Intro

[Vandelay609]

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I just wrote out this whole intro, but for some reason the screen expired and it wasn't posted. I'll try again while keeping it shorter.

I'm 26 and going back to school for a B.S. in Medical Technology after a four year absence. I completed 33 credits a while ago and achieved an abismal 3.1 GPA. I was very unmotivated because I had no ideal what the heck I was going to school for. Well, I have that figured out now. I really want to pusue a career as a Military Podiatrist. More specifically, a Navy Podiatrist. I understand that the Navy does not offer a scholarship for POD school, only a monthy stipened, which I still think is pretty sufficient (maybe not fair).

I'm currently on a 3+1 program. Since I have one year of school completed, I will go to COMMUNITY college for two more years and then attend Thomas Jefferson University for the final year. During the last year I will complete 60 credits ( twelve month program). So, I'll have approx. 70+ credits from community and 60 from TJU.

If all goes well, I will probably have Temple as my number one choice, due to the fact that the school is ten minutes from my house by train.

Any suggestions or words of wisdom?

 

[Denny55]

More power to you bro. Glad you found your calling. Now why do you wanna be a military podiatrist? I find that interesting....

Just keep your head up and keep the ball rolling. Sometimes you'll try rolling up a hill or hit a bump, but keep the momentum and you'll get there.

 

[allenmarchallo]

I just wrote out this whole intro, but for some reason the screen expired and it wasn't posted. I'll try again while keeping it shorter.

I'm 26 and going back to school for a B.S. in Medical Technology after a four year absence. I completed 33 credits a while ago and achieved an abismal 3.1 GPA. I was very unmotivated because I had no ideal what the heck I was going to school for. Well, I have that figured out now. I really want to pusue a career as a Military Podiatrist. More specifically, a Navy Podiatrist. I understand that the Navy does not offer a scholarship for POD school, only a monthy stipened, which I still think is pretty sufficient (maybe not fair).

I'm currently on a 3+1 program. Since I have one year of school completed, I will go to COMMUNITY college for two more years and then attend Thomas Jefferson University for the final year. During the last year I will complete 60 credits ( twelve month program). So, I'll have approx. 70+ credits from community and 60 from TJU.

If all goes well, I will probably have Temple as my number one choice, due to the fact that the school is ten minutes from my house by train.

Any suggestions or words of wisdom?

Hey Vandelay....Hang in there & dont sweat it.....I'm 26 and also want to become a Navy Pod....I'm actually a HM2 (E-5) right now, and will be applying to the HSCP program...I'm applying to pod school this week once the application process starts....I too came from a Comm. Coll. for 1 yr. then transferred to a univ....Starting my senior year now....Stats aren't bad....3.5 GPA, no MCAT just yet (in physics I right now, that's why)...

Don't worry about your 3.1 GPA.....You have plenty of time to bring it up!!!
Hang in there, you can do it !!!

-HM2

 

[Vandelay609]

Denny, I've always wanted to serve in the military. What better way can I serve by doing something I enjoy? Thanks for the words....

allen, good luck to you. Up until recently I seriously considered signing a SWCC contract, but a few things have happened to me recently that really changed my perspective on things, in general. Maybe we'll get stationed together someday and you can teach me the ropes.

 

[NAVYLABTECH08]

I have some issues with navy podiatrist.

1. Why are Navy Podiatrist not in the medical corps, but rather the allied Health (medical service corp)

2. Why is HPSP not even an option?

3. Why is the bonus absent from pod, but there for medical doctors.



issues like this would make me very scared to practice podiatry in the navy. i'm not 100% sure, but I heard that podiatrists are seem on the same level as others docs in the Air Force/Army. These are all red flags to possible future issues that may occur for practicing in the navy as a Pod. please go to a navy or military podiatry clinic and shadow/talk to an "active duty" pod.

 

[spooge]

The only doc that cared about me in OCS was the Navy Pod. He got me interested in the profession. I shadowed many docs but found podiatry to be the best fit for my goals. Your stats are fine and there really aren't any schools that will knock you for the CC credits. I would just say when applying to the schools that you want to be a Podiatrist first and (possibly) in the Navy second. And, when appyling to the Navy they want to hear how much you want to serve your country and all of that fun stuff. Study hard. You can PM me with any questions. I was Navy first and Pod second, but I can tell you about school as well as the Officer side of the Navy. I was a brown shoe wearing NAVAIR guy though. You will always enjoy the 'O' club wherever you go. Especially the buy 1 get 3 free drink nights. Be sure to bring a bicycle and not drive your car.


My latest adventure in Aventura Mall
"...I told you that I am NOT going in that store! The music is too loud and the DJ looks like he is having convulsions. AND I'm not paying more than $5 for that shirt...AND I am going to go nuts if this fool behind me doesn't keep his distance and stop breathing down my neck! This is why I stay away from this crappy place!"

 

[allenmarchallo]

Denny-

Incase you haven't seen it, here is a nice thread about military podiatry issues here:
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=296882

Honestly, I agree with NavyLabTech on ALL the issues above....They really do need to be addressed !!

It's gonna hurt me trying to pay off my loans (even after the HSCP) while on Active Duty pay as an O-3E (~60,000 year)...In my case, I'll only have to do 10 more active duty years to retire...I got a wife/kids and they need shelter, food, housing, INSURANCE....Other than that, I probably would weigh my choices a little better b4 deciding on going back into the military (Navy).........Of course, that isn't my ONLY motivation, but it helps.....Putting up with NKO computer stuff, useless "leadership" tasks, sometimes a lack of surgical procedure diversity-- etc..etc...

Seriously, if you want to serve our troops, meet some great people, then it's a great idea...But know that you'll be making ~60k in military while you could make $150k and over civilian, b4 you make the decision...Money isn't a "deal-breaker"---but it should be considered when you have $130k+ in loans to pay back, not including undergrad.

 

[NAVYLABTECH08]

Denny-

Incase you haven't seen it, here is a nice thread about military podiatry issues here:
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=296882

Honestly, I agree with NavyLabTech on ALL the issues above....They really do need to be addressed !!

It's gonna hurt me trying to pay off my loans (even after the HSCP) while on Active Duty pay as an O-3E (~60,000 year)...In my case, I'll only have to do 10 more active duty years to retire...I got a wife/kids and they need shelter, food, housing, INSURANCE....Other than that, I probably would weigh my choices a little better b4 deciding on going back into the military (Navy).........Of course, that isn't my ONLY motivation, but it helps.....Putting up with NKO computer stuff, useless "leadership" tasks, sometimes a lack of surgical procedure diversity-- etc..etc...

Seriously, if you want to serve our troops, meet some great people, then it's a great idea...But know that you'll be making ~60k in military while you could make $150k and over civilian, b4 you make the decision...Money isn't a "deal-breaker"---but it should be considered when you have $130k+ in loans to pay back, not including undergrad.

100 percent correct. If you are young, single, and without financial , baggage, i would not even think twice about HSCP. The BS issues speak volumes and the huge decrease in pay goes without saying. Med docs are complaining about the pay issues and they get a 30-40k bonus that you won't. If comparing POD school to say DO school, the cost weighs heavy to take government intervention if you chosoe the DO school. There are some cheaper POD programs (<200K) that will be a lot easier to pay off with 150K a year than 60-70k. Also remember, you can always sacrifice some money to pay off bills easrly if the situation stinks but you can never pay back time early. Something else to consider, if you use FAP for your residency $, your commitment time increases even more. The Navy POD office at NMCP is banging and the surgeons get as busy as the med clinics. (As much work, less money to do it) The only differnce is the fact that noone even knows you are a doctor while in uniform. Medical doctors and medical servive coprs wear different collar devices. Some people may confuse you with a healthcare administrator, medical technologist, or something like that. Even the Dental Docs get collar devices that represent doctors in dental. I have the USUHS secondary complete, but I have not submitted it becasue I'm not 100% sure I want to commit to that life payback, low pay lifestyle.