I just got my papers and met with my unit (CSH 396th).
Wow, was I in for a shock. Apparently they have changed the requirements for
OBLC (I expected a change, but not this).
According to the unit TNG NCO:
I can not go to "OBLC (3 weeks long)" until I complete OBLC HPSP/RC which is offered only once a year lasting 6 weeks---in June 2009.
The courses are back to back at Fort Sam Houston.
6-8-C20(OBLC HPSP/RC) 6/15/2009 to 7/27/2009
6-8-C20(RC) OBLC 7/31/2009 to 8/31/2009
So, has anybody else been told this? Does anyone have any idea with whom I can "confirm" this information?
This is unreal. That means anyone who enters "direct commission" has to wait a full year to take this course before they can take the "other" OBLC and be deployable....... Not only that the course sound very similar, see the below links:
Someone correct me if i am wrong, but isn't HPSP Health Professions Scholarship Program? Which is what Med School/graduate Students get? I do not believe that HPSP is available for nursing students (undergrads), and should not apply to a direct commission Officer at all. It was my understanding that Med students who use the HPSP go to the three week course BEFORE med school and then drill as a 2LT with their Reserve Unit until the graduate. Then they complete the OBLC Course in order to become deployable.
I obviously am no expert on this program, but I think you should definitely get some second opinions/information on your class selection...
i think your right....there is another blog sight just for doctors, and alot of them had mentioned it. google (doctors amedd oblc) and you may come up with something. that would make perfect sense since it is only held once a year in June which is when the students are off. perhaps it has something to do with you being a Phd student and they misunderstand your intentions.
dude.....thats nuts!! i didnt hear anything about this except that something about the course was supposed to change, which i think was already implemented this summer. that course looks EXACTLY like OBLC RC. i got in contact with my career counsler at HRC St. Louis. Eventually someone from my IMA office at Ft Riley put me in touch with an AMEDD guy from St. Louis named Mr. Staples (314-592-000 ext.5703) who e-mailed me a few forms which took ten minutes to fill out. I faxed them back and within two days got confirmation from attrs that i was enrolled and within a week got a welcome letter from OBLC in my AKO account. unless i was the exception, and my class is the last one in the current system, i think something does not sound right. as badly as they need nurses right now i find it hard to believe they would put up over a year of road blocks until you are deployable. i am prior service but i don't really think that has anything to do with it. i think i would just slit my wrists if i got that kind of news. i'm just hoping i get my orders and everything goes off without further problems.
Hi,
I just noticed the number listed above is missing a digit! Could you post that number again?
You are right about the abbreviation for HPSP .........and Mr. Staples of HRC is the "man."
He listened and phoned my unit NCO "incharge of training", who immediately cancelled my 2 classes of OBLC and OBC in 2009----and quickly booked me for Aug.'s OBLC (RC) class!!!!! Now, Mr. Staples from St. Louis is overseeing the final paperwork.
And my NCO did not even know it was me who phoned HRC!!!
Thank you again for your timely help. You saved me months (a year- infact) of waiting----- SEE YOU THERE, Jbrecon2
haha you owe me a beer!!!....good for you Cindy.....i thought you were a guy for some reason. if you have any questions about uniform stuff or anything else please ask and i'll try to help. I'm trying to get as much squared away online as possible. someone from your unit should be able to take you to the nearest post with your orders and two forms of ID to get a ID card which will save you time doing it when you get there. my name is John by the way. nice to meet you!!
Glad everything worked out for you. Also on the uniform thing... As JBRecon2 stated, If your Recruiter will take you to a local post, with your orders and ID, you should be able to apply for an Exchange Credit Card (Star Card) I believe they also have a MasterCard version out in some locations now... Anyway, If money is an issue, there is a $500 uniform allowance for use at the Clothing Sales. It is 0% interest, and could help out until you receive your uniform reimbursement, and get your pay going. Just a thought.
And my NCO did not even know it was me who phoned HRC!!!
He may not know that you called HRC directly, but he knows you complained to someone. The HRC gods don't just randomly come down and interfere w/ people's orders/school slot unless someone has given them a reason. Any training NCO with more than a day's experience will be able to figure out what occurred.
He may not know that you called HRC directly, but he knows you complained to someone. The HRC gods don't just randomly come down and interfere w/ people's orders/school slot unless someone has given them a reason. Any training NCO with more than a day's experience will be able to figure out what occurred.
Oopps! Good point...... I bet you are right.
Dang it. This no way to start my army career.....I will really have to watch my p's and q's from here on out. Although, I am sure I am branded as the "complainer" now.
On the other hand, The HRC "god" did explain that he "trying to fill this year's OBLC classes" as the "excuse" for (stepping in and) calling our NCO.
Specializes in critical care: trauma/oncology/burns.
Hello Everyone and I hope y'all have/had a safe, peaceful 4th.
OTD2: You are not a "complainer". Goodness if there was only one thing I learned from the Army it is: No one is going to "toot your horn" for you. You must try to stay on top of your education and your military career. Keep your own personal 201 file, keep plugging away at all the on line educational "stuff" (most take no more than an hour of your time) and make sure all that stuff gets a mention in your OER.
And once you finish with OBC take the time to volunteer (gulp, yeah I know I used that dreaded word, smile) for stuff like doing SRPs and teaching while in your unit.
As a Poster had previously stated: any branch of the Military is what you make of it.
Anyways.....Great that you are going into the August OBC class. I hope you try to post from time-to-time and let us (your "forum family") share your experiences. And I am glad you got the opportunity to check out your TPU.
It is great to hear your words of advice. It is a fine line between being the "squeaky wheel" and the one person "everyone wants to avoid." But keeping silent is not my strong suit.
I will indeed do some "volunteering" in my unit once the OBLC is over.-- what a great idea!!!
In the meantime, I am spending my "own dime" to go and volunteer in Myanmar for a few weeks before OBLC. (Costly, but good for the heart....)
You Keep well in Texas--enjoy that great barbeque :) I will keep in touch....
You must try to stay on top of your education and your military career. Keep your own personal 201 file, keep plugging away at all the on line educational "stuff" (most take no more than an hour of your time) and make sure all that stuff gets a mention in your OER.
This is so true! My situation was quite a bit different, but when I was a Junior Enlisted Soldier in the Army, I earned (2) AAM's (Army Achievement Medals) They are rather low on the awards list, but for a PFC, I was glad to have them. Anyway.... when I got out after my 6 year Enlistment (as a SPC), It seems that those awards never made it into my 201 file (hmmm, no wonder I was having trouble getting my promotion points!). As I did not foresee re-entering the military, I just let it slide, after all, I was going home!
Fast forward 10 years... Now I am looking to go back into the ANC... would not mind having those medals back:crying2:
Stay on top of all your records in the Military... if you can't prove it in writing...it doesn't exist!!
lifeafter40
244 Posts
Someone correct me if i am wrong, but isn't HPSP Health Professions Scholarship Program? Which is what Med School/graduate Students get? I do not believe that HPSP is available for nursing students (undergrads), and should not apply to a direct commission Officer at all. It was my understanding that Med students who use the HPSP go to the three week course BEFORE med school and then drill as a 2LT with their Reserve Unit until the graduate. Then they complete the OBLC Course in order to become deployable.
I obviously am no expert on this program, but I think you should definitely get some second opinions/information on your class selection...