Hpsp Faq

[USArmyHPSP]

hello,

so i just completed bolc and i have a few questions.

1. Where/how do i submit reimbursement claims for my cab?
2. Am i supposed to submit the 1059 form saying i completed bolc anywhere?
3. Is there a form that i need to submit after completion of my school portion of adt? And if so, please name the form and provide the address for submission.

1-877-med-army

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[Mt Kilimanjaro]

Does anyone know if you can/how to use a DODMERB USUHS physical for HPSP application purposes? HPSP recruiter said just get the paperwork from DODMERB; DODMERB says they'll give it to me, but it'll be marked as "Not Certified - not to be used for scholarship purposes"

After talking to DODMERB on the phone, what seems like it should be an obvious win-win for the USG and the applicant now seems much less likely.

 

[student til 30]

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[EMTB2MD]

No problem. I'm glad to help .

1) I'm not sure how to calculate it correctly, but my understanding is that med school loans start accruing interest from the first semester. So by the time you graduate, you're looking at considerably more than the actual COA x 4. Is this correct?

Let's take the average tuition of attending a public medical school = $49,298
Add in fees + books + supplies + living expenses + transportation + licensure fees = $20,000 (rough estimate).
Total cost = $70,000/year * 4years = $280,000 borrowed.

Then lets say you choose the Forbearance option on the loan, meaning you do not have to pay into the loan during your residency since you will only be making around $45,000/year and can't afford to pay into it. If you're doing a 3-year IM residency, that's another 3 years of interest accrued. Using the current interest rate, which is fixed at 6.8%, and using the federal StudentAid website interest calculator, total interest accrued over the 7 years will be approximately $133,280.

Total debt after residency = $413,280

Now you're an Attending and can make payments on your loan. However, keep in mind, the loan will still accrue interest even as you pay into it. Let's say you chose the 15-year payment option. That means you must make 180 monthly payments for the next 15 years. With interest accumulating concurrently as you pay off the loan, you must pay the minimum $3,670 every month for next 15 years, and will have accrued a total of $246,890 as you did so.

Over the 15 year period, total repayment would have been = $660,200. That's $44,000 a year for 15 years spent on just paying back your loan!

2) I know that only certain parts of military pay is taxable, but I'm curious if anyone has done the math to see how much that saves you. The 275k your civilian buddy makes on the outside looks a lot smaller after Uncle Sam gets his ~35% and he writes a loan check for 3k a month. Has anyone done the math to see how much the post-tax salaries actually stack up?

According to MedScape's 2013 Compensation Report, average salary of IM Attending is $185,000/year. Assume you're single. You fall into the 33% tax bracket. After federal income tax, your income will be approximately $123,950/year. Disregard state taxes as you can live in one of the few states without state income tax. Then, subtract avg malpractice insurance cost ($6000/year) and avg healthcare premium cost ($2000/year) and you're left with $116,000. And then here's the kicker, subtract the loan debt payment you made that year of $44,000. You're left with a net income of $72,000/year.

In the military, only your Basic Pay is taxed. BAH, BAS, and all other special pays are NOT taxed. So as an IM Attending who went Straight-Through to residency, assuming you were a good boy/girl and were promoted every 5-6 years, you should be an O-6 within 12 years after residency. Adding up the yearly salary from O-4 to O-6 over the 15 year period, including adjusting the numbers for basic pay as well as special pay for each year served, and adjusting each basic pay with its respective tax bracket, you will have made a mean salary of: $134,040/year after taxes.

15 year average IM Attending net salary, after taxes, over a 15-year period after residency:
Civilian = $72,000; after 15 years when you fully pay off your loan, your net salary will return too approximately $120,000.
Military = $134,040

For Primary Care fields, military seems to be just as good, if not, better than the civilian sector when it comes to salary.

HOWEVER, if you are planning on specializing (i.e. Neurosurgery, Heme/Onc, Cardiothoracic Surgery, Ortho), your salary in the civilian sector can range from $300,000 to $500,000+/year. This is SIGNIFICANTLY more than you will make in the military in that specialty, even after malpractice+health insurance+loan costs you will still be netting $150,000+ after it all.

Although I never recommend anyone to join the military purely for salary/expense purposes, the moral of the story when it comes to basing your decision on salary:
**If you are going to be a Primary Care provider, military is a great option all around. Maybe even better than the civilian sector.
**If you are going to specialize, but feel the need to serve at least for a little bit in the military because its just gushing through your veins, either opt to do GMO tours and get out as soon as you fulfill your HPSP commitment, or do your Straight-Through residency, fulfill your commitment time as an attending, and get out into the civilian sector.
**If you plan to specialize and don't care about serving in the military at all, but are looking into the HPSP for medical school financial assistance, DON'T DO IT, just take out loans, you'll be making plenty to cover your loans as a specialist.

I'm pretty sure only BAH and BAS are not taxable. ISP, ASP, MSP, VSP and all the other special pays are considered taxable income. Please correct me if I am wrong.

 

[DocArmy]

I'm in what might be a strange situation HPSP, and was wondering if anyone had encountered it before, or if anyone can provide guidance. Basically, I was awarded an HPSP scholarship through the Army, and am starting my second semester since I swore in and signed my contract (2/2013), and started receiving my stipend (6/2013). The trouble is that my school has yet to execute the agreement with the Army, so I am unable to submit a cost data worksheet through MODS. Ideally I would like to be able to submit a CDW and get reimbursed for health insurance and books, which ain't cheap.

I have two questions. First, does anyone know how to submit a CDW without going through MODS? I asked the student management office a third time today, but any tips, tricks or contact information would be appreciated. Second, has anyone ever seen a protracted processing of the agreement or been in my position? I don't know any hairy details in my case, but the delay seems to be pretty clearly attributable to my school, which hasn't seen the HPSP scholarship before and has told me that they had some issue with the language of the agreement.

Overall, I'm frustrated and would greatly appreciate any advice.

You need to go to your Dean of Student's office, schedule a meeting, and sit down with them. Tell them that the government has done its end, and that the school is letting you down on their end. Start calling the financial aid people EVERY DAY. Ask for details. "What did the Office of the Surgeon General say when you called them? Oh, Really?! Because when I called them, they said XXXXX."

Are you the only HPSP in the whole school? All 4 years? Does your school have a veteran's association? If you can't get traction from the financial office or the Dean, start ringing other bells. Have your MSGA rep ask the dean about it in a Dean's Round Table or equivalent. (One of those meetings where they take notes and it's relatively public) Also, ask about military students and HPSP processing, not just "Where's my money." Because getting them to get off their asses will help all the troops, not just you. See if your Veteran's Association knows of any highly placed vet's in Admin. A friendly retired O6 working a desk at the school is better than gold for admin bull****.

Basically, become the squeaky wheel and the lazy ass down in student financials will be forced to put down Angy Birds and do her job. (Cynical, but welcome to a life dictated by bureaucrats.)

I saw a couple of kids have to wait for their scholarships, but it was always a government issue, not a school issue.

And, no, there is no way to do a CDW outside of the website. But, once everything gets processed, you will get paid. Just keep making noise.

 

[DocArmy]

I'm pretty sure only BAH and BAS are not taxable. ISP, ASP, MSP, VSP and all the other special pays are considered taxable income. Please correct me if I am wrong.

You are correct. IRS Publication 3 details what types of pay are taxed and which are not.

 

[DocArmy]

Does anyone know if you can/how to use a DODMERB USUHS physical for HPSP application purposes? HPSP recruiter said just get the paperwork from DODMERB; DODMERB says they'll give it to me, but it'll be marked as "Not Certified - not to be used for scholarship purposes"

After talking to DODMERB on the phone, what seems like it should be an obvious win-win for the USG and the applicant now seems much less likely.

I had to get both physicals. The DODMERB did not count for both.

 

[student til 30]

.

 

[playaodamonth]

I'm pretty sure only BAH and BAS are not taxable. ISP, ASP, MSP, VSP and all the other special pays are considered taxable income. Please correct me if I am wrong.

You are correct. I modified the post. Thanks for the catch.

 

[Cooperd0g]

A simplified way to look at it is if it is called an "allowance" like Basic Allowance for Housing and Basic Allowance for Subsistence, it isn't taxable. However anything labeled "Pay" is taxable. Like hazardous duty pay, flight pay, variable specialty pay, basic pay, etc.

 

[SmartiePants]

Anyone selected for the AF HPSP in the past mind sharing their stats?

Also, any idea how many spots are available this year?

I'm applying this year.

 

[jjf0019]

I know this probably has been answered quite a few times before but I couldn't find the answer.

I am considering the Navy HPSP. If I apply for a military residency, say in EM, and am not matched, but am granted a deferment for a civilian residency and am matched there, would I accrue any more years that I would owe the Navy in active duty while I completed that residency? If I do, what is the ratio?

Also, I am still unclear as far as the active duty obligations after a military residency. Is it an additional 1 year of active duty for every residency year (not including internship)? Is it true that you can pay residency active duty years concurrently with HPSP years?

Thanks to everyone on this thread for the helpful information!!

 

[Perrotfish]

I am considering the Navy HPSP. If I apply for a military residency, say in EM, and am not matched, but am granted a deferment for a civilian residency and am matched there, would I accrue any more years that I would owe the Navy in active duty while I completed that residency? If I do, what is the ratio?

1) Civilian deferment is neutral for your obligation. You're also off the military payroll (you're paid like a civilian resident) and you don't accumulate any time towards requirement.

2) A deferment isn't something that happens if you don't match. In the military match you apply for a deferment and it generally has to be your first choice. You shouldn't expect to get a deferment as a backup to a military residency. Actually that's not 100% true, because there have been years where they have surprised people with deferments they didn't want, but historically being ordered to train with the military when you wanted civilian is more likely than being ordered to train civilian when you wanted to be trained in service

3) Just to be clear, you don't match into a Navy residency. You match into a Navy Intern year (like EM) and then apply again in December of that year for the rest of residency. The majority of physicians don't match into the rest of residency right away and have to do a 2-3 year 'GMO tour' where they work with sailors/pilots/divers, and then reapply to residency after their tour.

Also, I am still unclear as far as the active duty obligations after a military residency. Is it an additional 1 year of active duty for every residency year (not including internship)? Is it true that you can pay residency active duty years concurrently with HPSP years?

Thanks to everyone on this thread for the helpful information!!

Intern year is obligation neutral

For all other years of residency the rule is that the amount of time you owe coming out of residency equals the amount of time you owe going into residency OR the length of residency, whichever is more. Some examples:

1) You take HPSP and get straight through training in pediatrics. The length of residency after Intern year is 2 years, you owed 4 years going in, so you owe 4 years when you finish

2) You take HPSP and get straight through training in neurosurgery. The length of residency after Internship is 6 years, you owed 4 years going in, at the end of residency you owe 6 years.

3) You take HPSP, do a transitional year internship, at the end of that Internship you owe 4 years. You don't match into your choice of an EM residency so you do a 3 year tour as a flight surgeon. At the end of that tour you owe 1 year. Now you do match into EM. The length of EM training after Intern year is 3 years, you owe 1 year going in, at the end of the training you owe 3 years.

Fellowship, on the other hand generally just adds time. Do a 2 year fellowship, and you owe an additional 2 years on top of your original obligation.

 

[jjf0019]

1) Civilian deferment is neutral for your obligation. You're also off the military payroll (you're paid like a civilian resident) and you don't accumulate any time towards requirement.

2) A deferment isn't something that happens if you don't match. In the military match you apply for a deferment and it generally has to be your first choice. You shouldn't expect to get a deferment as a backup to a military residency. Actually that's not 100% true, because there have been years where they have surprised people with deferments they didn't want, but historically being ordered to train with the military when you wanted civilian is more likely than being ordered to train civilian when you wanted to be trained in service

3) Just to be clear, you don't match into a Navy residency. You match into a Navy Intern year (like EM) and then apply again in December of that year for the rest of residency. The majority of physicians don't match into the rest of residency right away and have to do a 2-3 year 'GMO tour' where they work with sailors/pilots/divers, and then reapply to residency after their tour.



Intern year is obligation neutral

For all other years of residency the rule is that the amount of time you owe coming out of residency equals the amount of time you owe going into residency OR the length of residency, whichever is more. Some examples:

1) You take HPSP and get straight through training in pediatrics. The length of residency after Intern year is 2 years, you owed 4 years going in, so you owe 4 years when you finish

2) You take HPSP and get straight through training in neurosurgery. The length of residency after Internship is 6 years, you owed 4 years going in, at the end of residency you owe 6 years.

3) You take HPSP, do a transitional year internship, at the end of that Internship you owe 4 years. You don't match into your choice of an EM residency so you do a 3 year tour as a flight surgeon. At the end of that tour you owe 1 year. Now you do match into EM. The length of EM training after Intern year is 3 years, you owe 1 year going in, at the end of the training you owe 3 years.

Fellowship, on the other hand generally just adds time. Do a 2 year fellowship, and you owe an additional 2 years on top of your original obligation.

Thank you so much. That was exactly the info I needed!

 

[c0pycat]

Anyone considering going to Optometry schools and also applying for the HPSP????????

 

[USArmyHPSP]

Anyone considering going to Optometry schools and also applying for the HPSP????????

Wrong forum. There is a pre-optemtry and optemtry forum that current and former HPSP students follow.

 

[kimballkjr]

New
Air Force HPSP Questions:

What factors make it less likely to match into military residency?
Is it possible to defer from the military match? Frowned upon?
What factors make it less likely to end up in flight surgery?
If your board scores are very high, are you more/less likely to match civilian?

 

[student til 30]

.

 

[Oo Cipher oO]

Alright I should know this as a HPSP student myself but I can't find the answer I'm looking for. How does repayment work with someone with the 3 year HPSP scholarship with regards to a GMO tour? Let's say after a 1 year internship the 3 year scholarship recipient does a GMO tour. As I understand it most (all?) GMO billets are for 2 years. This would leave him with 1 more year left on his obligation. If this person wanted to finish his obligation to the military how would he go about doing that as GMO tours are 2 years in length?

 

[Cooperd0g]

Alright I should know this as a HPSP student myself but I can't find the answer I'm looking for. How does repayment work with someone with the 3 year HPSP scholarship with regards to a GMO tour? Let's say after a 1 year internship the 3 year scholarship recipient does a GMO tour. As I understand it most (all?) GMO billets are for 2 years. This would leave him with 1 more year left on his obligation. If this person wanted to finish his obligation to the military how would he go about doing that as GMO tours are 2 years in length?

What branch are you in? In the Navy a Flight Surgery or Dive Med tour will be about 3 years. 6 months for training and a 2 or 2.5 year tour. If they give you a 2 year tour then you only have six months left and can just extend.

 

[Oo Cipher oO]

What branch are you in? In the Navy a Flight Surgery or Dive Med tour will be about 3 years. 6 months for training and a 2 or 2.5 year tour. If they give you a 2 year tour then you only have six months left and can just extend.

I'm in the Navy but I'm asking for my classmate who is a 3 yearer in the Air Force.

 

[Stagg737]

Hi everyone, I was just accepted into med school and am considering applying for the Navy HPSP. I've read through most of this forum, and had almost all of my questions answered, but I still have some concerns about the whole residency aspect.

At this point, I am not sure what field of medicine I want to pursue, but I want to make sure that if I decide to pursue a specialty (ortho for example) that I will be able to do that. I already know that specialties are competitive in civilian residencies, but what are they like for the military residencies? How many people actually get into the specialty military residencies or are able to pursue their desired field through civilian residency? I'm pretty flexible, but I still want to have some say in what field of medicine I pursue.

This is one of the most important factors for me and is also the thing I know the least about. I'd really appreciate any input I can get, especially from those who have already finished their residencies or are currently residents.

 

[Mt Kilimanjaro]

Hi everyone, I was just accepted into med school and am considering applying for the Navy HPSP. I've read through most of this forum, and had almost all of my questions answered, but I still have some concerns about the whole residency aspect.

At this point, I am not sure what field of medicine I want to pursue, but I want to make sure that if I decide to pursue a specialty (ortho for example) that I will be able to do that. I already know that specialties are competitive in civilian residencies, but what are they like for the military residencies? How many people actually get into the specialty military residencies or are able to pursue their desired field through civilian residency? I'm pretty flexible, but I still want to have some say in what field of medicine I pursue.

This is one of the most important factors for me and is also the thing I know the least about. I'd really appreciate any input I can get, especially from those who have already finished their residencies or are currently residents.

Listen to these podcasts for a fairly decent overview of what to expect. The guy who makes them is a good example. He did AF HPSP and tried twice to match ortho. He didn't match into an AF residency program either year, so I believe he did one transitional year then became a flight surgeon after the second attempt.

http://medicalschoolhq.net/mshq-018-air-force-hpsp-scholarship-info-interview/

http://medicalschoolhq.net/mshq-030-military-medical-school-and-being-a-medical-officer/

http://medicalschoolhq.net/mshq-036-life-as-a-flight-surgeon-intro-to-our-new-project/

 

[Doingmybest86]

I spoke with the amedd recruiter about the HPSP. He told me that I required 2 waivers for the MCAT sections that I scored lower than 8 in. Should I retake the MCAT and try and score above 8 in those sections? My second question; Is it easier to get a 3 year scholarship as stringent in regard to MCAT requirement? Thanks in advance.

 

[USArmyHPSP]

If you are looking at the Army, in this situation there is next to zero possibility of a waiver. You need to have a MCAT of no less than 24 with 8 in each category. There are a very few waivers if you miss one category, depending on GPA, and other circumstances but two under eight - not likely. The few three year scholarships that are granted in the Army are very competitive.

 

[Doingmybest86]

If you are looking at the Army, in this situation there is next to zero possibility of a waiver. You need to have a MCAT of no less than 24 with 8 in each category. There are a very few waivers if you miss one category, depending on GPA, and other circumstances but two under eight - not likely. The few three year scholarships that are granted in the Army are very competitive.

I had decided to forgo the MCAT retake thinking that it would be easier to get a 3 year scholarship. Now that I know that 3 year scholarship is actually more competitive I'll definitely retake the test in March or so. Thanks for your insight.

 

[frugopl]

The few three year scholarships that are granted in the Army are very competitive.

I've asked this question several months ago, without a solid answer. Do you happen to have some concrete stats about what the average MCAT/GPA are for the Army 3 year HPSP? The point may be a bit moot at this point, as I got boarded on Dec 10th and should hear back early in Jan, but as I await the decision, it would be nice to predict my competitiveness.

 

[USArmyHPSP]

For the recruiting year 2013 (1 Oct 2012 - 30 Sep 2013) there were 20 three-year scholarships available:
Average GPA of the Applicant was 3.5
Average GPA of the Selectee was 3.47

Average MCAT of the Applicant was 29.03
Average MCAT of those selected was 29.54

 

[frugopl]

Army HPSP decisions for those boarded in December should be in. Give your recruiters a ring. Congratulations to all those who made it!

 

[Stagg737]

So I was picking through a few other HPSP threads on here and came across this:

"I would pick the branch of service that you would enjoy best. They are vastly different.

AF way of life much more in line with civilian. Army much more likely to let you get training in whatever field you want to do without time as a gmo.
Navy most likely to deploy your A.. lol"

The statement was made by a physician who went through the Navy, but I didn't realize there were such 'vast differences' between the different branches and the physicians' responsibilities. If anyone who has done the hpsp or has experience with military docs is willing and able to go through some of the differences of the branches it would be greatly appreciated. I'm hoping to apply for the hpsp soon, but I want to make sure I am taking the best path for me (and I'm sure everyone else is as well).

 

[Donald Kimball]

Seriously thinking about HPSP. 36 MCAT, 3.66 GPA. Spoke with a recruiter yesterday, went over a ton of documentation, and I started filling out a medical questionnaire.

I am actually worried I have ****ed myself because I made mention of a past visit (4 years ago) to a psychiatrist during undergrad for depressive disorder NOS, as well, I have a herniated lumbar disc (asymptomatic and with no limitations on range of motion). Neither of these medical issues are bothering me, and the depression hasn't been an issue for 4 years. The recruiting sergeant said he's going to arrange my physical outside of the MEPS at Ft. Bragg, but it looks like I need a ton of medical documentation prior to that.

Is pursuing HPSP futile given my medical history? If not, what sort of documentation should I acquire?

 

[Snowdon48]

Seriously thinking about HPSP. 36 MCAT, 3.66 GPA. Spoke with a recruiter yesterday, went over a ton of documentation, and I started filling out a medical questionnaire.

I am actually worried I have ****** myself because I made mention of a past visit (4 years ago) to a psychiatrist during undergrad for depressive disorder NOS, as well, I have a herniated lumbar disc (asymptomatic and with no limitations on range of motion). Neither of these medical issues are bothering me, and the depression hasn't been an issue for 4 years. The recruiting sergeant said he's going to arrange my physical outside of the MEPS at Ft. Bragg, but it looks like I need a ton of medical documentation prior to that.

Is pursuing HPSP futile given my medical history? If not, what sort of documentation should I acquire?

Not futile at all. I got into the AF HPSP with prior back surgery for a herniated lumbar disc. Have you had surgery for this disc problem? I was initially disqualified for my medical condition and had to go through a long waiver process in which I had to submit all of the medical records on my surgery and a note from the surgeon clearing me to apply. If you haven't had surgery you might not even have to go through the waiver process. It depends on what your physical says. I am not sure how the military will deal with your past depression but just remember that getting disqualified doesn't mean you are out. It just means you have to get a waiver. Good luck!

 

[jmills]

I'm an upcoming junior in high school and am doing some research on possibly going through the military to pay for medical or veterinary school. I would like to know

1.) I have flat feet and had knee surgery this past Feb to repair a luxated patella and the resulting damage from falling on it (my surgeon said it was a pretty major injury) and I am wondering if this would be a barrier?

2.) Do you go through basic training for the HPSP, what is the sort of physical fitness requirements?

Thanks.

 

[aklark]

I'm an upcoming junior in high school and am doing some research on possibly going through the military to pay for medical or veterinary school. I would like to know

1.) I have flat feet and had knee surgery this past Feb to repair a luxated patella and the resulting damage from falling on it (my surgeon said it was a pretty major injury) and I am wondering if this would be a barrier?

2.) Do you go through basic training for the HPSP, what is the sort of physical fitness requirements?

Thanks.

You're at least 4 years early. Get into college, do well in pre med coursework then worry about this.

#1 will probably be a problem.

It's not basic. It's easy. Like camping with Boy Scouts and watching PowerPoint.

http://usarmybasic.com/army-physical-fitness/apft-standards

 

[jmills]

You're at least 4 years early. Get into college, do well in pre med coursework then worry about this.

#1 will probably be a problem.

It's not basic. It's easy. Like camping with Boy Scouts and watching PowerPoint.

http://usarmybasic.com/army-physical-fitness/apft-standards

As for #1, how much of a problem are we talking about, one big enough to prevent me from being able to enter the program? My surgeon and I haven't talked about long term implications of the injury, we are right now trying to get me ready to play as a lineman on my football team.

As for #2, if that is all of the major physical fitness requirements, then the only one I see as a problem is the running as a result of my injury. The other two I can work on over the next 6 years.

 

[Snowdon48]

As for #1, how much of a problem are we talking about, one big enough to prevent me from being able to enter the program? My surgeon and I haven't talked about long term implications of the injury, we are right now trying to get me ready to play as a lineman on my football team.

As for #2, if that is all of the major physical fitness requirements, then the only one I see as a problem is the running as a result of my injury. The other two I can work on over the next 6 years.

You will have to get a waiver. I had back surgery in college and had to get a waiver. But I was still able to join. It all depends on your situation.

 

[HJKshadow2016]

Done

 

[Cooperd0g]

HJK, you seem to be doing fine with the track you are on.

I would like to add some commentary though:

Unless you are absolutely sure that you intend to be a hyper specialized academic research oriented physician, there really is no justification for going to a "top 15" medical school. Most docs end up in private practice or as hospital employees. Medical education is very standardized and frankly you have to teach yourself the majority of it. The more you put into it the better you will do, regardless of what school you go to. Money equals freedom and debt equal misery or servitude. So the cheapest school you can get into limits your debt and allows for you to obtain freedom much faster. "Top 15" schools tend to be some of the more expensive ones.

Now if you are completely set on joining the military then it doesn't matter what the school costs because HPSP will pay for it. But it also means you are locked into the military. You will most likely do a military residency (despite people talking about civilian deferment) and there is no guarantee you will train straight through. You are likely to be separated from your family and friends for a long period of time, possibly in a dangerous area of the world. In the military you are also very unlikely to be a hyper specialized academic research oriented physician so the usefulness of a "top 15" school becomes moot. The cheaper the cost of your school the less value you get out of the HPSP scholarship. Some people really struggle with the limitations the military puts on you and decide, long after taking the scholarship, that it was a bad decision both financially and personally. Because of that I never recommend people join for the money. Join because you actually want to be in the military. And then joining via FAP gives you more freedom than HPSP.

My overall recommendations for people to go to USUHS or take an HPSP scholarship:

USUHS:
You were prior officer and will be able to retire by the time the USUHS commitment is up (or darn close)
USUHS is the only school you got into
You abso-freaking-lutely know you want want to be in the military, are fully informed and have no reservations (and take advantage of the TSP while all other med students are going further in the hole)

HPSP:
You are pretty darn sure you want to be in the military and the only school you got into is expensive as hell and you have no family money or scholarships
You abso-freaking-lutely know you want want to be in the military, are fully informed and have no reservations and you didn't get into USUHS
You are pretty darn sure you want to be in the military, got into USUHS, but are unsure of the longer 7 year commitment
You are an ignorant, naive fool who doesn't listen to the advice of others

I would also heavily recommend you read The White Coat Investor book, http://whitecoatinvestor.com/the-book/.

 

[csx]

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[Stucco]

Hey fellas,

I'm new to the SDN scene, so I'm sorry if I'm interrupting another thread right now. However, I've been looking into the HPSP for a while now and have some pressing questions that I'm having trouble finding no-BS answers for. If someone experienced or knowledgeable can give me some help or point me towards a more appropriate forum, I'd love you forever.

I'm starting my first year of medical school next week and I have no prior military training. My motives for joining the army are not financially-driven, which I know is one of the biggest factors. However, does anyone know these:

1) I know that they can't (or don't) interrupt your medical school or residency, but could they intervene/deploy me (or otherwise derail my education) between internship and residency? I can't get a feel for the army's ability to use me BETWEEN med school and residency or residency and fellowship.

2) I'm looking into oncology, neurology, and infectious disease. I'm told these aren't popular disciplines for deployment and such. If I pursue one of these concentrations, what is my historical likelihood of being deployed over seas?

3) How competitive are residencies and fellowships in the army? I know there's exclusion in both the private and military sectors, but obviously it's a little more serious if you don't match well if you're engaged in the army.

If anyone could help me with this or provide any personal feedback from your experiences, I'd really appreciate it. It's not too late to sign up for a scholarship (for which I'm confident I'll be competitive), but this is somewhat time sensitive.

Thanks a lot!

 

[Stagg737]

Someone more experienced would have better answers than I do, but from what I have read and been told you CAN have your residency interrupted midway. It's just extremely rare for that to happen unless the U.S. is at war.

 

[ArmyTiger]

Someone more experienced would have better answers than I do, but from what I have read and been told you CAN have your residency interrupted midway. It's just extremely rare for that to happen unless the U.S. is at war.

I think we are at war. Across the globe. With terrorism. You might have heard.

That said, doubt it would actually happen unless WWIII breaks out.

 

[pgg]

You won't be touched during medical school or internship.

It is very common for Navy grads to deploy between internship and residency. It's much less common in the Army, but not rare.

Hard or give an honest answer re: competitiveness of inservice residencies. There's a lot of year-to-year variability. The applicant pool is small, and so are the number of slots. There's a lot of self-selection in that small pool which can make gauging competitiveness difficult - ie, neurosurgery may only have 2 applicants for 1 slot but they don't have 190 step 1 scores. The general trends of relative difficulty between specialties roughly mirror the civilian match, but some fields are much more competitive in the military (such as EM) ... and some fields have very few slots or aren't available at all because the military doesn't "need" that kind of doctor.

 

[deuist]

and some fields have very few slots or aren't available at all because the military doesn't "need" that kind of doctor.

In the Air Force, for example, you cannot pursue a dual residency (e.g., med-peds) nor can you pursue physical medicine and rehabilitation or medical genetics. Look at the American Board of Medical Specialties' official list of medical specialties and then look at the Air Force's HPERB results this year and you'll notice the lack of specialties available.

 

[Stagg737]

I think we are at war. Across the globe. With terrorism. You might have heard.

That said, doubt it would actually happen unless WWIII breaks out.

That's what I meant, a major conflict where very large numbers of ground forces would be deployed like Vietnam or a WW. Like I said though, while it's possible it's not something I think anyone would expect residents having to deal with now.

 

[Stucco]

Thanks guys, that's a good help! I've read similar things- that there's an incredibly small chance of derailing a residency, but that's a policy and not a contract so it can be changed on a whim. I'm aware of the GMO tours (which seem to be mostly Navy?) before residency, but it seemed like the army pretty much allowed a continuous education in most cases.

Money's not as much of an issue, so I've been looking into the MDSSP for the Guards in lieu of a 4- or 3-year HPSP. This is probably a question for a different thread, but has anyone looked into the MDSSP/Guards? It seems advantageous because you have more control over your residency (where/what because you're in the civilian sector) and aren't in the immediate pool of pawns for the army during your training. It doesn't pay for tuition either, which is where I think the majority of the tradeoff comes from.


If anyone has any additional info or opinions regarding any of this, I'll continue loving you forever, and thanks again guys

 

[CUAnes12]

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[Toastayy]

I always wondered...do military employees like docs get the same discounts and such as veterans and in service people?

 

[Oo Cipher oO]

I always wondered...do military employees like docs get the same discounts and such as veterans and in service people?

When you join the military you are entitled to all military benefits, regardless of designation.

 

[aklark]

I always wondered...do military employees like docs get the same discounts and such as veterans and in service people?

If you're a DoD civilian you would not be entitled to a "military discount" as you are a civilian, not a member of the Armed Forces.