Army-Baylor Student Guide for Incoming Army Students

April 2015

This guide was made for the students by the students.Note: Although this guide is geared toward Army students, many

elements apply to all students

Table of Contents

Orders..........................................................................................................................................................3

What is a Day Like.......................................................................................................................................3

Uniform of the Day (UOD)...........................................................................................................................3

School Year Dates........................................................................................................................................4

Leave/Holidays/Days Off.............................................................................................................................4

Residency....................................................................................................................................................4

Pre-Requisites/Preparation.........................................................................................................................5

Expenses to Plan For....................................................................................................................................5

Orientation Week (dates TBD) and Other Events........................................................................................6

IT Info..........................................................................................................................................................6

Where to Live..............................................................................................................................................7

Pet Lodging..................................................................................................................................................7

Fort Sam Houston Info (Joint Base San Antonio).........................................................................................8

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Chain of Command......................................................................................................................................9

In-Processing...............................................................................................................................................9

APFT..........................................................................................................................................................10

POCs..........................................................................................................................................................11

Class of 2016 Residency List…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 12

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Orders The Class of 2016 received orders to Fort Sam Houston around mid to late April. The Class of 2015 received orders to residency locations around the same timeframe, but

most students will know by December/January where they will be going. The class S-1 (student) will be the best POC for orders questions.

What is a Day Like MBA/MHA Students: The dual-degree program schedule is steady throughout the didactic

phase for semesters one through four and consists of six courses per term. Typically Monday-Thursday, 0800-1500 or 1700, with a one hour lunch break; however, the class can negotiate a slightly different schedule. The fifth (final) term lasts for about 1 ½ months and consists primarily of short seminars and the capstone course.

The curriculum begins with the first semester being very task intensive. There are many assignments, such as homework, papers, quizzes, presentations, and tests. Depending on your personality and if you are shooting for a 4.0, be prepared to spend many nights and weekends working on schoolwork. There is so much reading that you may want to choose which classes you thoroughly read for and which classes you will need to skim. The class work is not beyond comprehension (except maybe a few microeconomics, finance, and quantitative analysis problems); it is the quantity and the intensity that makes it challenging. Many deliverables will be due every week. The more you can stay ahead with readings and assignments you know in advance, the better off you will be. Establish a routine that works for you quickly.

A class schedule will be provided to you for each semester. Plan on that changing as the semester progresses. Some days a professor may incorporate extra review sessions for later that same day, and sometimes events will be scheduled on a Friday that you anticipated being off.

Overall, you will likely be busier during the didactic year than at an MTF/normal assignment. Be prepared to be flexible with your schedule and inform your family that your schedule can, and probably will, change from day to day. Be sure to prepare your spouse and kids accordingly. Expectation management is essential.

Uniform of the Day (UOD) Initially, the standard uniform of the day Mon-Fri will be the Army Combat Uniform (ACU).

o We do not wear the Army Service Uniform (ASU) on Mondays. o Once the Baylor Polos arrive (see below), you will incorporate spirit wear into the

week. Baylor Polos: You will wear Baylor Polos with slacks/khakis on the day(s) designated by the

facility during orientation. Your class will pick someone to order these. The process time for this varies and may be delayed if students receive the wrong sizes.

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o This uniform policy may fluctuate during special occasions, site visits, or Program Director/Class Leader instruction.

Business Attire/Suits: This will be directed for appropriate events (conferences, seminars).o For more details on polos and suits, go to “Expenses to Plan For” (below).

Service Dress (ASU): This is required for opening and closing ceremonies; therefore, make sure that you have it for the dates of the opening/closing ceremonies (usually, the second Friday after arrival). Do not pack your ASUs in your household goods (HHGs).

School Year Dates Our report date was 15 June, with a start date of 16 June. Our didactic year ends on 26 June.

Leave/Holidays/Days Off Leave is normally approved only during the scheduled breaks between terms (our class

generally had between four days to a week between semesters), but it is not recommended to take more than two days off of school in a row if it can be avoided. You will need to get approval from each of your professors and academic advisor, and provide all approvals to the program director for the classes you miss prior to requesting leave.

o Assignments are expected to be turned in on time or earlyo You will more than likely need to make up missed lectures with additional work

(varies by instructor). Standard federal holidays apply.

o We got four days off around Labor Day between the first and second semester, one week off for Thanksgiving, and two weeks off for Christmas.

Most Fridays are off as Program Director’s Time or AMEDD training days; however, sometimes events, seminars, and ACHE functions are required on Fridays.

Residency Most Army students do have the option to select their desired residency locations; however,

others may be limited based on their AOC and input from branch and advisors. Start thinking about where you want to do your residency. Page 12 contains the most

recent list of residences for the Class of 2016. Although one of the listed locations will be easier to secure, some are selective and require the student to interview in person. You may also have the option to negotiate/establish a new location. It will require a lot of legwork, but it might be worth it if there is a particular location/hospital you really desire.

We had our first meetings with the residency director in August, and we had to turn in our short list of five desired residency sites prior to that meeting (through Canvas).

Guidance for finding a residency on your own:o Have an understanding of the Residency Manual to communicate effectively the

requirements to potential sites.

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o Prepare your resume and cover letter, and find an appropriate POC at the civilian institution who has the influence and ability to make something happen. It will take work and is not a guarantee.

o Rely on the faculty coordinating residencies once you get here; they will be your advocate for getting you to the right place.

o Let your faculty advisor know if you are thinking about going to a place that is not on the list.

o Army-Baylor’s residency coordinator, LTC Cuyler, can provide additional guidance.

Prerequisites/Preparation Other things that will help prepare you:

o Be somewhat proficient in Excel (know how to write formulas and manipulate data).o Use the most current APA format for papers, and be comfortable with writing in

general (proper grammar, punctuation, paper structure, etc…). Reference http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/ for further guidance.

o Be somewhat familiar with current issues in healthcare and other basics (e.g. how insurance works, Medicare, Medicaid, military healthcare compared to civilian healthcare)

o Be somewhat familiar with the components of a hospital and the different types of staff

o Know how to use PowerPoint. Presentations comprise a large portion of your class requirements.

o Review economics, accounting, and statistics if you have not taken these classes recently. You will use GRE math concepts during microeconomics.

o The faculty will determine if you will attend a remedial writing course based on an assessment of your GRE writing sample and score.

Expenses to Plan For Books (between $100-$600 per semester—much less if you buy used and sell books back)

o You should get an annual book allowance of $1000 from DFAS. Mrs. Pryor provided book vouchers for the Army students to fill out and return to her for submittal. We received our allowance around August/September.

o You can get Amazon Prime free as a student (you will be issued a Baylor e-mail address that will allow you to do this), which gives you free2-day shipping along with other discounts. However, be aware that not all books you buy will be Amazon prime eligible. Also, prime is free for the first year and is charged after that year.

o Our first semester books cost around $350 and second semester was around $300.o Depending on the class and instructor’s preference, you may consider buying used

books to save on costs. New books are not necessarily any better.o Some books are available electronically for free.

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Expect to have at least one suit/business outfit on hand during the school year.o Since there is a possibility that you will be doing a civilian residency, also expect to

start building a civilian work wardrobe prior to the second year. Student dues were $250 this past year, which goes towards the student budget (holiday

party, end of year party, student gifts, birthdays, etc…). This can be paid in one lump sum or in periodic payments as set by the class budget officer.

The $250 also covers your two Army-Baylor polo shirts. You will have to provide your own khakis.

School supplies:o The entire class will be issued individual laptops for the didactic year. Back up your

files continuously in case your computer has problems/crashes. o A regular calculator is required for finance and investments.o Most of your classes (at least in the first two semesters) are taught with PowerPoint.

There are printers in the classrooms, but supplies were limited due to financial constraints. Some people chose to print out all the slides for each class. Students who used the class printers contributed personal money for additional supplies as needed. Some students opened their lecture notes on their laptop and added notes to the slides. It really depends on what you prefer and how you study best.

Alumni Association (if you graduate) - A lifetime membership costs $250, which is paid at the end of the didactic year after the final exam. This is optional.

Orientation Week (dates TBD) and Other Events During the first week, expect to be in class from Monday-Friday for a few hours each day.

Here are a few events we had. The days may change, but not the clothing requirements:o First Friday – There was an evening social/mixer to meet the instructors, previous

class, and fellow classmates. Bring at least one business outfit with you when traveling (outside of your HHGs). This business attire link offers more details: http://www.career.vt.edu/JobSearchGuide/BusinessCasualAttire.html#.

o First Saturday – The previous class hosted a daytime, family oriented student event. o Second Friday – Opening/closing ceremony in service dress at the AMEDD Center

and School. Travel with your service dress (ASU). Do not place them in your HHGs.

IT Info Each classroom has LAN network access on every desk and wireless throughout the campus.

Your laptop will have Wi-Fi capability and should work anywhere, just like any other laptop. You can also take your issued laptop home and access your military and school outlook email accounts.

You will continue to use your Enterprise email account for some correspondence (@mail.mil).

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You will also be issued a Baylor email account. Nearly all assignments, quizzes, and exams will take place on Canvas. It is an online program (similar to Blackboard) that you access through the Baylor website. Each course will be loaded and opened to you as you need it. Instructors will post all PowerPoint slides in here, as well as, any other information you will need for each course. Any exams and quizzes taken in Canvas that are not in essay format are graded immediately after completion.

Where to Live Apartments

o Alamo Heights area or downtown has some really nice apartment complexes and are pretty nearby

o 10-20 minute commute depending on traffic Houses (nearby)

o Alta Vista, Terrell Heights, Windcrest, or near Brackenridge Park, (these are older houses, so searching may be a little tougher)

o 10-25 minute commute depending on traffic Newer houses

o Northeast of Fort Sam Houston, towards Randolph AFB – 20-30 minute commute; traffic on I35 can be bad during rush hour.

o Thousand Oak area – 20-30 minute commuteo Stone Oak, North Central San Antonio – 30+ minute commute; traffic can be bad

during rush houro Near Lackland and/or west of Sea World outside of the 1604 Loop.

New large houses; great schools, 10-15 minutes from Lackland AFB 30 minute commute to Fort Sam Houston (mostly all interstate)

Pet Lodging You should be able to keep pets with you at the VOQs, but just make sure to ask. Randolph

AFB has some temporary lodging that allows pets as well. These get reserved quickly, so make your reservation as soon as possible.

If you need to lodge them, here are a couple of good options:o Pawderosa Ranch

http://www.pawderosaranch.com/Pawderosa_Ranch_Awesome_Town.html Recommend the one at Schertz, but there is also one near the airport

o Becker Animal Hospital and Pet Boarding http://www.beckeranimalhospital.com/ They also have a really nice vet clinic that is 24/7, no appointment, and they

provide great quality service and the price is not outrageous

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Fort Sam Houston Info (Joint Base San Antonio) Home page: http://www.samhouston.army.mil/ - There is a ‘Newcomers’ map on the website,

but here are some key locations: Gates

o The main gate is off of Harry Wurzbach Rd, driving East; open 24/7o The West gate is located at Pershing Ave, next to the San Antonio Country Club;

open from 0500-1900. o The South gate from I-35 is on the South side, at the exit for Walters Rd; open 24/7 o The East gate from I-35 is at the exit for Binz-Engleman Road (on base, the road

becomes Schofield); open 24/7 Access to the San Antonio Military Medical Center (SAMMC) for medical emergencies

o SAMMC (formerly known as BAMC) is probably your nearest military hospital with an ER. Wilford Hall on Lackland no longer has an ER.

SAMMC is outside Fort Sam (less than a mile away), so it has its own gate access. You can get to it from on Fort Sam Houston by exiting the Binz-Engleman/Schofield gate.

There is another gate further North on I-35, specifically for SAMMC/BAMC. Commissary

o Funston and Wilson Rd PX

o Funston and Taylor Rd Vet Clinic

o Behind the Harlequin Dinner Theater on Harney Rd, between Patch and Scott Rd Fort Sam ID Cards/Out-Processing

o Bldg 367 on Stanley Road (next to the Post Office) Post Office

o 1804 Stanley Road Firestone (auto care center)

o Schofield Rd and Scott Rd Military Clothing Supply

o Across the street from the PX/Commissary, but it doesn’t have very much Air Force items, only very basic items, and more for enlisted vs. officer. Just go to Randolph, and it’s located at the BX there.

Dining Facilityo There is one within walking distance from school (we don’t go often but it’s there

and offers a low-priced meal) at Schofield Rd and Scott Rd Gym

o Wilson St and Reynolds Rdo NOTE: Even when in Uniform, CAC must still be shown.

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Fort Sam Houston ID Card Processing Centero Bldg 367 on Stanley Road (right next to the post office)o Here is the website to sign up for an appointment, (the MPS at all 3 locations are

appointment only) https://rapids-appointments.dmdc.osd.mil/

AMEDD Center and School http://www.cs.amedd.army.mil/ o Mailing Address: 3599 Winfield Scott Rd., 78234, Bldg 2841o Army-Baylor Program website: http://www.baylor.edu/graduate/mha/ o Located at intersection of Stanley and Hardee Rd, very close to the main gateo Parking is in the front or on the side across the street. No card tags are required.o Classrooms

Go to the atrium in the middle of the two buildings, and go through the doors of the larger building (2841) on the North side.

Go to the right, up the first set of stairs on the right, to the 2nd floor, and turn right again. The classrooms are in the corner on the right (rooms 2310 and 2312)

o The Baylor Faculty offices The Faculty offices are spread out on the main floor of the AMEDD Center

and School.

Chain of Command Army – Baylor:

o Program Directoro Assistant Program Directorso Academic Advisoro Student Leadership

Delta Company/ 187th Medical Battalion: See below and page 11 for POC details.o Administrative APFT (October and April)o Final approval for all leave and passes o UCMJ o Urinalysis o General ‘big Army’ administrative needs

In-Processing (see POC details on page 11) Upon arrival to Ft. Sam Houston, report to the housing office (Bldg 367 Stanley Rd) as soon

as possible to have your leave form stamped. This will allow you to transition into your 10 days of permissive TDY.

Report to the student POC, SSG Brandon Plunkett, at D Co. 187th Medical Battalion (Bldg 1002) to sign into the unit and schedule in-processing. He will provide the installation in-

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processing list and information. This checklist will provide all other locations and contact information, such as finance, housing/ transportation, medical, dental, administration (Ms. Edwards - ORB), and the TRICARE website.

Medicalo You will in-process at McWerthy Clinic (Bldg 2560) per the in-processing checklist;

however, you will be assigned to Fort Sam Houston (FSH) Clinic. You will have a choice to enroll your family members at pretty much any MTF in the area, depending on where you are going to live (FSH Clinic, SAMMC Family Medicine/ Pediatrics, Randolph AF Clinic, Shertz Medical Home, etc…).

Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) You are required to take two APFTs. SSG Plunkett, D Co. 187th Medical Battalion student

POC, will provide the student leadership with a memorandum pertaining to the details of each APFT.

We took APFTs on Ft. Sam Houston in October and April. Other than the APFTs, there are no organized PT requirements during the school year.

However, if a student fails the APFT and/or the height and weight, he or she may have to attend organized PT, pending the company commander’s policy.

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ARMY STUDENT POCS SSG Brandon PlunkettHealth Care SergeantD Co. 187th Medical Battalion (Bldg 1002)Email: brandon.w.plunkett2.mil@mail.mil Office: (210) 221-6879; BB: (210) 834 8851Note. Your class leadership will discuss the chain of command and communication with SSG Plunkett, as he is the student POC for multiple student programs.

SFC Richard HigginbothamOperations NCOIC, MHA/MBAAMEDD Center and SchoolJBSA Fort Sam Houston3036 Stanley Road Suite 1305Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234richard.d.higginbotham.mil@mail W: (210) 808-9486Note. Your class leadership will discuss the chain of command and communication with SFC Higginbotham.

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Class of 2016 Residency List

Military Treatment Facilities (MTF) Fort Belvoir, VA Fort Benning, GA Fort Bliss, TX Fort Bragg, NC Fort Campbell, KY Fort Carson, CO Fort Gordon, GA Fort Hood, TX Fort Jackson, SC Fort Knox, KY Fort Lewis, WA SAMMC (BAMC), Ft Sam Houston, TX 121 Gen Hospital, Korea Landstuhl AMC, GE Tripler AMC, HI Walter Reed Medical Center

Civilian Medical Facilities Baptist Health System - San Antonio, TX Baylor Health Care System, Dallas, TX Baylor Health Care System, Waco, TX Christus Santa Rosa, San Antonio, TX Cincinatti Children's Hospital, Cincinatti, OH Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH Geisinger Health System, Danville, PA Group Health, Seattle, WA Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD Kaiser Permanente, Southern California + Kaiser Permanente, Northern California + Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA Memorial Hermann, Houston, TX Methodist Health, San Antonio, TX Northshore LIJ Health System, Long Island, NY Oschner Health System, New Orleans, LA Poudre Valley Health System, Fort Collins, CO Providence Health, Everett, WA

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Scripps Health Care, San Diego, CA SSM Healthcare, St Louis, MO Tenet Health, Atlanta Medical Center, Atlanta, GA The Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH The Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL The Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA Univ of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA University Health System, San Antonio, TX University of Oklahoma Childrens Hospital Univ of Texas Health Sci Center, San Antonio, TX University of Washington, Seattle, WA Wellstar Hospital System, Atlanta, GA

Note. Some of the above residency sites have multiple slots, but others only have one. Other sites that are not listed may be available. The above is the slotted list for the ‘Class of 2016’.

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