What would be my chances of becoming a Medical/Medical service Officer in the Army? Please read below.?

Question

Well, I am graduating from college in May, but the ROTC program is letting me finish it's program so I can be comissioned. I also just joined the Army National Guards. Right now my assigned MOS is a Petroleum specialist in the Quatermaster branch.

I am going to attend Capella University to receive a MS and Phd in counseling Psychology, and I want to do something with Mental health in the army.

If the army knows that I will have a Phd. or will have the Phd very soon, will that give me a better chance in getting into that branch?

What would my chances be?

Hey, It's either Medical, or Quartermaster, and I hope it's medical.

Answer 1

Very very slim chances. Since you are a Guardsman, you can only be branched for slots that are available in your state and currently there are no Psychiatrist slots in any state or territory (which is what you would want - Psychologist is not part of the officer medical corps). The active army has darn few of those. Looks like you are going to QM OBC at Ft. Lee, VA - enjoy.

Answer 2

I would have thought by now you would have learned that every assignment, commission, transfer, mission...is based on the needs of the Army.

I can't tell if you are male or female, but your chances....even though remote, of being commissioned in the MSC are better if female. Most branch assignments are in the combat arms.

I doubt the Army will put much stock in your possibly getting your PhD. Besides, completing college, then your MS and then your PhD isn't going to happen "very soon" as you describe. Your talking at least what...3 years?

My OCS class (and I had a BS and an MBA) graduated 130 out of 220 people that started. My friend who also graduated from SDSU requested MSC and he was still working on his MS. We all laughed at him because there wasn't any chance that anyone would be commissioned in the MSC. Well. he got a slot. So it is possible.

I has my undergrad in criminology and requested MP's first and field artillery second. At least I got to command troops in the field as an FA officer.

Nothing wrong with QM...good luck.

Answer 3

My dealings with the Army National Guard of 16 years, is they will use you where the need is the greatest. It sounds like you have it all together and hope you get what you want. Keep pressing the issue and they will grant you your wishes if you are qualified when it's time to re-up for sure.