I'm starting my first year this fall and this will need a lot of planning, so I'm trying to think ahead....I'm interested in taking a 2 year leave of absence after MS2 to train as a F-16 pilot in the National Guard. Is there anyone on here that knows of someone who has done something similar (taking a leave of absence for something not necessarily medically related)?
A lot of you will say if that is what you really want to do, just be a pilot, but I don't see why I can't do both. The military has a small group of pilot-physicians (fully certified pilots + MDs), plus there are tons of civilian professionals in the guard and reserves. There are even PhDs in the enlisted ranks.
*Why didn't I do this before med school? - I have become increasing interested in flying over the last 2 years or so and am just beginning to go for my private pilot license (basically a minimum to enter the guard or reserves as a pilot).
*Why don't I wait until after med school? - If I wait much longer than 2 years, my age becomes a factor to be accepted for military pilot training.
A lot of you will say if that is what you really want to do, just be a pilot, but I don't see why I can't do both. The military has a small group of pilot-physicians (fully certified pilots + MDs), plus there are tons of civilian professionals in the guard and reserves. There are even PhDs in the enlisted ranks.
*Why didn't I do this before med school? - I have become increasing interested in flying over the last 2 years or so and am just beginning to go for my private pilot license (basically a minimum to enter the guard or reserves as a pilot).
*Why don't I wait until after med school? - If I wait much longer than 2 years, my age becomes a factor to be accepted for military pilot training.