A few questions before I talk to recruiters...?

[Nasrudin]

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Thanks for any insight.

I'm going into talk to some recuiters but wanted some critical opinions first.

I have two issues. The first is physical. I had two back surgeries to repair a work injury and while I'm doing well enough to do the work of a physician, let's just say I'm not sure about my ability to hoist a ruck sack and negotiate timed obstacle courses. Running no problem. Overall fitness no problem. Stooping bending crawling hoisting heavy things. Problematic.

What does that mean for my candidacy for military medicine? I can't afford to find out I'm unsuitable after being told something incorrect by a recruiter.

Second. I'm interested in EM. Pediatrics maybe. But the problem is I've heard EM is competitive in the military. What are the things to wary of if after working with my EM department I decided I'm definitely interested in it but am destined for military service?

Does the GMO tour hurt or help one's competiveness to match in EM?
The recruiters at orientation made it seem like a civilian residency was a given option up to the applicant--but here I see there's a lot more ambiguity about one's ability to do the civilian residency before the service commitment?

I'm in the process of doing my homework here. So thanks for fielding rendundant questions. But it's just a lot to sift through and I needed focused insight on my first question to see if I can go forward.

Thanks again for any help.

 

[NavyFP]

Thanks for any insight.

I'm going into talk to some recuiters but wanted some critical opinions first.

I have two issues. The first is physical. I had two back surgeries to repair a work injury and while I'm doing well enough to do the work of a physician, let's just say I'm not sure about my ability to hoist a ruck sack and negotiate timed obstacle courses. Running no problem. Overall fitness no problem. Stooping bending crawling hoisting heavy things. Problematic.

What does that mean for my candidacy for military medicine? I can't afford to find out I'm unsuitable after being told something incorrect by a recruiter.

Second. I'm interested in EM. Pediatrics maybe. But the problem is I've heard EM is competitive in the military. What are the things to wary of if after working with my EM department I decided I'm definitely interested in it but am destined for military service?

Does the GMO tour hurt or help one's competiveness to match in EM?
The recruiters at orientation made it seem like a civilian residency was a given option up to the applicant--but here I see there's a lot more ambiguity about one's ability to do the civilian residency before the service commitment?

I'm in the process of doing my homework here. So thanks for fielding rendundant questions. But it's just a lot to sift through and I needed focused insight on my first question to see if I can go forward.

Thanks again for any help.

I really doubt you will be found medically qualified.

EM is competitive, GMO helps, Deferments are indeed a crap shoot.

 

[orbitsurgMD]

Thanks for any insight.

I'm going into talk to some recuiters but wanted some critical opinions first.

I have two issues. The first is physical. I had two back surgeries to repair a work injury and while I'm doing well enough to do the work of a physician, let's just say I'm not sure about my ability to hoist a ruck sack and negotiate timed obstacle courses. Running no problem. Overall fitness no problem. Stooping bending crawling hoisting heavy things. Problematic.

What does that mean for my candidacy for military medicine? I can't afford to find out I'm unsuitable after being told something incorrect by a recruiter.

Second. I'm interested in EM. Pediatrics maybe. But the problem is I've heard EM is competitive in the military. What are the things to wary of if after working with my EM department I decided I'm definitely interested in it but am destined for military service?

Does the GMO tour hurt or help one's competiveness to match in EM?
The recruiters at orientation made it seem like a civilian residency was a given option up to the applicant--but here I see there's a lot more ambiguity about one's ability to do the civilian residency before the service commitment?

I'm in the process of doing my homework here. So thanks for fielding rendundant questions. But it's just a lot to sift through and I needed focused insight on my first question to see if I can go forward.

Thanks again for any help.

As I recall, you have to military press about 100 lbs in the MEPS physical screening. I don't know how you could get waivered for that in advance.

But suppose the physical isn't an issue, anyway.

Your chances of getting EM residency in the service depends somewhat on which branch you are seeking. You didn't say. I will assume for the moment that the Navy is one you would consider. There, you will have to do a GMO tour to be a competitive applicant for EM in the service. It is possible to be deferred to civilian training before going to active duty, and it is possible also to be permitted straight through training, but the chances of either are very small.

For having as many posts as you have, you appear not to have read very much on this part of the board. Your questions have been answered many times over on the stickies and elsewhere.

If Pediatrics is your aim, I think I would shoot for an in-service program. They are usually pretty strong, overall. The weaknesses are the pediatric subspecialties of other fields, like surgery, so your crossover experience might not be as good as at a major university center.

If EM is your aim, I suggest you don't go HPSP at all. Take loans, apply for a civilian EM program, where your chances are higher for acceptance right out of medical school, then apply for FAP or whatever program is in play when you are a resident. You will be in a stronger position to negotiate, and they will not be able to force you to interrupt your training to do a GMO tour with only your internship behind you. An offer for EM for $200-$250K at the end of residency can at least help you put the issue of paying off loans in better perspective. As for the military and the opportunity to serve, it will always be there and it is better to approach them from a position of strength having some professional standing and not needing their "help" in getting you your residency.

 

[notdeadyet]

As I recall, you have to military press about 100 lbs in the MEPS physical screening. I don't know how you could get waivered for that in advance.

If that was the case, you'd lose about half of HPSP...

 

[orbitsurgMD]

If that was the case, you'd lose about half of HPSP...

Well, they made me press 100lbs. Maybe they wouldn't have if I hadn't any Y-chromosomes?

 

[notdeadyet]

Well, they made me press 100lbs. Maybe they wouldn't have if I hadn't any Y-chromosomes?

For the Army anyway, there's toe touching and duck-walking at MEPS, but no military press.

Did you offend someone at inprocessing maybe?

 

[orbitsurgMD]

For the Army anyway, there's toe touching and duck-walking at MEPS, but no military press.

Did you offend someone at inprocessing maybe?

Well, it wasn't exactly yesterday, if you get my drift. But it really was 100 lbs. They made everyone lift it; it was a weight machine with a press bar. You had to jerk it from knee height to shoulder then press over your head at full extension. It was at a MEPS station somewhere in Maryland, east of DC. I should add that I went there with an Air Force card, even though I eventually went Navy.

 

[glamqueen]

Well, it wasn't exactly yesterday, if you get my drift. But it really was 100 lbs. They made everyone lift it; it was a weight machine with a press bar. You had to jerk it from knee height to shoulder then press over your head at full extension. It was at a MEPS station somewhere in Maryland, east of DC. I should add that I went there with an Air Force card, even though I eventually went Navy.

I can tell you that as of 2008 (when I went to MEPS), the Air Force is definitely not requiring the 100 lb lift. I think they would have lost quite a few of their people had they done that.

However, I do think the back troubles would be problematic. A lot of things at COT required hauling your stuff in that green bag and crawling around on that obstacle course etc. etc. Who am I to judge, though? If you can get a waiver - great.

 

[notdeadyet]

Well, it wasn't exactly yesterday, if you get my drift. But it really was 100 lbs.

I believe you. But they're definitely not requiring that now. It'd probably be a good thing. Lots of folks struggle with their first physical fitness test.

I think we're all in agreement about that Nasrudin's inability to bend, stoop, crawl and hoist heavy things would likely present problems. I think the history of back surgeries will raise eyebrows at MEPS and they'll look harder at physical limitations.

 

[AF M4]

I believe you. But they're definitely not requiring that now. It'd probably be a good thing. Lots of folks struggle with their first physical fitness test.

Lol, not just their first PT test. With the advent of the new AF PT standards, you should see the line of overweight airmen limping around outside my clinic door clutching their jellybellies and complaining of sciatica.