Thinking of joining ArmyROTC...any suggestions?

[Jassa17]

Hey Ya'll! I'm a newbie...

I'm soon to be a college student & am going to finish my bachelor's degree. I'll be a junior & am majoring in Business Mgt (HR concentration) and a minor in Public Health with intentions of receiving my Masters in Public health directly after. My dream is to work for the VA and to change their policies for the better. As we all know, its easier to get into the VA being military than a civilian. Most of my friends are military and I've always wanted to join, just never felt right until now. I have spoken with the ROTC Maj. and he stated I would be going into medical services corp for what I'm wanting to do. I was wondering if anyone could let me know what that all entailed. I want to be in the office of a med center with hopes of someday being a director or someone that can help change policies. I would like to be able to look over the veterans/soldiers and make sure they are getting the care and attention they need and deserve. Any information about this would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance and God Bless!
Hugs,

Jassa17

Oh yes...one more thing...what can I do to help put my mother at ease...she doesn't like this idea one bit! My father, on the otherhand, was enlisted and is the one who is all about me joinging up!. Thanks again!

[Master Tanker]

jassa, I don't capish your school record, its confusing: 'soon college student then junior majoring in'...junior what, HS or College? Anyway, the ROTC MAJ is right. What you study lends itself to MSC. BUT GET INTO ROTC!! because if you don't, forget commissioned Officer in the Army and all the VA stuff. MSC officers at first run medical platoons, later Companies and (if you are a water walker) battalions. That's where all the medics are assigned; to have a unit that they belong to and cares for them. It is basic US Army organization. The medics themselves are working in points, stations, hospitals etc. or (the glory boys) as medics in the field with combat arms guys (Infantry, Armor, Artillery, combat engineers etc.) fighting the enemy. Thus, as a MSC officer you are basically a manager of people and resources. That's it in a nutshell. Concerning your mother, I believe she has been mom long enough, OK?

[Jassa17]

I'm sorry. My schooling is confusing because I was trying to be brief. I have an associate's degree in Bus. Admin, so I am starting school this fall as a junior. Thanks for the information tho, I appreciate it!

[former31B]

I want to be in the office of a med center with hopes of someday being a director or someone that can help change policies. I would like to be able to look over the veterans/soldiers and make sure they are getting the care and attention they need and deserve.

You should serve the minimum amount of time as an officer and use it to prepare for a career as a Congressman. In the alternate, you should plan on serving 25+ years and become a general. Only when you accomplish one of the two will you be in a position to change policies.

[Master Tanker]

Medical Service Corps does not lend itself to glamorous political positions because of its managerial character. It is very difficult to make General in MSC. I believe they only have one (I can be wrong). Before anyone gives hateful answers I like to make it clear that I have absolutely nothing against MSC. I'm just answering the notion of former31b and jassa. To get into politics or make General you should opt for combat arms (Infantry, Armor Artillery). About 80% of Generals come from them which is logical because they command Brigades and Divisions and Corps to which a MSC unit is usually attached as a support unit.

[Jassa17]

Thanks for the suggestions. I had a feeling this was going to be bigger than it seemed, but I am up for the challenge! I've been told numerous times that I shoud look into politics...something to definately think about! Again, thank you all for the help!!

[Proud Mom]

Good Morning!

There's a young lady in the Recruiting thread that needs some advice and suggestions if any of you gentlemen would please help her out.

http://www.militarytimes.com/forums/showthread.php?p=257276#post257276

Thank you!!

[kmed]

Listen...please go speak to an AMEDD recruiter-they will be able to answer all of your questions about being a medical officer.

MSC officers can work in legislature and the Army offers programs to qualified officers. Usually they extend this to CPTs and above. There is a program that allows you to go to George Washington University for a Masters degree in Legislative Affairs followed by a Congressional Staff or Legislative Liaison position.

Not all MSC officers are platoon leaders-this is a general and broad category that encompasses: Platoon Leaders, Medical Researchers, Lab Specialties, Optometrists, Social Workers, Psychologists....very broad-rule of thumb-if it is a specialty degree that the Army does not have to train you in, it would be a direct commission.

You would be better served at speaking to a Medical Officer Recruiter-stay out of the offices that are in strip malls. You need someone that will guide you in the appropriate avenue for commission. Most of the strip mall recruiters are geared at getting people to enlist and may try to convince you to enlist in order to go to OCS vs going the ROTC route for commissioning. Hopefully this helps you out..post more and I will try to help..I am a Med Officer-not MSC though.

[Jassa17]

Kmed...

Thank you so much for your help! Ok, so let me try and understand this...I can try and apply for the legislature program after I am a CPT. That is the program that allows for me to go to G. Washington U. for a Masters in Leg. Affairs, right?

I am wanting to help soldiers/veterans/families receive the treatment and help they deserve. The red tape is hell to get through and I'd like to help them cut through it. Whatever I need to do to accomplish this, I will.

What I am looking to go into is Med Svcs Corp officer as a Health Admin Svcs person. Think that will help me in the right direction? Would that be considered direct commission? What is direct commision? I have a year before I'm eligible for ROTC, but I'm definately going that route! I want to have my Plan of Action before I enroll into the program. The more I know, the better I off I will be!

Thanks again Kmed, and to all for helping me with my research on this matter.
Jassa

I don't remember if I sd what I'm going to school for yet or not, but im enrolled for a Bachelors in Mgt degree w/a HR concentration and a minor in Public health. Afterwards, I'm wanting to get a Masters in Public Health. I'm hoping this will help spring me forward into helping our military family.

[kmed]

Well..I don't believe that Health Admin is considered a direct commissioning position (ask a AMEDD Officer recruiter). Direct commissioning is something I did-I hold a license to practice is a specialty field; therefore, the Army promoted me directly vs having to go through ROTC/OCS. I basically just went to OBC to learn how to be an officer (I was prior service enlisted so I knew to go this route). Fields that are direct commission for example: Lawyers, Physicians, Social Workers, Dieticians, Occ and Physical Therapists, Nurses..see the pattern..

There is also another program route the Army offers to those who want to do health care admin..again, usually offered to CPTs (speak to your recruiter)..I believe these programs are through Baylor University..1) Masters in Health Care Administration 2) dual Masters in Business/Health Care Admin

Hopefully, the following website can help you out...
http://www.goarmy.com/amedd/hpsp.jsp

[Jassa17]

Ok..I am fully understanding now. Thank you, Kmed. I have found a recruiter in my area, and I do plan on contacting her. The website was quite helpful, also. Thank you again for your time and effort on helping me! I do appreciate it! Hope you have a great week! ;-)