IMA versus TPU

[Global Disrobal]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I'm not sure if you folks can help with this, but lets give it a try:

I am reservist with the Army. I received assistance during residency and now am about to start my payback phase. I have the option of going either as an IMA (formerly DIMA, 12 days AT per year only) or attach as a traditional TPU (48 BA and 12 days AT per year).

Honestly, I normally would not mind either, however given that I will be in fellowship, I rather go for the lesser option (IMA) to minimize the impact on my clinical training. Any of you know or have seen medical IMA's or reservist at your facility? Can you shed light of Pros/Cons of either option?

Thanks in advance for any words of wisdom.

Regards,
GD

 

[DogFaceMedic]

I was TPU in several different units and I liked belonging to a fellow group of soldiers. We were mobilized as a team. IMA on the other hand has other advantages for specialists -- like us. You can spend 2-4 weeks working in your field at an Army hospital, pentagon, or deploy somewhere interesting like a third world Army medical mission, which I was involved in during the 90s. The Army does not send soldiers to the sandbox on AT orders, although the Air Force is more flexible that way.

A friend of mine did a month in operational planning for the DoD one summer. There are all kinds of opportunities.

So, there are advantages to both, but as an MD, I think you would do more medical things as IMA with more options. Try to find people who have done both, or visit a TPU unit on a weekend.

 

[Global Disrobal]

Thanks! I greatly appreciate the advice. I think I'm going to attach as an IMA to the local VA hospital.

Have a great week.