Which would be the better OCS pathway to prepare me for pursuing PA school (IPAP), going AD or Reserves?

Sam Sylvester — Tue, 03 Apr 2018 16:00:46 -0400

I am in the process if applying to OCS, after a few years in my branch, I would like to apply to IPAP program. I am wondering if I should go active or go reserve, to take a few more science classes and get more direct patient care hours. I already have a degree in Biology so I meet the pre reqs for Ipap already, just need to retake the SAT. I understand if I went reserve I might have time to take more high level courses like Organic Chem 2/biochem. Was wondering which would be the better path, active or reserve?

Response by CW5 Sam R. Baker made Apr 3 at 2018 4:04 PM

CW5 Sam R. Baker — Tue, 03 Apr 2018 16:04:56 -0400

Personally I like Active but then I am aviation and it surely seems you want the medical field or something really specialized. My opinion is still active however.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 3 at 2018 4:51 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 03 Apr 2018 16:51:57 -0400

If you have a Bachelors in Biology with a decent GPA, I recommend trying a direct commission instead of OCS. It takes some time, but once you’re in, you’re in.

Response by A1C Ian Williams made Apr 3 at 2018 5:00 PM

A1C Ian Williams — Tue, 03 Apr 2018 17:00:12 -0400

Those courses should never frighten you Sam Sylvester An officer never backs down from a challenge and the rest is time management. Good luck to you. I am rooting for your success!

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Apr 3 at 2018 5:42 PM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Tue, 03 Apr 2018 17:42:06 -0400

OK, elaborate...what GPA? Also, which SVC as PA, all svcs have them, incl USCG, I gather you want Army, try to not limit yourself in that regard, it's not which one you want, it'# which one wants you. I've been all through virtually everything done clinically, I was doctoral level allied health before my disability, I trained with masters levelmPA students, so believe me, I've taken it all, passed it all, I assure you, other than some OB/GYN, PEDs, and some more anesthesiology. We shut my license sevl yrs ago as I'm total perm disabled, however, I can show you a good deal. Look at USPHS COSTEP, the USPHS analogue to ROTC, dont just think of the other typical five svcs, trust me, look it up, you'll see why I suggest it. Further, are you EMT? Paramedic? Have you done any hospital volunteering at all? I gather you've done half of organoc, not the other half, tell !e exactly wpyour science coursework, embryology, comparative anatomy, genetics, have you done any cell bio? Molecular bio? Find a school by you giving gross anatomy over a summer program and try to go, with full cadaver dissection. Also, histology is quite different from gross, the technique for learning it differs, I had to do gross twice to get it, same for path and oharm, I know all the review texts used. Get the Williams and Wilkins review texts called the Board Review Series (BRS), and the Natl Med Series (NMS), get the Lippincott blue soft cover biochem text, and the red soft cover pharm text, all clinical programs use them, all, doesn't matter the field, or level, all of them. If where you are has nursing anatomy, ask to take it as an elective, also, I'm assuming you'd do a masters level PA, undergrad PAs are nearly the way of the dodo. Further, if you can go nurse practitioner (NP), you'd be better off, for numerous reasons. If you want PA, fine, however, NPs get their own licenses and can hang shingles independently, and dont have to be supervised and signed off like PAs do, PAs get only limited licenses, now, if you want PA as I'd said, fine, howeve, also, specifically tell me, if you can, elaborate, what specific subfield as PA would you want? Internal med? OR? Psych? Derm? What specific field would you want, ifmyou have any preference now? Also, if youre not EMT or AEMT or paramedicz try to go for it, doing that would give you some more realistic perspective, OK? Elaborate, I'll try to help with more so far as I can, OK?

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Apr 3 at 2018 5:43 PM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Tue, 03 Apr 2018 17:43:25 -0400

And also, USPHS COSTEP osmdirect commission OIS type, sm indoc program, though USCG uses their own PAs apart from USPHS, read about USPHS Commissioned Corps, you'll see how it works, OK?

Response by CPT Gurinder (Gene) Rana made Apr 3 at 2018 5:57 PM

CPT Gurinder (Gene) Rana — Tue, 03 Apr 2018 17:57:02 -0400

In any field of practice, it is always best to take the active route for commission. This is followed by Reserve route and last, the other commissioning sources. Medical, Chaplain and any of the other specialized fields require full time application in the field, which is best done on active duty.

Response by TSgt David Holman made Apr 3 at 2018 9:32 PM

TSgt David Holman — Tue, 03 Apr 2018 21:32:34 -0400

Honest opinion, if you are looking to commission into any field, and then apply to the IPAP program, you might be doing yourself a disservice. If you are really looking at going into a PA program, look at one of the civilian ones, then come in with the PA (the military has a lot of student loan forgiveness programs). As strange as it sounds, enlisting into a medical field for a short stint (4-6 years) would give you some direct patient care, which could enhance you chances of being accepted to the IPAP program, with the benefit of commissioning as an O-1E (check the payscales, it is worth it). I have loved my time as a medic, and have done everything from simple nursing tasks, to running a clinic of my own... every day I learn something new about the field. The only thing I am going to miss about being a medic are the days where I am carrying a brick and hear "attention on the air, attention on net, stand by for a medical/trauma response". Whatever you decide to do, best of luck to you.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 3 at 2018 10:56 PM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 03 Apr 2018 22:56:02 -0400

So what’s the real issue? If you go OCS then you get branched needs of the Army. It won’t be any easier to do IPAP. After doing s few years in whatever branch how competitive do you think your direct patient hours will be? I would say not as competitive as those in the medical field branches. And it don’t mean medical service Corp. Is it you don’t want to pay for the school yourself or that you can’t get in a program as a civilian. Your best bet if you really want to join something is Reserves because active duty your taking your chances to not get selected and then your stuck with whatever branch. You best bet is to direct commission into PA.

Response by LT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 4 at 2018 2:47 PM

LT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 04 Apr 2018 14:47:28 -0400

Consider civilian programs. Loan forgiveness is a great program for getting loans payed off once you’re in the service. It only goes so far, however. Make 100% sure that an ARMY PA is what you want it to be. Compare and contrast USAF and Navy programs as well as PA vs MD etc. As far as your original question, it’s completely circumstantial. What do you want from the military being active duty and being a reservist. Active duty offers tuition assistance to where you don’t need to use your GI bill to earn extra credits. There are so many options. In my firm opinion, you need a mentor. Find someone who is an Army PA on here or at the very least a PA. Pick his/her brain.

Response by SGT Victoria Belbusti made Jul 24 at 2018 5:52 AM

SGT Victoria Belbusti — Tue, 24 Jul 2018 05:52:40 -0400

Why not go directly into IPAP ?