOVED being a 68W. Tusker Medics '07