Joining military as a resident

[zubrato]

Hi Guys,
I'm currently a 3rd yr on clerkships and I love surgery. Im an IMG but a US citizen and debating whether it's worth it to leave a residency training for military training in GS. I wouldn't mind being a GMO for a year or two so long as the training I receive is good and I'd spend some time in afghanistan or iraq.

Another question I have is whether you join the military as a family med doc, would you be able to transfer to general surgery, and what would that process look like?

I'm scared that with surgery and a military career I wouldn't have time to raise a family or that the hours would be insane, but I cant find much info on what life is like as a GS in the military AD or reserve.

Thank you guys for serving and reading over my questions!

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[Barcu]

At this point, it looks like the best option would be FAP, which you can read about on this board.

However, to join this program, you have to match to a civilian residency first. You will then sign on and get extra money during your residency. Then after your civilian residency, you would serve in the military. I think it's pretty difficult/impossible to enter a military GS residency without doing HPSP or attending USUHS, especially as an IMG.

 

[zubrato]

I see, thank you for clarifying. The physician recruiter didn't seem to explain or know well enough as I was under the impression that you leave the civvie residency for residency within the military.
To further clarify, this means i could only join the army as a physician once I landed a categorical position at a residency? Ive heard people landing preliminary and being able to join
Thanks!

 

[teacherman84]

I see, thank you for clarifying. The physician recruiter didn't seem to explain or know well enough as I was under the impression that you leave the civvie residency for residency within the military.
To further clarify, this means i could only join the army as a physician once I landed a categorical position at a residency? Ive heard people landing preliminary and being able to join
Thanks!

Im pretty sure you have to be licensed in the US to join as an IMG. So you need to finish intern year before you could join, then probably do a GMO for a few years apply for a military residency.

Or like the above poster said just do a surgical residency as a civilian, join with FAP and then serve when youre done training

 

[jabreal00]

I see, thank you for clarifying. The physician recruiter didn't seem to explain or know well enough as I was under the impression that you leave the civvie residency for residency within the military.
To further clarify, this means i could only join the army as a physician once I landed a categorical position at a residency? Ive heard people landing preliminary and being able to join
Thanks!

Yes you could join after a preliminary year at a civilian institution. Most likely you'd do GMO for several years then apply for a AD surgery slot in the military. Alternatively, if you get into a categorical civilian GS spot you can join during residency as FAP.

 

[Gastrapathy]

A couple years ago in the worst of the nadir, they took a few IMGs into PGY1. It wasn't good. One dude couldn't use a computer...at all. Anyway, I'd guess that's over by now. After completing PGY1 and getting a state license, you can probably join as a GMO and then apply back to residency (which you might or might not get).

 

[NavyFP]

A couple years ago in the worst of the nadir, they took a few IMGs into PGY1. It wasn't good. One dude couldn't use a computer...at all. Anyway, I'd guess that's over by now. After completing PGY1 and getting a state license, you can probably join as a GMO and then apply back to residency (which you might or might not get).

The Navy has more than enough in the pipeline so we don't need to consider IMGs for GME, and I doubt we would consider any prior to completion of residency and board certification.

Interestingly, many states are requiring completion of 2 years or full residencies prior to allowing IMGs to obtain an unrestricted license.