Military Medicine: Army vs Navy vs Airforce

[EricTan]

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So, I am applying to USUHS this round and I just realized that we have to decide which branch of the military we prefer during our interview.

Can anybody tell me, or direct me to resources that describe, the differences between serving in each branch of the military?

I found a lot of great threads about military medicine, but I still haven't found a good discussion of the differences between each branch. It seems like a pretty big decision.

 

[fishbait63]

I can't speak about any resources, but I remember distinct conversations of my friends who were physicians in different branches of the military. Largely they talked about worse case scenarios and largely it depends on what specialities you are thinking of.
When they spoke of the navy the worse case they talked about was a friend who had to send an entire year as a sub doc... whereas in the army you risk being sent into frontline...air force none of them were in the airforce.

 

[Knyteguy]

I was very recently looking into enlisting. Basically you're at risk for combat type situations as a Doc in the Army, and even the Navy. Some Marine guys were talking about how they'd deploy Navy Docs within the Marine units.

If you're interested in safety, and most laid-back type lifestyle, AF would probably be your best choice. If you're looking for combat, and a more "military" lifestyle, definitely Army, followed by Navy (in this case, for Docs only; Navy is usually one of the easier 4/5 branches).

AF also really likes golf, a course on almost every base worldwide. I'm a little biased towards the AF personally though, so keep that in mind 😉.

 

[Tots]

Definitely head over to the military medicine forum, insight into the individual branches can be found there.

 

[EricTan]

Thanks guys... I was looking for something a little bit more specific. Is the day-to-day work the same? Are location and safety the big differences?

 

[Jolie South]

Thanks guys... I was looking for something a little bit more specific. Is the day-to-day work the same? Are location and safety the big differences?

Head over to the military medicine forum. I doubt you'll get a lot of information over here besides hearsay. Most pre-meds lack experience with the military.

There is an entire thread over there that discusses USUHS and it's application process.

 

[Artimacia]

I can't give a lot of information on this, but from what I've looked through, I'm joining Air Force. I have a lot of family history in military, did jrotc in high school (not in college, no ROTC, etc...), my sister is going into the air force as an officer, and I've spoken to air force members who suggested airforce due to technology, etc... I have to do more research though, as mentioned above, go to the military medicine board, the military branches' websites, and any thing else you can find on the topic.

 

[Jolie South]

I can't give a lot of information on this, but from what I've looked through, I'm joining Air Force. I have a lot of family history in military, did jrotc in high school (not in college, no ROTC, etc...), my sister is going into the air force as an officer, and I've spoken to air force members who suggested airforce due to technology, etc... I have to do more research though, as mentioned above, go to the military medicine board, the military branches' websites, and any thing else you can find on the topic.

As an aside, regular "line" operations in the military are far different from the medical corps. Though the AF is known for its technology, its medical corps is the smallest with the least amount of GME programs. Operations are far from technologically advanced.

 

[Artimacia]

Oh...I was just saying from what I heard from a family friend who was in the Air Force and another guy who has been in it for over 20 years. Again, I need to research myself and form my own choice, nothing is set in stone yet.

While we're mentioning this anyway, though, any suggestions for branches?

 

[LizzyM]

I think that everything is up for grabs these days. I know of a OB-GYN (USUHS grad) in the Navy who recently deployed with the Army in Afghanistan! Who'd have thought that might be possible?

 

[Omni]

I think that everything is up for grabs these days. I know of a OB-GYN (USUHS grad) in the Navy who recently deployed with the Army in Afghanistan! Who'd have thought that might be possible?

Well, you never know. Pregnant ladies aren't restricted to just the hospital or their homes or civilian places.

 

[silverhorse84]

From what I've heard from students at USUHS there is very little difference between the medical corps of the different branches. You'll be serving beside people from all branches and treating people of all branches.

You may, however look at where the bases are. Army and AF are all over; Navy is generally along the coastline 😉

 

[Mike7704]

Well, you never know. Pregnant ladies aren't restricted to just the hospital or their homes or civilian places.

How many pregnant females are battling terrorists in Afghanistan?

 

[LizzyM]

How many pregnant females are battling terrorists in Afghanistan?

OB-GYNs can tie off bleeders and pack bellies as well as anyone and that's the nature of battlefield surgery these days. You're going to be called on to use basic skills in unconventional ways.

 

[Jolie South]

Anyone considering a military scholarship should know that you WILL be deployed. The question is when and how many tours you will do. This applies to ALL specialties.

If you're not prepared for this eventuality, you should not accept the scholarship.

 

[SirGecko]

I think that everything is up for grabs these days. I know of a OB-GYN (USUHS grad) in the Navy who recently deployed with the Army in Afghanistan! Who'd have thought that might be possible?

We live in a purple world. (purple is the military color for joint operations)

That said there are some differences (again I'd direct you to the Milmed forum for more info). The Navy has nice bases but you currently deal more with the GMO issue. (though they have been talking about reducing this for a while, again see the milmed forum) The Army from what I understand has more spots. (is bigger so you have some more training opportunities) I don't know a ton about the Air Force but there has to be some reason people join them. ;-P I'm in the Navy but that predates my medical school application. (I would have still chosen Navy though even if I wasn't already locked into it)

Of course the best way to get this info would be to talk to people in each of the services. You'll get an opportunity to talk to some people if you interview but I understand why you would want to try and make a decision before that day. The service you choose can also have some effect of admissions just so you know. This year Navy was the most competetive (filled up first) with Air Force behind it and then Army. (because it is the biggest you have better odds with the Army) That varies from year to year though. (I think Air Force filled up first last year) You can tell them you are willing to take a different service if one of them fills up. (as long as you aren't prior service)

Side note: I'm guessing this thread will get moved to milmed eventually. Browse the forum for a while and see what you can learn.

 

[EricTan]

Thanks guys. I did check the military medicine forum, but nobody really addressed the differences as far as I'm concerned. They argue details- I am looking for a big picture comparison. I have a 3.9+ and a 37R so I'm not overly concerned with choosing a branch that will be easier to get into. I just want to know if there is a difference in the every-day work they do. And as far as I have read there is none, it's all about location. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[Jolie South]

Thanks guys. I did check the military medicine forum, but nobody really addressed the differences as far as I'm concerned. They argue details- I am looking for a big picture comparison. I have a 3.9+ and a 37R so I'm not overly concerned with choosing a branch that will be easier to get into. I just want to know if there is a difference in the every-day work they do. And as far as I have read there is none, it's all about location. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

There are no branches that are easier to get into. They all operate by the same standards which are basically that you get into med school.

Did you miss the thread entitled "Difference between branches"?

Big picture: it is all the same. The details are what's different. The medical corps is the medical corps. We're not talking about the difference between infantry and sailors.

 

[NoMoreAMCAS]

There are no branches that are easier to get into. They all operate by the same standards which are basically that you get into med school.

Yes there are, at least USUHS wise. As posted above, the Navy was the most competitive this year, making it harder to get into.

 

[Jolie South]

Yes there are, at least USUHS wise. As posted above, the Navy was the most competitive this year, making it harder to get into.

Whether you get a HPSP scholarship is not like getting into med school. If you get your materials in early and get accepted quickly, you have it. They don't wait and pick the best. It's first come, first served as long as you meet the reqs. The year I got my scholarship my branch filled, but I had no sense of the competition because I got my materials in months before those that were waitlisted.

I imagine it's much the same for USUHS.

 

[SirGecko]

Whether you get a HPSP scholarship is not like getting into med school. If you get your materials in early and get accepted quickly, you have it. They don't wait and pick the best. It's first come, first served as long as you meet the reqs. The year I got my scholarship my branch filled, but I had no sense of the competition because I got my materials in months before those that were waitlisted.

I imagine it's much the same for USUHS.

It really isn't the same thing as HPSP because it isn't a scholarship program, it is a medical school. (and the time frame involved is different)

When USUHS fills up has been moving forward for the last few years. This year if you didn't interview on or before November 6th you were interviewing for a waitlist spot if you were restricted to the Navy. So if you want to make sure you get the service you want it is essential that you submit your AMCAS *in June* and get the secondary back to USUHS as soon as possible *in July*. (or June if you can) As early as you can.

 

[NoMoreAMCAS]

Whether you get a HPSP scholarship is not like getting into med school. If you get your materials in early and get accepted quickly, you have it. They don't wait and pick the best. It's first come, first served as long as you meet the reqs. The year I got my scholarship my branch filled, but I had no sense of the competition because I got my materials in months before those that were waitlisted.

I imagine it's much the same for USUHS.

Yes, but at USUHS if there are more applicants for Navy than anything else, it becomes much more competitive than the other services. Just like it did this year.

 

[Jolie South]

It really isn't the same thing as HPSP because it isn't a scholarship program, it is a medical school. (and the time frame involved is different)

When USUHS fills up has been moving forward for the last few years. This year if you didn't interview on or before November 6th you were interviewing for a waitlist spot if you were restricted to the Navy. So if you want to make sure you get the service you want it is essential that you submit your AMCAS *in June* and get the secondary back to USUHS as soon as possible *in July*. (or June if you can) As early as you can.

Right, so you apply early enough as Navy and you're ok, then? I thought that's what I said.

It's sounds like a quota, much like HPSP. AF has consistently been filling in March as opposed to the other branches that don't fill. If you don't start applying early, chances are you'll be waitlisted or go to another branch.

Either way you need to get the ball rolling early to get the branch that you want. The standards are the same though for selection between branches.