Expert: Cynthia Bedell - 7/28/2007

Question
QUESTION: colonel,

I am a specialist in the US ARMY. I am a current student of University of
Phoenix as a psychology mayor. I am looking in continuing my education as
high as possible.

My question to you is;
What is do I need to do? study? or even research? on how to become a
therapist as an officer in the US ARMY? or look into psychology related field
with the US ARMY as a commissioned officer?

Thank you,

SPC Ramirez

ANSWER: Dear Alex --

You have a number of options available to you depending on how hard you are willing to work, and how long a commitment to the Army you are willing to make.

Here are some options to pursue:

1)  You can apply to become a physician's assistant (PA).  Check out the Army Knowledge Online announcement about the Army needing PAs.  You would train to become an officer in the Medical Service Corps.  You would owe the normal follow-on tour of about three years, when your training is done.  There are a number of PA specialties you could apply to train in.

2)  Once you finish your undergraduate degree, you can apply to attend the Uniformed Health Services University to get your medical degree as a psychiatrist.  While you attend medical, you would be a second lieutenant.  After graduation you would get an automatic promotion to captain.  You would also be paid a medical professional bonus.  You would owe up to ten years active service for your medical training and residency.  However, you would be a full medical doctor (MD) when you graduate.

3) You can apply for the green to gold program to finish your degree and get a commission as a second lieutenant.  In your senior year you would apply for commissioning into one of the medical specialties.  There is no guarantee that you would be picked for a medical specialty, but once commissioned, you can again apply for the Uniformed Health Service University program to train as a medical doctor.

4) You can continue your studies on your own and once you have a master's degree or a Ph.D. you can apply for a direct commission into the Army.  This choice is tricky, because you chance at a direct commission is dependant upon Army needs when you apply.  If they do not need someone with the advanced degree you received, they will not accept you for a direct commission.

Most of the social work services in the Army are done by Department of the Army Civilians, so you need to focus on the medical doctor or physician's assistant side of the therapy roles.

Please write back, if you have other questions.  Good luck to you.


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Colonel,

Thank you for the info.

First, if I take route (1) do I have to have a degree as a medical doctor? Can it
be a bachelors in Science of psychology? And if so, How long does it take to
finish PA school? The website on AKO does not give a determine time frame.
Unless I did my research the wrong way.

Second, this route sounds better then most. Since it seems After my
psychology degree is finished I can apply for the Psychiatrist program. Al
thou, would I have to attend medical school on the civilian side.....This is
what I think you wrote me? If so, does the Uniformed Health Services
University give me the opportunity to attend both schools?

Last, I feel that after finishing my bachelors in science of psychology. I should
take the PA program. Since, this could be the best route. I am working against
the clock. I am currently 28 years old and I may not commission on time.
There are so many rumors about waivers but I am not completely sure of this.
What would be your best recommendation? I do greatly appreciate your feed
back.


Thank you again for your time Colonel;

Spc Ramirez, Alejandro
ANSWER: Dear Alejandro --

To be a PA, you do not need to already be a medical doctor.  You will get the training you need in the PA program.  There are no time lines on the PA training description because the length of training depends on the specialty you choose.  Some training is significantly longer than other training.  Most of your training will take 9 months to a year.  

The Uniformed Health Services University is a medical school.  As soon as  you matriculate (enter your first year) you are an officer in the armed service that sponsored you.  You are commissioned either at the rank of a second lieutenant or ensign, depending on your branch of service.  You will attend classes like any medical student but you will be with other officers that desire to serve their country.  When you complete your medical training you will go on to do internships and residencies at military hospitals.  You will be expected to pass the medical board exam in at least one state in the U.S. in order to be allowed to practice at any military hospital or clinic.  

Your timing is more flexible than you think.  Although a new officer must receive their commission at 30 years of age or younger, you have prior service.  Add the years you have served to 30, and you can determine the age you must be younger than when you are commissioned.  For example if you have served 4 years active duty, then you must be no older than 34 when you receive your commission (30 years max age plus 4 years prior service).  

I recommend the PA program if you want to start serving as a therapist as soon as possible.  I recommend the the health services university or medical school, if you want to have more authority and control over your practice of psychiatric medicine.  As a PA you will always be under a doctor's guidance.  As a doctor you will guide a team that provides treatment to your patients.  Both are rewarding, the best option for you, only you can decide.

Good luck to you and thank you for serving.



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Colonel,

Thank you for all the help which you have given me. I do have couple of
concerns.

First, on the ARMY Regulation 601-20 17 October 2000  The Interservice
Physician Assistant Training Program; under Page 4, paragraph 10 Basic
Application item J;  it says that I cannot retire if I commission as a PA and if I
do want to retire, I have to do so on my last enlisted rank, not the
commission
rank as a PA. Now, am I reading wrong? Because since I am working on my
8th year. I don't wanna waist the years I have in the ARMY.

Last, could I join the PA program and to retire with 20 years in service switch
jobs such as infantry or another officer branch?

Thank you again for all your help....

Ramirez, Alex

Answer
Dear Alex --

The latest update to the regulation can be found at this website;  http://www.cs.amedd.army.mil/ipap/army/_AR%20601-20%20FY%2006%20Update.pdf.

I believe that your years will count, but that you will not be allowed to retire at 20 years, if you still have a service obligation.  That means you have to retire at later than 20 years at a higher percentage retirement.  

So, if you had 14 years in service when you entered the PA training, and your training took 2 years you would have a six year obligation.  You would not be allowed to retire at 20 years with 50% basis pay authorized.  You could however, retire at 22 years with 55% basis pay authorized.

If this is still not clear, please write back and I will try to give a more detailed example.

You would not be allowed to branch transfer, if you still owed service obligation time for your PA training.

Good luck.