Advice needed

[bjorne]

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Hello,

I am a first year med student and have recently felt a strong desire to serve my country. My question is how can I best do this? Two years ago I pursued the hpsp through the air force, but didn't sign the papers and instead deferred med school for a year. Back then, my motivation to do it was to avoid med school debt. Debt is no longer an issue for me since I have got into a part time consulting gig that should be able to float me throughout school without loans. My desire now is completely different, a duty that I need to serve. I am considering:

1. the three year hpsp
2. taking an extended leave from school after finishing second year and enlisting
3. finishing school and residency and then accepting a commission

I am 90% sure I want to go into a surgical field (ortho is my current interest). I do not even know if option 2 is possible or if my school would let me leave for that long (what's the minimum enlistment - 3 years)?

Honestly I would rather serve on the front lines, but I realize that the chance to enlist in the infantry may have passed. If Hpsp program sounds like it may be a good choice for me, which branch would fit my goals the best? I chose the air force before because I am a pilot (civilian, not military eligible), and I realize now that is a terrible reason.

Thank you all for your help.

 

[backrow]

1. the three year hpsp
2. taking an extended leave from school after finishing second year and enlisting
3. finishing school and residency and then accepting a commission

3: Best
1: So So
2: Worst

 

[AF M4]

3: Best
1: So So
2: Worst

Second.

 

[Fabio001]

You should check out FAP for sure. From what i've read it seems like exactly what you're after.

 

[psychbender]

Number three would give you the greatest amount of control over your specialty choice, and allow you to actually train straight through, without interruptions. It would probably be your best bet.

Number one does decrease debt, but introduces the possibility of training interruption, and you would, in all probability, have to train at a military program (with the pros/cons that come with that). However, if you really want to serve on the front lines, then maybe the two to three years as a GMO between internship and residency won't be too bad for you.

Number two is about as intelligent as wearing your pants on your head.

 

[Kris1]

You should check out FAP for sure. From what i've read it seems like exactly what you're after.

I agree with this. I'm knee-deep in the FAP application; actually expecting a decision on my application today after a 2 month application process. I'm a former Marine with an itch to get back in action and I'm a PGY-1 in Emergency Medicine.

 

[bjorne]

Thanks guys. From the little I know about FAP, it is a military program to repay your loans while you are in residency (please correct me if wrong!). If all things go well, I don't expect to borrow. For someone not interested in loan payback, does FAP make any sense? I can see the scenario where I borrow the maximum I am eligible for, use it to pay off my house or otherwise invest and then pay it back with the FAP funds 4-6 years later, however I feel funny using taxpayer dollars for loans I don't need.

What are the options in the military for someone already finished with residency? Is there any advantage to me signing before I complete a residency (either hpsp or fap)?

As physicians and surgeons, how close can we get to the front lines? Are there opportunities to serve in the field or will we be working in secured hospitals and clinics on permanent bases?

 

[Fabio001]

Thanks guys. From the little I know about FAP, it is a military program to repay your loans while you are in residency (please correct me if wrong!). If all things go well, I don't expect to borrow. For someone not interested in loan payback, does FAP make any sense? I can see the scenario where I borrow the maximum I am eligible for, use it to pay off my house or otherwise invest and then pay it back with the FAP funds 4-6 years later, however I feel funny using taxpayer dollars for loans I don't need.

What are the options in the military for someone already finished with residency? Is there any advantage to me signing before I complete a residency (either hpsp or fap)?

As physicians and surgeons, how close can we get to the front lines? Are there opportunities to serve in the field or will we be working in secured hospitals and clinics on permanent bases?

Just a quick note, I have heard all of this second hand on these forums. I have no experience with FAP, but I feel that I've read alot on it. From what I understand, FAP is not so much a loan repayment option, but more of just a very large stipend that you receive each month of residency. I think this is generally used for loan repayment, but you can do with it what you want. For your second question, I have read on these forums about physicians becoming commisioned after residency and essentially being able to secure in writing a very desirable location through persistence with the recruiter. Again, this is all second hand, but when I read this on these forums, it all seemed very legit. Hope this helps a bit.

 

[bogatyr]

Thanks guys. From the little I know about FAP, it is a military program to repay your loans while you are in residency (please correct me if wrong!). If all things go well, I don't expect to borrow. For someone not interested in loan payback, does FAP make any sense? I can see the scenario where I borrow the maximum I am eligible for, use it to pay off my house or otherwise invest and then pay it back with the FAP funds 4-6 years later, however I feel funny using taxpayer dollars for loans I don't need.

What are the options in the military for someone already finished with residency? Is there any advantage to me signing before I complete a residency (either hpsp or fap)?

As physicians and surgeons, how close can we get to the front lines? Are there opportunities to serve in the field or will we be working in secured hospitals and clinics on permanent bases?

If you can get through school with no loans, then you should complete a civilian residency of your choice. When you are nearing completion of residency, talk to the healthcare recruiters from each branch and weigh the offers accordingly. This would provide you with the maximum flexibility for achieving your career goals. As a new accession you should be able to pick your first duty location, and you should also get a signing bonus, though the amount varies depending on how much they need your specialty. From military times:

Critical skills wartime accession bonus

Under the fiscal 2007 Defense Authorization Act, the military services may pay wartime accession bonuses to medical and dental officers who agree to serve at least four years. During the active-duty service obligation for which they qualify for the critical wartime skills accession bonus, officers are not eligible for multiyear special or incentive pay. Bonus rates vary by medical or dental specialty and cannot exceed $400,000.

So basically they give you a huge up-front signing bonus and then you don't get your normal bonuses during that payback. You'd have to calculate which would be more advantageous.

 

[Mirror Form]

1. the three year hpsp
2. taking an extended leave from school after finishing second year and enlisting
3. finishing school and residency and then accepting a commission

1. A bad decision for a couple reasons. You'd be buying yourself at least a four year commitment, possibly longer, but only getting a 3 year scholarship (assuming you do a surgical field).

2. Too stupid an idea to even comment on, except to say it's stupid.

3. Far and away your best decision.

Keep in mind that if you take HPSP, you may have to go to school for 6 weeks one summer. I'm not sure how that would affect your consulting position. HPSP may actually cause you to lose your consulting job!

 

[Kris1]

Thanks guys. From the little I know about FAP, it is a military program to repay your loans while you are in residency (please correct me if wrong!). If all things go well, I don't expect to borrow. For someone not interested in loan payback, does FAP make any sense? I can see the scenario where I borrow the maximum I am eligible for, use it to pay off my house or otherwise invest and then pay it back with the FAP funds 4-6 years later, however I feel funny using taxpayer dollars for loans I don't need.

What are the options in the military for someone already finished with residency? Is there any advantage to me signing before I complete a residency (either hpsp or fap)?

As physicians and surgeons, how close can we get to the front lines? Are there opportunities to serve in the field or will we be working in secured hospitals and clinics on permanent bases?

Other posters are correct in that the FAP is not a loan repayment. It's an asswad of money that you can spend any way you want. Currently a $45K lump sum in addition to $2K per month of residency for every month that you are signed up for it. You get that $45K lump sum again every year you participate. It works out to $70K a year during residency that's yours.

However, if you aren't strapped during residency like me and can wait to join as an attending the bonuses are better and you can secure better billets. I'm interested in going out with the SEALs or MARSOC or dive medicine but it's unlikely I'll get one of those spots right away as a FAPper because they are paying me now to work for them in an ER later.