Impact of going to army

[ojy77511]

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Hey, guys! I am planning on going to army reserve and maybe taking on reserve jobs that are related to medicine. I will be working full time biotech while being part-time reserve. How good will being in a reserve look as an applicant? Would it be something that can stand out positively?

 

[WedgeDawg]

It'll look good

 

[gyngyn]

It's not the boost of being a vet.

 

[Goro]

Adcoms love veterans!!

Hey, guys! I am planning on going to army reserve and maybe taking on reserve jobs that are related to medicine. I will be working full time biotech while being part-time reserve. How good will being in a reserve look as an applicant? Would it be something that can stand out positively?

 

[redj]

Active is were its at. So youd wanna be a medic? (Gotta deploy to get that vet status)

 

[ojy77511]

Unfortunately, I will be applying to medical school and cannot spend 3~4 years in active. However I will spend at least 6 years in the reserve and I am hoping adcoms will look reserves (although not vet) favorably 🙂

 

[deleted480308]

Are you wanting a career in military medicine?

 

[redj]

I would think theyd look favorably on it still. Your Still volunteering alot of your time/resources. Did you apply this cycle or applying next?

 

[Marine to MD]

Are you planning on being in the Reserves while in medical school?

 

[ojy77511]

I am applying next cycle and am planning on continuing as a reserve while in medical school too. I am not sure if I want a career in military medicine yet.

 

[medic86]

Active is were its at. So youd wanna be a medic? (Gotta deploy to get that vet status)

No. That isn't the definition of veteran.

 

[ojy77511]

I dont think I will have a specific job in the reserve by June or July (I will be in basic training) so I might not be able to put that (medic, physician's assistant, etc) in the application though 🙁

 

[medic86]

I dont think I will have a specific job in the reserve by June or July (I will be in basic training) so I might not be able to put that (medic, physician's assistant, etc) in the application though 🙁

You will pick your job while at MEPS before you ship to Basic. You'll know what your job is going to be.

Edit: also, PA is not an enlisted job.

 

[Marine to MD]

Have you considered what will happen if you have to deploy and you are gone for 6-12 months? Or if your AT falls in the middle of labs, exams, required patient encounters, etc?

 

[ojy77511]

Have you considered what will happen if you have to deploy and you are gone for 6-12 months? Or if your AT falls in the middle of labs, exams, required patient encounters, etc?

I have heard from the recruiter that my training will be during weekends and if I can't make it due to certain circumstances, I can make it up later.

 

[ojy77511]

Have you considered what will happen if you have to deploy and you are gone for 6-12 months? Or if your AT falls in the middle of labs, exams, required patient encounters, etc?

If I have to deploy due to war, etc. I guess I would have to goto war 🙂

 

[ojy77511]

You will pick your job while at MEPS before you ship to Basic. You'll know what your job is going to be.

Edit: also, PA is not an enlisted job.

Even if I choose my job in the medicine, I won't have finished the job training so I'm not sure if I can list my job in the primary application 🙁

 

[xffan624]

I am applying next cycle and am planning on continuing as a reserve while in medical school too. I am not sure if I want a career in military medicine yet.

As stated by other people, you may want to put some consideration into the time commitment before you sign on the dotted line. Medical school is a full time job by itself. While you can probably get away with doing the reserves MS1 and MS2, (although I doubt you'll want to give up a weekend for drill time when you have a test on that Monday or during your dedicated step studying time, unlike a regular job though, you don't have an option to quit or say no, I have to study), Ms3 year doesn't really have 2 weeks to spare and giving away one weekend a month may be a challenge depending on your program (ignoring the whole need to study aspect completely).

This is all assuming that you don't get your schooling interrupted for a deployment. Honestly, if you want to do the military. Go active duty. Do 3 years, qualify for the GI Bill, which can pay for medical school fully if you play your cards right. Trying to do the Reserves outside of the military medicine system while in medical school is a recipe for disaster.

 

[The Buff OP]

Hey, guys! I am planning on going to army reserve and maybe taking on reserve jobs that are related to medicine. I will be working full time biotech while being part-time reserve. How good will being in a reserve look as an applicant? Would it be something that can stand out positively?

It's an awesome thing to serve your country. Are you done with school? I also tried looking into the reservers to help pay for school and fulfill my childhood dream, but after talking to some experienced ppl, it wasn't a good idea. A lot of reserve guys get deployed out of nowhere and you would have to leave school a lot.

 

[xffan624]

I have heard from the recruiter that my training will be during weekends and if I can't make it due to certain circumstances, I can make it up later.

Famous last words. Find someone who has done this (completed medical school while in the Reserves) before you take the word of a recruiter on this. Also you said 6 year commitment, which will take you into residency I assume. If trying to do it in medical school is hard, I can't imagine trying to do it in residency.

Most schools discourage part time jobs while in medical school and require you to notify the school/ask permission prior to doing so. This would be more than an barista job or moonlighting as a nurse (I know a classmate who does this). This is a significant commitment.

 

[Marine to MD]

Your willingness to serve is admirable but I do not believe that you have spent the time gathering all of the information you need to make an informed decision.

 

[redj]

No. That isn't the definition of veteran.

Just having been in the service doesnt count as being a vet. That would make you prior service.

Anyway back to op, You def will know your job before basic. Take everything your recruiter says with a grain of salt. There are very good at spinning things.

 

[ojy77511]

Great feedback, guys! I guess I have to think more realistically about one weekend a month commitment (this I think I could somewhat manage if I make a hard effort) but the good point about getting deployed. Honestly, I don't know what I would do if I deployed multiple times while I am in medical school.... very good point to think about...
But it does seem like that is a rare case.

http://usmilitary.about.com/od/terrorism/a/deploymentrates.htm

 

[raiderette]

Please tell me you have investigated both the HSPS and the med school for uniformed armed forces. The

 

[The Buff OP]

Just having been in the service doesnt count as being a vet. That would make you prior service.

Anyway back to op, You def will know your job before basic. Take everything your recruiter says with a grain of salt. There are very good at spinning things.

Dude....stfu Any brother or sister that was in the armed forces is a veteran.

The only time I would get piss is if a POG starts telling "combat" stories or wants a pat on the back for being in the armed forces.

 

[medic86]

Just having been in the service doesnt count as being a vet. That would make you prior service.

Anyway back to op, You def will know your job before basic. Take everything your recruiter says with a grain of salt. There are very good at spinning things.

Nah. You're wrong.

 

[The Buff OP]

Great feedback, guys! I guess I have to think more realistically about one weekend a month commitment (this I think I could somewhat manage if I make a hard effort) but the good point about getting deployed. Honestly, I don't know what I would do if I deployed multiple times while I am in medical school.... very good point to think about...
But it does seem like that is a rare case.

http://usmilitary.about.com/od/terrorism/a/deploymentrates.htm

Brah, I would do FAP or HPSP, even maybe reserves as a doctor. You are at the point where you are close to applying to medical schools. I would leave the reserves for someone who doesn't have grad school on their radar.

 

[medic86]

Dude....stfu Any brother or sister that was in the armed forces is a veteran.

The only time I would get piss is if a POG starts telling "combat" stories or wants a pat on the back for being in the armed forces.

Lol.

This reminds me of the try-hards at my school.

There's no reason to walk around with grenade pouches attached to your MOLLE MARPAT patterned bag. 🙄

 

[Goro]

You mean there are military equivalents of the pre-meds who come to class in white coats and/or stethoscopes around their necks???

Lol.

This reminds me of the try-hards at my school.

There's no reason to walk around with grenade pouches attached to your MOLLE MARPAT patterned bag. 🙄

 

[Spector1]

Lol.

This reminds me of the try-hards at my school.

There's no reason to walk around with grenade pouches attached to your MOLLE MARPAT patterned bag. 🙄

You mean there are military equivalents of the pre-meds who come to class in white coats and/or stethoscopes around their necks???

There was a guy at one of my interviews who showed up to interview in his marine corp service uniform (the khaki looking one, not BDU's). I think the dean fell in love with him and kept calling him Captain when the guy asked questions

 

[Best Sejuani NA]

Some people in here have brought up good points, one of those suggesting caution against recruiters. I don't know if the stories of disingenuous recruiters are true, even back when the military was hurting for people, but wouldn't really hurt to document your agreements with recruiters in writing.

In any case, I hear that they have a lot of leeway in what they're allowed to bring to the negotiating table - if you get accepted to medical school while under their control, I'm sure that they would love to make arrangements for you to transition into a HSPS instead. As long as the bureaucracy allows it, and you're not just doing the Reserves for the EC bump, then I think that this situation would work out very well for you.

This is all $0.02 from a naive person though. I'll ask my cousin, who is a recruiter for the Marines, tomorrow.

You mean there are military equivalents of the pre-meds who come to class in white coats and/or stethoscopes around their necks???

We can call them gunners.

 

[Goro]

We can call them gunners.

 

[Best Sejuani NA]

Reserve recruiters and hpsp recruiters operate in different worlds. There is no magic system linking them.

🙁 I feared as much, but I was hoping that they could "grease the wheels" or something. Sorry for leading the OP astray.

 

[redj]

Dude....stfu Any brother or sister that was in the armed forces is a veteran.

The only time I would get piss is if a POG starts telling "combat" stories or wants a pat on the back for being in the armed forces.

lol easy there guy. Good thing I wasnt a pog then right?

 

[redj]

OP, if you're doing this because you feel the calling to serve, I can't say dont do it. If you're doing it to "strengthen your app"... This is not a pre-med social club. This club requires more commitment, dedication and sacrifice than most have experienced.

Also, the military will get their pound of flesh from you whether you're planning to go to med school or not.

Cant argue with that statement. Like everything it has its good parts and bad. Like other poster said make sure its what you really want to do before joining.

 

[redj]

Brah, I would do FAP or HPSP, even maybe reserves as a doctor. You are at the point where you are close to applying to medical schools. I would leave the reserves for someone who doesn't have grad school on their radar.

sorry for consecutive posts, didnt see this. HPSP might be the route your looking for if you really want to do medicine and serve. Dont have the possibility of deploying if your in that. At least not until your done anyway.

 

[deleted480308]

I have heard from the recruiter that my training will be during weekends and if I can't make it due to certain circumstances, I can make it up later.

Recruiters are liars...it's not that easy

Don't sign up now if you are going to apply soon. Wait until you are in and then sign up as hpsp or national guard/mdssp.

You are going to screw this up if you go the route you explained

 

[xffan624]

There was a guy at one of my interviews who showed up to interview in his marine corp service uniform (the khaki looking one, not BDU's). I think the dean fell in love with him and kept calling him Captain when the guy asked questions

I was active duty when I interviewed. I wore my dress blues. I've definitely seen other service members do it as well. I paid a ton for that uniform and earned the ribbons on it, why shouldn't I wear it for appropriate occasions? Nobody called me captain, though.

 

[Stagg737]

Some people in here have brought up good points, one of those suggesting caution against recruiters. I don't know if the stories of disingenuous recruiters are true, even back when the military was hurting for people, but wouldn't really hurt to document your agreements with recruiters in writing.

This is all $0.02 from a naive person though. I'll ask my cousin, who is a recruiter for the Marines, tomorrow.

This is truer than you'd ever expect:

Reserve recruiters and hpsp recruiters operate in different worlds. There is no magic system linking them.

If OP really wants to know about HPSP, he (she?) needs to get in contact with a recruiter that specifically does medical/HPSP recruiting. I talked to 3 different recruiters before I was accepted and 2 of them told me things that were flat out wrong. I don't think they were intentionally lying, but it was very obvious they were clueless about the intricacies of what the HPSPs encompassed. One of them even said they had only heard of the HPSP, but didn't know anything about it. I don't think most of them will blatantly lie as previously suggested, but they will absolutely tell you the best case scenario and make it seem like that's what everyone gets to do.

 

[Marine to MD]

This is truer than you'd ever expect:



If OP really wants to know about HPSP, he (she?) needs to get in contact with a recruiter that specifically does medical/HPSP recruiting. I talked to 3 different recruiters before I was accepted and 2 of them told me things that were flat out wrong. I don't think they were intentionally lying, but it was very obvious they were clueless about the intricacies of what the HPSPs encompassed. One of them even said they had only heard of the HPSP, but didn't know anything about it. I don't think most of them will blatantly lie as previously suggested, but they will absolutely tell you the best case scenario and make it seem like that's what everyone gets to do.

Don't be so sure. I have busted 2 different Navy HPSP recruiters in the St. Louis region for flat out lying to my colleagues. Both times I clarified exactly what was being told to them before informing the recruiters who I was (a Naval Officer) and that they were being turned in to their command for deceit/lying. I believe that military medicine is a good route for those that have an interest in it but what I witnessed was both infuriating and embarrassing. It left a bad mark on the recruiter and the uniform.

 

[Marine to MD]

You mean there are military equivalents of the pre-meds who come to class in white coats and/or stethoscopes around their necks???

I would say they are just as abundant...if not more so.

 

[IlDestriero]

Just having been in the service doesnt count as being a vet. That would make you prior service.

Anyone that signed on the line and honorably wore the uniform is a veteran, I'm not sure where you got the idea that they are not.
You may not be able to get a VFW membership, but you're still a veteran. I, for example, was AD for 7 years with another 4 in the reserve and never fired a shot and my only time overseas was on vacation, but I sure as hell am a veteran.

 

[Oh_Gee]

Don't be so sure. I have busted 2 different Navy HPSP recruiters in the St. Louis region for flat out lying to my colleagues. Both times I clarified exactly what was being told to them before informing the recruiters who I was (a Naval Officer) and that they were being turned in to their command for deceit/lying. I believe that military medicine is a good route for those that have an interest in it but what I witnessed was both infuriating and embarrassing. It left a bad mark on the recruiter and the uniform.

everyone going to a recruiting office should have someone like you to play devil's advocate (and to catch lies)

did the recruiters get in trouble or just a slap on the wrist

 

[Marine to MD]

everyone going to a recruiting office should have someone like you to play devil's advocate (and to catch lies)

did the recruiters get in trouble or just a slap on the wrist

No idea. I know it made it up to the skipper so it was out of my hands.