UFPA824 Posted November 2, 2015 Share Posted November 2, 2015 Is it possible to join any branch of the military as a physician assistant right after graduating PA school and passing the PANCE? In other words, is it possible to join the military as a PA as your first job as a PA? I've talked to some recruiters that told me I would need at least a year experience working as a PA in the civilian sector before I joined, but then I've also read online that you can apply to join 6 months out from graduation. Any clarification would be greatly appreciated. I am mostly interested in Army. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Disciple3 Posted November 2, 2015 Share Posted November 2, 2015 You can direct commission right after graduation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UFPA824 Posted November 2, 2015 Author Share Posted November 2, 2015 Thanks for the reply. Is it very competitive? If I have a clean record, good grades, good references, and graduated from a good program are the chances of being commissioned pretty high? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Disciple3 Posted November 2, 2015 Share Posted November 2, 2015 Shouldn't have any problems then, got your PT in order? Medical problems can affect it too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UFPA824 Posted November 3, 2015 Author Share Posted November 3, 2015 I'm in pretty good shape with no outstanding medical or mental issues. I have torn my ACL a couple times playing soccer and lacrosse in college. My orthopedic surgeon has said my knees are great condition now. I have no problems with them. I've actually ran a couple marathons since my last procedure in 2010. You think this might hold me back? How stringent are they on past medical history for healthcare professionals compared to more infantry-based jobs? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UFPA824 Posted November 3, 2015 Author Share Posted November 3, 2015 If anyone else knows for sure if you can be commissioned directly after graduating for PA school please comment. Like I've said before, some recruiters have told me I can apply for commission 6 months out from graduation while other recruiters have told me that I have to work for at least 6 months to a year in the civilian world before I could commission. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caleb_jo Posted November 3, 2015 Share Posted November 3, 2015 It all depends on the manning... I know in the Navy you can start your paperwork six months before you graduate. I have a couple second year friends doing that now. Usually they will take 2 to 3 direct commissions a fiscal year. You got to remember, the vast majority of military PA's come from IPAP (military PA school which includes all the services) and HSCP (scholarship program offered by the Navy and I think the Air force). So they only have a limited number of spots for direct entry. It does happen though! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will352ns Posted November 3, 2015 Share Posted November 3, 2015 The only way you can get current real info is to contact a MEDICAL recruiter for whichever service you are going for. The circumstances change constantly and they will have the current skinny. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UFPA824 Posted November 3, 2015 Author Share Posted November 3, 2015 Gotcha, I'll just keep checking with recruiters as graduation comes closer. Thanks for the input everybody. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cop to pa Posted November 3, 2015 Share Posted November 3, 2015 Call your local recruiting office and get the contact info for their regional medical recruiter. They are the ones with the most up to date info. Every career field is different, and your regular recruiter has enough on his or her plate to keep up with the current requirements for specific branches or restricted lines (medical, nursing, legal, etc.). That is why there are specific medical recruiters for each region. Get that person's contact info and stay in touch with that office. If, for some reason, your local recruiter doesn't have the contact info, call another recruiter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UFPA824 Posted November 4, 2015 Author Share Posted November 4, 2015 I appreciate the feedback everyone. No one has really given me a straight answer till now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eo23 Posted January 13, 2016 Share Posted January 13, 2016 Any updates on the info you've learned or where you are in the process? I'm 9 months out from graduation from a PA program and wish to enlist after graduation as well. I'm trying to get all my information straight before I speak with a recruiter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maverick87 Posted January 14, 2016 Share Posted January 14, 2016 It all depends on the manning... I know in the Navy you can start your paperwork six months before you graduate. I have a couple second year friends doing that now. Usually they will take 2 to 3 direct commissions a fiscal year. You got to remember, the vast majority of military PA's come from IPAP (military PA school which includes all the services) and HSCP (scholarship program offered by the Navy and I think the Air force). So they only have a limited number of spots for direct entry. It does happen though! HSCP isn't offered in the Air Force. HPSP was, but I don't think it is anymore. I don't know about the other services, but the Air Force is 100% manned in PAs right now. So I doubt direct commissioning would even be possible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator LT_Oneal_PAC Posted January 14, 2016 Moderator Share Posted January 14, 2016 HSCP isn't offered in the Air Force. HPSP was, but I don't think it is anymore. I don't know about the other services, but the Air Force is 100% manned in PAs right now. So I doubt direct commissioning would even be possible. I bet it is. Even when the navy was 104% manned, they still accepted direct commissions. It's not all about manning now, but looking at the future as well. That said, there is a poor chance you'll get picked up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maverick87 Posted January 14, 2016 Share Posted January 14, 2016 I bet it is. Even when the navy was 104% manned, they still accepted direct commissions. It's not all about manning now, but looking at the future as well. That said, there is a poor chance you'll get picked up. Maybe, maybe not. Again, I can't speak for other services, but I don't know a single PA that was directly commissioned into the AF. Just about all of the PAs here are mustangs that commissioned through IPAP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UFPA824 Posted January 21, 2016 Author Share Posted January 21, 2016 No updates yet. I'm about 15 months out from graduation so I am going to wait a while before I talk to a recruiter again. The only thing I know is that there is no HPSP or HSCP for AF. They used to have HPSP, but it hasn't had any slots for the past couple years. The navy still has HSCP. I am hoping the Army or AF will pick me up after I work for a year to build up my resume. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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