Help... Please

[UCBShocker]

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Hello All,

I am sure some of you have seen my posts from time to time... and now I need some real help. I have been accepted to USUHS for the Air Force, and as it stands it is my only acceptance. Now before I go on, let me tell you that wether I apply again next year and get into a different school or I go to USUHS, I will still be going the military route. I have done a lot of research and this is the best option for me. I fully understand there will be alot of issues I will have to deal with (I have read almost every negative post many times).

What my main concern is, is that I will be leaving everything and everyone I know behind when I go to USUHS, since I live on the west coast. I know that logically I should do whats best for me, and not base my life on my friends and where they are going to be, but this is proving very hard to do, I have known them so long they are like brothers to me. At USUHS you can't leave the area for long weekends or short holidays because that would be like going AWOL, and the only time I could leave the set radius would be during the standard vacation times when students are on leave. And then there is residency, which has no guarantee on location, and the 7 years payback. I am sure someone on this network faced the same issue when going to USUHS and I would very much like to hear of your experience and how you dealt with it.

I am so torn on the issue because I love the school and the comradery that exists among the students at USUHS is something that I look forward to. I do not care that I will be making less money than my counterparts when I am on the payback period, or many of the other issues brought up in other threads. I could really use some insight. Thank you very much for your time!

BTW: I am currently 23

 

[MoosePilot]

Hello All,

I am sure some of you have seen my posts from time to time... and now I need some real help. I have been accepted to USUHS for the Air Force, and as it stands it is my only acceptance. Now before I go on, let me tell you that wether I apply again next year and get into a different school or I go to USUHS, I will still be going the military route. I have done a lot of research and this is the best option for me. I fully understand there will be alot of issues I will have to deal with (I have read almost every negative post many times).

What my main concern is, is that I will be leaving everything and everyone I know behind when I go to USUHS, since I live on the west coast. I know that logically I should do whats best for me, and not base my life on my friends and where they are going to be, but this is proving very hard to do, I have known them so long they are like brothers to me. At USUHS you can't leave the area for long weekends or short holidays because that would be like going AWOL, and the only time I could leave the set radius would be during the standard vacation times when students are on leave. And then there is residency, which has no guarantee on location, and the 7 years payback. I am sure someone on this network faced the same issue when going to USUHS and I would very much like to hear of your experience and how you dealt with it.

I am so torn on the issue because I love the school and the comradery that exists among the students at USUHS is something that I look forward to. I do not care that I will be making less money than my counterparts when I am on the payback period, or many of the other issues brought up in other threads. I could really use some insight. Thank you very much for your time!

BTW: I am currently 23

Ummmm....

You say you're going the military route no matter what, right? The military won't just pull you away from friends, but family, girlfriends, wives, children, home, country, safety... everything you know.

I know you did your homework and you're not being flippant. What I'm trying to figure out is why moving now is going to be significant enough to delay your medical education, where moving four years from now is going to be ok. Is it the fact that the transition is coming too soon or the committment is longer?

 

[UCBShocker]

Ya, sorry I forgot put my thoughts about that area in. In respects to now or later, with the HPSP I could (emphasis on could, nothing is a guarantee) be in my home area for another 4 years, and potentially have more of a choice where I take my residency and then only have to be away for four years during the payback. With USUHS, I better pretty much accept I will be gone for about 15 years (ofcourse there is a chance I can take a residency near my home area, but its small) - so far I am planning on emergency medicine, with neurosurgery a close second.

To be honest, I know I want to go to USUHS, and I know there are always going to be 'unkowns' and fears in a decision like this... but it is a huge step into an area that I know virtually nothing about. No amount of reading is ever going to fully prepare me for a choice like this so there are obviously going to be issues I need to deal with. Mainly I am trying to see how others dealt with the same issue and how it progressed for them... think of it like intelligence gathering before a tactical decision =).

Ummmm....

You say you're going the military route no matter what, right? The military won't just pull you away from friends, but family, girlfriends, wives, children, home, country, safety... everything you know.

I know you did your homework and you're not being flippant. What I'm trying to figure out is why moving now is going to be significant enough to delay your medical education, where moving four years from now is going to be ok. Is it the fact that the transition is coming too soon or the committment is longer?

 

[MoosePilot]

Ya, sorry I forgot put my thoughts about that area in. In respects to now or later, with the HPSP I could (emphasis on could, nothing is a guarantee) be in my home area for another 4 years, and potentially have more of a choice where I take my residency and then only have to be away for four years during the payback. With USUHS, I better pretty much accept I will be gone for about 15 years (ofcourse there is a chance I can take a residency near my home area, but its small) - so far I am planning on emergency medicine, with neurosurgery a close second.

To be honest, I know I want to go to USUHS, and I know there are always going to be 'unkowns' and fears in a decision like this... but it is a huge step into an area that I know virtually nothing about. No amount of reading is ever going to fully prepare me for a choice like this so there are obviously going to be issues I need to deal with. Mainly I am trying to see how others dealt with the same issue and how it progressed for them... think of it like intelligence gathering before a tactical decision =).

First, I'm not a doctor. I'm a year behind you in the process, but I have 8 years of active duty time as a line officer.

Well, I'll be honest. It's tough! Moving away from home is really tough, especially if you find like I have that you're the type that prefers in depth relationships and long friendships to the military standard of lots of three year buddies. It's a growth experience, though. Learning to move, to make new friends, adjust to random new places, is a strength. It's an adversity, too, but it leads to later strength.

I think it's worth it for a short time. If you think you're only going to do HPSP payback, though, do that. 15 vs. 4 is a big, big difference.

 

[UCBShocker]

First, I'm not a doctor. I'm a year behind you in the process, but I have 8 years of active duty time as a line officer.

Well, I'll be honest. It's tough! Moving away from home is really tough, especially if you find like I have that you're the type that prefers in depth relationships and long friendships to the military standard of lots of three year buddies. It's a growth experience, though. Learning to move, to make new friends, adjust to random new places, is a strength. It's an adversity, too, but it leads to later strength.

I think it's worth it for a short time. If you think you're only going to do HPSP payback, though, do that. 15 vs. 4 is a big, big difference.

yes it is a big difference, but there is no guarantee for getting into a school thats close to home either. As it stands I am leaning towards USUHS, its just such a great opportunity, but I need to devote more thought to it. Thank you very much for your perspective. If anyone has any more insight they can offer I would greatly appreciate it.

 

[denali]

Hello All,

At USUHS you can't leave the area for long weekends or short holidays because that would be like going AWOL, and the only time I could leave the set radius would be during the standard vacation times when students are on leave.

The command here at USUHS has a very liberal leave, pass & PTDY policy. You can almost always take a pass (max 4 days) over a long weekend, and people are strongly encouraged to use leave (up to your leave balance) when the academic schedule allows. The "set radius" you speak of doesn't limit where you can go on pass or leave, just whether or not you have to fill out pass or leave paperwork before going. All you have to do is play by the rules and do the paperwork. It's the academic schedule that's the limiting factor, and even then there's wiggle room if you get your professors' permission. True you can't just randomly skip class for a week and take off somewhere, but in this sense it's more like the real world than other med schools because it's your job to go to school.

Bottom line: it's not boarding school; you can take trips home to attenuate separation anxiety.

 

[backrow]

The command here at USUHS has a very liberal leave, pass & PTDY policy. You can almost always take a pass (max 4 days) over a long weekend, and people are strongly encouraged to use leave (up to your leave balance) when the academic schedule allows. The "set radius" you speak of doesn't limit where you can go on pass or leave, just whether or not you have to fill out pass or leave paperwork before going. All you have to do is play by the rules and do the paperwork. It's the academic schedule that's the limiting factor, and even then there's wiggle room if you get your professors' permission. True you can't just randomly skip class for a week and take off somewhere, but in this sense it's more like the real world than other med schools because it's your job to go to school.

Bottom line: it's not boarding school; you can take trips home to attenuate separation anxiety.

Well Said.

You can pretty much go home whenever you want. Take that into account, and the fact that DC is a nice place to visit for your friends. Another thing to take into consideration is that no matter if your 30 minutes or 7 hours away from your friends you'd probably spend the same amount of time with them when you're in medical school. The classwork is demanding.
But most important, go with your heart. If you're not into it you probably won't do as well.

 

[grumbo]

I was talking with a brand new Navy LT today on the way back from graduation and he was saying that of this year's graduating class, 80% of the people he knew got their first choice of residency and virtually everyone got one of their top two. That tells me that you get more of a say in where you end up than most people think. Depending on what branch you've been accepted to and where you are from on the West coast, you may be able to get stationed near home. Also keep in mind that 3rd year rotations are done at Army, AF, and Navy sites regardless of which service you are in. There is a good chance you could get some rotations at San Diego, Travis, Madigan, etc. and you could see your friends then.

"15 vs. 4 is a big, big difference"
Most people in HPSP get picked up for a military residency so it's really 15 vs 7. And if you get in and you find out for some reason you don't like the military, USUHS has a clause where you can resign you position and you only owe the time you've spent at the school with a minimum of one year (people who took this route are doing research or misc. jobs for a year).

Bottom line, you will move and lose touch with friends, but you'll be moving to a place where you will meet many more.

 

[UCBShocker]

Thank you all very much for your perspective, I geuss leave is much more flexible than I thought. USUHS is a great opportunity, and I am leaning more and more towards it. I ofcourse welcome all the insight I can get into the subject, this one thread has already been very useful for me.

I was also wondering if anyone know if being accepted this late will affect my COT at all? I would hope to still be able to take the training before school starts, but I heard rumors that the training is postponed if you are accepted beyond a certain date.

Thanks again for all the help. I really appreciate it!

 

[MoosePilot]

Thank you all very much for your perspective, I geuss leave is much more flexible than I thought. USUHS is a great opportunity, and I am leaning more and more towards it. I ofcourse welcome all the insight I can get into the subject, this one thread has already been very useful for me.

I was also wondering if anyone know if being accepted this late will affect my COT at all? I would hope to still be able to take the training before school starts, but I heard rumors that the training is postponed if you are accepted beyond a certain date.

Thanks again for all the help. I really appreciate it!

Well, the guys at USUHS are the experts on how flexible leave is there, but...

Leave for active duty docs can be a bear. My flight surgeon buddies have a really tough time taking leave. There are three of them on the base, period. Ideally, there will be two working at a time, leaving one to be on leave. Realistically, it seems there is one or two deployed at a time, leaving no way to take leave. So they don't seem to have much flexibility to take leave, but that's once you're on active duty.

Just mentioning that so I never hear you say you got the wrong story if you do go USUHS 😉

 

[DrYo12]

I had multiple acceptances at other schools, including scholarships, but chose to go to USUHS. I have lived on the West Coast all my life and will be moving thousands of miles from friends, family, and loved ones. This was a huge decision to make--committing to the military and leaving my past world behind--but understand that your life is what you make of it.

An important life philosophy for me is to 'bloom where you are planted'. Taking each situation and each circumstance as an opportunity to learn and grow as a person makes one realise that while your heart may be at home with loved ones, the sacrifices you make for your country and the understanding of those loved ones can help you to get through much of life's hardships and the craziness of the military.

I contemplated this decision for a long time and many of my friends, while supportive of me, were skeptical of my decision to go to USUHS. They allowed their own fears of making such a committment to translate into advice against entering. At some point I realised that it was THEIR fears about the serivce, not mine that were dictating their reactions. When the decision was finally made, I had to do it based on what I knew I wanted to do with my life, and everyone who loves and cares about me will understand this.

Best of luck with your decision. Make the decision that's best for you.

 

[BOHICA-FIGMO]

Hello All,

I am sure some of you have seen my posts from time to time... and now I need some real help. I have been accepted to USUHS for the Air Force, and as it stands it is my only acceptance. Now before I go on, let me tell you that wether I apply again next year and get into a different school or I go to USUHS, I will still be going the military route. I have done a lot of research and this is the best option for me. I fully understand there will be alot of issues I will have to deal with (I have read almost every negative post many times).

What my main concern is, is that I will be leaving everything and everyone I know behind when I go to USUHS, since I live on the west coast. I know that logically I should do whats best for me, and not base my life on my friends and where they are going to be, but this is proving very hard to do, I have known them so long they are like brothers to me. At USUHS you can't leave the area for long weekends or short holidays because that would be like going AWOL, and the only time I could leave the set radius would be during the standard vacation times when students are on leave. And then there is residency, which has no guarantee on location, and the 7 years payback. I am sure someone on this network faced the same issue when going to USUHS and I would very much like to hear of your experience and how you dealt with it.

I am so torn on the issue because I love the school and the comradery that exists among the students at USUHS is something that I look forward to. I do not care that I will be making less money than my counterparts when I am on the payback period, or many of the other issues brought up in other threads. I could really use some insight. Thank you very much for your time!

BTW: I am currently 23

Don't do it! I think that anyone who has any reservations about USUHS or being in the military should step aside to make room for those of us who have a proven desire & track record in the military! I mean, you're whining about being 2K miles away from home Waaa, waa, waa, I want my milk and cookies! What are you going to do when you get sent 10K miles away for a year or more? Are you willing to go to Bahgdad? Kosovo? Korea? Djibouti? Kabul? Karshi-Kalanabad? Yap? if you are going to get wrapped around the axle about something like being far away from home then you should seriously reconsider joining the military! QQQ & Moose-Pilot, you got my six on this one?

 

[UCBShocker]

Don't do it! I think that anyone who has any reservations about USUHS or being in the military should step aside to make room for those of us who have a proven desire & track record in the military! I mean, you're whining about being 2K miles away from home Waaa, waa, waa, I want my milk and cookies! What are you going to do when you get sent 10K miles away for a year or more? Are you willing to go to Bahgdad? Kosovo? Korea? Djibouti? Kabul? Karshi-Kalanabad? Yap? if you are going to get wrapped around the axle about something like being far away from home then you should seriously reconsider joining the military! QQQ & Moose-Pilot, you got my six on this one?

I am sorry but that does not make sense. With any great decision comes pros and cons and every single one has to be considered. Simply because I am not going to blindly rush in without gathering as much information as I can does not seem like a reputable reason to redicule me. I am fully aware of the possibilities that come with entering the military, and I would not be entering the military if I did not feel a sense of pride and satisfaction in what I would be doing. Like I said... I have decided to enter the military either way, be it HPSP or USUHS. I understand your point of view, but please realize that consideration should not be mistaken for reservation. When I make a decision to commit to something, you can be sure it was done with the most careful of consideration. Anyone I have worked with can tell you that they can count on me no matter what, and if we serve together, you will see that too. I could not keep to that reputation if I simply rushed into something without looking at all the facts. I sincerely wish you the best of luck.

 

[BOHICA-FIGMO]

I am sorry but that does not make sense. With any great decision comes pros and cons and every single one has to be considered. Simply because I am not going to blindly rush in without gathering as much information as I can does not seem like a reputable reason to redicule me. I am fully aware of the possibilities that come with entering the military, and I would not be entering the military if I did not feel a sense of pride and satisfaction in what I would be doing. Like I said... I have decided to enter the military either way, be it HPSP or USUHS. I understand your point of view, but please realize that consideration should not be mistaken for reservation. When I make a decision to commit to something, you can be sure it was done with the most careful of consideration. Anyone I have worked with can tell you that they can count on me no matter what, and if we serve together, you will see that too. I could not keep to that reputation if I simply rushed into something without looking at all the facts.

Sorry, I guess I just made you a target for all my frustrations with USAF medicine and military medicine right now. I see too many HPSP/USUHS applicants AND active duty USAF docs with no clue about the line AF and what it is all about. I'm also obviously bitter because, having been an active duty officer for 11 years, so many wet-behind the ears "kids" (hey I'm 33!) straight out of undergrad are getting USUHS/HPSP slots while I get the shaft even though I've paid my dues, so to speak. You sound like a level headed dude (dudette?) so good luck. Just don't ever trust anything that AFPC tells you. Ever!

 

[UCBShocker]

Sorry, I guess I just made you a target for all my frustrations with USAF medicine and military medicine right now. I see too many HPSP/USUHS applicants AND active duty USAF docs with no clue about the line AF and what it is all about. I'm also obviously bitter because, having been an active duty officer for 11 years, so many wet-behind the ears "kids" (hey I'm 33!) straight out of undergrad are getting USUHS/HPSP slots while I get the shaft even though I've paid my dues, so to speak. You sound like a level headed dude (dudette?) so good luck. Just don't ever trust anything that AFPC tells you. Ever!

Yes, I have recently been reading some of your posts, and I do not agree with the fate that has befallen you. I understand the frustrations with this process... trust me. Dont give up. I can tell your a dedicated person and you would be an asset in the medical field. From what I understand, the military can use all the dedicated doctors they can get.

I think USUHS observes a pretty strict 1:1 admissions policy for active duty: Civi admission grants so that may be what got you. If there is one thing this process has taught me is that are far too many applicants and too little admissions personal to fill the cracks... I think you fell through one this time around. If you apply again, take a fresh approach I find it hard to believe you will meet the same fate, especially with your stats.

Have you gotten acceptances to other medical schools? Can you take loans maybe for the first year and apply for the 3 year HPSP scholarship? I hope everything works out. If its not too much to ask, please keep us informed on how its going. I hope I have the honor of serving with you in the future.

Oh and BTW: Dude =)

 

[BOHICA-FIGMO]

Yes, I have recently been reading some of your posts, and I do not agree with the fate that has befallen you. I understand the frustrations with this process... trust me. Dont give up. I can tell your a dedicated person and you would be an asset in the medical field. From what I understand, the military can use all the dedicated doctors they can get.

I think USUHS observes a pretty strict 1:1 admissions policy for active duty: Civi admission grants so that may be what got you. If there is one thing this process has taught me is that are far too many applicants and too little admissions personal to fill the cracks... I think you fell through one this time around. If you apply again, take a fresh approach I find it hard to believe you will meet the same fate, especially with your stats.

Have you gotten acceptances to other medical schools? Can you take loans maybe for the first year and apply for the 3 year HPSP scholarship? I hope everything works out. If its not too much to ask, please keep us informed on how its going. I hope I have the honor of serving with you in the future.

Oh and BTW: Dude =)

Thanks for the encouraging words. Believe me, I will keep everyone posted! I am currently applying to both Navy and Army HPSP programs. My preference is Navy due to strength of both their dive medicine and aviation medicine programs. 3 yr. HPSP or FAP with the USAF is still a possibility, but that knife in my back makes me reluctant to stay with them. Worst case is I liquidate all my investments to pay for 2 yrs and take Stafford loans for the rest.

For what it is worth, I received interview invites to 12 schools (exactly 6 MD: Yeshiva, St Louis U., USUHS, Creighton, East Tennessee State, Univ. of TN and 6 DO: West Virginia, Des Moines, Kansas City, Va College of Osteopathic Med (VCOM), AZ COM, and Chicago COM) and actually went to 6 (again split evenly between DO: WVSOM, KCUMB, VCOM and MD: Creighton, ETSU, USUHS). Of the interviews I went to, I got accepted at 5 and waitlisted at 1 (USUHS). Since TN is my home state (and because I REALLY like the school) I will be attending East Tennessee State unless a USUHS slot opens up.

 

[UCBShocker]

Thanks for the encouraging words. Believe me, I will keep everyone posted! I am currently applying to both Navy and Army HPSP programs. My preference is Navy due to strength of both their dive medicine and aviation medicine programs. 3 yr. HPSP or FAP with the USAF is still a possibility, but that knife in my back makes me reluctant to stay with them. Worst case is I liquidate all my investments to pay for 2 yrs and take Stafford loans for the rest.

For what it is worth, I received interview invites to 12 schools (exactly 6 MD: Yeshiva, St Louis U., USUHS, Creighton, East Tennessee State, Univ. of TN and 6 DO: West Virginia, Des Moines, Kansas City, Va College of Osteopathic Med (VCOM), AZ COM, and Chicago COM) and actually went to 6 (again split evenly between DO: WVSOM, KCUMB, VCOM and MD: Creighton, ETSU, USUHS). Of the interviews I went to, I got accepted at 5 and waitlisted at 1 (USUHS). Since TN is my home state (and because I REALLY like the school) I will be attending East Tennessee State unless a USUHS slot opens up.

Excellent, so you are going to medical school and the military will have another dedicated doctor. We may not be in the same branch, but every branch has the same goal. Peronally I dont feel any one branch is better than the other, they are just best for different types of people. I perfectly understand your bias against the air force... I can't say I would not be supremely POed either. Let us know what happens. I hope you get a USUHS slot!

 

[UCBShocker]

This is a dupiclate post, but just want to make sure everyone sees it =).

out of curiosity... is residency branch specific or can you apply to any medical center?

I hear some people say it is branch specific, but then I hear that there are air force residents at walter reed. I would love to do an EM residency there if I could, that is if my specialty choice does not change in medical school, but I am not sure if I would be allowed.


I am getting pretty close to my final decision... I will let you all know soon... still waiting for my packet and all the information. I hope it comes soon.

 

[qqq]

BOHICA - So your ADSC is basically up but you're still trying to get in with the Navy, Army, or possibly AF via USUHS. With all your complaining (which is absolutely justified), I am surprised that you keep going back for more. Your screen name suits you well. Is it the pension (since you're pinning on O-4 soon) or is it that you just really want to be a military doc? Either way is great, I just didn't think I'd see you so gung-ho to stay in. The airforce has refused to sponsor me twice for med school, and I guess for me that just about closes that chapter in my life.

 

[BOHICA-FIGMO]

BOHICA - So your ADSC is basically up but you're still trying to get in with the Navy, Army, or possibly AF via USUHS. With all your complaining (which is absolutely justified), I am surprised that you keep going back for more. Your screen name suits you well. Is it the pension (since you're pinning on O-4 soon) or is it that you just really want to be a military doc? Either way is great, I just didn't think I'd see you so gung-ho to stay in. The airforce has refused to sponsor me twice for med school, and I guess for me that just about closes that chapter in my life.

It is a combination of things. (1) the military is just in my blood, I don't know how to explain it. (2) I can do cool **** in the military (like fly in F-16s and fire M-16s on regular basis) that I can't do anywhere else. (3) The scholarship money. Over $100K is a lot of debt to be staring at upon graduation. Given 1 and 2, four years is a small price to pay for a fully funded education. (4) The retirement. I am more than half-way to retirement (11 yrs) and don't want to waste that investment. Anyway, that is where I'm coming from, FWIW.

 

[backrow]

This is a dupiclate post, but just want to make sure everyone sees it =).

out of curiosity... is residency branch specific or can you apply to any medical center?

I hear some people say it is branch specific, but then I hear that there are air force residents at walter reed. I would love to do an EM residency there if I could, that is if my specialty choice does not change in medical school, but I am not sure if I would be allowed.


I am getting pretty close to my final decision... I will let you all know soon... still waiting for my packet and all the information. I hope it comes soon.

For the most part residencies are branch specific; however, there are some exceptions. The DC area has several residencies which are in fact considered NCA (National Capital Area, I think) slots and you rotate at all the local hospitals. As for others I think the gen surg out at Tripler in Hawaii is triservice as well. Not sure on others.

 

[qqq]

It is a combination of things. (1) the military is just in my blood, I don't know how to explain it. (2) I can do cool **** in the military (like fly in F-16s and fire M-16s on regular basis) that I can't do anywhere else. (3) The scholarship money. Over $100K is a lot of debt to be staring at upon graduation. Given 1 and 2, four years is a small price to pay for a fully funded education. (4) The retirement. I am more than half-way to retirement (11 yrs) and don't want to waste that investment. Anyway, that is where I'm coming from, FWIW.

BOHICA - all good reasons. Good luck!

 

[UCBShocker]

BOHICA - all good reasons. Good luck!

So what happens if they send you your papers too late to attend the July COT? I know that you take a week of MOST before school starts, but when do you do COT? The first summer has the 4 week program where you go off to one of your branche's locations and learn what its like to be a military doctor... is that replaced by COT? I really hope not. I would not want to miss anything USUHS has to offer.

 

[backrow]

So what happens if they send you your papers too late to attend the July COT? I know that you take a week of MOST before school starts, but when do you do COT? The first summer has the 4 week program where you go off to one of your branche's locations and learn what its like to be a military doctor... is that replaced by COT? I really hope not. I would not want to miss anything USUHS has to offer.

If you can't make it to your respective officer training you end up doing a two week orientation thing at USUHS before the normal orientation. (I think it's two weeks anyway). For Air Force and Navy this takes over for OIS or COT, but I think for Army you still would have to go to OBC at some point.

 

[medicine1]

Hello All,

I am sure some of you have seen my posts from time to time... and now I need some real help. I have been accepted to USUHS for the Air Force, and as it stands it is my only acceptance. Now before I go on, let me tell you that wether I apply again next year and get into a different school or I go to USUHS, I will still be going the military route. I have done a lot of research and this is the best option for me. I fully understand there will be alot of issues I will have to deal with (I have read almost every negative post many times).

What my main concern is, is that I will be leaving everything and everyone I know behind when I go to USUHS, since I live on the west coast. I know that logically I should do whats best for me, and not base my life on my friends and where they are going to be, but this is proving very hard to do, I have known them so long they are like brothers to me. At USUHS you can't leave the area for long weekends or short holidays because that would be like going AWOL, and the only time I could leave the set radius would be during the standard vacation times when students are on leave. And then there is residency, which has no guarantee on location, and the 7 years payback. I am sure someone on this network faced the same issue when going to USUHS and I would very much like to hear of your experience and how you dealt with it.

I am so torn on the issue because I love the school and the comradery that exists among the students at USUHS is something that I look forward to. I do not care that I will be making less money than my counterparts when I am on the payback period, or many of the other issues brought up in other threads. I could really use some insight. Thank you very much for your time!

BTW: I am currently 23

My personal opinion is go for it! Look you did the research, your weighed the pros and cons, and you want to be a military physician. Very noble. You want to serve your country, while practicing medicine. There are a lot of benefits, and things you don't have to worry about (liability, mal-practice, etc.). Search your feelings, and go with what you feel is right. You cannot go wrong in the Air Force. The Air Force is really hard to get into, and most people choose the Air Force as their first choice in the military. I hope you go with your intuition, and gut feeling.

Sometimes when we need to do the right thing or make the right decision it is scary, and can be tough. And it will feel like all odds are against you.
Go with the flow. If you were accepted into the USUHS program it probably means that this is the right thing to do, and that you should feel blessed and happy about your acceptance. In the military, of course, we cannot take officership lightly, and it does come with responsibility. Our willingness to stand up against tyranny; standing up for our rights and our constitution is a big factor in choosing Military medicine. It is to give back to all the men and women who put their lives in danger, inorder to protect our rights and freedoms. Freedom is not free, and it comes with a cost.
Good luck!

 

[BOHICA-FIGMO]

So what happens if they send you your papers too late to attend the July COT? I know that you take a week of MOST before school starts, but when do you do COT? The first summer has the 4 week program where you go off to one of your branche's locations and learn what its like to be a military doctor... is that replaced by COT? I really hope not. I would not want to miss anything USUHS has to offer.

Since I have already done my comissioning training, I would not have to do COT. I think it is mandatory prior to 1st year for USUHS, but HPSP-ers can do it between 1st and 2nd year if necessary.

 

[backrow]

Since I have already done my comissioning training, I would not have to do COT.

This is true for Air Force and Navy people. Unfortunately if anyone here is going Army you will be going to OBC no matter where you're from, even good ole West Pointers get to go to OBC before starting USUHS. I'm not quite sure why the Army has that policy.

 

[UCBShocker]

If you can't make it to your respective officer training you end up doing a two week orientation thing at USUHS before the normal orientation. (I think it's two weeks anyway). For Air Force and Navy this takes over for OIS or COT, but I think for Army you still would have to go to OBC at some point.

Seriously? They just let you go on without COT? I have never even heard of such a thing... interesting.

Medicine1 I thank you very much for the encouraging words. My decision is 99.9% made, but it can't be complete until I actually read the contract and sign it. I will let ya know how everything goes.

 

[medicine1]

🙂
I cannot wait to hear how things go! Congratulations and I wish you much happiness and success in your life UCBShocker!

 

[backrow]

Seriously? They just let you go on without COT? I have never even heard of such a thing... interesting.

As far as I know this is true. Only Army requires the OBC for everyone. I think AF and Navy get away with the little training at USUHS. I think this training is only for a select few excused absences from COT/OIS/OBC.

It's quite humorous to see them marching around the quad if you ever are at school just before the year starts.

 

[UCBShocker]

As far as I know this is true. Only Army requires the OBC for everyone. I think AF and Navy get away with the little training at USUHS. I think this training is only for a select few excused absences from COT/OIS/OBC.

It's quite humorous to see them marching around the quad if you ever are at school just before the year starts.

So I either get a good 4 weeks of training, or a humerous show before school starts... sounds like win-win to me =).

 

[UCBShocker]

Just got off the phone with USUHS, Air force officers still have to take COT the next year if they could not take it during the summer before school... its not replaced by the MOST program. I hope this does not sacrifice the 4 week training program at various air force locations during the summer =/

 

[UCBShocker]

It is a combination of things. (1) the military is just in my blood, I don't know how to explain it. (2) I can do cool **** in the military (like fly in F-16s and fire M-16s on regular basis) that I can't do anywhere else. (3) The scholarship money. Over $100K is a lot of debt to be staring at upon graduation. Given 1 and 2, four years is a small price to pay for a fully funded education. (4) The retirement. I am more than half-way to retirement (11 yrs) and don't want to waste that investment. Anyway, that is where I'm coming from, FWIW.

Well the decision has been made! I am moving forward and will be attending USUHS in the fall. MilitaryMD and gang, I want to thank you very much for warning me about the downfalls of military medicine, I am certainly going in well warned and will keep my eyes open. After extensive research and thought, this is really what I want to do. I will remain on the SDN board ofcourse. Hopefully I will meet some of you in the future.

Oh some further info, appearently you were right backrow, I talked to some students and some did infact not have to attend COT because they went to MOST. As far as I know I will be attending COT in July, hope to see some of you there!