What are the benefits of joining the Air Force as a physician as an enlisted officer vrs. the reserves?
Is there a difference? If so, what are those differences?
Is there a difference? If so, what are those differences?
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Enlisted Officer vrs. Reserves (Air Force)
- Thread starter berdugo75
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A) you would commission as an officer, not enlist. (I know, semantic debate, but the difference between commissioned and enlisted is big in the military. Pop's a retired mastersgt and wouldn't ever want to be confused for an officer.)
B) Reserves are one weekend a month, two weeks a year, with the semi annual deployment. That last part is tongue in cheek. The nation is at war and you will absolutely positively deploy eventually. Let no one tell you otherwise, b/c it is a reality.
C) Active Duty means that you are a professional military physician. You will work at an AF hospital. You will deploy with the AF. Deployments for AF docs are in the neighborhood of 3-6 months, but don't forget the work up period. If you are set to deploy, you first go to a mobilization base and train for the deployment. This can be months before you're scheduled to go. So, you're not home one night and on a plane to Afghanistan the next. Important distinction that lots of people miss.
Since you're a resident, you could check out the FAP program (if such an animal exists in the AF... I assume it does, but don't know as much about the AF). stipend during residency plus a bonus each year
As for working conditions, there is a lot of truth on here. You won't make as much money in the military, you will move around, you will deploy, but you will also get to take care of the best people in America. You'll be happier if your motivations are more about service than money.
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