Match and duty assignement

[raney]

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I have searched for answers to both of these questions without luck, perhaps I'm search-deficient. So, feel free to point me in the right direction if these have been covered.

I asked these questions of the HPSP recruiter, and, of course, I got a flimsy answer. So, here we go:

1) In the military match, from what i understand you get 3 choices (if it's not 3 then whatever X is) are those 3 choices for programs or are they for specialties? In other words do I pick 3 programs in EM (if that's what I want) and if I don't match to one of those 3 then I do the civilian match? or do I pick 3 specialties, e.g. EM, Peds, IM, and then match to one of those? My concern is obviously being forced to choose a specialty I don't want (please assume I will be competitive for the chosen specialty). I know that the Army has the right to do whatever they want, but what is the norm?

2) When getting assigned a duty station after residency, how are the options? I know you get a wishlist but that's bull**** if it's anything like the one I got when I went through basic training oh so many years ago. Basically, I'd like to go to Europe and I am thinking I don't really want to deal with the Army BS unless I am somewhere overseas. So, is an assignment in Europe right out of residency an impossibility? unlikely? likely?
I know "needs of the Army," but what really happens when you get assigned?

I am prior service AD Army, so I know all about Army shenanigans. I'm just looking for some insight from those who have recently gone through the match and from those who have recently been assigned out of residency.

Thanks in advance

 

[colbgw02]

Unless it has changed, the match ranking rules are as follows:

1) You must list five programs, at least.

2) If your specialty has less than five programs, you must list all of those programs and make up the balance with programs from another specialty (frequently transitional internship spots) to get to five.

3) If your specialty has more than five programs, then you can - but are not obligated to - list more than five.


Regarding Europe as your first post-training assignment, it's improbable, but not impossible. If that's what it takes for you to be happy in uniform, then plan on being miserable and maybe you'll get lucky.

The process of assignments largely rests on your specialty's consultant. Often times, good assignments will show up on the wish list because consultants are planning for all contingencies, but realistically that spot will go to someone with more experience/leverage.

 

[sonofva]

They will tell you that you will not be forced into a specialty that you don't want to do. This means technically that you may be forced to do a TY and then do time as a brigade/flight surgeon for a few years before reapplying to residency. The good news is, you get a boatload extra points for residency app coming back from a GMO, but you do have to have patience to get through the 2 years. if you are not applying to competitive specialty this will not be an issue. the other thing is that competitive specialties in the army are different than civilian world. last year EM was the most competitive specialty, as an example. things tend to vary from year to year.

at least in the army, do NOT plan on getting a civilian deferment. there were next to none given out last year.

 

[raney]

Thanks Sonofva and colbgw02.

A question for both of you: knowing what you know now, would you go through the Army again?

 

[colbgw02]

Thanks Sonofva and colbgw02.

A question for both of you: knowing what you know now, would you go through the Army again?

If I had to do it over again, I probably would have just stuck with civilian medicine. If I were resolved to join military medicine, I would definitely choose Army again. For my specialty, it gave me a much higher chance of avoiding a GMO tour (not that I knew that at the time). I chose Army because I'm 4th generation Army, so the other services weren't really an option for me at the time (high school). And, over time, I've come to appreciate some nuances of Army culture relative to the other branches.