how likely to get stationed overseas?

[doctorpurple]

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How likely do army doctors get stationed for multiple years (2-4 years) internationally if they didn't want to? I know many people are ranking some places (Germany, Italy, Australia) as their top choices but my husband is a podiatrist and I'm worried about his inability to practice outside the U.S. With people volunteering to move overseas, how likely can an army doc be stationed internationally if they place it in their preference list?

 

[colbgw02]

I'm not aware of any Army positions in Australia, but would be interested to hear about them.

No one can give you a percentage, but I'd say the likelihood has a lot to do with the stage of your career. GMOs are everywhere, and you tend to have less control over your career as a junior O3, which is what most GMOs are. Even then, most GMO assignments are CONUS and it's not likely being a GMO is a foregone conclusion in the Army. After residency, assignments in Europe are pretty sought after, so it should be easy to avoid going to Germany or Italy. Korea is a possible exception, but even then there are usually a few people willing to volunteer for those positions. There are enough BFE posts state-side that you could volunteer for that would make your consultant pretty happy.

 

[Mace1370]

Agree with colbgw02. No one can tell you for sure, but chances of getting stationed in a place like Germany are pretty low. Too many people want to go there. Korea is more likely, but again low.

 

[jabreal00]

Chances are very low. However, you will increase your chance exponentially of staying CONUS (Continental United States) if you volunteer for an undesirable location (Ft Polk, Ft Leonard Wood, Ft Sill etc).

 

[haujun]

I am speaking for Army BTW. Your assignment manager may ask for volunteer to be stationed in DMZ etc.. in Korea and if there are no volunteers you may get stationed there. Remember...as always the needs of military take precedence over your personal needs.

 

[BigNavyPedsGuy]

"Chances" don't matter. Sure, most people don't get stationed where they don't want, but It all varies year to year and there's no safe way to make sure this wouldn't happen. If you're worried about an overseas assignment derailing your SO's podiatry career, then don't join the military.

 

[JasonGom]

I am the opposite of OP. If I request to be stationed in korea or japan, what are the chances that I will be able to go there? Are the chances very low?

 

[psychbender]

See above post from BNPG. The first priority is the needs of the service, your preference is much farther down the list.