medical school and the military. help!

[Tannersousa]

---

Members don't see this ad.

So as I search and search all I can find is posts from 10 years ago regarding going to medical school through the military in a VERY non traditional fashion. so my question is this: I am currently enlisted in the army (I'm in basic combat training and I'm on holiday block leave until jan 4th) and I have no college education, I have a 6 year contract and my goal is to obtain my bachelors degree as fast as possible. I would like to attend medical school with either two options emdp2 program, or just apply as a civilian normally would. so heres the actual question part of the question, will the emdp2 program give me a high enough chance over not doing it to spend the 2 years( assuming I actually get accepted into it). And can I just apply to medical school while enlisted either usuhs or civilian medical school, because I will have taken the mcat by then but I will have literally no other material on my application such as shadowing, volunteering, extra circulars and other things of that nature. so will I be a really bad candidate or will the acceptance committee see that I was serving so it was virtually impossible for me to have done all those extra circulars? what should I do to become a competitive candidate without having to get out of the military and getting back in because thats silly.
any help would be appreciated, preferably someone who has actually be accepted into a medical school while enlisted no matter the path.

also if I'm missing any huge obvious programs regarding getting into med school please let me know the only program I've found so far is the emdp2.

thanks in advance for the feedback if any.

 

[BombsAway]

You need a bachelors to apply to emdp2. Worry about it when you get there. The likelihood of getting any of the science (especially lab) pre-reqs done on active duty is pretty low.

As far as having no shadowing, ECs, volunteering, or clinical experience... that stuff is for you, not admissions. If you have none of it, how can you know you want to be a physician for the rest of your working life.

 

[Tannersousa]

You need a bachelors to apply to emdp2. Worry about it when you get there. The likelihood of getting any of the science (especially lab) pre-reqs done on active duty is pretty low.

As far as having no shadowing, ECs, volunteering, or clinical experience... that stuff is for you, not admissions. If you have none of it, how can you know you want to be a physician for the rest of your working life.

I've always thought that all those extras are for admissions' don't know if I want to do it so I planned on doing a little shadowing on my own but not hundreds of hours worth. I've heard only one story of a medical path kind of like mine and he got most of his credits while in and finished while out getting his lab classes done civilian side then going back in. I guess my big question is am I screwing myself over thinking I can get into medical school on a military degree? basically the military is my only option for school since I have a wife and 3 month daughter and need to support them but I also don't want to waste my time trying for something near impossible if I have a chance elsewhere. not that I can turn around now but I want to prepare myself.

I also heard a story about someones dad, he got a bachelors in USAF eod and actually got ANOTHER bachelors before med school because his EOD degree transferred into a "c" average? will my college do that to me while in?

 

[BombsAway]

You need to spend some time alone with the google machine. good luck

 

[Tannersousa]

You need to spend some time alone with the google machine. good luck

HA I've been googling for months. thanks

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

Not sure if you saw it, but I responded to your other post on this topic in the pre-allo forum. PM me if you have any questions, but I submitted my application to EMDP2 in October and am waiting the results. I've spoken to some people in the program and might be able to give you some insight.

 

[BombsAway]

Not sure if you saw it, but I responded to your other post on this topic in the pre-allo forum. PM me if you have any questions, but I submitted my application to EMDP2 in October and am waiting the results. I've spoken to some people in the program and might be able to give you some insight.

Do you need it? I thought you were close to applying. That program is to get pre-reqs done, gpa repair, mcat prep, and audition for usuhs.

Do you know about the navy HSCP? use the gi bill to pay for med school while the navy pays you as an e6 plus BAH, and those years count toward retirement.

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

Do you need it? I thought you were close to applying. That program is to get pre-reqs done, gpa repair, mcat prep, and audition for usuhs.

Do you know about the navy HSCP? use the gi bill to pay for med school while the navy pays you as an e6 plus BAH, and those years count toward retirement.

I only have half the prereqs done, and TA won't pay for me to take the rest of them. Even if it would, my work schedule is prohibitive of me taking classes and being at home to help with the kids (who are 1 and 2). I'd be at work and school until 2200 five days a week, plus my duty day. Given how much I've been gone on deployment/underways, that's not really fair to my wife or my kids.

EMDP2 lets you apply to civilian med schools as well as USUHS, including HSCP. I'd probably pick USUHS anyway, because O-1E over 6 pay is better than E-6 pay. And I should be getting E-6 pay for the two years of the prep program anyway. From what I've been told from multiple people in the program, if you are selected for EMDP2, you are basically guaranteed a seat at USUHS so long as you don't bomb the MCAT.

EMDP2 is basically a way for me to get paid to finish those couple of classes and study for the MCAT without giving up my home life. I've done that enough already and I'll be doing it more in med school/residency.

 

[Tannersousa]

thats good news, but Im just weary on the fact that theres so little seats available in the emdp2. also on a side note are you able to go to college off post? or do you have to go to the education centers on post? like if I need to get lab classes done I can do them on a saturday?

 

[chrisjh]

Don't overestimate how much time you will have to do classes while in. Unless you're a POG (no offense). Even then, a lot of POG's dont even have as much time or as allowing of a schedule as you'd think.

 

[Tannersousa]

Don't overestimate how much time you will have to do classes while in. Unless you're a POG (no offense). Even then, a lot of POG's dont even have as much time or as allowing of a schedule as you'd think.

I'm a pog lol I'm going to be a 15E uav repair. Supposedly lots of free time

 

[wxman393]

I'm a pog lol I'm going to be a 15E uav repair. Supposedly lots of free time

Wait until you see what your typical duty day will look like. I had Soldiers in your situation that went the E route and thought they weren't going to be that busy. As soon as we redeployed, a new UAV unit was stood up and these guys couldn't catch a break.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

 

[HMRT]

I will tell you that it is totally possible to do science courses with lab while active duty. I'm currently active duty in the Navy and have completed 2 Associates degrees and graduate May 31st with my Bachelor's degree. I've taken A&P courses with lab by taking the class during the week from 1730-2200 and you do the lab on a Saturday morning. It is very time consuming though. Alternatively you can do the science course with a lab online but you would need to verify with the schools you are interested in if they would accept prereqs from an online format. Also one of my old coworkers completed his bachelors and his masters degree in biochemistry while on active duty and is in his second year of PA school.

 

[AnotherLawyer]

So as I search and search all I can find is posts from 10 years ago regarding going to medical school through the military in a VERY non traditional fashion. so my question is this: I am currently enlisted in the army (I'm in basic combat training and I'm on holiday block leave until jan 4th) and I have no college education, I have a 6 year contract and my goal is to obtain my bachelors degree as fast as possible. I would like to attend medical school with either two options emdp2 program, or just apply as a civilian normally would. so heres the actual question part of the question, will the emdp2 program give me a high enough chance over not doing it to spend the 2 years( assuming I actually get accepted into it). And can I just apply to medical school while enlisted either usuhs or civilian medical school, because I will have taken the mcat by then but I will have literally no other material on my application such as shadowing, volunteering, extra circulars and other things of that nature. so will I be a really bad candidate or will the acceptance committee see that I was serving so it was virtually impossible for me to have done all those extra circulars? what should I do to become a competitive candidate without having to get out of the military and getting back in because thats silly.
any help would be appreciated, preferably someone who has actually be accepted into a medical school while enlisted no matter the path.

also if I'm missing any huge obvious programs regarding getting into med school please let me know the only program I've found so far is the emdp2.

thanks in advance for the feedback if any.

Slow down. You've been in the military for a few weeks and now you want to pursue a path that will essentially obligate you to military service for a full career. You may find you don't like the military as much in a year as you do now. Or you may love the military but as you learn about military medicine you may realize it's not really what you want from a medical career. Or maybe you'll love it all and want to be a lifer. The point is it's too early to know, so there's no point stressing about this now.

The answer your specific concern, military service is not an excuse for not having shadowing and clinical volunteering. I wish it were, but I've done all that stuff on AD and you can too.

Some wise ADCOM once said that when he reviews an application he asks himself "what about this applicant makes me want him at my school?" When he reviews a veteran's application, he instead asks himself "what about this applicant makes me NOT want him at my school?" So the veteran starts with an advantage. But not shadowing, not having clinical exposure, or not having outside interests that make you look like a well rounded person are all things that might make a school not want you (as would an inadequate GPA/MCAT).

 

[Tannersousa]

I will tell you that it is totally possible to do science courses with lab while active duty. I'm currently active duty in the Navy and have completed 2 Associates degrees and graduate May 31st with my Bachelor's degree. I've taken A&P courses with lab by taking the class during the week from 1730-2200 and you do the lab on a Saturday morning. It is very time consuming though. Alternatively you can do the science course with a lab online but you would need to verify with the schools you are interested in if they would accept prereqs from an online format. Also one of my old coworkers completed his bachelors and his masters degree in biochemistry while on active duty and is in his second year of PA school.

Thank you that is ver reassuring. I'm going to just play it by ear obviously because this is 5+ years from now.

 

[Tannersousa]

Slow down. You've been in the military for a few weeks and now you want to pursue a path that will essentially obligate you to military service for a full career. You may find you don't like the military as much in a year as you do now. Or you may love the military but as you learn about military medicine you may realize it's not really what you want from a medical career. Or maybe you'll love it all and want to be a lifer. The point is it's too early to know, so there's no point stressing about this now.

The answer your specific concern, military service is not an excuse for not having shadowing and clinical volunteering. I wish it were, but I've done all that stuff on AD and you can too.

Some wise ADCOM once said that when he reviews an application he asks himself "what about this applicant makes me want him at my school?" When he reviews a veteran's application, he instead asks himself "what about this applicant makes me NOT want him at my school?" So the veteran starts with an advantage. But not shadowing, not having clinical exposure, or not having outside interests that make you look like a well rounded person are all things that might make a school not want you (as would an inadequate GPA/MCAT).

I know it's a long way out and I had this path written out before I joined. I just read a little more into it and thought I made a mistake but either way I look at it I have 6 years to go so if I get my bachelors I'm happy, if I get my prereqs I made my goal, and if i have the opportunity to get EC's I'll be more than happy. I didn't know if I'd be able to get the EC's done for reasons beyond my control if I'm allowed to do it I will I just assumed that type of thing is few and far between in the military but as you know this is all very new to me so I don't know what being at my actual unit will be like AT ALL

 

[Tannersousa]

And just to be clear education/medical school is 90% of the reason I joined

 

[Knpnfa]

Had I had my head on straight to begin with I wouldn't have gone the military route. But here I sit almost 12 years in and an E-6, with what amounts to little/no school done. I've always been mission focused and that left little time for the extracurriculars. I wish I could go back and slap my E-3 self and tell him to get focused on school. As it is now in my position/grade, my troops are my mission and I truly have no time for the extracurriculars now. I won't be going the military route for medicine as I hate the system. From my own experience (as a patient) and reading this forum most seem to loathe what is military medicine.

So in other words make sure to focus on yourself. Big military sees you as a number and nothing else.

 

[BombsAway]

I will tell you that it is totally possible to do science courses with lab while active duty. I'm currently active duty in the Navy and have completed 2 Associates degrees and graduate May 31st with my Bachelor's degree. I've taken A&P courses with lab by taking the class during the week from 1730-2200 and you do the lab on a Saturday morning. It is very time consuming though. Alternatively you can do the science course with a lab online but you would need to verify with the schools you are interested in if they would accept prereqs from an online format. Also one of my old coworkers completed his bachelors and his masters degree in biochemistry while on active duty and is in his second year of PA school.

In an army "line unit" I could count the times I got off work before 1730 on one hand. Even in a more lax EOD job it wasn't common. Weekends aren't safe either. over the course of a semester you're guaranteed to have a 24hr cq shift and some field training. Get recalled because someone got a DUI, locked down because someone lost an optic.... That's a huge gpa risk. Doing an online psych degree would be safe-ish, then he could get the sciences done in that 2 year program.

just saying the route you took wouldn't really be possible in army land.

 

[UncreativeGenius]

Since you gave me some motivation on my thread I'll pass some along to you, too. Disclaimer: This is all from Marine Corps experience. You will have to wait until you finish your MOS training and get to your first unit before you focus on school. Once you get there, it entirely depends on your unit and work schedule. The vast majority of bases and education centers at least have some sort of agreement with a number of schools, usually online or hybrid, for service members to take classes. There are lots of online schools that cater to active duty military and while you may not be able to work on pre-reqs you could knock out a number of GEs which you need anyway. Also, look into CLEP to test out of classes. Your military training itself gives you a number of credits.

Basically, for now focus on your training and once you get stable use everything the military has to offer in regards to education. I was able to finish an Associate Degree while stationed overseas and a number of classes towards my Bachelor's also, all of them online. Stay motivated and you will be successful! Most young service members pay no attention to the education benefits, which leaves more money for you to use TA!

 

[Knpnfa]

Since you gave me some motivation on my thread I'll pass some along to you, too. Disclaimer: This is all from Marine Corps experience. You will have to wait until you finish your MOS training and get to your first unit before you focus on school. Once you get there, it entirely depends on your unit and work schedule. The vast majority of bases and education centers at least have some sort of agreement with a number of schools, usually online or hybrid, for service members to take classes. There are lots of online schools that cater to active duty military and while you may not be able to work on pre-reqs you could knock out a number of GEs which you need anyway. Also, look into CLEP to test out of classes. Your military training itself gives you a number of credits.

Basically, for now focus on your training and once you get stable use everything the military has to offer in regards to education. I was able to finish an Associate Degree while stationed overseas and a number of classes towards my Bachelor's also, all of them online. Stay motivated and you will be successful! Most young service members pay no attention to the education benefits, which leaves more money for you to use TA!

Thanks for giving motivation! But a few things...I will recommend against CLEPS and TA is limited to you and you alone. CLEPS, while pushed by the military for the quick and dirty, do not help (hinder?) the very important GPA. I seriously just received an email from an SEL board stating GPA does not matter i.e. The military is pushing credits, not quality there of. Don't fall into that gray space. Also TA is limited to $4500 per FY. Yes there will be schools that cater to military, but I do not trust them as I see them as degree mills living off the government doll. Ensure the schools you attend will help you not hurt you.

 

[UncreativeGenius]

Thanks for giving motivation! But a few things...I will recommend against CLEPS and TA is limited to you and you alone. CLEPS, while pushed by the military for the quick and dirty, do not help (hinder?) the very important GPA. I seriously just received an email from an SEL board stating GPA does not matter i.e. The military is pushing credits, not quality there of. Don't fall into that gray space. Also TA is limited to $4500 per FY. Yes there will be schools that cater to military, but I do not trust them as I see them as degree mills living off the government doll. Ensure the schools you attend will help you not hurt you.

In regards to CLEP, for knocking out GE classes I definitely recommend it. Similar to APs, if he can start college at a somewhat higher level because intro to government or world history or whatever is already knocked out then that's a time saver. It's always good to check with the school you'd like to end up at to ensure they take CLEP courses, though. I agree that a lot of the schools that cater to the military are less than respectable and just want to make a buck, but sometimes they aren't too bad. My current base works closely with San Diego City College and offers some GE courses on base (English, intro math). By the TA comment I meant that when more people use TA they tend to cut it. From what I understand it used to be higher than $4500 per FY but I could be wrong.

 

[Knpnfa]

In regards to CLEP, for knocking out GE classes I definitely recommend it. Similar to APs, if he can start college at a somewhat higher level because intro to government or world history or whatever is already knocked out then that's a time saver. It's always good to check with the school you'd like to end up at to ensure they take CLEP courses, though. I agree that a lot of the schools that cater to the military are less than respectable and just want to make a buck, but sometimes they aren't too bad. My current base works closely with San Diego City College and offers some GE courses on base (English, intro math). By the TA comment I meant that when more people use TA they tend to cut it. From what I understand it used to be higher than $4500 per FY but I could be wrong.

. If it's a local school then I agree. But if it's Embry Riddle/UMUC/AMU/etc then I would recommend great caution. As far as CLEPing goes, we will have to agree to disagree. I don't feel the time aspect outweighs commitment for any class when we are in a marathon of schooling.

 

[UncreativeGenius]

. If it's a local school then I agree. But if it's Embry Riddle/UMUC/AMU/etc then I would recommend great caution. As far as CLEPing goes, we will have to agree to disagree. I don't feel the time aspect outweighs commitment for any class when we are in a marathon of schooling.

Don't even get me started on UMUC 🙄

 

[68PGunner]

I took 12 classes with 6 of them being science courses with lab for the first 10-12 months with my first unit. I was the exception to the rule, not the norm. My actual unit at the time was in Asia for 6 -9 months while I was stuck in garrison doing area beautification. Once I was fully assimilated to my unit, I literally went on missions every 4-6 weeks. Looking back, I am thankful that I was at the right place at the right time. Otherwise, I would finish my 6 year contract with nothing while being a miserable jacka$$.

Chances are that you take zero college classes while you're in the service.

 

[68PGunner]

BTW you're not qualified for TA until you have been w your first unit for at least 12 months. I paid for all of my classes out of pocket. Despite my effort, there were days when I skipped out on lecture, exam, or lab due to duty like Staff or CQ 24 duty calls.

 

[Tannersousa]

these responses are so mixed

 

[happyatethem]

Clep gen eds (my opinion). Attend a brick and mortar school, preferably a state-supported institution. Avoid all the bs online degree mills, they overcharge. I am a medical pog, and I was able to request night shift. It allowed me to take lab. CQ depends on unit, over the last few years I've only had it once every two months. It's easy to manage, and you typically know at least a week before. Most profs understand as long as you inform. Once you arrive at your duty station, you have to wait one year before you can use TA, unless your commander signs a waiver. Once eligible, visit your ed center, select a school, and apply to that school. If you inform your NCO's there is a really good chance they'll work with you, but I really have no idea about your MOS, its hours and field/deployment issues. Be high speed at your day job. Every base has an military treatment facility, make friends with people who work there. Or walk into their GME office and formally request to shadow. Every unit volunteers, easy to pick up hours. Embry Riddle/UMUC/AMU/Kaplan/Thomas Edison (anything recommended by an NCO).

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

I will tell you that it is totally possible to do science courses with lab while active duty. I'm currently active duty in the Navy and have completed 2 Associates degrees and graduate May 31st with my Bachelor's degree. I've taken A&P courses with lab by taking the class during the week from 1730-2200 and you do the lab on a Saturday morning. It is very time consuming though. Alternatively you can do the science course with a lab online but you would need to verify with the schools you are interested in if they would accept prereqs from an online format. Also one of my old coworkers completed his bachelors and his masters degree in biochemistry while on active duty and is in his second year of PA school.

This is very variable. I am also Navy but at an operational command, and it would have been very tough to take science courses with labs. I have probably had a total of 6 months tops in the almost 5 years I've been in that I could have taken lab courses, and that was during a training pipeline when I was ineligible for TA (and was going through Navy schools anyway).

I was able to finish my math degree while in, but it was very intense. Many, many nights staying up until midnight to do homework or study. Granted, I have a family which makes things a little more difficult, but even so, it would have been very difficult to take lab courses. It's hard when you have to constantly get underway and can be deployed for an undetermined amount of time on 4 hours notice.

 

[68PGunner]

Or walk into their GME office and formally request to shadow.

This is a no go at a major Army MTF on the West Coast. You can shadow w/ a physician as a volunteer through the Red Cross.

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

This is a no go at a major Army MTF on the West Coast. You can shadow w/ a physician as a volunteer through the Red Cross.

Weird. I shadowed a Navy doc. My IDC just sent her an email and asked.

 

[happyatethem]

This is a no go at a major Army MTF on the West Coast. You can shadow w/ a physician as a volunteer through the Red Cross.

Corrected. Stick with the advice quoted. My situation may have been an exception due to my MOS.

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

Corrected. Stick with the advice quoted. My situation may have been an exception due to my MOS.

True enough. Good point.

 

[BombsAway]

+1 red cross office

 

[AnotherLawyer]

In an army "line unit" I could count the times I got off work before 1730 on one hand. Even in a more lax EOD job it wasn't common. Weekends aren't safe either. over the course of a semester you're guaranteed to have a 24hr cq shift and some field training. Get recalled because someone got a DUI, locked down because someone lost an optic.... That's a huge gpa risk. Doing an online psych degree would be safe-ish, then he could get the sciences done in that 2 year program.

just saying the route you took wouldn't really be possible in army land.

Don't forget that most Army bases simply aren't located near universities/colleges offering robust evening and weekend schedules. And what they do offer tends to be courses geared toward nursing or allied health and not the basic sciences. And even when you find a basic science in the evening, it's likely to be Bio 1 and Chem 1, but forget about part 2, ochem, or physics, because there just isn't enough demand for them in the evenings and on the weekends.

Finding classes to take was literally the most stressful part of cobbling together my DIY postbac.

The NCR is the only place with a lot of military jobs I know of where you can take every basic science in a weekend/evening format. I've heard San Antonio is good too, but have no first hand experience.

 

[UncreativeGenius]

these responses are so mixed

In all honesty, it's going to depend highly on your unit, experiences, and how much you're willing to sacrifice. But regardless of where you are you will have an education center that is dedicated to helping you if you use it!

 

[trev5150]

I'm a pog lol I'm going to be a 15E uav repair. Supposedly lots of free time

Bull $h1t bubba. I used to train 96U/15W's. You will be at work 12 hours a day whether you're doing something useful or not. You will also be deploying... a LOT, 6 months to a year at a clip. Don't EVER expect to get school work done on AD. If you really want see if you're interested in medicine, change to 68W right now. Don't waste time turning wrenches on UAS, spending it learning some skills and getting some clinical exposure.

Do good work, keep your mouth shut and your head down, get out with an Honorable, and work your ass off in school. Spend two hours studying for every 1 hour of time spent in class.

Furthermore (and I mean this as a friend), after reading your posts, LEARN TO WRITE. Dear sweet baby Jesus in the manger, what a mess. I couldn't stand reading those run-on sentences, bad punctuation and lack of proper capitalization. I'm not telling you this to be a dick, but because you are going to have to write in college, again A LOT. You will be judged harshly by your writing in everything you do both in the army and in school, so pay attention to the rules and acquire a high level of writing skill asap. Writing ability pays off more than you realize. Written communication is extremely important in any profession. What you write is who you are.

 

[Tannersousa]

Bull $h1t bubba. I used to train 96U/15W's. You will be at work 12 hours a day whether you're doing something useful or not. You will also be deploying... a LOT, 6 months to a year at a clip. Don't EVER expect to get school work done on AD. If you really want see if you're interested in medicine, change to 68W right now. Don't waste time turning wrenches on UAS, spending it learning some skills and getting some clinical exposure.

Do good work, keep your mouth shut and your head down, get out with an Honorable, and work your ass off in school. Spend two hours studying for every 1 hour of time spent in class.

Furthermore (and I mean this as a friend), after reading your posts, LEARN TO WRITE. Dear sweet baby Jesus in the manger, what a mess. I couldn't stand reading those run-on sentences, bad punctuation and lack of proper capitalization. I'm not telling you this to be a dick, but because you are going to have to write in college, again A LOT. You will be judged harshly by your writing in everything you do both in the army and in school, so pay attention to the rules and acquire a high level of writing skill asap. Writing ability pays off more than you realize. Written communication is extremely important in any profession. What you write is who you are.

HAHA I know how to write. I just blast through it on my phone. I was supposed to be a 68W but I had to renegotiate my contract due to some of my past. I was also told that you can't change your mos for a while and it looks bad switching. My recruiter told me I could switch to it later I just couldn't join as a 68W. I haven't looked into it yet since I'm still in basic.

 

[trev5150]

HAHA I know how to write. I just blast through it on my phone. I was supposed to be a 68W but I had to renegotiate my contract due to some of my past. I was also told that you can't change your mos for a while and it looks bad switching. My recruiter told me I could switch to it later I just couldn't join as a 68W. I haven't looked into it yet since I'm still in basic.

Sounds like a recruiter crock of the smelly stuff. He needed to put you in a slot to make mission. Recruiters are the worst. Oh, well. Just do the rest of what we're telling you. While you're a maintainer:
Learn about attention to detail and proper documentation.
Learn never to cut corners, even when you're pressured to do... which will happen often.
Never put your name on something you're not sure about.
Do not sign off an aircraft as ready for flight if it's not.
Don't sign off someone else's work if you didn't see them doing it. That's how aircraft get launched without any freakin' oil in it.
Don't half-ass because you think things are stupid or pointless. There's a reason for everything. We spent the better part of two decades working 12 hours a day, six days a week, to automate to the greatest extent possible to eliminate the X factor - soldiers who don't seem to give much of crap about anything because the aircraft and control systems don't look anything like Air Force recruiting commercials or the Transformer movies. Some things, however, cannot be automated or engineered out. That's where you come in. Pay attention, do good work, and make sure my airplanes don't crash. As a taxpayer and as one of the engineering test pilots that used up most of my 20's and all of my 30's working on those birds, don't break my stuff.

 

[68PGunner]

HAHA I know how to write. I just blast through it on my phone. I was supposed to be a 68W but I had to renegotiate my contract due to some of my past. I was also told that you can't change your mos for a while and it looks bad switching. My recruiter told me I could switch to it later I just couldn't join as a 68W. I haven't looked into it yet since I'm still in basic.

Recruiter: Fist Pump... Mission accomplished. On to the next sucker to meet quota.

 

[Tannersousa]

well I didn't really have a choice...so I went with aviation since I've been an automotive technician for years. He knew I was joining no matter the mos. Also, its rude to assume someone is an 18 year old mindless "sucker" based off two sentences.

I will try my best Trev, I'm sure I'll be okay with aviation, I was a Porsche technician for years so I know a bit about tiptoeing around every detail.

 

[68PGunner]

well I didn't really have a choice...so I went with aviation since I've been an automotive technician for years. He knew I was joining no matter the mos. Also, its rude to assume someone is an 18 year old mindless "sucker" based off two sentences.

I will try my best Trev, I'm sure I'll be okay with aviation, I was a Porsche technician for years so I know a bit about tiptoeing around every detail.

It's nothing against you. 68W is also a pretty crappy gig. I played the role of 68W at a line unit despite being trained as an Xray tech. Just your best and remember to keep grinding toward your goals. There's a huge difference between talking about your goals and accomplishing them. I have seen a lot of 68P soldiers talking trash at AIT about how they're going to get college done, blah... blah... and then never get jack done when they get to their first duty stations. Mind you. These guys are dudes that get assigned to med centers with a set schedule and zero field time. They keep making excuse after excuse and then spend their weekends doing dumb stuff.

How long is your contract?

 

[Tannersousa]

It's nothing against you. 68W is also a pretty crappy gig. I played the role of 68W at a line unit despite being trained as an Xray tech. Just your best and remember to keep grinding toward your goals. There's a huge difference between talking about your goals and accomplishing them. I have seen a lot of 68P soldiers talking trash at AIT about how they're going to get college done, blah... blah... and then never get jack done when they get to their first duty stations. Mind you. These guys are dudes that get assigned to med centers with a set schedule and zero field time. They keep making excuse after excuse and then spend their weekends doing dumb stuff.

How long is your contract?

It's nothing against you. 68W is also a pretty crappy gig. I played the role of 68W at a line unit despite being trained as an Xray tech. Just your best and remember to keep grinding toward your goals. There's a huge difference between talking about your goals and accomplishing them. I have seen a lot of 68P soldiers talking trash at AIT about how they're going to get college done, blah... blah... and then never get jack done when they get to their first duty stations. Mind you. These guys are dudes that get assigned to med centers with a set schedule and zero field time. They keep making excuse after excuse and then spend their weekends doing dumb stuff.

How long is your contract?

6 years, yea I'm in my late 20's so I'm WAY beyond my going out stage, especially with a 3 month old. So as long as the Army doesn't limit me I'll be okay I think. When I was younger I worked at a Firestone from 7am to 5pm, and went to school after that from 6pm to 11pm so I know I am capable of long days.

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

6 years, yea I'm in my late 20's so I'm WAY beyond my going out stage, especially with a 3 month old. So as long as the Army doesn't limit me I'll be okay I think. When I was younger I worked at a Firestone from 7am to 5pm, and went to school after that from 6pm to 11pm so I know I am capable of long days.

It's not just long days. Not sure what your unit will be like, but I have duty every 3-6 days where I cannot leave the command for a minimum of 24 hours (on top of the regular 5-day work week). Hard to go to class when at least once a week you're stuck at work all day and night. Now add in a 7-8 month deployment every 18 months plus all the training and certification underways (or whatever you guys call them) in between. I'm sure you guys don't go out as much as we do, but I'm betting it's not pure shore duty.

 

[68PGunner]

6 years, yea I'm in my late 20's so I'm WAY beyond my going out stage, especially with a 3 month old. So as long as the Army doesn't limit me I'll be okay I think. When I was younger I worked at a Firestone from 7am to 5pm, and went to school after that from 6pm to 11pm so I know I am capable of long days.

I got 24 hour duty twice a month when I was w/ my old unit. How about 3-4 24 hours duty days during Christmas Break if you don't take leave. You are def not getting chill time off as an enlisted soldier.

 

[rebecca_chatul_tov]

This is my recommendation, work hard at your unit, be a model Soldier, get your 60 credits under your belt & put in a green to gold packet. You can use your credits from AIT as electives. Look into Oregon State because they have a lot of online degree programs in the sciences where you can pick up most of your medical prerequisites. Once you are picked up for green to gold you will finish your degree as a ROTC Cadet - best case scenario. If you don't get a picked up by a board for green-to-gold you still have a contingency plan: continue mission on your BS and get your degree.

Depending on how you go forward with everything you have two options here. If you are in ROTC you need to apply to medical school your junior year so that you can get an educational delay packet going. If you stay straight enlisted and do your BS at night/weekends once you get your acceptance letter from medical school you can do one of two things: put in your DA 342 as a conditional release to go to school and pay for school yourself. Otherwise you can take your acceptance letter to an AMEDD recruiter and board for the HSPS.

Don't freak out too much about the age cut off. If you are in your late 20s you have time, plus there are age waivers. You just have to be able to retire with twenty by age 58 I believe.

I got a 4 month at home right now, putting my spouse through his undergrad and trying to get my dental pre-reqs wrapped up myself. If you can deploy or take a WIAS tasker that will help financially with the costs of classes and also to segregate your time so you can work on school. I'm trying to deploy right now myself so that I can get O-chem taken care of without having to survive on 3 hours of sleep per night.

 

[68PGunner]

This is my recommendation, work hard at your unit, be a model Soldier, get your 60 credits under your belt & put in a green to gold packet. You can use your credits from AIT as electives. Look into Oregon State because they have a lot of online degree programs in the sciences where you can pick up most of your medical prerequisites. Once you are picked up for green to gold you will finish your degree as a ROTC Cadet - best case scenario. If you don't get a picked up by a board for green-to-gold you still have a contingency plan: continue mission on your BS and get your degree.

Depending on how you go forward with everything you have two options here. If you are in ROTC you need to apply to medical school your junior year so that you can get an educational delay packet going. If you stay straight enlisted and do your BS at night/weekends once you get your acceptance letter from medical school you can do one of two things: put in your DA 342 as a conditional release to go to school and pay for school yourself. Otherwise you can take your acceptance letter to an AMEDD recruiter and board for the HSPS.

Don't freak out too much about the age cut off. If you are in your late 20s you have time, plus there are age waivers. You just have to be able to retire with twenty by age 58 I believe.

I got a 4 month at home right now, putting my spouse through his undergrad and trying to get my dental pre-reqs wrapped up myself. If you can deploy or take a WIAS tasker that will help financially with the costs of classes and also to segregate your time so you can work on school. I'm trying to deploy right now myself so that I can get O-chem taken care of without having to survive on 3 hours of sleep per night.

Sounds cool and everything. But, your plan basically locks him in w/ about 10 years of obligated duty as an Army physician after residency while being underpaid 80-100K/yr during those obligated years. That is like 800 K of lost income to Uncle Sam.

Forget that stupid Green to Gold plan especially if numero uno goal is to become a physician.

 

[68PGunner]

This is my recommendation, work hard at your unit, be a model Soldier, get your 60 credits under your belt & put in a green to gold packet. You can use your credits from AIT as electives. Look into Oregon State because they have a lot of online degree programs in the sciences where you can pick up most of your medical prerequisites. Once you are picked up for green to gold you will finish your degree as a ROTC Cadet - best case scenario. If you don't get a picked up by a board for green-to-gold you still have a contingency plan: continue mission on your BS and get your degree.

Depending on how you go forward with everything you have two options here. If you are in ROTC you need to apply to medical school your junior year so that you can get an educational delay packet going. If you stay straight enlisted and do your BS at night/weekends once you get your acceptance letter from medical school you can do one of two things: put in your DA 342 as a conditional release to go to school and pay for school yourself. Otherwise you can take your acceptance letter to an AMEDD recruiter and board for the HSPS.

Don't freak out too much about the age cut off. If you are in your late 20s you have time, plus there are age waivers. You just have to be able to retire with twenty by age 58 I believe.

I got a 4 month at home right now, putting my spouse through his undergrad and trying to get my dental pre-reqs wrapped up myself. If you can deploy or take a WIAS tasker that will help financially with the costs of classes and also to segregate your time so you can work on school. I'm trying to deploy right now myself so that I can get O-chem taken care of without having to survive on 3 hours of sleep per night.

Got news for you. There is no age cutoff bs when it comes to physician recruitment. That stuff will get a waiver in less than 24 hrs. The reason is that every physician is bailing out after his or her HPSP obligation. The only ones that stay in are USUSH docs bc they are locked in for 6-8 years after residency. The military in general will take every admitted med students w/ reasonable stats.

 

[rebecca_chatul_tov]

Sounds cool and everything. But, your plan basically locks him in w/ about 10 years of obligated duty as an Army physician after residency while being underpaid 80-100K/yr during those obligated years. That is like 800 K of lost income to Uncle Sam.

Forget that stupid Green to Gold plan especially if numero uno goal is to become a physician.

I'm a prior service 42B with 9 years AD time and basically sitting in the same boat. I came in my late 20s, did a couple of years enlisted got my commission through ROTC and then ended up having a son with downs syndrome and decided being able to take care of him long-term was more important than a shiny red passport and working with the state department.

I absolutely agree that while you are working as a physician for the Army you are taking a pay cut, but best case scenario even without HSPS is that he has an 8 year commitment: 4 for medical school and 4 for the residency because the Army will obligate you for 4 years just for attending medical school even if you pay your own way. I guess my perspective is that your first priority should be to get accepted and to avoid the pitfalls that come with balancing enlisted service with school at all costs. If that means you spend 10 years with the Army instead of 8 to me it's worth it versus the alternative of trying to slog through the remainder of a bachelor's degree two classes at a time. I know plenty of E-7s who are still trying to finish their degrees like 15 years later after transferring schools four times.

 

[68PGunner]

I'm a prior service 42B with 9 years AD time and basically sitting in the same boat. I came in my late 20s, did a couple of years enlisted got my commission through ROTC and then ended up having a son with downs syndrome and decided being able to take care of him long-term was more important than a shiny red passport and working with the state department.

I absolutely agree that while you are working as a physician for the Army you are taking a pay cut, but best case scenario even without HSPS is that he has an 8 year commitment: 4 for medical school and 4 for the residency because the Army will obligate you for 4 years just for attending medical school even if you pay your own way. I guess my perspective is that your first priority should be to get accepted and to avoid the pitfalls that come with balancing enlisted service with school at all costs. If that means you spend 10 years with the Army instead of 8 to me it's worth it versus the alternative of trying to slog through the remainder of a bachelor's degree two classes at a time. I know plenty of E-7s who are still trying to finish their degrees like 15 years later after transferring schools four times.

Nope, you repay your 4 obligated years after residency. The years in medical school and residency do not count. If he goes ROTC and get accepted into medical school, they will force him to take the HPSP, which is another 4-5 years of obligated service after residency.