Expert: Aaron Shifferly - 11/25/2009

Question
Thanks for your time,

I want to enlist in the Army but I have come across some problems. I ended up going to a military academy on Ft. Gordon YCA because it appeared to be everything a normal high school offered plus you got to work out. Well after I was at the actual meeting they said they stopped diplomas 2 classes before. Long story short I completed with a Ged. I have a clean record, I even scored an 85 on the asvab. I want to be a psychiatrist for my career, so I saw a mos as a mental health specialist so I figured that was best. The day my scores came in slots closed. Do you know which would be quicker.... Should I try and go to college first or is the army going to accept geds again soon? Like january time (the new year)


Also I have been checking online how is it possible to go to college on active duty? Online Colleges are really never accepted at any university, so whats the best way since I need a bach. degree in pscychology with minor pre med then 4 years med school?
Best way or Help?


Also, would I go in at a higher rank because of the academy?

Thanks for ALL of your time,

John

Answer
OK .. well you want to be a psychiatrist which is a medical doctor and requires both an undergraduate degree and a graduate degree. You can complete the undergraduate degree portion of your training while enlisted through tuition assistance or a green to gold scholarship (goarmy.com has some resources on that). You could also just apply for an outright ROTC Scholarship and see what they have to say.. it would only cover your undergrad to start, though.. you'd have to re-compete to see if you could get a very rare graduate one. If you truly want to be a psychiatrist, I suggest you complete your training outside the Army as you'll have the best opportunity to get it all done. The Army can be hectic and there is no guarantee they would let you go to do your MD training and residency requirements.