Thatotherguy23 Posted July 22, 2020 Share Posted July 22, 2020 I’m starting PA school next May. My plan the entire time was to direct commission into the military when I graduated, but now I’m not so sure if it’s possible. (Commissioning after PA school, not with a scholarship such as the HCSP). Every time I try to research it, I find so much conflicting information. Some people say that you can direct commission right out of PA school. Some people say you need 1-2 years of experience. Some people say they take a bunch of direct commissions every year. Some people say they only take 1-2 per year in certain branches. I’m mainly interested in the Army, Navy, Air Force, and the National Guard (not very interested in the coast guard). When I graduate PA school, I will be 23 years old (3+2 program right out of high school). When I was in high school, the PA job market was seemingly strong, but now it seems that New-grads are having a hard time finding jobs (with many taking over 6 months to find employment after graduation) and it seems that many are taking jobs with low salaries (~80k per year) and not so good benefits (little to no PTO). So I would definitely like to get experience in the military before entering the civilian job market if possible. If anyone could help me understand the process better it would be greatly appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator LT_Oneal_PAC Posted July 22, 2020 Moderator Share Posted July 22, 2020 I can only tell you based on my N of 2 in the Navy, colleagues that direct commissioned. They applied right after school, or maybe at the end, and both took about 6-12 months for whatever paperwork to be processed. Not sure if they were immediately accepted waiting on commissioning paperwork, or waiting for some acceptance process. They stated at the time that no one goes directly in because of this process and it’s variable how long you wait to start. Both had jobs prior to starting. They also noted, and my recruiter when I inquired, that only a handful are selected for direct commission. my understanding for the army is they also take very few since they graduate so many from IPAP, that’s less solid info though. I know this is why they don’t offer their own scholarship. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emilymuff Posted July 23, 2020 Share Posted July 23, 2020 I am prior Navy HM, so my knowledge on your specifics is close to none. However, like @LT_Oneal_PAC said, I know how long the entrance process can be. So I would recommend talking to recruiters now and get that ball rolling if you haven't already. Best, Emily Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MorganZ Posted August 8, 2020 Share Posted August 8, 2020 Hey! I just graduated from PA school last week and I am in the process of trying to direct commission for the Army. I'm currently submitting my packet, have MEPS soon, and have an Army panel interview in October. I talked to a Navy medical recruiter who told me I need 1 year of civilian PA job experience before I could join. However, the Army does not require experience prior to joining. I would suggest getting in contact with a medical recruiter for each branch you're interested in. From my experience, non-medical recruiters don't know the full details for direct commission PAs. Feel free to message me if you have any questions!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnchorandCaduceus Posted August 8, 2020 Share Posted August 8, 2020 Any interest in the USPHS? I too was interested in the Navy right after PA school but back then they only accepted PAs who are in their own program. That’s when I learned about the USPHS. I know not many PAs knows about them and some have transferred over from the sister services. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ohiovolffemtp Posted August 10, 2020 Share Posted August 10, 2020 My data is 7 years old. The air force recruited heavily at my PA school. I believe 3 of 39 classmates signed up. Also, the army national guard recruited heavily, though not so much. I believe they only got 1. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markshark2013 Posted September 1, 2020 Share Posted September 1, 2020 Hey guys I graduated 2 weeks ago and just took the PANCE today. I have been working on my direct commissioning packet with my Army Medical Recruiter for about 5 months now. I have already attended MEPS, attended it during my last rotation when I had a weekend off, and now all that I am waiting on is for my results from the NCCPA to come back. Highly encourage you to reach out to Medical Recruiters specifically those who have helped PAs commision in the past. He has been a tremendous help and has streamlined the whole process. Anyway my recruiter gave me a rough timeline. Graduate and take boards in August Finish and look over all officer packet material in September including letters of rec, background, family, marriage etc Submit Packet in October when the Armys yearly cycle resets and thus the most amount of slots are available. Hopefully commision and ship out to Oklahoma for Direct Comissioning Course in November 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deltawave Posted December 12, 2020 Share Posted December 12, 2020 On 8/31/2020 at 9:14 PM, markshark2013 said: Hey guys I graduated 2 weeks ago and just took the PANCE today. I have been working on my direct commissioning packet with my Army Medical Recruiter for about 5 months now. I have already attended MEPS, attended it during my last rotation when I had a weekend off, and now all that I am waiting on is for my results from the NCCPA to come back. Highly encourage you to reach out to Medical Recruiters specifically those who have helped PAs commision in the past. He has been a tremendous help and has streamlined the whole process. Anyway my recruiter gave me a rough timeline. Graduate and take boards in August Finish and look over all officer packet material in September including letters of rec, background, family, marriage etc Submit Packet in October when the Armys yearly cycle resets and thus the most amount of slots are available. Hopefully commision and ship out to Oklahoma for Direct Comissioning Course in November How'd that timeline workout? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markshark2013 Posted December 16, 2020 Share Posted December 16, 2020 (edited) Haha original timeline didnt work out but it is progressing I got approved by the army's medical board so I have my slot as a 1st Lt but I am still waiting on getting my "scroll" which is a document that basically needs secretary of defense approval signed before I can schedule my DCC in Oklahoma. Hopefully I wont be waiting too much longer but the army's unofficial moto is "hurry up and wait" so there's that. No matter what I'm still looking forward to serving! Edited December 16, 2020 by markshark2013 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markshark2013 Posted December 30, 2020 Share Posted December 30, 2020 My scroll finally came back and I will be officially commissioning into the army as a 1st Lt on January 16th! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deltawave Posted January 13, 2021 Share Posted January 13, 2021 On 12/29/2020 at 8:53 PM, markshark2013 said: My scroll finally came back and I will be officially commissioning into the army as a 1st Lt on January 16th! Congrats. As a recent grad myself, I've sent my info to army, navy, AF, and USCG... the only one who emailed me back was the AF to tell me my bachelors degree wasn't enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator LT_Oneal_PAC Posted January 13, 2021 Moderator Share Posted January 13, 2021 On 12/29/2020 at 9:53 PM, markshark2013 said: My scroll finally came back and I will be officially commissioning into the army as a 1st Lt on January 16th! Congrats, boot! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MorganZ Posted February 28, 2021 Share Posted February 28, 2021 I just found out that I got selected! I get to be an Army PA!! So excited for this opportunity and adventure! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HM2CRIBBS Posted March 2, 2021 Share Posted March 2, 2021 Awesome job! Do you know where you are going to end up? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MorganZ Posted March 2, 2021 Share Posted March 2, 2021 5 hours ago, HM2CRIBBS said: Awesome job! Do you know where you are going to end up? Thank you so much! Not certain yet, but I listed my top three duty stations as Oahu, Fort Bragg, and Germany! We'll see! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rizzy Posted April 20, 2021 Share Posted April 20, 2021 @markshark2013 can you please contact me. I would appreciate it if I can ask you some questions on a 1 on 1. current pa student trying to direct commission into the army. I appreciate your time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hm2paharris Posted April 21, 2021 Share Posted April 21, 2021 On 8/8/2020 at 1:47 PM, AnchorandCaduceus said: Any interest in the USPHS? I too was interested in the Navy right after PA school but back then they only accepted PAs who are in their own program. That’s when I learned about the USPHS. I know not many PAs knows about them and some have transferred over from the sister services. Do you have any contact info for anyone that transferred from Navy to USPHS? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peterkim93 Posted July 17, 2021 Share Posted July 17, 2021 On 12/29/2020 at 7:53 PM, markshark2013 said: My scroll finally came back and I will be officially commissioning into the army as a 1st Lt on January 16th! Hi sir, after your scroll came back, how long did it take for your Orders and shipping to DCC? I am currently in the process. The boards will meet on 09/14, CV has been accepted, passed MEPs, recruiter has already started the scroll process. I wonder if my timeline will be very similar to yours Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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