Army HPSP...sorry in advance

[CaptainZero]

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I'm completely new to this forum, so I apologize in advance because I'm sure there's a million of these threads...but...
I recently accepted the Army HPSP and was sworn in. Prior to that, I had heard only positive things about the program so I had no reservations. However, I have since heard some seriously negative things...albeit second handedly.
I guess what I want to know is did I do the right thing? Is there anyone out there who cares to share their experiences in the program, good or bad? I would greatly appreciate it...
Just some pertinent background info...I'm 24, single (no plans for marriage/kids anytime soon) and will be attending a med school with a yearly tuition of around $40,000.
Thanks.

 

[HeavyD]

Zero,

It's too bad you are finding this forum AFTER you swore your oath. You have committed yourself to a binding, legal contract to be honored by your word and hand.
Yes, there are a whole lot of threads relating to this very subject. I'll see if I can find some of the more recent ones and post a link for you.

 

[HeavyD]

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=121023

The above thread addresses the very issue you are discussing.

 

[CaptainZero]

Heavy,
Thanks very much...

 

[CaptainZero]

Zero,

It's too bad you are finding this forum AFTER you swore your oath. You have committed yourself to a binding, legal contract to be honored by your word and hand.
Yes, there are a whole lot of threads relating to this very subject. I'll see if I can find some of the more recent ones and post a link for you.

After reading the thread that was linked to and realizing what the reponses seemed to focus on, I feel I should clarify my original post. I'm not in any way shape or form thinking about attempting to give up my scholarship. By posting the question "...did I do the right thing?" etc. I realize that that is what it sounded like, but I really just phrased the whole thing poorly. I'm mainly just looking for opinions/experiences on/with the program, so I know what to expect (good, bad or indifferent and other than what my recruiter told me and what I can get from the stacks of booklets I have on the program) in my years of service.

 

[HeavyD]

I would recommend searching through the threads with posts from both MilitaryMD and NavyDiveDoc. These two active duty physicians tend to represent the two poles of opinions and positive/negative experiences. Contained in such threads you can find the remainder of the spectrum of opinions and satisfaction as well.
Tons of the stuff it sounds like you are looking for. Just cruise around a little in the threads of this forum and you will find more than you might have expected; everything from why to make it a career to which branch offers the least deployments to how to land the residency/station you want.
Good luck.
For my experience, I have been in the Navy (only active duty was OIS) for just over 1 year having attended officer training last year and subsequently finished my 1st year of school. Navy OIS (officer school for med corps) was challenging but met some really great people that I will actively seek out once on active duty. There are at least 12 Navy HPSP'ers in my med class alone and all good people. I am very excited to serve in the coming years for two reasons. One, I feel an obligation to do my part for the security of our nation. Two, I want to do things and have experiences that one cannot find in the civilian world of medicine. No matter what you do or where you are, it is the people you're with that makes it great or horrible. I've been very pleased with fellow members of the Navy Medical Corps, Nurse Corps, and Med. Service Corps with very few exceptions. This leads me to believe that I will find good times during my payback time.

 

[CaptainZero]

Heavy,
Thanks again. I appreciate your input. Best of luck in school and your career...