Military Doctor or Civilian Doctor which route to take?

[Chrisconn04]

Let's start off with my goals where I want to end up in life. I want to be an Emergency Service Doctor. Now how do I get there is my question? I do not want to pay for college or have any student loans.

Right now I am in the United States Air Force and I am a (4N031) which is a medical technician. I am currently working on my CDC's (which is upgrade training) I am also working on my CCAF degree which is an associate in Allied Health Science. I am doing this by cleping test for my degree. I have 41 credits. I have five years I still owe on my contract. I only joined the Air Force for Education and no other reason to be honest. I am currently in the process of applying to the United States Air Forces Academy. I am only considering the Academy because I do not want to have to pay for any of my schooling.

I have tons of options, but not sure which ones I want to chose I could go to the Academy and then Medical School and I would not have to pay any student loans but I would owe the Air Force about 17 years. I could finish my bachelor by the time my Enlistment (5 move years) is up then go the Medical School on my GI Bill and I will get scholarships for the rest of the money I need for school.

There are so many options and I know what I want which is to be a Doctor. Any suggestion on how I should accomplish this?

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[NavyFP]

Let's start off with my goals where I want to end up in life. I want to be an Emergency Service Doctor. Now how do I get there is my question? I do not want to pay for college or have any student loans.

Right now I am in the United States Air Force and I am a (4N031) which is a medical technician. I am currently working on my CDC's (which is upgrade training) I am also working on my CCAF degree which is an associate in Allied Health Science. I am doing this by cleping test for my degree. I have 41 credits. I have five years I still owe on my contract. I only joined the Air Force for Education and no other reason to be honest. I am currently in the process of applying to the United States Air Forces Academy. I am only considering the Academy because I do not want to have to pay for any of my schooling.

I have tons of options, but not sure which ones I want to chose I could go to the Academy and then Medical School and I would not have to pay any student loans but I would owe the Air Force about 17 years. I could finish my bachelor by the time my Enlistment (5 move years) is up then go the Medical School on my GI Bill and I will get scholarships for the rest of the money I need for school.

There are so many options and I know what I want which is to be a Doctor. Any suggestion on how I should accomplish this?

Hmmmmmm.........

First, stop Clepping and get transfered to a base where you can do brick and mortar college. Med schools want to see GPAs from real schools. (online is not proven yet.)
You can use tuition assistance to help.

There are multiple avenues to get through school. While you may not be writing checks for money through the military programs, you will be indenturing yourself to the service, so you are paying with time. Not wrong, but it is a compromise. Debt can be a tool to get you where you want to be. If done wisely, it can be considered.

Undergrad:
USAF Academy - good school but less than 5% of a graduating class will be allowed to go to med school. For the Navy, I have seen well qualified appllicants denied the ability to go to med school directly from graduation. That does not mean it can't happen, but needs to be added to the equation.

ROTC - you have more choice in school, but approval for med school is still needed.

ECP (Enlisted Commissioning Programs) may want you to do a tour in the field of choice prior to med school.

I know the Navy has 2 STA-21 (Seamen to Admiral) spots that are supposed to go straight to med school. AF may have a couple as well.

Med School:

USUHS: Good school, difficult to get in, 7 year comittment.

HPSP: You pick school, AF picks up the check.

HSCP(Navy only) You pick the school, Navy pays you at the E6/7 rate, you pay for school. This is great for the inexpensive state schools. You can also use GI bill to assist with paying tuition and books.

Residency:

You are likely to do an in inservice residency. For AF, it would be San Antonio. Not bad as they are a level I trauma center, but I have heard civilian programs are in general preferable. I will allow other EMs to add to this though as it is out of my particular lane. Most who do EM will do a GMO tour prior to starting residency. Add that to the equation.

If in balance, you are more debt averse, there are paths to follow.

 

[Doctor Bob]

Residency: You are likely to do an in inservice residency. For AF, it would be San Antonio.

Other AF options for military EM training are Wright Patterson AFB in Dayton OH, or Nellis AFB in Las Vegas. But San Antonio is the largest center of EM training in the AF.