Student Doctor Network Forums - View Single Post - All Branch Topic (ABT) Radiology/Interventional Radiology/Radiation Oncology

Member 376218 · 05-02-2012, 05:21 AM

Hello all. I have recently been accepted to the The Commonwealth Medical College and while visiting the school for a re-visit day, had a good conversation with an Army recruiter about the option of pursuing military medicine. I definitely understand and recognize some of the serious negatives about going this route. However, I am specifically interested in the pros and cons of pursuing a career in radiology, interventional radiology, and radiation oncology in the military. While many people seem to decry these specialties as even more difficult to pursue due to competition in the military, it seems like all of the available spots are not filled and with less competitive stats than in civilian residencies according to some data I was given. Some more specific questions are:
1) Which branch of the military would be best for pursuing one of these specialties and why?
2) What would the lifestyle be for these specialties? Specifically, what is the potential for deployment and how often does deployment typically occur for such specialties?
3) How much do these specialists make during active duty (sorry to ask about money but this is obviously an issue)?
4) Is it true that military training in this area is exceptional? Inferior? It seems like there is so much conflicting information.
5) I have a young family - why would military medicine be a bad or good choice? Is it true that the hours I will work will be more than civilian training during residency and active duty? My recruiter stressed they would be less in both instances.
I WOULD ESPECIALLY LOVE TO HEAR FROM ANYONE WHO HAS ACTUALLY BEEN DOWN THIS PATH AND/OR PRACTICING/PRACTICED IN ONE OF THESE FIELDS IN THE MILITARY. THANKS!!!!

05-02-2012, 05:21 AM	#1
Member 376218 Member Status: Pre-Medical Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 37	Radiology/Interventional Radiology/Radiation Oncology Hello all. I have recently been accepted to the The Commonwealth Medical College and while visiting the school for a re-visit day, had a good conversation with an Army recruiter about the option of pursuing military medicine. I definitely understand and recognize some of the serious negatives about going this route. However, I am specifically interested in the pros and cons of pursuing a career in radiology, interventional radiology, and radiation oncology in the military. While many people seem to decry these specialties as even more difficult to pursue due to competition in the military, it seems like all of the available spots are not filled and with less competitive stats than in civilian residencies according to some data I was given. Some more specific questions are: 1) Which branch of the military would be best for pursuing one of these specialties and why? 2) What would the lifestyle be for these specialties? Specifically, what is the potential for deployment and how often does deployment typically occur for such specialties? 3) How much do these specialists make during active duty (sorry to ask about money but this is obviously an issue)? 4) Is it true that military training in this area is exceptional? Inferior? It seems like there is so much conflicting information. 5) I have a young family - why would military medicine be a bad or good choice? Is it true that the hours I will work will be more than civilian training during residency and active duty? My recruiter stressed they would be less in both instances. I WOULD ESPECIALLY LOVE TO HEAR FROM ANYONE WHO HAS ACTUALLY BEEN DOWN THIS PATH AND/OR PRACTICING/PRACTICED IN ONE OF THESE FIELDS IN THE MILITARY. THANKS!!!!