DCC
The Direct Commission Course (DCC) is a brand new addition to the HPSP. This program is mandatory for anyone who signed the oath of office after October 1st, 2016.
I commissioned prior to the initiation of this program and therefore have not attended it, personally. My sources of information for this page are: a handful of military sites online and the USArmyHPSP account on studentdoctor.net, who was kind enough to clarify several points of confusion. If you find anything on this page to be incorrect, please reach me on the contact page and I will look into the matter. As always, while my goal is to provide comprehensive, accurate and concise information, the final authority on everything HPSP is the HPSP office. You may reach them at 1-877-MED-ARMY.
As of my writing this, MAR2021, one of the best sources for up-to-date information has been the HPSP Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/HPSPStudentsAndPhysicians/
What is this program and why do I have to do it? (if you completed ROTC or USMA, see the bottom of this page)
An Army assessment of AMEDD officers found that they were not adequately "inducted, inspired, or motivated upon entry into the Army profession." In other words, medical officers were found to be lacking in a strong military leadership background. This addition to pre-residency training was designed to make up for this shortcoming.
From what I understand, this training is more focused on new officer development - the basics of saluting, how to wear the uniform, etc. There is a mix of didactic and field training.
This will count as an ADT and as such, you will receive you 2LT salary as opposed to your stipend.
Aside from the necessary training, you need to complete this because: you cannot start Army residency without BOLC, and you cannot start BOLC without having completed DCC.
When should I complete DCC and where do I do it?
DCC should be completed prior to the start of medical school. This leaves your summer between 1st and 2nd year of medical school free to complete BOLC. It is a 4-week course, and as of this time, there are two sessions offered in the summer at Fort Sill in Oklahoma. Your travel and lodging expenses will be covered by the Army, just as it is for BOLC.
As there is overlap in the dates, you will likely not be able to complete DCC and BOLC in the same summer.
What do I need to bring?
You will be provided with a list of required equipment. This list is comparable to the one given for BOLC. As I have written a comprehensive page on BOLC packing, I will save everyone the effort and simply link you to the page: BOLC Packing List. The descriptions on this page will help you make sure you are getting the proper equipment. As I emphasize there, be sure to use the list provided to you by the Army as your final checklist.
It is far better if you acquire the majority of your gear prior to reaching the training site. If you have your CAC, you may shop at any Exchange. If not, you may pick up gear at shopmyexchange.com. Anything you purchase there, you may return/exchange at the Exchange on base, so don't freak out if something does not fit.
As I recommend heavily throughout this site, you should get your CAC ASAP! Everything in your life will be better once you get this task out of the way.
FAQ
These frequently asked questions are directly copied/pasted from MODS:
A:
Background: There had been several instances in the Army that lead to higher echelon wanting to look at officer development in the Army Medical Department. In 2013 the results of a study were published that looked at the Officer Leadership Development commonly referred to as OLDS. The members of the study were of Army leadership and the Medical Department was represented by several high ranking Army physicians. In the study it was pointed out that Army regulations require that every officer entering the Army attend Officer Professional Development courses no less that 12 weeks in length except for Army Medical Department officers. The OLDS study determination was:
AMEDD officers are not adequately inducted, inspired, or motivated upon entry into the Army Profession.
* Many AMEDD officers are not adequately developed as leaders through military education, training, and assignment experiences.
* The emphasis on managing the business of the healthcare system often outweighs the focus on leader development.
* AMEDD policies and command selection processes allow some AMEDD officers to be selected for command less experienced and less prepared in the Army Profession than those in the ACC.
* Several statutes, policies, and authorities governing AMEDD officer leader development require improvement.
The OLDS Recommendations were:
* Ensure all AMEDD officers complete BOLC-A or attend the six week direct commission course (DCC) at Fort Sill prior to attending BOLC-B.
* On 11 Jun 14, DCG TRADOC and Army Surgeon General agreed on a 4 week DCC course for all AMEDD Direct Commissioned Officers.
* Two courses will be provided at Ft. Sill (school code 810) .
- AMEDD Direct Commission, Cr# 9E-F63. Course is 4 weeks. Course is for all Direct Commissioned AMEDD Officers.
* Completion of AMEDD DCC required prior to attending AMEDD BOLC-B.
* AMEDD Officers who are not required to attend AMEDD-DCC are graduates of ROTC, OCS, or USMA .
Q:
When is the DCC?
A:
Full implementation of the course was initially slated for the summer of 2017. Because of several logistical issues, the full implementation (anyone assessed after 1 October 2016 with the exceptions noted above) would have to attend the DCC prior to attending what is commonly known as BOLC. Full implementation is summer 2018. This is an Army mandate, there are no exceptions. The DCC is a four week course that is currently offered two times in the summer. For the summer of 2018 - 10 June - 9 July or 8 July to 4 August.
Q:
Who needs to attend the DCC?
A:
If you signed your oath of office AFTER 1 October 2016, you would have to attend the shortened DCC prior to BOLC. The exception to this are those who have graduated from the Military Academy at West Point and those who have done ROTC.
Q:
Can I do DCC and BOLC in the same summer?
A:
No. The dates for these two courses overlap and there is no way to attend both in the same summer while in HPSP.
Q:
If I do DCC during the summer between first and second year of graduate school, when will I do BOLC?
A:
You should try your best to arrange your academic schedule so that you can attend BOLC between your second and third year of graduate school. If you absolutely cannot do that there are two options:
1) You can attend between year three and four, which for medical students, means only one opportunity for an audition rotation.
2) Attend BOLC after graduation before reporting to your first duty station (internship for medical students). For dentists, and veterinarians, the business practice has long been that you attend BOLC after graduation. It is important that you attend DCC while in HPSP in order to report on time to AEGD, residency or FYGVE. For medical students, there are always a few who cannot attend BOLC while in HPSP, and they do start internship/residency a couple weeks late. Not optimal but, it can and does happen.
Bottom Line: You will not start internship/residency or even report to your first duty station without having attended BOLC. In order to attend BOLC you must attend DCC. While it is optimal that you attend both DCC and BOLC wile in HPSP. It is highly recommended that you do no less than DCC while still in HPSP. Having to do DCC and the 11 week BOLC after graduation from professional study is going delay your entry onto active duty (internship/residency).
Q:
Can I Drive or how do I get to Fort Sill from the airport?
A:
These questions are answered in the Welcome Letter and transportation memo found at:
http://sill-www.army.mil/30ADA/_docs/AMEDD_DCC_Welcome_Letter.pdf
http://sill-www.army.mil/30ADA/_docs/Transportation_Instructions.pdf
Q:
What should I bring (Packing List)
A:
The complete packing list as required by the cadre is listed at the URL below. While it does state that you can purchase items at Fort Sill, it is recommended that you attempt to get as much as possible before you go. Most especially is the footwear. It is much better to have boots/shoe that are a little broken in than to have foot pain for two weeks...
http://sill-www.army.mil/30ADA/_docs/Packing_List.pdf
Q:
Does the DCC have a website?
A:
Yes: http://sill-www.army.mil/30ADA/AMEDD_DCC.html
As I mentioned earlier, I am far from an expert on this topic. If you have any further questions about DCC, I recommend you contact the HPSP office at 1-877-MED-ARMY.
***ROTC or USMA cadets are exempt from DCC, but may complete the training if they so choose. They must still, however, complete BOLC.