Resources/Early To-Do List

A lot of the questions I receive pertain to what to do once commissioned. What is the first thing I should do? Who can I ask for help? Have no fear, my comrades, I have you covered:

Your Resources:

• Your Recruiter

  • Early on in the process, your recruiter will still be able to give you some direction.

• MODS

  • https://education.mods.army.mil/meded/UserLogon/UserLogon.asp

  • Unfortunately, you can only access MODS from a military base at this time...

• HPSP Office

  • 1-877-MED-ARMY

  • The HPSP office is your final authority on all things HPSP.

  • For some reason, this number has been not working recently. Here are a few people in the HPSP office:

    • HPSP Program Manager: Mr. Dupree Simmons

      • 703-681-8038

    • PGY-1 Manager: Ms. Patricia Norman

      • 703-681-4804

    • GME Program Manager: Ms. Linda Diehl

      • 703-681-8043

• AMEDD Office

  • This office will really only be able to help you with ADT-related concerns. They were able to assist me with BOLC-related issues after I received my orders.

  • Contact info: http://www.cs.amedd.army.mil/bolc/

• SDN

  • The Student Doctor Network has a lot of posts about all things military. It is a bit fragmented for my taste, which was a big inspiration for the creation of this website. BE WARNED: a good number of people who frequent the military forums of this site do so because their either have had a fantastic experience and want to share, or have had a terrible one and want to rant. Be wary of extreme opinions.

• Facebook

  • If you aren't a member of the HPSP Facebook group, you are missing out! People post their questions and get help all the time.

  • https://www.facebook.com/groups/2213662183/

• Me!

  • If, after looking through this entire site, you are unable to find a solution to an issue you may be having, I will be happy to offer you guidance. See the Contact page to reach me.

Your To-Do List:

1. MODS

   1. Be sure you are able to log into MODS. Your recruiter should be able to assist you with this process.

   2. At this time, MODS is only accessible at military installations. It is unknown if this will change in the future, so don't sweat this step.

2. Stipend

   1. This may take some time to come through. As I recommend on the Finances page, you should plan to pay for a few months' rent out of pocket before your stipend kicks in. You may call the HPSP office to check in on how your finances are progressing.

3. Get your deposit back

   1. Because the Army pays the full cost of your tuition, you may be able to get your school's enrollment deposit back. This only applies if your deposit would normally go towards paying tuition. Contact your school's bursar to work this out.

4. Get reimbursed for textbooks and supplies

   1. Previously accomplished through completing a "Cost data worksheet" from MODS - follow the instructions from the HPSP office to complete request when appropriate.

5. Start training for DCC/BOLC

   1. It is never too early to being preparing for the Army Combat Fitness Test! Doing a little bit every day early on will really make a difference when you take your ACFT. See the Army Combat Fitness Test page for more on this.

6. Get your CAC

   1. If you have read any other page on this site, you know I beat this point into the ground, but I do so for good reasons! See the CAC page for more on this.

   2. Also, be sure to pick up a CAC reader. This will allow you to easily log into any government site you may need to access.

7. Set up your various Army accounts

   1. MODS

      1. Should already be set up, but now you can use your CAC to log in!

      2. Due to new security concerns, you will likely be unable to access MODS when off-base - don't sweat it.

      3. https://education.mods.army.mil/meded/UserLogon/UserLogon.asp

   2. My Pay

      1. So you can check that the money you are receiving is in the correct amounts

      2. https://mypay.dfas.mil/mypay.aspx

   3. AKO

      1. You will need this to complete pre-BOLC online courses and to complete your periodic health assessment (PHA)

      2. https://www.us.army.mil/suite/login/welcome.html

   4. HRC

      1. Where all of the documents that you have signed are stored. This is also where you will find your orders once they have been released.

      2. https://iperms.hrc.army.mil/rms/login

   5. ***E-mail

      1. Unlike the rest of the sites listed, this is the only one for which you MUST use your CAC 

      2. https://web-paci01.mail.mil/owa/

         1. When prompted, choose certificate "CA-52." 

         2. ***unfortunately, the Army has updated the e-mail system and you now cannot access your e-mail without being on a government computer or using a virtual desktop, so do not sweat this step

8. Ensure that your bonus comes through

• • I did not receive my bonus until mid-November, so be patient. You can call the HPSP office/your finance manager if you have questions on this.

9. Sign up for DCC/BOLC

• • Sign up opens around mid-December. You should receive notification when it opens on MODS. Be sure to sign up as soon as possible!

10. Buy DCC/BOLC gear

    1. I go into great depth on this topic on the BOLC Packing List page, but you should, at the very least, arrive at DCC/BOLC with the following items:

       1. CAC

       2. Name tapes

       3. US Army tapes

       4. Flag patches

       5. Rank patches (velcro and sew-on)

       6. 1 complete set of ACUs with boots

       7. 1 complete set of APFUs with sneakers

    2. All of these things may be purchased on the Shop My Exchange Website.

    3. I recommend making these purchases AT LEAST 2 months prior to the start of DCC/BOLC, as shipping may take some time and some items are often back-ordered close to the start of summer.

11. Book your flight to DCC/BOLC

    1. You may do this AFTER you receive your orders for DCC/BOLC. Also, your orders may allow you to drive to DCC/BOLC, so that option is available if you so choose. If you plan to fly, there is a phone number on the BOLC request page on MODS for a travel agency that will book your flight for you.

    2. I received my orders in April. Some people did not receive theirs until 1 week prior to BOLC. If this occurs, you should call the AMEDD office for advice. You may have to book your flight out of pocket and get reimbursed at a later date.