Air Force, Army or Loans for Ophthalmology?

[Chequepues]

Hello, everyone.

I need help deciding which of these 3 options I should take: Air Force, Army, or Loans? I have read virtually every thread on this forum regarding HPSP and military medicine, and I still have the desire to serve my country as a physician. However, I have an even stronger desire to become an Ophthamologist. I want to choose the pathway that will best enhable me to become an Ophthalmologist.

I realize the Air Force has more GMOs and less Ophthalmologist slots, with a greater focus on primary care. Is this true? Also, with the new AOA merger, will it be easier or harder for me to specialize as an Ophthalmologist going to a DO school, assuming I am competitive?

I would love to serve my country, but if it interferes with my dream profession I will have to reconsider. Any thoughts?

Obviously I understand this is ultimately my decision, but I would appreciate outside opinions and perspectives to help me make the right choice.

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[Mad Jack]

You're going to be throwing yourself into the milmatch if you take those loans. It was recently noted that the milmatch requires higher Step scores for a given specialty than the NRMP match. Keep that in mind before you sign on the dotted line. It's never too late to serve your country- there are repayment programs you can take advantage of after you finish a civilian residency if you want to serve your country.

 

[bulldogmed]

Hello, everyone.

I need help deciding which of these 3 options I should take: Air Force, Army, or Loans? I have read virtually every thread on this forum regarding HPSP and military medicine, and I still have the desire to serve my country as a physician. However, I have an even stronger desire to become an Ophthamologist. I want to choose the pathway that will best enhable me to become an Ophthalmologist.

I realize the Air Force has more GMOs and less Ophthalmologist slots, with a greater focus on primary care. Is this true? Also, with the new AOA merger, will it be easier or harder for me to specialize as an Ophthalmologist going to a DO school, assuming I am competitive?

I would love to serve my country, but if it interferes with my dream profession I will have to reconsider. Any thoughts?

Obviously I understand this is ultimately my decision, but I would appreciate outside opinions and perspectives to help me make the right choice.

I think the answer to your question lies in the bold print.

 

[backrow]

It was recently noted that the milmatch requires higher Step scores for a given specialty than the NRMP match.

Actually you can't even infer that from the data that was presented. It's unfortunate the data was presented that way as people will make correlations that are not supported.

I would venture to say that for ophthalmology in the DO world it would be much easier to match in the military simply due to the sheer lack of positions in the AOA world.

Even with that though I would not recommend the military to someone who was dead set on ophthalmology or bust.

 

[colbgw02]

I would love to serve my country, but if it interferes with my dream profession I will have to reconsider. Any thoughts?.

I think the answer to your question lies in the bold print.

Pretty much this. Military medicine has lots of different ways to 'interfere' with your profession, and they'll probably think of some new forms of interference between now and when you finish your training.

 

[Chequepues]

Thanks guys. I will most likely take out loans. By the way, do any of you know someone (on SDN) that's an attending right now in the Air Force/ Army that actually likes their job? If so, could you refer me to them?

 

[Kilgoretrout 65]

I still think you have a better chance of doing ophthalmology in the Air Force as compared to the civilian sector but you have to be good do get into a competitive specialty either way. Some (most?all?) of these specialties expect you to hit the ground running as a resident so you have to be prepared, you have to rotate with them as a student and you have to impress them or you might as well move on. Folks on this forum can't really tell you "what are my chances at becoming a..." unless the service doesn't train them at all (like PM&R) and then we can say "zero".

And sometimes it is luck. Rad-Onc in the Air Force had to do a supplemental board several years back because no one applied! An attending in another specialty applied and is re-training in a civilian sponsored slot right now.

I probably like my job more than most on this forum so you can PM me.

 

[Chequepues]

Thanks everyone! I sent you a PM, Kligoretrout.

 

[Homunculus]

Thanks guys. I will most likely take out loans. By the way, do any of you know someone (on SDN) that's an attending right now in the Air Force/ Army that actually likes their job? If so, could you refer me to them?

i don't think i would say people don't like their "jobs" per se. it's their working environment. i love my job-- what i hate is the **** i have to go through that keep me from doing my job and having ass clowns (or even one ass clown, it doesn't take many) try to run things. i think most people would agree. people get so angry about this stuff because they care.

--your friendly neighborhood cue the circus music caveman

 

[HighPriest]

i don't think i would say people don't like their "jobs" per se. it's their working environment. i love my job-- what i hate is the **** i have to go through that keep me from doing my job and having ass clowns (or even one ass clown, it doesn't take many) try to run things. i think most people would agree. people get so angry about this stuff because they care.

--your friendly neighborhood cue the circus music caveman

Yes.

 

[colbgw02]

i don't think i would say people don't like their "jobs" per se. it's their working environment. i love my job-- what i hate is the **** i have to go through that keep me from doing my job and having ass clowns (or even one ass clown, it doesn't take many) try to run things. i think most people would agree. people get so angry about this stuff because they care.

--your friendly neighborhood cue the circus music caveman

+1

The actual practice of medicine for me is pretty great. The problem is that the military doesn't value the delivery of healthcare, so they have no problem constantly and repeatedly throwing up obstacles to keep me from doing my job.

 

[RealSaltLake]

I am in a very similar situation as an OMS-1 student this year. OP, how did you end up going? How has it turned out?

More advice or info is welcome

 

[Helpful Troll]

I am in a very similar situation as an OMS-1 student this year. OP, how did you end up going? How has it turned out?

More advice or info is welcome

OP hasn't posted since 2014 - you are not likely to get a response.

What is your situation? Did you take HPSP already for your OMS-1 or are you asking if you should apply for/accept the HPSP scholarship?

AF only has 2 military and 3 civilian (2 sponsored) Ophthalmology residency spots for the 2017 graduating class. Army has 7 slots for Prelim Ophthalmology with 2016 mean Comlex 1 579 and Comlex 2 667. Prepare to be disappointed. RVU has very few match to Ophthalmology each year.

If you are deciding whether to apply/accept HPSP there are some great stickies at the top.