I'm a junior ROTC cadet and I'm worried that if I don't get in by the time I graduate/commission, I'll be doomed to serve the needs of the army - definitely something I'd like to avoid.
Does anyone know how the system works? I should be able to get an Ed-delay or HPSP without a problem, but will I have a chance to apply again if the worst case scenario takes place?
Thanks!
Check out the Military Med forum here on SDN (it's under Resident/Physician forums) as many of them were ROTC, so they should be able to help out.
Let this be a warning to other posters. The military is a good option if you are aware of what it entails and can accept that. The problem is that it's very, very difficult to get this information. And in many cases, you are making decisions that will affect you so far in the future that it is hard to think clearly. You also never know how your life goals may change during that time either. The same thing happens with med school and HPSP too. I am HPSP and I know what it entails. But it's frustrating to see the advertisements and emails sent out to students at my school that make the military sound like a complete win-win. If something is too good to be true, then it is. If you have any hesitation about joining the military, the best option is to decline. You can then look into it at a later date, and you usually have more control over what happens at a later point if you decide to join.
In terms of you OP, you have some choices. The biggest issue is payback years. You now owe 4. If you do HPSP, that's 4 more (and USUHS is 7). Therefore, if you do get an ed delay, that will be 8-11 years of payback, and that payback starts POST-residency. So, you will have 8-11 years after residency, which is already 7 or so years away if you started school now. That's a lot of time. Do you want that type of commitment? Even people who do HPSP (like me) are happy they never did ROTC. I don't plan to bolt as soon as possible, but it's a relatively decent option for people who HPSP. People who do ROTC and/or go to USUHS don't have that same luxury. Especially with your attitude about serving the army (not trying to criticize, just pointing out what you indicated), having that long of a commitment may end up really being a problem.
So, your options are to apply for an ed-delay and have a giant commitment. Alternatively, you can serve your 4 years of payback and then apply for med school free of obligation. The experience will be good and will help out your med school app, and you don't have to worry about being committed to the military for almost 20 years (unless you want the retirement). I know neither solution may be ideal to you at this point, but this is where you are.
Good luck with your decision. Again, if you have questions, hit up the mil med forum.
