dermatology in the navy

[SusyQ]

How tough is it/competitive is it to get derm in the navy or other armed forces?

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[orbitsurgMD]

How tough is it/competitive is it to get derm in the navy or other armed forces?

Very tough. I know people who served as GMOs beyond their EAOS to get a slot (Navy). Bank on doing GMO time.

 

[island doc]

How tough is it/competitive is it to get derm in the navy or other armed forces?

Given the fact that it is the single most sought after specialty in medicine, EXTREMELY tough. Probably even more so in the military.

If you don't believe me, look at the fact that people are willing to attend civilian derm residencies "unfunded"- yes, you heard me right- UNPAID, just to get into derm! (I guess their spouses support them during this time.)

 

[swampthing]

How tough is it/competitive is it to get derm in the navy or other armed forces?

I am from a Navy Derm Program.

Derm is the most competitive residency specialty in the military PERIOD. There are currently 3 military Derm Residency Programs - (1) Naval Medical Center San Diego - Navy only, (2) National Capital Consortium (NCC) - Army & Navy combined program, and (3) San Antonio Uniformed Services Health Education Consortium (SAUSHEC) - Army & Air Force combined program.

Applying to any military derm program (Navy, Army, and Air Force) is just as competitive as civilian programs. Many applicants have excellent grades in med school, strong board scores, published, and have outstanding LOR's. But Navy Derm is especially difficult to attain...Navy Derm programs currently ONLY accepts Navy doctors who have done AT LEAST a 2-year GMO tour or 3-year Flight Surgeon (FS) or Undersea Medical Officer (UMO) tour. The Navy does NOT select from the 4th year med student pool. Basically, the Navy will only give Derm to you if you have served the fleet (ie, "paid your dues"). Yes, that means you likely going to Iraq and Middle East. Navy docs are not always on ships either...Navy docs can be attached to Marine units inside Iraq and Afghanistan.

The competition for Navy Derm is fierce...not only do you have to do well academically in med school, board scores, and publish to be considered for Navy Derm. Additionally, the Derm selection committee judges you by your performance in internship and as a GMO, FS, and/or UMO, as well as other miscellaneous items. One "black eye" on your application in any respect, and you're "black-balled" out of the competition. And in regards to your current problem with the law and medical licensure, that means you are surely "black-balled" out.

Only military medical officers can apply to military Derm programs (Army, Navy, and Air Force). That means you must have had a military scholarship for medical school (HPSP scholarship or attended the military med school, USUHS), part of FAP program, direct accession, etc and owe military service time. Military programs will NOT look at your application unless you're currently in the military system (none of this "if I get accepted, then I'll join the military" crap). Yes, that means if you join the military, then you are at risk of going to the Middle East Conflict or any other conflict in the future. There is currently 1 Army Dermatologist deployed to Iraq. Another Navy Dermatologist was almost sent to Iraq as a flight surgeon (not as Dermatologist), but this person got out of the military (RAD and resigned commission) before this could happen. Recently, a few Navy and Air Force dermatologists were deployed to South East Asia for various humanitarian missions (status post the Tsunami events there)...they visited places with a large Muslim influence, such as Malaysia, Southern Philippines, etc...so this wasn't exactly safe either (definitely not a pleasure cruise).

 

[NavyFP]

How tough is it/competitive is it to get derm in the navy or other armed forces?

Two issues here.

1) If you are not already in the military, you can't do a military residency. And you can't join and go on active duty unless you have completed a residency (I'm talking direct accession, not FAP or HPSP)

2) The skeletons in your closet from your other post will likely keep you out of the Navy.

 

[987439759]

I am from a Navy Derm Program.

Derm is the most competitive residency specialty in the military PERIOD. There are currently 3 military Derm Residency Programs - (1) Naval Medical Center San Diego - Navy only, (2) National Capital Consortium (NCC) - Army & Navy combined program, and (3) San Antonio Uniformed Services Health Education Consortium (SAUSHEC) - Army & Air Force combined program.

Applying to any military derm program (Navy, Army, and Air Force) is just as competitive as civilian programs. Many applicants have excellent grades in med school, strong board scores, published, and have outstanding LOR's. But Navy Derm is especially difficult to attain...Navy Derm programs currently ONLY accepts Navy doctors who have done AT LEAST a 2-year GMO tour or 3-year Flight Surgeon (FS) or Undersea Medical Officer (UMO) tour. The Navy does NOT select from the 4th year med student pool. Basically, the Navy will only give Derm to you if you have served the fleet (ie, "paid your dues"). Yes, that means you likely going to Iraq and Middle East. Navy docs are not always on ships either...Navy docs can be attached to Marine units inside Iraq and Afghanistan.

The competition for Navy Derm is fierce...not only do you have to do well academically in med school, board scores, and publish to be considered for Navy Derm. Additionally, the Derm selection committee judges you by your performance in internship and as a GMO, FS, and/or UMO, as well as other miscellaneous items. One "black eye" on your application in any respect, and you're "black-balled" out of the competition. And in regards to your current problem with the law and medical licensure, that means you are surely "black-balled" out.

Only military medical officers can apply to military Derm programs (Army, Navy, and Air Force). That means you must have had a military scholarship for medical school (HPSP scholarship or attended the military med school, USUHS), part of FAP program, direct accession, etc and owe military service time. Military programs will NOT look at your application unless you're currently in the military system (none of this "if I get accepted, then I'll join the military" crap). Yes, that means if you join the military, then you are at risk of going to the Middle East Conflict or any other conflict in the future. There is currently 1 Army Dermatologist deployed to Iraq. Another Navy Dermatologist was almost sent to Iraq as a flight surgeon (not as Dermatologist), but this person got out of the military (RAD and resigned commission) before this could happen. Recently, a few Navy and Air Force dermatologists were deployed to South East Asia for various humanitarian missions (status post the Tsunami events there)...they visited places with a large Muslim influence, such as Malaysia, Southern Philippines, etc...so this wasn't exactly safe either (definitely not a pleasure cruise).

Thanks for your in-depth reply on this.

Do HPSP applicants receive any less consideration than USUHS applicants? And is there any info available as to the board scores of those candidates actually accepted?

 

[pgg]

Do HPSP applicants receive any less consideration than USUHS applicants?

No.

Well, not really. Two caveats -

USUHS grads are required to do an inservice PGY1 year, period. HPSP grads can get civilian deferrals. Perhaps there is a slight edge to USUHS grads when it comes to the intern year application.

USUHS grads do all or most of their MS3 and M4 rotations at MTFs. HPSP grads have more limited ADT time during those years. This may provide a bit more of an opportunity for the USUHS guys to visit and work in the desired programs prior to applying. The GME2+ selection process is pretty objective, but of course it can't hurt to have positive face time with the people on the board.

This is hair splitting though. There's no formal advantage to being from USUHS over HPSP.