gmitch03 Posted January 18, 2022 Share Posted January 18, 2022 I'm a pre-pa student that is thinking about becoming an ARNG PA. I am thinking about joining the national guard to help with student loans, and because I have always wanted to serve. Right now I'm considering enlisting while I'm doing my undergrad and then applying to IPAP when I finish, but I'm also considering waiting to join and commissioning after completing civilian PA school. I understand that if I enlist, my chances of attending IPAP are slim due to limited slots and funding, however I would rather try and be rejected than not try at all. Which route would be better? Enlisting has the possibility of IPAP, but commissioning also seems like the "safer" route. Also, if I did enlist and get rejected from IPAP, would I still be able to attend civilian PA school and be in the ARNG? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TDIowa Posted January 19, 2022 Share Posted January 19, 2022 Can't really tell you what to do or path to take. If you join the Army National Guard and become a Combat Medic Specialist (68 Whiskey). You will be well trained and have learned a skill to help you while in undergrad. In addition the fact that you are serving your country plus the experiences and the skills you learn will look good on any application for PA school no matter where you go. First things first though. Get you undergrad first. Go to the IPAP site and read on the prerequisites you will need for a successful application to PA school. It is not impossible to go the IPAP route. I went that route many years ago. I have found that funding isn't a issue if the state you are in needs PA's. If you join the Army National Guard and become a medic you have a opportunity to excel and get noticed. This networking will aid you when asking your peers, supervisors and commanders you are serving with for letters of recommendation. Always a plus when applying for a military school. More Info on IPAP https://medcoe.army.mil/ipap If you have any question fire away and I will see if I can help TD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gmitch03 Posted January 20, 2022 Author Share Posted January 20, 2022 6 hours ago, TDIowa said: Can't really tell you what to do or path to take. If you join the Army National Guard and become a Combat Medic Specialist (68 Whiskey). You will be well trained and have learned a skill to help you while in undergrad. In addition the fact that you are serving your country plus the experiences and the skills you learn will look good on any application for PA school no matter where you go. First things first though. Get you undergrad first. Go to the IPAP site and read on the prerequisites you will need for a successful application to PA school. It is not impossible to go the IPAP route. I went that route many years ago. I have found that funding isn't a issue if the state you are in needs PA's. If you join the Army National Guard and become a medic you have a opportunity to excel and get noticed. This networking will aid you when asking your peers, supervisors and commanders you are serving with for letters of recommendation. Always a plus when applying for a military school. More Info on IPAP https://medcoe.army.mil/ipap If you have any question fire away and I will see if I can help TD If I was going to join I would try to be a 68W since I already have my EMT and plan on getting my medic. In general, how competitive is IPAP for NG? I understand each state only gets a few slots, but are there a lot applicants within each state? Also, how do-able is national guard while doing my undergrad? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TDIowa Posted January 20, 2022 Share Posted January 20, 2022 If you were to go into the Guard I would ask to be assigned to a line unit such Battalion Aid Station or a Field Treatment Medical Company that has a PA(s) assigned to it and complete your undergrad. Thru out this time make it known to the powers to be that you want to go to IPAP. Get your name out there. Make yourself marketable. Take all the medical courses you can. Become BLS Instructor Qualified. The Army has a ton of medical correspondence short courses. Max your PT testing. Strive for expert marksman. If you can find a Expert Field Medical Badge Course take it. Close to graduation start looking for Guard units within your state that has a PA slot assigned to it but no PA filling that slot. Don't worry about finding a empty slot there are plenty. Early on contact the State Medical Professional Recruiter and tell them that you would be interested in filling a PA and PA slot and what would be the possibility of the Guard sending you to PA school. If you get this far the application is a long process. Do Not rely on anyone do the required paperwork. You should take a active roll in completing the application process. That way you will know its done and done right. I was a commander in a Field Medical Company. During that time I was able to get 5 of my soldiers into IPAP using this strategy. There really isn't a selection process once your packet leaves the state. As far as how completive, not really, if you are selected by the sate for that slot and meet all the criteria you go. Your packet will be screened by IPAP to make sure you meet the criteria but that's about it. IPAP really plays no role in the selection process for National Guard and Reservist. There role is the selection process of Active Duty. Its the state that your from that picks up the tab for your schooling. The National Guard is extremely doable while you go to college. Plus they throw a lot of money at you to pay for college. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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