Different Branches

[DNA Helicase]

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In terms of military medicine, which branch has the least "problems?" I've been pouring over many of the posts here and I'm getting the impression that the Air Force has the most disgruntled physicians, followed by Army, and Navy last. Am I right? I know a lot of people are going to say just don't do it, but I really feel an obligation to serve and I miss the lifestyle and getting to travel all the time virtually for free (my Dad is retired military). I might as well get med school paid for if this is the direction I want to go anyway right?

Am I correct in my assessment that the Navy appears to have the highest physician satisfaction? What can you tell me? Thanks everyone who responds. Even if you have something negative to stay I'm still open ears.

 

[USAFdoc]

In terms of military medicine, which branch has the least "problems?" I've been pouring over many of the posts here and I'm getting the impression that the Air Force has the most disgruntled physicians, followed by Army, and Navy last. Am I right? I know a lot of people are going to say just don't do it, but I really feel an obligation to serve and I miss the lifestyle and getting to travel all the time virtually for free (my Dad is retired military). I might as well get med school paid for if this is the direction I want to go anyway right?

Am I correct in my assessment that the Navy appears to have the highest physician satisfaction? What can you tell me? Thanks everyone who responds. Even if you have something negative to stay I'm still open ears.

in my experience; the milmed seminar I was at in 2003/04 was represented by 8 milmed bases (7 USAF and 1 USN). The USN was the clinic easily the best "managed".

I believe you have some false assumptions about being a milmed doc (like assuming they will give you any leave, and leave long enough to wet your taste for travel).

I have said it before; if your patriotism leads to to join "no matter what", go ahead and do it. Just realize that the "no matter what" portion will almost guarentee that you will be an ex-milmed doc after your first tour (or go the admin route). No matter what, do not do HPSP because you then leave your residency and field of med choice at the whims of the military (and they are very good at "whimming")

 

[BomberDoc]

assuming they will give you any leave, and leave long enough to wet your taste for travel

Exactly. I don't know a single doc or PA that hasn't lost leave (minus one very nurse-like PA in management) each and every year. Your future commanders, the nurses, don't care about your need to recharge, see your family, or just not spend every blasted minute in the clinic. If you aren't at work, you aren't producing RVUs, and that is all that matters to management. Every clinic has a per provider per day quota and if you don't meet that, it is back to the whipping post and no leave for anybody.

I certainly can't speak for the other services, but there is a reason USAFdoc is exUSAFdoc. There is a reason this board is so negatively slanted. My Grandpa and Dad were Army. I wanted to serve in the military since as long as I can remember. Now all I want is to close this ugly chapter of my life and move on.