Army or Air Force?

[masterpov]

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I just got accepted to USUHS in the air force, but I started looking at potential residencies for each branch and found that the Army has more spots open for the specialities I would like to go into (ortho, ENT, anes, and rad, etc). It looks like the Air Force focuses on Family Practice and Peids. Being a grad from USUHS, I understand that I have to take a military residency and am wondering if I should switch to Army. Is this a sound reason to switch? Also what are the differences in the life of each branch? If anybody has advice for me, I would appreciate it.

 

[UCBShocker]

I just got accepted to USUHS in the air force, but I started looking at potential residencies for each branch and found that the Army has more spots open for the specialities I would like to go into (ortho, ENT, anes, and rad, etc). It looks like the Air Force focuses on Family Practice and Peids. Being a grad from USUHS, I understand that I have to take a military residency and am wondering if I should switch to Army. Is this a sound reason to switch? Also what are the differences in the life of each branch? If anybody has advice for me, I would appreciate it.

There is always a flip side... army has more slots in a lot of primary care areas... but you have to ask yourself why that is to get the proper context. I cant tell you what branch to choose (they all have their ups and downs), but generally speaking if you want a more easy going life style in the military than go Air Force... if you want a more strict and militaristic experience... then dont. You have to remember too... I am biased =). And if you do well in USUHS, chances are you are going to get the job you want, but there are never any guarantees.

 

[Mirror Form]

The air force gives out a lot of civilian deferrments to its people, while the army trains the majority of it's people in-house. So don't let the number military training slots fool you. Although, I'm not sure if those deferrment slots are only available to HPSP students, or to USHUS people as well.

That said, I've heard that overall, it can be a bit easier to match into some fields for the army people versus the air force.

 

[backrow]

stick with the Air Force. Your specialty choice will probably change a hundred times while in medical school and you'll be fine. And if you get to USUHS and decide in third or fourth year that you want to switch to Army just marry someone in the class that's Army and you'll be set.

 

[MoosePilot]

stick with the Air Force. Your specialty choice will probably change a hundred times while in medical school and you'll be fine. And if you get to USUHS and decide in third or fourth year that you want to switch to Army just marry someone in the class that's Army and you'll be set.

You can change service if you marry someone from another service? Do you know how often that's approved and how often disapproved? Are there factors that make it more or less likely?

 

[Heeed!]

stick with the Air Force. Your specialty choice will probably change a hundred times while in medical school and you'll be fine. And if you get to USUHS and decide in third or fourth year that you want to switch to Army just marry someone in the class that's Army and you'll be set.

Wow. That comment peaked Moose's interest.

To the OP, you have to do a military residency since you're going to USUHS. If you want the service with the most military options, go Army. But then, you'd have to be in the Army...so I'd think about that for a loooonnnngggg time. 😱

 

[backrow]

You can change service if you marry someone from another service? Do you know how often that's approved and how often disapproved? Are there factors that make it more or less likely?

Yes, this is true. It is almost always approved except in extreme circumstances. There were apparently some hiccups for the class that is graduating this year, but they have since been worked out (I think there was a new guy working the approval desk). The only factor would be if you were physically unqualified for the other service (ex. color blind and trying to get in the Navy) The rule is basically that the person with the least amount of time owed after graduation is to switch to the service of the person with the most time. (If one is an academy/rotc grad then the non academy/rotc would be "asked" to switch to the other service).

There are several people in every class at USUHS going through this process. If this is a concern it is best to get married and start the process early, that way when it's time to match you will be matching in the correct service. In other words have the transfer of service done by Nov of MS4 year.