Expert: MARK A. HOWELL - 4/28/2009

Question
Col. Howell,

I am considering a career in the Navy as a Biochemist.  I will complete my
PhD in Cell & Molecular Biology this summer.  I have been in contact with a
very helpful recruiter in FL.  I have several questions over several areas.  First,
I see that you are opposed to many of the height/weight standards the
military imposes.  I am a large man 6'1 275lbs. I am 32 years old.  I am
working to lose weight to get as close as possible to the Navy standards but I
feel that it may be impossible to reach since I have not seen that weight since
like jr high/high school.  I have been a large guy my entire life. I played
football and ran track at a weight higher than the standards. I am still very
active, I work out, I run.  My father was in the Marines during Vietnam.  He
has told me that there are waivers for people such as myself (Med
specialists..PhD) to be able to be commissioned.  Is this true?  If so, what are
the weight standards?  I am confident I could complete the ODS PT tests.
Additionally, can you explain the BMI testing.  If I weighed 225-240lbs & had
a BMI of 27ould I still get in?

What is the deployment (Iraq/Afghanistan) rate for active Navy Biochemists?  
What is the base pay/rank for someone of my qualifications?  I have a wife &
20 month old daughter.

My wife & I have consolidated our student loans...will the Navy consider these
for repayment?  Or will we have to show separate Promissory notes?

My wife is considering the Navy Reserves at Nurse.  She has a BSN and has
been in ICU/CCU for about 10-12 years.  Prior to that she worked for the VA
in orthopedics.  Our recruiter has told us that she could qualify for O3.  What
is the base pay for this rank in the reserves? Our concern is the likelihood of
her being deployed.  Furthermore, the likelihood of us both being deployed
thus leaving our daughter in the States?


I know that is a lot questions & I am sure I will have more.  I thank you time.

Leodis

Answer
Leodis,
Congratulations on getting your Ph.D.!  That's not an easy task.

Wow, 6'1", 275  you are a big guy.

You should talk to your Navy recruiter about the Navy Direct Commission Officer (DCO) program.  They're looking for biochemists as pure research scientists and also as medical service folks.  In recent years, the number of direct commissions offered by the Navy has increased due to the need for skilled officers to serve in Iraq and Afghanistan, and also at U.S. bases to backfill the positions vacated by those deployed.

The deployment rate varies, depending upon whether you're a pure research scientist (who seldom deploys) or a medical service biochemist (who deploys a lot just like any other sailor.  Their job is to continuously test water samples, food, and sewage to ensure health standards are met.  Also during simulated (or real) chemical attack they advise as to when the area is considered safe after test air samples for airborne chemicals.  What they call "pure scientists" are the guys who work in research labs and walk around in white coats developing antidotes for biochemical weapons and other fun stuff like that.

As a DCO you're basically hired for your knowledge and skill, not your ability to conform to "standards."  You'll skip all the normal basic training-type stuff and attend a two week course of instruction in Newport, RI. before becoming an officer.  Your rank will be determined by you education and experience.  It's not unusual for DCOs to enter the Navy as a Captain (0-6) rank.  Just guessing, I'd say a brand new Ph.D. without much experience will enter as a LT CMDR (0-4) rank.($4,027 + per month)  The reason I say + is because there are several things added to your base pay such as a Variable Housing Allowance to help you pay rent if you live off base, (several hundred dollars, depending upon where you live) Basic Allowance for Subsistence ($223.04 a month),

I know that a DCO must be less than 35, so you're OK there.  But to my knowledge you must still meet the physical standards prescribed by the Navy which is 206 lbs. for your height.  Try to get as close to that as possible, and when you think you've lost as much as you can, see you recruiter to apply for a waiver.  The less you need waived, the better your chances.

The regs say, "Only applicants not meeting the Navy weight standard for their height will be measured for body fat percentage.  Applicants measured at 22 percent body fat or less may enter regardless of their weight."  The AF is the same way, they only measure your BMI if you fail the weigh-in.

Your wife would enter under the exact same DCO program.  As an O-3 Reservist she would start out at ($472+ per month) for Drill Pay and also get Reserve Pay plus special pay for the medical career field. Also, "Allowances" are non-taxable but "Pay" is.  Sea-Duty Pay if you have to go to sea, Cost of Living Allowance if you're stationed in a "high-rent" district, hazardous duty pay, combat pay, etc...There's just so many variables it's hard to guestimate what all you may be eligible for.  Plus lump sum bonuses (up to $60,000) just for joining.

Your student loan question is beyond my realm of expertise, sorry but I can't help you there.  I would guess that you have to show them separately, but that's just my guess.  The recruiter should be able to answer that one for you.

The likelihood of you both being deployed at once is small considering your career fields, but just in case the Navy requires you to file a child-care contingency plan with your supervisor.  It can be as simple as saying she'll go to her maternal grandmother's home for the duration, etc.  The Navy does this just to make you think and ensure your daughter is being taken care of.  Once either of you are in, your daughter will become a part of the big Navy family.  She'll receive excellent medical care and everybody will ensure she is being well-cared for.  Regular health care checkups, etc. will be mandatory, and your supervisor, your commander, her doctor, the hospital, will all be on your case to ensure she has no missed appointments, etc.  Also, the Navy has many award-winning daycare centers and schools on base.

I hope I helped a little.

I wish you well and I salute your (both of you) willingness to join the military.
Colonel H

PS.  If you can lose 70 lbs. I want to know your secret!