Annoying things about the military

[militarymd]

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There are several posts asking about what life is like as a military MD....well, the military is a huge beaureacracy where there are people in control of your life who can make life miserable for you.....and who don't give a rat's you know what about what is right or wrong.

People will say that is true in any big organization, but the military is the only one where you can't quit.

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I normally despise Hiliary, but I have to give her the thumbs up for this one.

 

[flighterdoc]

There are several posts asking about what life is like as a military MD....well, the military is a huge beaureacracy where there are people in control of your life who can make life miserable for you.....and who don't give a rat's you know what about what is right or wrong.

People will say that is true in any big organization, but the military is the only one where you can't quit.

News Story

I normally despise Hiliary, but I have to give her the thumbs up for this one.

True, but just remember - in a few months (12-18 max) odds are you'll be reassigned, the person you don't get along with will be reassigned, or you'll deploy.

 

[haujun]

There are several posts asking about what life is like as a military MD....well, the military is a huge beaureacracy where there are people in control of your life who can make life miserable for you.....and who don't give a rat's you know what about what is right or wrong.

People will say that is true in any big organization, but the military is the only one where you can't quit.

News Story

I normally despise Hiliary, but I have to give her the thumbs up for this one.[/QUOTE

Are you a civlian doctor working in the hospital? If so, what are positive aspects of working in the civilian hospital? More money? Less stress?

Having been stationed other countries and interacting with the foreign soldiers I believe that the U.S. military possesses relatively much more 👍 positive qualities (pay, lifestyle etc) than other foreign military....

Instead of comparing apple (military life) with orange (civilian life) we need to change our point of view and truly cherish & respect much blessings we have in the U.S. military.

 

[Croatalus_atrox]

True, but just remember - in a few months (12-18 max) odds are you'll be reassigned, the person you don't get along with will be reassigned, or you'll deploy.

Nonetheless, the damage those people can do in that time to your life if they have a mind to is considerable. In any case, bad performance reviews follow you around no matter where you go, and there are plenty of idiots in leadership positions who put more stock in what they read in black and white than in what they see with their own eyes.

In my time in the Air Force, I knew of a few very good people who nonetheless still got screwed by incompetent leaders. I could have counted myself among their number if I hadn't had sufficiently influential people go to bat for me and if I hadn't been as careful as I was to get everything documented for just such occasions. Even so, I'll be damned if I'll ever willingly place myself in such a position of potential powerlessness again.

 

[militarymd]

There are several posts asking about what life is like as a military MD....well, the military is a huge beaureacracy where there are people in control of your life who can make life miserable for you.....and who don't give a rat's you know what about what is right or wrong.

People will say that is true in any big organization, but the military is the only one where you can't quit.

News Story

I normally despise Hiliary, but I have to give her the thumbs up for this one.[/QUOTE

Are you a civlian doctor working in the hospital? If so, what are positive aspects of working in the civilian hospital? More money? Less stress?

Having been stationed other countries and interacting with the foreign soldiers I believe that the U.S. military possesses relatively much more 👍 positive qualities (pay, lifestyle etc) than other foreign military....

Instead of comparing apple (military life) with orange (civilian life) we need to change our point of view and truly cherish & respect much blessings we have in the U.S. military.

I think most of the people asking about military medicine (HPSP/USUHS/etc.) are asking about the differences between military vs civilian practice....don't you think?

I'm in private practice right now.....you have SOOOOO much more control of your life in private practice....a lot more money, a lot more autonomy....basically you have a business that you get to run where YOU are the boss, and not some nitwit who just happens to be in a position to screw with your life.

 

[Croooz]

truly cherish & respect much blessings we have in the U.S. military.

Are you serious? Cherish & respect? Man oh man that is some brainwashing you have going on. It's attitude's like this that refuse to face the truth and merely focus on the "blessings". Not a bad thing but many of the people who join only hear this brand of military life and when the truth smacks them in the face things get ugly...

 

[denali]

Are you serious? Cherish & respect? Man oh man that is some brainwashing you have going on. It's attitude's like this that refuse to face the truth and merely focus on the "blessings". Not a bad thing but many of the people who join only hear this brand of military life and when the truth smacks them in the face things get ugly...

Good to know you haven't been "brainwashed".

It seems to me that the "ugly truth" faction is very well represented in this forum.

 

[Croooz]

Good to know you haven't been "brainwashed".

It seems to me that the "ugly truth" faction is very well represented in this forum.

Not having the fun you thought you'd have?

 

[denali]

Not having the fun you thought you'd have?

Actually, I'm having a blast. Then again, I knew exactly what I was signing up for...

 

[sumfratrisamor]

Are you serious? Cherish & respect? Man oh man that is some brainwashing you have going on. It's attitude's like this that refuse to face the truth and merely focus on the "blessings". Not a bad thing but many of the people who join only hear this brand of military life and when the truth smacks them in the face things get ugly...

Listen man, that is some pessimism you have going on. Granted, there are many things wrong with our society, government, and our military, but we truely do live in one of the most blessed nations of the world and you need to stop and consider that before you rant and rave about what's wrong.

 

[R-Me-Doc]

Listen man, that is some pessimism you have going on. Granted, there are many things wrong with our society, government, and our military, but we truely do live in one of the most blessed nations of the world and you need to stop and consider that before you rant and rave about what's wrong.

Ummmmm. . . excuse me, but if you don't rant and rave about what's wrong, how is it ever supposed to be righted?

RMD 1-6-9

 

[OH58D]

sorry the military folks pee'd in militarymd's wheaties.... this person had a miserable experience in military medicine for the many reasons he/she has listed. You have very little control over your life as a member of the military; a very frustrating situation when you are working for incompetent and/or self serving "leaders" (and they are certainly out there). But on the other side of the fence, I have lost count of the number of docs who have told me they wish they had taken the HPSP. Some are 50+ and still paying off loans, some are miserable with the state of reimbursements and dealing with insurances/medicare in order to provide their patients with adequate care.... on and on. Sure, they don't know alll the sacrifices made while serving AD...... the grass is always greener, yadda yadda. Additionally, I have three good friends that were docs in the Army (ER, GMO/Derm, FS/SUR).... all of them pissed and moaned about military medicine; could not wait to punch out. Now several years removed from their military duty, they all admit that while they do not want to return to AD, the military was not that bad (for them, anyway). THey traded one set of problems for a different set in the civilian sector. They also say they are glad they took the military route. Sure, this is not the case for everyone and again, I'm only talking about three folks that I know.... limited study. THe bottomline has not changed thru the many threads addressing this issue..... if you're doing it for the money you are making a huge mistake. If you think you're going to be a doctor who just happens to be in the military... you are making a big mistake. If you think you will be a military officer who happens to be a military physician,... well, there is a good chance you'll be able to roll with the many obstacles the military may place in front of you (and your family).

 

[sumfratrisamor]

Ummmmm. . . excuse me, but if you don't rant and rave about what's wrong, how is it ever supposed to be righted?

RMD 1-6-9

I'm not saying that we should ignore what's wrong or that we should not try to right it. All I'm saying is enough with the pessimism.

 

[Andrew_Doan]

It's true there are people who control your life. But if you're flexible, then whatever the outcome, you'll be happy as long as you're prepared to accept the decisions made by those above you.

BTW, if you stay in long enough, then you'll be the one making those decisions. 😉

I had to place my fellowship decisions in limbo until after the recent GMESB meeting. I was prepared to be an active duty general ophthalmologist; however, I also kept in touch with my consultant and was patient. The GMESB denied my request for deferment last year. I applied again, and my request for deferment to complete an ocular pathology fellowship at UCLA was granted this year.

If they had denied it again, then I would have gladly worked as a general ophthalmologist and apply for fellowship every year until I was granted the option of training.

 

[Croooz]

Listen man, that is some pessimism you have going on. Granted, there are many things wrong with our society, government, and our military, but we truely do live in one of the most blessed nations of the world and you need to stop and consider that before you rant and rave about what's wrong.

Read into my post what you want. Enter the military with your "blessed" outlook. Do what you'd like. I have nothing to gain if you believe me or not. Once you put on the uniform and begin to experience all the wonders of the military then come find me.

I've been blessed by the military. You've been blessed by me having served. I think I've earned the right to "rant and rave" about what's wrong because me and mine have experienced the blessings and curses the military has to offer. You need to consider that perhaps I'm not some 20 something without any life experience or specifically military experience.

Like I said do what ya like...between the two of us one of us has experience and the other theories......... 😎

 

[sumfratrisamor]

...between the two of us one of us has experience and the other theories......... 😎

You know what, you're right.

 

[R-Me-Doc]

I'm not saying that we should ignore what's wrong or that we should not try to right it. All I'm saying is enough with the pessimism.

To paraphrase the old saying: "One man's pessimism is another man's truth . . ."

RMD 1-6-2