I am wondering how easy it would be to transition into a residency after passing the USMLE exams and entering the military in a non-technical position.
Enter residency from as a non-technical officer
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What do you mean by a non-technical position? Are you a physician?
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You mean you went to medical school then joined the military as a non-medical officer? That's an unusual career path.
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Let me guess. IMG looking at the military as a last resort after failing to match on the civilian side. Somehow thinking that joining in a nonmedical role and then applying for a military residency will improve your chances. Probably not a good move.
In order to give you better opinions, we need a little more information about your situation. When did you graduate? How close to ECFMG certification are you? What are your goals? Is there a non-medical job in the military that interests or excites you?
Can you join the military? Yes. Assuming you meet the basic criteria of entry.
Can you switch from a non-medical field into the Medical Corps? Yes, but with a bunch of caveats.
Can you join the military? Yes. Assuming you meet the basic criteria of entry.
Can you switch from a non-medical field into the Medical Corps? Yes, but with a bunch of caveats.
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Do you have any idea what a military obligation entails? Do you realize that if your plan to get into a residency via the mliitary doesn't work out that they won't just let you resign your commision the next day and take a job doing research?
I'm fully aware of what a military career entails, I come from a 2-generation military family. I've heard of IMGs who entered as an officer in a non-technical position, passed their USMLE exams and transitioned into medicine.
I know that Uncle Sam decides what he wants to do with you and that I will have a choice to enter a civilian residency or a military residency. I know that I will not be able to automatically resign from the service if I entered a civilian program, I actually plan on doing the 20-year career anyway.
It's just an option that I am flirting with.
I know that Uncle Sam decides what he wants to do with you and that I will have a choice to enter a civilian residency or a military residency. I know that I will not be able to automatically resign from the service if I entered a civilian program, I actually plan on doing the 20-year career anyway.
It's just an option that I am flirting with.
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I think you better do a little more research on that topic. Why not start with every other thread on this forum? You most certainly WILL NOT have that choice. Dozens of posters on this site have had to do a military residency when they would have preferred a civilian one, and even a few have had to do a civilian one when they would have preferred a military one.
You are right, I should rephrase it as I have a choice to APPLY to a civilian residency and a military residency.
I've read many of the posts and I've read the pros and cons of applying to each program. Like I said, I plan on doing a 20-year career in the military anyhow, so either option would be fine by me.
I've read many of the posts and I've read the pros and cons of applying to each program. Like I said, I plan on doing a 20-year career in the military anyhow, so either option would be fine by me.
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Sounds like a terrible gamble to me. Signing up without any guarantee of graduate medical training? And then if they don't accept you, you're stuck in a non-clinical position for 4+ years. I can't imagine many residencies are going to be jumping for joy at an IMG applicant 4+ years out of clinical practice. If they won't take you right off the bat, I don't see why they would want you when your skills have atrophied (and that applies for civilian and military residencies).
Maybe I'm missing something. It's not some exclusive club. Milmed is desperate for docs. I don't see a single reason to try to backdoor into it...
Maybe I'm missing something. It's not some exclusive club. Milmed is desperate for docs. I don't see a single reason to try to backdoor into it...
I completely see your point.
The offer is that the military will pay for me to take the USMLE exams, all I have is 2 more left. Those exams are very expensive and since I want to pursue a military career, it sounds like I can give it a try. I have heard of people transitioning from non-medical mil careers into medicine.
Since graduating medical school (I'm an IMG) I have worked in primary care and in clinical research, so my skills haven't atrophied at all.
I have to really do my homework, because I agree with you, it would stink if I didn't get into a residency program.
The offer is that the military will pay for me to take the USMLE exams, all I have is 2 more left. Those exams are very expensive and since I want to pursue a military career, it sounds like I can give it a try. I have heard of people transitioning from non-medical mil careers into medicine.
Since graduating medical school (I'm an IMG) I have worked in primary care and in clinical research, so my skills haven't atrophied at all.
I have to really do my homework, because I agree with you, it would stink if I didn't get into a residency program.
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Is this really worth the $2,000 or whatever it is to take Step 2 & 3??
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That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard. I'm still having a hard time believing I sold a decade of my life for $80 grand and you're willing to do it for $2K?
Yeah, it does sound dumb, especially if you consider that it sounds dumb to a U.S. medical graduate.
Things are much different for IMG's, believe it or not. Not all IMG's have the benefits and comforts that U.S. grads have. When we come back to the USA, we need to work and make a living in order to get what we want, we don't have the convenience of student loans. Sometimes, other priorities such as family, bills, rent, and other expenses get in the way of paying for the exams, which as you know, are not cheap.
Not all IMG's have high-paying jobs that equip them to pay for the Step exams and even though loans exist, that's just another source of debt (a good debt, but nonetheless...a debt). Few are lucky to get medical assistant positions in clinics, but most end up either doing manual labor or other non-medical jobs to reach that goal. I know a U.S. IMG who works in retail. I'm fortunate enough to have gotten into research, but the bills get in the way.
Remember, this is a question posted by a U.S. IMG, not a U.S. grad with student loans to pay off.
Things are much different for IMG's, believe it or not. Not all IMG's have the benefits and comforts that U.S. grads have. When we come back to the USA, we need to work and make a living in order to get what we want, we don't have the convenience of student loans. Sometimes, other priorities such as family, bills, rent, and other expenses get in the way of paying for the exams, which as you know, are not cheap.
Not all IMG's have high-paying jobs that equip them to pay for the Step exams and even though loans exist, that's just another source of debt (a good debt, but nonetheless...a debt). Few are lucky to get medical assistant positions in clinics, but most end up either doing manual labor or other non-medical jobs to reach that goal. I know a U.S. IMG who works in retail. I'm fortunate enough to have gotten into research, but the bills get in the way.
Remember, this is a question posted by a U.S. IMG, not a U.S. grad with student loans to pay off.
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I have an Idea, How about I pay the $2000 for you to take the USMLE and then you can come work for me. I will give you the same deal that the Navy does, If you pass, I will let you work as a physician, but I will only pay the Navy rate, and will keep anything above that.
If you don't pass, I will employ you at whatever other odd job I can find for you, whether you like it or not, on second thought, the less you like it the better.
we can even do some things to make it seem like your in the Navy:
set a lawnmower on your coffee table and try to watch TV (only 3 channels) while the mower runs.
Lock yourself in your garage, and only communicate with your family via e-mail some of which take days to arrive or go out.
Occassionally announce general quarters, then go stand in front of the stove for 3-4 hours, be sure to put a walkman and headphones in the oven to use to simulate a soundpowered phone so your able to announce that your battle station is manned and ready.
We can even have you do some computer based training about things you will probably never see.
Now for the one bit of advice that I think both the pro and the con folks can agree on:
Don't join the military for the wrong reasons like just a little money.
If you want to be in the military, and using your medical education to supervise somebody timing the flush device on a toilet sounds like a good idea to you, then by all means join up and serve your country.
But if you want a recruiting poster view, go to hollywood.
i want out (of IRR)
Dude, sounds like the Navy sucks, good thing I'm aiming for the Air Force! It sounds like you are not happy in the Navy, why don't you end your Navy career at the end of your term if you're not happy?
I see where you're coming from, though, thanks for the analogy.
I see where you're coming from, though, thanks for the analogy.
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We take out loans to pay for things. Why should it be any different? It seems awfully silly to be committing years of your life for something like 2K. Honestly, do you really think that's better than taking out a loan???
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Don't think this crap is any different in the Air Force.
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Don't be a fool. Take out a loan if you need it. US grads have families, bills, rent and other expenses too. If the USMLE isn't worth the investment to you, feel free to go practice in the country you went to school in. Otherwise, scrounge up a couple grand to take the test. Trust me, when you pay another $1000 every time you renew your license, DEA (state and federal), board licensing fees, or malpractice bills you won't remember the cost of the USMLE. It costs a lot of money to be a doc. Get used to it. Don't cheap out on us now. And for heaven's sake, don't join the military for the money.
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