Are you asking about direct accessions (residency trained physicians who are done with training, who decide to join directly)?
Has your time been professionally satisfying at all? Have the other military experiences provided any sort of sense of excitement/adventure to make up for the bleak work environment and pay, or has it been a let down?
Gotcha
I've had some great experiences in the military and worked with some awesome coworkers. I've been stationed at a couple of places that have been pretty cool, one overseas base that location-wise was unbeatable and I love that I had that experience. Just the military work environment doesn't seem to be a great place for physicians (in my opinion). Some may disagree but it just seems the outlook is one of increased demand in patient care with decreased staffing projected, and continued expectation to perform the admin duties as well, with for the most part significantly decreased pay compared to the civ side. I know the civ side has issues as well, it's not all roses and sunshine, but I'm still looking forward to separation. I still keep in touch with other people I graduated residency with who are military and the sentiment is the same across the board in our group. Military needs to make some changes if they wish to keep more physicians past the initial commitment or retention is going to remain abysmal.
Retention has always been abysmal. Retention is an anti-goal. The military wants 90% of its physicians to leave after their initial ADSO, because
If I may ask-
Anesthesiologist
Interesting. Few extra things I was wondering about docs with your experience!
All docs are payed the same "military salary" (rank, time in service etc.) but depending on specialty you get a bonus. Some may get paid more based on other things, such as, I lived in a very expensive area for 3 years and my BAH was substantial. I lived on base so I didn't see a dime of it so my total pay looks like I got paid a lot more but it was automatically deducted from my pay check for rent. Also COLA pay for expensive area. I'm psychiatry, not necessarily the most lucrative specialty and I'm seeing offers that will increase my pay by quite a bit on the civ side, not as much as anesthesiologist, but still a big bump in pay. Also just in interviewing I already feel much more valued than what the military does to its docs. I feel respected by people I work with in the military, but not by the military itself and what it asks of me.
Off topic, but what are the specialties in the Navy that have high volume/complexity. (Particularly not surgical specialties)
Young active duty families are good at making babies, so I'd argue OB/GYN at places like San Diego or Portsmouth is probably still good. Respectable volume, and both have capable NICUs and MFM specialists so there weren't a lot of network deferrals. Although my vague perception is the volume and complexity at the Portsmouth NICU declined over the last 10 years so maybe they're deferring more complicated pregnancies. Just guessing. Ped surgery there is certainly less busy than it was in the '00s.
I think having an understanding employer is probably a key factor for the reserves. One of those that cover the salary difference during deployments would be really nice.
They actually changed the cyber security training and Tina is no longer part of it. Now it’s some guy time traveling from the future to teach you about cyber security. It’s not better but it is different.
Tina:
Did they at least try to make that entertaining? Like if you pick the wrong option he shows you how because you put the USB drive you found in a port-a-john in your work laptop, the world falls under North Korean control in 3 years? Like a choose your own adventure?
*%# you, Tina. Mind your own damned business can you not read body language? I don’t want to talk to you.
This one time, at band ca---when I was in the Navy, I tried to do the entire cybersecurity module and get everything wrong. You still get credit if you slog through the whole thing. They animated characters just give you disappointing feedback. It's harder than you might think. I wasn't able to get through with a 0% result. A couple questions or options were so badly written that I accidentally got them correct.
This is the key for balancing the negatives. If your household income is enough to live a comfortable physician lifestyle then most people who aren't completely appalled by MilMed can stick around. Whether the extra comes from a spouse or moonlighting, if someone makes "enough" to meet their financial lifestyle demands, the military family lifestyle and non-salary benefits are quite good.
I think anyone who is in 10 years should feel satisfied with their service. You did your training, paid back some years and shouldn't feel bad for leaving if the military has stopped serving you and your family. Reserves are great if you really just want to keep serving but at the same time want to leave and get paid what you are worth to meet the lifestyle you or your family want. Otherwise just go and live the good life as a civilian and free up even more weekends and summer weeks with your family.
Good point. My AD time was all MEDCEN.
In my current gig I get 10 weeks vacation and 3X the pay I had. Also when I take leave I get to go where ever I want no chits and no ifs ands or buts. Politics are still there.
I’ll add I haven’t had to sit through a useless meeting or spend a single minute on CBT since leaving the military! I can also live wherever I want and not worry about leaving my family for 6 months at a time. The military is just so far behind; less pay, less vacation, less freedom. I enjoyed my time in service but the sense of freedom I have now is irreplaceable.
What keeps people from leaving?
