U.S. Army Graduate Program in Anesthesia Nursing (USAGPAN) - 2026

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UPDATE: Changes: New Log In Requirement
What Members Are Saying (AI-Generated Summary)

Members are discussing the process of applying for the CRNA program, specifically for reservists, and the documentation and steps required for civilian applicants. They also touch on the importance of certifications like CCRN and GRE, as well as housing options for those with families. Additionally, there are questions about interview attire and shadowing experiences.

This years usagpan thread for questions, experiences and information about the CRNA program. 

Specializes in ICU.

Dunkin' Donuts live oak was a great study spot on Sunday before Monday tests and then we'd study at Stimson library on Wednesdays for a midweek review or for Friday tests, you'll have an exam almost every week and sometimes 2

study group was super helpful, but try not to make it bigger than 4 people

RNMedic and 2 other dudes and I have trademarked the Dunkin Dads so yall gotta come up with your own study group name 

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Specializes in Cardiac cath lab, critical care.

Thank you for all the great questions and detailed answers. I have a question for those who came in as a civilian and it may seem silly but...How do uniforms work? Is this something we are responsible for finding and obtaining and what are the expectations/dress code when attending classes? Also, for those who have dependents not moving to San Antonio, how does the housing allowance determination happen? Also, if there are health circumstances that don't allow dependents to move, what is my best resource to help me parse through these types of questions? Last question, what is the best way to connect to your classmates/cohort well ahead of DCC? I tried setting up a  group but it got blocked 👀. Thank you in advance for your answers and time. 

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eky said:

Thank you for all the great questions and detailed answers. I have a question for those who came in as a civilian and it may seem silly but...How do uniforms work? Is this something we are responsible for finding and obtaining and what are the expectations/dress code when attending classes? Also, for those who have dependents not moving to San Antonio, how does the housing allowance determination happen? Also, if there are health circumstances that don't allow dependents to move, what is my best resource to help me parse through these types of questions? Last question, what is the best way to connect to your classmates/cohort well ahead of DCC? I tried setting up a  group but it got blocked 👀. Thank you in advance for your answers and time. 

Ultimately you are responsible for paying for your uniforms. I used to take folks to get uniforms when I was a recruiter but I'm not sure how others have gone about it.  You will end up getting a x1 clothing allowance of I believe 600....it won't be enough. You will wear your camouflage uniform (OCP's) daily until phase 2. 
 

You should get BAH (housing allowance) at the with dependent rate if you have children, or are married. They will all get enrolled in tricare and you will have to set their location to wherever they are. I have never personally done it but you should be able to call tricare and change their location. When you enroll them in San Antonio you will need to also make sure their address is correct in DEERS. (Sorry we have lots of acronyms). 
 

there are a couple types of insurance plans some with out of pocket cost and some without. I am not the expert on it but they are tricare prime and select. 
 

I can give a general overview on these topics but the nuance of them I can't. You certainly will need to ensure you have all the needed documents to enroll them in deers asap. Others who have been recently can probably provide a little more detail. 

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Specializes in Cardiac cath lab, critical care.

Thank you @MikeyD. A few follow up questions.  How many OCPs does one typically buy (is one per weekday reasonable) and what is the going cost for these? Is second hand an option? If my husband and our children are not moving to San Antonio, are the changes in DEER needed? Or does it automatically get changed based off of my location? 

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eky said:

Thank you @MikeyD. A few follow up questions.  How many OCPs does one typically buy (is one per weekday reasonable) and what is the going cost for these? Is second hand an option? If my husband and our children are not moving to San Antonio, are the changes in DEER needed? Or does it automatically get changed based off of my location? 

I'll let others answer most of the questions for accuracy. 
 

I typically have 3 sets of OCP's. I usually wear the same set for 2 days. 

when you Inprocess you should get an appt with deers (everyone will) and you will put their address in at that time when they are being added to the system. 
 

They will need birth certificates, marriage license, etc. I can't remember if these will come up organically from your initial entry paperwork (probably not) but again others in the chat can let you know. 
 

 

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Specializes in MICU.
eky said:

Thank you @MikeyD. A few follow up questions.  How many OCPs does one typically buy (is one per weekday reasonable) and what is the going cost for these? Is second hand an option? If my husband and our children are not moving to San Antonio, are the changes in DEER needed? Or does it automatically get changed based off of my location? 

Hey @eky, after enrolling your family in DEERS you would need to ensure that tricare is aware of your location vs their location because it matters for coverage purposes. Since they wouldn't be located on a military base they would need to go to an  "in network" provider, drive to base for care if it's close enough, or you could look into "prime select" where you can pick your provider but you pay out of pocket monthly and have co-pays. My husband and I did this when he moved to San Antonio (active duty) and the kids and I stayed in NC. 
 

I got selected for USAGPAN this cycle! I'm a civilian too.  Not sure if there's a Facebook group or anything for the 2026 cohort. If you know of one let me know! 

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Specializes in CVICU, CCU, Paramedic.

One more thing on uniforms. The expectation is that you will also purchase a dress uniform and have it available throughout phase 1 and 2. It is called the AGSU and you should plan on spending $600-1200 for the uniform and getting it fitted. There are companies online where you can purchase the whole thing or you can go to clothing and sales at JBSA. The availability just varies.

Used uniforms are fine but just know the OCP pattern fade relatively quickly so I would advise buying at least 1 full new set of OCPs. Just so they look a little nicer for events where it matters a bit more. You will get a packing list for DCC and that will help guide you through what to purchase as far as uniforms go and everything is available at clothing and sales (usually). 

Also, unless it has changed since I went in 2024, you will be issued things like cold and wet weather jackets, duffel bags, and ruck sacks during the first few days of DCC. My advice is if you want to buy anything ahead of DCC just keep the receipt and tags on everything and you can return anything you got issued back to clothing and sales. No reason to have two of everything. 

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Specializes in Travel ICU RN.
MICU_RN0707 said:

Hey @eky, after enrolling your family in DEERS you would need to ensure that tricare is aware of your location vs their location because it matters for coverage purposes. Since they wouldn't be located on a military base they would need to go to an  "in network" provider, drive to base for care if it's close enough, or you could look into "prime select" where you can pick your provider but you pay out of pocket monthly and have co-pays. My husband and I did this when he moved to San Antonio (active duty) and the kids and I stayed in NC. 
 

I got selected for USAGPAN this cycle! I'm a civilian too.  Not sure if there's a Facebook group or anything for the 2026 cohort. If you know of one let me know! 

@eky @MICU_RN0707 I just made a Facebook group, it's USAGPAN 2026. 

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Specializes in Cardiac cath lab, critical care.

$600-$1200 for one AGSU? 😳 thank you for the heads up, glad to know! Thank you for the info @MICU_RN0707. @Autumn Ellis joined!

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Specializes in ICU.
eky said:

Thank you for all the great questions and detailed answers. I have a question for those who came in as a civilian and it may seem silly but...How do uniforms work? Is this something we are responsible for finding and obtaining and what are the expectations/dress code when attending classes? Also, for those who have dependents not moving to San Antonio, how does the housing allowance determination happen? Also, if there are health circumstances that don't allow dependents to move, what is my best resource to help me parse through these types of questions? Last question, what is the best way to connect to your classmates/cohort well ahead of DCC? I tried setting up a  group but it got blocked 👀. Thank you in advance for your answers and time. 

Hello! Congrats on getting accepted. I'm from the current 2025 Cohort here. In terms of uniforms, you are responsible for purchasing your uniforms. There is a $600 uniform allowance but you won't receive it until weeks into training. But just a heads up, I spent well over $3000 for uniforms/boots/patches alone. I have my patches sewn at the military clothing store on base.

When we arrived in San Antonio on January 27, 2025 (report date), we had about 2 weeks before we got shipped to Oklahoma for DCC. During those 2 weeks here in SATX, there was one day (day 2 or 3) where we all went to the Military Clothing Store at JBSA to purchase our OCPs, etc. I would suggest to have at least 3 pairs. I didn't know that there was a Summer OCP and a Winter OCP. You'll know the difference when you see them. Summer is hot and humid here in SATX and it is extremely cold (for me) when we were in Oklahoma for DCC... so that's one thing you have to consider. I purchased some items on the packing list while I was still at my hometown last year before moving to SATX but there were so many stuff that I ended up not using because either they updated the packing list or I have purchased the wrong items (which at that time I thought were the right ones).  I used to live near an air force base so I had mistakenly bought some air force apparel which I was not aware at that time. LOL.. I'd suggest to just wait until January when you are finally here in TX to purchase everything with the guidance of USAGPAN leaders. This is just based off my experience coming in as a Civilian without any knowledge at all on how everything works. They would also give you time to purchase uniforms in Oklahoma during DCC but I purchased mine and completed the list before I drove to OK. 

During those two weeks prior to DCC, you will be filling out a lot of paperwork for DEERS, etc. You will have to do them again in Oklahoma. Make sure all info are correct and accurate on those forms especially the complete names of dependents and their SSNs. My spouse had to go to the office here on base to process her dependent ID as well. The report date for our cohort was 27 Jan 2025 and I did not get my CAC until 4 Feb 2025. My spouse received the dependent ID on 5 Feb 2025. I reported to DCC on 9 Feb 2025. Just to give you a timeline... 

With insurance, your dependents can choose either Tricare Prime or Tricare Select. Yours would be Prime. With Tricare select, you have more freedom to choose a provider that does not necessarily practice on base but out-of-pocket costs and annual deductible are higher than that of Prime. There will be a phone number provided once you enroll your dependents. They should be able to walk you through the process. This won't happen until after report date on your orders. Hope that helps. 

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Specializes in Cardiac cath lab, critical care.

Thank you again for taking the time to answer these questions. When signing the contracts or documents for this program are there things we should be paying particular attention to and making sure that it is correct? Sorry for the vague question, I just don't know what I don't know and it would be helpful to be aware of what are important things to advocate for.  

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eky said:

Thank you again for taking the time to answer these questions. When signing the contracts or documents for this program are there things we should be paying particular attention to and making sure that it is correct? Sorry for the vague question, I just don't know what I don't know and it would be helpful to be aware of what are important things to advocate for.  

They are all standard and have to be a certain way. It will be QC'ED by the recruiting office, battalion, and health services directorate. Nothing to know or worry about. 

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