Air force "sponsorship"?

[gbwillner]

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Anyone do this?????

I've been getting emails/calls... I'm just curious about the upside/downside.

They do offer you and ADDITIONAL $69K per year of residency, and a job after graduation... Personally I'm interested in an academic career with research... but it is rather tempting...

 

[xanthines]

I didn't find anything about "sponsorship" on my first google attempt, so I gave up... Linky?

From what my friends have told about getting the military to pay for education, it's kind of a crap shoot as to where you'll end up and what you'll be doing. Technically, you could still be a GMO and give physicals to guys in boot camp after finishing your residency, despite being a pathologist! Don't know how likely that is in the Air Force, but it's still something to consider and ask other people more in the know.

-X

 

[Arctic Char]

yes, please provide some links or more information on this . . . sounds intriguing for sure . . .

 

[docbiohazard]

I'd be highly skeptical. I had a friend who did Med School on a Navy scholarship. She was headed off to surgery residency but was also informed that in times of "war/crisis" she could possibly be plucked out of training after a year and sent to the combat zone to work... not sure what happened to her. Not sure if similar things might apply to this.

I also knew a dentist who signed up and was promised by a recruiter that he'd be stationed in his hometown (with his wife and kids, near their grandparents) or "as close as possible"... that turned out to be Seoul, South Korea.

So, you know, YMMV... I'd just be highly skeptical / wary.

BH

 

[LADoc00]

LOL, you would have to be a fool to think there are no strings attached. Likely the strings are very long and sticky and lead to a place which is very dry and hot and reeks of camel.

 

[DrBloodmoney]

You're going to do a lot better on the military forum here.

 

[gbwillner]

LOL, you would have to be a fool to think there are no strings attached. Likely the strings are very long and sticky and lead to a place which is very dry and hot and reeks of camel.

I guess the point of this thread was to ask what those strings would be.

Here is the only information I could find on the net:

http://www.airforce.com/assets/images/careers/pdfs/physicianPDF.pdf

The recruiter called me at home- it's not like I went looking for this. I was going to hang up violently when he said "We'll give you an additional 69K/year + benefits" during residency, and owe them for the number of years "sponsored" +1. When I told him I wanted an academic career + research time, he said of course I could do that. When I told him the only location I would consider was NIH... He said "of course" again... But I was highly skeptical that he knew what the heck he was talking about.

 

[xanthines]

This is from the document you posted (emphasis mine):

If you’re qualified and there’s a need for your
specialty in the geographical area you request,
the Air Force will try to assign you there. However,
the needs of the Air Force always come first in
determining assignments.

Don't ever forget that!

I wouldn't trust the recruiter regarding promises of assignment locations and positions. There's a clear conflict of interest and the recruiting officer doesn't have any say on where you'll end up anyway. I'd find out who the physician assignment officer is and ask him what the Air Force needs.

A quick googling got me this (although it may not be current): Maj. Ray Sirak, Air Force Personnel Center physician assignment officer.

Good luck and Godspeed, as they say!

-X

The recruiter called me at home- it's not like I went looking for this. I was going to hang up violently when he said "We'll give you an additional 69K/year + benefits" during residency, and owe them for the number of years "sponsored" +1. When I told him I wanted an academic career + research time, he said of course I could do that. When I told him the only location I would consider was NIH... He said "of course" again... But I was highly skeptical that he knew what the heck he was talking about.

 

[Coastie]

Quote from PDF:

The Air Force has one of the best healthcare systems in the world.

No they don't.

For more, military forums. Military medicine is broken, and needs to be shelved with a completely new system.

I guess the point of this thread was to ask what those strings would be.

Here is the only information I could find on the net:

http://www.airforce.com/assets/images/careers/pdfs/physicianPDF.pdf

The recruiter called me at home- it's not like I went looking for this. I was going to hang up violently when he said "We'll give you an additional 69K/year + benefits" during residency, and owe them for the number of years "sponsored" +1. When I told him I wanted an academic career + research time, he said of course I could do that. When I told him the only location I would consider was NIH... He said "of course" again... But I was highly skeptical that he knew what the heck he was talking about.

 

[yaah]

I think you'd have to do a prelim year too - so that you would be useful as a physician taking care of emergencies and not just as a pathologist. Correct me if I'm wrong though.

 

[DrBloodmoney]

I think you'd have to do a prelim year too - so that you would be useful as a physician taking care of emergencies and not just as a pathologist. Correct me if I'm wrong though.

You're wrong. Only the Navy still requires a clinical PGY-1 year (because of their continued, stupid dependence upon GMOs). The AF and Army discontinued their prelim year requirement in 2003.

 

[LADoc00]

I will say it more time: the military is interesting place where on rare occasion you get to kill and maime people but it is not something anyone should venture into based on money.

Such people with monetary agendas are called pirates, mercenaries and soldiers of fortune. The risk vs. reward for stuff like that is piss poor.

 

[docbiohazard]

When I told him I wanted an academic career + research time, he said of course I could do that. When I told him the only location I would consider was NIH... He said "of course" again... But I was highly skeptical that he knew what the heck he was talking about.

Notice, he just kept saying "Of course"... "Of course, gb, you could have an academic career" is what he's saying. The "...after we're through with you." part is what he's leaving off. You say you're interested in working at the NIH, he says "Of course..." meaning "Of course you are..." not "Of course you can work there." 🙂

Considering the complete dismantling of the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, I can't even imagine where you'd end up. I know the Navy has an ID research facility in Thailand. 🙂

BH

 

[DocKodak]

Sounds like you're referring to the Financial Assistance Program (FAP). I'm somewhat familiar with it. It's a good deal for some people; for others maybe not. PM me and I will give you contact info for people I know who did FAP as well as AF's Consultant for Pathology who is NOT a recruiter, is a straight shooter and a good person to talk to.

Good things about FAP in my opinion: the extra money in residency (obviously), a guaranteed job right out of residency where you'll get good experience that will serve you well when you get out. Additionally, there are plenty of people still in the AF who keep in touch with their old friends who've gotten out and so there's a good network across the country of "friends of friends" who often have job hook-ups for those leaving.