When you go for USPHS - when do you get your physical?

Published

I know when going for active duty you go to the MEPS/physical pretty early on in your application process. If you go USPHS, when and where do you go for your physical?

Thanks!

Specializes in Psych, Med Surg, ER.

I found out on the 24th that I have finally cleared everything and was sent my acceptance letter! I was so excited. I also live near where I'm gonna be stationed. All I need to do is find a house to rent and have them move my goods there. I'm not sure if I'm gonna take TDY or not...(its 50 miles away). We have been researching homes online. But I still need to set up a date for OBC and my wife and I already set up a vacation while at my job (that I will be leaving soon) that I will have to see if it will be approved to go slightly into the negative for leave. The hard part is the person who hired me to start there is PCS's in May and I start Apr 12th. But none the less, I am ready to do this.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

That is AWESOME! CONGRATULATIONS! ... I am happy for you! Although your hiring manager is going to PCS soon; I think that you will be fine!

Question?- How were you notified of your acceptance (mail or email)? How long ago did you submit your oath?

I am scheduled to attend OBC in September.

Again Congrats!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psych, Med Surg, ER.

You will get a phone call first, then they will ask you if you want your acceptance letter faxed or emailed to you. Then you need to turn around and send it back ASAP. Then you should get a welcome packet in the mail or you can talk to your CAM and ask them to email it to you. I submitted my oath in Jan. I don't have a date yet for OBC. I was told by LTC Dunbar to get to my duty station first and talk to them to set up a date that would work for them. Then I will submit my name for OBC. The funny part is I did have to meet with an investigator to sign some releases for my financial blips. But that was it. Its funny, I found out from him that my clearance was a priority for him and he needed it done within 2-3 days.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Did you have to sign the acceptance letter...is that why you had to mail it back? My hiring agency set up my OBC... I was told that the earliest they could schedule it was for September.....apparently the sessions fill up fast. It was great that the investigator provided you with some insight..... I am not sure if I will have to meet with one or not.... I do have some blips but they have been resolved....... Did the investigator give you any idea of what they look for in your credit?

Hey congrats again!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

@ visakapsi...yes you have to sign the acceptance letter. Like viper, I met with the investigator and signed 2 things to give them access to a couple of things. However, I don't have any "blips" in my credit and still I met with him. The investigator said mine was a priority (my start date March 15th). After my meeting with the investigator, my security clearance was done within 2 days. Everything seems to be going fast the last 2-3 weeks from your start date. Hang in there...

Up Vote Up Vote ×

@Charming46....Thanks for the info... With a 3/28 TDY date hopefully, it is listed as a priority .....Do you have to relocate? Do you feel as if you have enough time to coordinate the move properly? Thanks for the insight and support. Congrats to you!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Congratulations to you too!

Relocation...definitely. The duty station is 1.5 hours away from where I currently live. We are leasing an apartment for the time being (short term 6 months) until my husband and kids can join me (hopefully within 6 months). Since it is only me for now in the new place, I held off on the travel benefits. I think I have some time to take advantage of this when my family is ready to move including the household goods. The agency liaison (for me its DIHS) gave me the contact person for the travel arrangements. This person cannot process anything until she gets your orders but he/she can at least provide you with the necessary paperworks.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

My hiring agency is also IHS, I will have to relocate across on the other side of the country...so the wife and kids will travel with me. We have been looking for a suitable home to rent, but first I have to receive my acceptance letter...notify my current job, set up travel arrangements, etc.... it seems like a lot in a short period of time.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

@ visakapsi....Is your hiring agency IHS (Indian Health Service) or DIHS (Division of Immigration Health Services)? For me, its DIHS and I will be in San Diego. You are right, it appears that there is not enough time to handle all the things you have to do before your start date. I am trying to pack and take care of some documents that PHS needs to process, such as my personnel and family benefits. Time...time...time...I need more of this please.

Btw, wait until you go shopping for the uniforms. This was a challenge for me being that this is my first time AD military. Fortunately, there was another PHS nurse from AZ that was at the navy exchange that assisted me. Whew!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Mine is IHS

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psych, Med Surg, ER.

I know at Ft Riley, I have to get my ID card the first day when I get there. I will need to set up my OBC date asap when I get there. I'm just counting down the days. I need to get some uniforms also. I was hoping I could get my bonus the first check but it will take up to 90 days. I only live 50 miles away from post.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

This answer may be on a previous post but

.... What are the typical prices for the Khaki

uniforms?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion