Specialty Branch

Specialty Branch Officers

Army Medical Department (AMEDD)

There are many reasons to choose a career as a health care professional in the Michigan Army National Guard. Whether you are involved in direct patient care, research, disease prevention, or allied health fields the Army Medical Department (AMEDD) has an abundance of opportunities. The Army Healthcare Team is one of the largest comprehensive systems of health care in the country.

• Medical Corps
• Dentistry
• MD, DO
• Nursing
• Health Care Administrative

AMEDD Incentives

• Health Professional Special Pay (HPSP) Accession/Retention Bonus
  • Flight Surgeon
    • $30,000 per year for a 2, 3, or 4 year contract
  • Medical Corps, Dental Corps, Physician Assistant
    • $25,000 per year for a 2, 3, or 4 year contract
  • Clinical Psychologist
    • $20,000 per year for a 2, 3, or 4 year contract
  • Social Worker
    • $15,000 for a 2, 3, or 4 year contract
  • Field Veterinary Service Officer
    • $15,000 for a 2, 3, or 4 year contract
  • AeroMedical Evacuation Officer
    • $10,000 per year for a 2, 3, or 4 year contract

 

• Health Professional Loan Repayment (HPLRP)  
  • Medical and Dental Corps, Clinical Psychologists
    • $40,000 max payment per year
    • $250,000 lifetime cap
  • Social Workers
    • $25,000 max payment per year
    • $75,000 lifetime cap
  • Physician Assistant, Field Veterinary Service Officer
    • $20,000 max payment per year
    • $60,000 lifetime cap

 

• Chaplain Loan Repayment Program (CHLRP)
  • $20,000 paid out equally over three yearly installments
  • Renewable with continued eligibility

 

• Medical and Dental Stipend Program (MDSSP)
  • Typically a 1 to 4 year contract
    • $2,330.78 per month
    • 1 year service obligation per 6 month period or part thereof of stipend received
    • must be USAREC board approved for the stipend
    • available to medical and dental students attending a US accredited school

 

• Specialized Training Assistance Program (STRAP)
  • Typically 1 to 4 year contract
    • $2,330.78 per month
    • 1 year service obligation per 6 month period or part thereof of stipend received
    • must be USAREC board approved for the stipend
    • must be in approved US Medical Residency
    • available to Medical Corps (MC) only

 

Judge Advocate General (JAG)

Judge Advocates have provided professional legal service to the Army for over 200 years. Since that time the Corps has grown dramatically to meet the Army's increased need for legal expertise. Today, approximately 1500 attorneys serve on active duty while more than 3,000 Judge Advocates find rewarding part-time careers as members of the U.S. Army Reserve and Army National Guard. Service as an Army National Guard Judge Advocate is available to all qualified attorneys. Those who are selected have the opportunity to practice in areas as diverse as the field of law itself. For example, JAG Corps officers prosecute, defend, and judge, courts-martial, negotiate and review government contracts, act as counsel at administrative hearings, and provide legal advice in such specialized areas as international, regulatory, labor, patent and tax law while effectively maintaining their civilian careers.

APPOINTMENT ELIGIBILITY AND GRADE

In general, applicants must meet the following qualifications:

• Must be at least 21 years old (for appointment as a first lieutenant you must be younger than 33), and for appointment to captian you must be younger than 39. Waivers for those exceeding age limitations are available in exceptional cases.
• Must be a graduate of an ABA-approved law school
• Be a member in good standing of the bar of the highest court of state or federal court.
• Be of good moral character and possess leadership qualities

 

Grade of rank at the time of appointment is determined by the number of years of service credit to which an individual is entitled. As a general rule, an approved applicant receives three years constructive credit for law school attendance; plus, any prior active or reserve commissioned service. Any time period is counted only once (i.e., three years of commissioned reserve service while attending law school entitles a person to only three years constructive service credit, not six years). Once the total credit is calculated, the entry grade is awarded as follows:

• 3 or more but less than 7 years First Lieutenant
• 7 or more but less than 14 years Captain
• 14 or more but less than 21 years Major

PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS - The JAG Corps Program is multifaceted, with the degree of participation determined largely by the individual. Officers are originally assigned to a Monthly Unit Training Assembly (MUTA). Officers attend monthly training assemblies and perform two weeks of annual training a year. If mobilization occurs, they deploy with their unit and provide legal services commensurate with their duty positions.

SCHOOLING - An Army National Guard (ARNG) Judge Advocate (JA) will attend approximately sixteen and onehalf weeks of initial military training. New ARNG JAs are required to complete the Judge Advocate Officer's Basic Course (JAOBC) and the Direct Commissioned Officer (DCO) Course within twelve months of commissioning as a condition of appointment.

Chaplain Corps

When you join the Army National Guard as a Chaplain, you will be a commissioned officer. Chaplains are the non-combative, spiritual leaders of the Army National Guard, providing emotional and religious support to Soldiers and their families. You'll perform religious ceremonies, offer guidance and help Soldiers adjust to their military lives and experiences.

Your initial training is the Chaplain Officer Basic Leadership Course; a three month program at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. This course teaches you to apply your civilian chaplain skills to the Army environment, prepares you physically and mentally to be an officer in the Guard, and covers the complexities of the First Amendment, freedom of expression, counseling, mentoring and leadership. This course can be completed in one block or several phases over a 24month period.

As a Chaplain, all religions and belief systems are welcome in the Guard. To serve as a Guard chaplain, your faith group must have a federally recognized endorsing agency that can issue an ecclesiastical endorsement for you. Typically, you will work with Soldiers from your own faith.

Additional things to know about becoming a Chaplain:

• You must be a U.S. citizen by birth or naturalized, pass a physical exam, and be between 21 and 42 years old. There are several educational requirements as well—be sure to look over the complete list of requirements for Army National Guard chaplain candidates.
• You don't have to wait until graduation to join the Army National Guard chaplaincy. As a chaplain candidate, you can train to be a Chaplain in the Guard while working toward your civilian theology Master's Degree. This lets you earn a paycheck while greatly adding to your education and experience.
• Your rank will depend on your work experience and education level. Chaplains are officers in the Army National Guard and generally begin their career progression at the grade of 1LT (First Lieutenant). Advanced appointment as a CPT (Captain) may be possible under certain circumstances.