HPSP for the Air Force

[bafanculo]

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I am thinking about having the Air Force pay for my tuition at Loyola next year...is anyone else thinking about doing the HPSP program, and if so, which military branch would you choose?

 

[jalfredprufrock]

I was seriously considering the Navy program for a while there. The problem is, I want to do research and the Navy doesn't allow you to do it (nor do any other branches of the military for that matter). I think they've got the best deal going as far as stipends, health insurance, and other fees. Unfortunately, like the other branches, they'll tell you where you're going to do your residency. Ultimately, I declined it becuase I want to keep my options open. To me, that's worth more than being a few hundred thousand dollars in debt.

 

[tkim]

Do a search for 'HPSP' - you'll find a lot on the subject.

For the record - all branches pay the same, give you the same bennies, expect the same service in return.

For a perspective from someone who actually went though it, see:

http://lukeballard.tripod.com/HPSP.html

- Tae

 

[Jet915]

I am applying right now to the Air Force HPSP. Like the previous poster said, I think all three branches pay the same. The only difference is that for Army and Navy, you have a better shot at having to do a GMO tour (1 year internship) before starting residency. That is something I didnt really want to do so I opted for the Air Force. I think the deadline for the HPSP is coming up soon. Also, another possible downside is that you have a good shot at having to do an Air Force residency. My recruiter told me that I have to put an Air Force residency as one of my top 4 residency choices and that in the end, the Air Force will determine if you will go to their residency or a civilian one. I think my recruiter said it was like a 60% chance that I would have to go to an Air Force one. The upside is that an Air Force residency pays more but the downside I think is that you dont get to see a greater variety of patients in my opinion.

Jetson

 

[SilverAngel1110]

i'm applying for army hpsp, but i'm so unsure about it. on the one hand, seems like an unbelievable deal, but on the other, seems like it's too good to be true, you know?

 

[tkim]

Originally posted by SilverAngel1110
i'm applying for army hpsp, but i'm so unsure about it. on the one hand, seems like an unbelievable deal, but on the other, seems like it's too good to be true, you know?

Do your research and you will find the good - and the bad. Make no mistake about it - you can quicklly earn more money in the private sector - more than enough to go it without the HPSP. If you go into a high-paying specialty then the pay disparity increases and the time it takes to pay back loans decreases.

Choose wisely whether or not the military is a way of life you can live with. I have nothing but respect for *anyone* who serves.

http://www.usmedicine.com/article.cfm?articleID=60&issueID=16

- Tae

 

[bnevans188]

It is important to remember that once you join the military, you are in it for the long haul. I just seperated after five years in a job that I did not particularly enjoy. If you are on the fence, I would recommend that you think it over very seriously. Taking everything into account, not just money. On the other hand it is a great way to see the world and obtain some unique experiences.

 

[kaos]

Does anybody have any tips and advice about the physical exam? My recruiter never told me that it could be a group physical until I heard on SDN that it was.

 

[SilverAngel1110]

group physical?!?!? whaaaat? like get naked with a group of people and bond? ummmm, rethinking these plans of mine...

 

[kaos]

Oh yeah, i was wondering, do we have to wear the uniform in class while in med school if we're in HPSP?

 

[bnevans188]

I don't know if it is the same for officer candidates as enlisted, but for me (enlisted) it was a group physical. If you join the military you will have to get used to being naked around other men real fast. Then again like I said I went to boot camp, not some candya$$ officer program. As for the uniform in class I am not sure, but if no one else can answer I will find out. I still go to Bethesda NNMC and many of the doctors went the same route you are considering.

 

[cdreed]

with the hpsp, you're basically in the reserves for the years that you are in school. no uniform is required while in class. you do an active duty tour for 45 days a year during your break or as an elective at a military treatment facility-you must wear your uniforms then.

there is a great thread in the financial aid forum about the hpsp.

i'm not sure about the physical. but i'm enlisted, and i did have to undress to my undergarments in a group for the physical. i'm not sure about officers, and since i'm enlisted already i had private physical with my pcm for the hpsp app.

any questions, feel free to pm me. i seriously love the af, but it's not for eveyone.

 

[kaos]

WHEW! I'm glad I don't have to wear the uniform while I'm in school! thanks!

 

[tkim]

At the most, you will perhaps sit in your underwear in a group while waiting for the your exam. You will most likely not be with the enlisted, and you will most certainly not be completely naked in front of anyone except the examining physician.

The only people who are HPSP and are required to wear a uniform to class are UHUS people. People attending civilian med schools are not required to wear a uniform, unless they are doing a rotation at a military facility.

'Officer basic' is nothing compared to normal 'boot' - so I hear. Officer basic is sometimes referred to as - 'fork and knife' school, where you learn basic military niceties such as who to salute and who salutes you. Well, it's a little more than than but you get the picture. I have a feeling that Gunny Highway will never ask to see your 'war face'.

Unless you are in the Army HPSP, I don't think you'll even need to receive firearms training. I wouldn't mind some training though, maybe I'll be able to shoot better with my handguns ...

- Tae

 

[VAPman]

just a correction about GMO tours. According to an army recruiter I met, the only branch that still makes you do them is the Navy.

Also, from what I've heard, officer basic training for doctors is even different than regular officer basic since doctors generally are noncombatants. I think there have been posts about this as well.

Here's a link for Navy's Officer Indoctrination School
https://www.cnet.navy.mil/netc/ois/

 

[kaos]

I just thought of something-- Do we get paid during COT?

 

[johnstoner]

i'm pretty sure you do

 

[tkim]

Originally posted by kaos
I just thought of something-- Do we get paid during COT?

Definitely - active duty pay, though you don't accrue time-in for service.

That site put up by Lake Ballard explains a lot of this.

- Tae

 

[Jet915]

Talking about the physicals, I have completed one for HPSP and USUHS. The HPSP physical was group except for the part where you drop your undies. The USUHS physical was one on one private physical.

Jetson