I'm starting medical school this summer and considering the Air Force HPSP. I was wondering about first active duty assignment locations. Could anyone perhaps post up the list of Air Force bases they were given as options for active duty assignment? How much leverage/room for negotiation did you have in terms of your choice for location? Any and all insights would be much appreciated. Thanks!
Lists of Air Force bases for active duty assignment
- Thread starter fior1
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This all depends on medical specialty...a flight surgeon or FM doc can go to any base out there...a cardiothoracic surgeon doesn't have many options. http://lukeballard.tripod.com/ASSIGNMENT_POSSIBILITIES.html this is probably outdated but gives you an idea of which specialties are at each base.
As far as negotiating your location, you don't have much to stand on. They own you with HPSP and wont have much say unless you volunteer for an unaccompanied to Korea or something for a year and then they try to get you where you want to go after that. Nothing is guaranteed though as assignments are made based on the needs of the service.
If base location is something that could make or break your interest then definitely don't sign up for the scholarship.
As far as negotiating your location, you don't have much to stand on. They own you with HPSP and wont have much say unless you volunteer for an unaccompanied to Korea or something for a year and then they try to get you where you want to go after that. Nothing is guaranteed though as assignments are made based on the needs of the service.
If base location is something that could make or break your interest then definitely don't sign up for the scholarship.
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Oh wow, is Korea really that unpopular? I would definitely consider volunteering to be there for a year. My parents are from Korea, and I only visited the country once. So, if you volunteer for Korea would they consider your request more seriously afterwards?
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Its less because Korea isn't popular, more because its unaccompanied. No dependents get to come along. Again, it doesn't guarantee anything but sometimes if they need someone to fill that spot they may give you your base of choice after. Again, depends on specialty and the base youwant to go to.
I see.. so if I volunteer for Korea unaccompanied for a year, what are the chances that my request will be granted? Also, if I have a family, could I just bring them with me at my own expense and live off-base? Thanks!
I know this might be a little excessive, but some additional questions are:
(1) What is the likelihood of being assigned to Korea?
(2) What is the typical length of tour?
(3) Are there, if any, options for extension?
(4) Do you have an advantage in choosing your assignment after a tour in Korea?
(5) What are the medical facilities/hospitals at the osan AFB like? would it be a good fit for someone in internal medicine?
Thanks in advance for any insights and information!
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I don't know, not a detailer, I just know some FM docs who have done this. As for likelihood of getting to do this or getting your station of choice, it all depends on the specialty and the needs of the force.
You're not allowed to bring your family on an unaccompanied.
Unaccompanied tours are one or two years and all the people I know did then at Kunsan, again not an expert, my brother did this as well as some FM docs I know. Osan has a little hospital I believe and that is a place you can bring your family. Kunsan is a clinic and probably only has FM and flight Med. Again, not 100% on this.
My advice...if location is important to you and where you want to practice will make or break you choice then steer clear. Don't sign up thinking it'll be the same in 7-8 years...a lot can change.
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You can bring your family on an unaccompanied tour, but it's on your own dime. Your family won't necessarily have access to the DoD schools, medical facilities, etc. though, and you'd have to pay for your own place instead of using whatever crappy dorm the military provides for you. South Korea is a free country, after all. The military can't tell you that your wife/kids aren't allowed to move there on their own.
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I stand corrected. I guess being a doc, no access to the MTF wouldnt be as much of a concern, will Tricare reimburse for medical care at Korean facilities? Even if its possible it would probably be really hard on a spouse and it seems like it would be really tough with school age children.
