3 yrs and 4 month break possible?

[imfancyboy]

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Hi, I'm a Korean citizen, and I am in a weird position...
I have to go service in Korean military before I turn 29, so looking at my schedule, it looks like I would have to halt after 1.5 years of residency training. I am applying to med school this year and recieved one acceptance and am waiting to hear from a few more schools, but this military duty is really giving me a headache. :'(

The thing is that I have can serve for 2 yrs and 2 month as a private (which would suck, especially since I will probably be doing nothing but office work and some exercise... nothing related to medical field), or go serve for 3yrs and 4 month as a doctor if I can get medical doctor license. I could go in as a medic after 1st year in the medical school and serve for 2 yrs and 2 months, but I don't think this is a good option. Oh btw, privates and medics get paid like 20 dollars a month or something and can't get out from the military base except a few times a year. Doctors get a lot more and can go home everynight!

I'd really really prefer the second option (going in as a medical doctor), but I am not sure what I would do after getting out from the military... Will residency program in the US accept me back after such a long break?

I've talked to UTMB's surgery department head, and she said that as long as I practice medicine, they should understand, but I just wanted to get more opinions.

Thank you so much guys!!

 

[fuzzyerin]

Do a one year prelim/transitional year of residency, take Step 3, get your license, and then serve in the military as a doc. Then reapply to residency during your last year. Then you will have already completed your internship and could get back into the swing of things with a jump up.

 

[deleted109597]

Are you in school in America?
If you are, have you thought about naturalizing? Unless you really want to do the Korean military, and you seem like you want to stay here (or you wouldn't be doing residency here), you might be able to get out of service. Of course, if this goes against every fiber of your being, then don't, obviously. But I know lots of Iranians who won't go back for their military service.

 

[imfancyboy]

I thought about it, but I don't think I can...
The process takes very long time, and my passport will expire before I can obtain a green card, which means I'll have to leave the US (and go to Korea to do military duty).

I'm not upset about it though. I mean it's not like Yoo-hoo~, but if I have to do it, then oh well.

But thanks for your help guys!!

 

[pgg]

Do a one year prelim/transitional year of residency, take Step 3, get your license, and then serve in the military as a doc. Then reapply to residency during your last year. Then you will have already completed your internship and could get back into the swing of things with a jump up.

To add to this, many US citizens who accept military scholarships for medical school (HPSP) end up completing an internship, passing step 3, getting a license, and serving as a general medical officer in the military for 3-4 years. When their military obligation is up, they go on to complete residency, either at a civilian hospital (via a position found through or outside the match) or at a military hospital.

This break between internship and residency isn't uncommon for doctors in the US armed forces; in fact the majority of people who go to med school via the US Navy health professions scholarship program serve a 2-4 year tour (as non-board certified, primary care type practice) before going back for PGY-2+ training. I spent 3 years with the Marines as a battalion physician before getting back to residency a few months ago.

I wouldn't pass up the opportunity to go to med school now. US residency programs may not be pleased that you took 3 years "off" after internship, but they won't look at you like you're stupid/lazy/insane ... there's a precedent for that kind of interruption, especially given the context of military service.

 

[imfancyboy]

To add to this, many US citizens who accept military scholarships for medical school (HPSP) end up completing an internship, passing step 3, getting a license, and serving as a general medical officer in the military for 3-4 years. When their military obligation is up, they go on to complete residency, either at a civilian hospital (via a position found through or outside the match) or at a military hospital.

This break between internship and residency isn't uncommon for doctors in the US armed forces; in fact the majority of people who go to med school via the US Navy health professions scholarship program serve a 2-4 year tour (as non-board certified, primary care type practice) before going back for PGY-2+ training. I spent 3 years with the Marines as a battalion physician before getting back to residency a few months ago.

I wouldn't pass up the opportunity to go to med school now. US residency programs may not be pleased that you took 3 years "off" after internship, but they won't look at you like you're stupid/lazy/insane ... there's a precedent for that kind of interruption, especially given the context of military service.

Wow, thanks!!

I'm so glad I asked you guys!
You guys are so awesome!!!