Likelihood of becoming a GMO as a USUHS grad?

[SweetBurger]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Basically the title. I know the USUHS info says that all grads are guarenteed training in a military hospital but I dont know how to fully interpret that. I am interested in USUHS but I certainly know I dont want to end up as a GMO. i apologize if this is an obvious answer but i have spent more time than id like to admit trying to figure it out.

 

[SirGecko]

Basically the title. I know the USUHS info says that all grads are guarenteed training in a military hospital but I dont know how to fully interpret that. I am interested in USUHS but I certainly know I dont want to end up as a GMO. i apologize if this is an obvious answer but i have spent more time than id like to admit trying to figure it out.

Roughly the same likelihood as doing HPSP, it’s service specific. Navy: pretty likely, Air Force less likely, Army less likely but definitely nonzero chance.

The gaurunteed training they are talking about is intern year. Don’t know if it’s changed but that was one difference in the USUHS contract from HPSP when I was in school: the military has to afford you an intern year, they can make you scramble for a civilian intern spot if you did HPSP. (And they did that, hpsp was over recruited that year)

 

[SweetBurger]

Roughly the same likelihood as doing HPSP, it’s service specific. Navy: pretty likely, Air Force less likely, Army less likely but definitely nonzero chance.

The gaurunteed training they are talking about is intern year. Don’t know if it’s changed but that was one difference in the USUHS contract from HPSP when I was in school: the military has to afford you an intern year, they can make you scramble for a civilian intern spot if you did HPSP. (And they did that, hpsp was over recruited that year)

thank you appreciate the clarification

 

[LTMCUSN]

I know it has been said before on this forum: I would be cautious of accepting HPSP or an offer from USUHS if you are not comfortable with the idea of a GMO tour.

They are unique opportunities though if you are interested in military medicine and want to get some exposure to the “line” outside of a military treatment facility. I would not be discouraged from doing one because you’ve heard a few negative opinions. It is very experience-dependent, and many career officers I’ve worked with- active duty and reserve-are glad they did it.

 

[SweetBurger]

I know it has been said before on this forum: I would be cautious of accepting HPSP or an offer from USUHS if you are not comfortable with the idea of a GMO tour.

They are unique opportunities though if you are interested in military medicine and want to get some exposure to the “line” outside of a military treatment facility. I would not be discouraged from doing one because you’ve heard a few negative opinions. It is very experience-dependent, and many career officers I’ve worked with- active duty and reserve-are glad they did it.

im interested in military med for a variety of reasons. HOwever, i will mention some of the things that scare me. Some things I've read such as general surgeons not seeing any cases in the AF (could be other branches too not sure) and the cases they do see being colonoscopies only with little to no variation. Or physicians not being utilized in the specialty they were trained in. An example i read was a sub specialty trained surgeon being used in a behavioral health position. I don't know how frequent these occurrences are but i'm not sure who would be happy with the 2 results i just mentioned.

 

[armytrainingsir]

HOwever, i will mention some of the things that scare me. Some things I've read such as general surgeons not seeing any cases in the AF (could be other branches too not sure) and the cases they do see being colonoscopies only with little to no variation. Or physicians not being utilized in the specialty they were trained in.

No one can or will hold your hand and promise everything will be a-okay.
In 2020, all your aforementioned fears can happen.
No big deal when it is someone else. Big deal if it is you.
Folks with an axe to grind against MilMed will tell you it happens to everyone.
MilMed apologists will swear it never happens.
The truth is somewhere in between. (but isn't it always?)

At the end of the day, if you join, you're like every other .mil doc. You pay your money and you take your chances.


Look at the bright side.
Your worry about signing the dotted line is skill rot or not doing exactly what you want to do.
Meanwhile, PFC Snuffy hopes his nuts aren't blown off by an IED while making Afghanistan a woman led, freedom loving democracy.

 

[LTMCUSN]

I can only speak from my time in MTFs and the fleet, and like @armytrainingsir said, experiences vary and trade offs between mil med and civilian practice are inevitable. Skill atrophy is real and some have to moonlight to maintain proficiency. There is the chance that you won’t be used at the top of your license either- I’ve seen those example of specialists used in generalist positions, but not too often. Sorry if that is vague, but its difficult to answer.

@SweetBurger, do you have any opportunity to shadow an AF surgeon where you live, particularly at an academic medical center? That would be a good chance to talk candidly with MC officers at various points of their career.

 

[SweetBurger]

I can only speak from my time in MTFs and the fleet, and like @armytrainingsir said, experiences vary and trade offs between mil med and civilian practice are inevitable. Skill atrophy is real and some have to moonlight to maintain proficiency. There is the chance that you won’t be used at the top of your license either- I’ve seen those example of specialists used in generalist positions, but not too often. Sorry if that is vague, but it’s true.

@SweetBurger, do you have any opportunity to shadow an AF surgeon where you live, particularly at an academic medical center? That would be a gold chance to talk candidly with MC officers at various points of their career.

Unfortunately the closest one is 6 hours away, but I may still make the effort to try to get the experience before May 1st

 

[MedDoc305]

No one can or will hold your hand and promise everything will be a-okay.
In 2020, all your aforementioned fears can happen.
No big deal when it is someone else. Big deal if it is you.
Folks with an axe to grind against MilMed will tell you it happens to everyone.
MilMed apologists will swear it never happens.
The truth is somewhere in between. (but isn't it always?)

At the end of the day, if you join, you're like every other .mil doc. You pay your money and you take your chances.


Look at the bright side.
Your worry about signing the dotted line is skill rot or not doing exactly what you want to do.
Meanwhile, PFC Snuffy hopes his nuts aren't blown off by an IED while making Afghanistan a woman led, freedom loving democracy.

Thank you, that is the exact perspective I took when I signed up for HPSP. Worst case scenario I'm working as a mindless drone pushing papers and making powerpoints for over 100k a year. Alternatively, I could have been working for Walmart for 12/hr. There are worse things in life.