The road to a PA

[Shank]

I have just graduated High School at 17 and would like to become a PA in the future through the Air Force. I have good ASVAB scores and a clean record, I am sure I could make it into the Air Force without a problem. I have heard of many paths to becoming a PA, I know that you can get it through joining as enlisted but have heard that going to college first and joining as an officer is a better route. I am sure I could make it either way but I would like to go ahead and start working on my career now while I still have my motivation and drive to go after these goals. Should I go into service now as an E-2 or wait and attend college first to go in as an officer? Please ask questions to help give me the best insight into this issue, thank you.

 

 

[Maverick87]

I have just graduated High School at 17 and would like to become a PA in the future through the Air Force. I have good ASVAB scores and a clean record, I am sure I could make it into the Air Force without a problem. I have heard of many paths to becoming a PA, I know that you can get it through joining as enlisted but have heard that going to college first and joining as an officer is a better route. I am sure I could make it either way but I would like to go ahead and start working on my career now while I still have my motivation and drive to go after these goals. Should I go into service now as an E-2 or wait and attend college first to go in as an officer? Please ask questions to help give me the best insight into this issue, thank you.

 

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The program you're talking about (through the Air Force) is called IPAP. It's VERY competitive and even more political. I've seen enlisted folks make it in as early as 4-6 years in service, but most spend 8-12 years in before attending the program.

 

Basically, I wouldn't join for the sole purpose of attending IPAP because that is largely out of your control.

 

Also, you don't know whether or not you will like being in the military. I joined with the intention of doing 20. I was out in 4.

 

I think a better option would be to go to college, enlist in the national guard, and then try to go to IPAP through that route. I don't really know the details of this, but I've heard stories of people doing it. It's worth looking into at least.

 

Another option is what I did: go to college as a civilian. Then, get accepted into PA school and do the HPSP to get into the Air Force. Get your school paid for, then decide if you want to make it a career.