Military Scholarships

[DO Sigma Nu guy]

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I was wondering if anyone was planning on using Military scholarships to finance their medical school education?

 

[DD214_DOC]

I was wondering if anyone was planning on using Military scholarships to finance their medical school education?

I'm considering it, but haven't decided.

 

[DropkickMurphy]

You couldn't pay me enough money to go back in the service after seeing how they treat their docs.

 

[DO Sigma Nu guy]

You couldn't pay me enough money to go back in the service after seeing how they treat their docs.

What branch were u apart of? How they treat them? I am just trying to keep my options open with either paying my debt..or just serving some time in the military.

 

[DropkickMurphy]

Just pay the debt off. You will have a much easier time of it.

I was in the Air Force and they treated the docs like **** in every sense of the word. I suggest you check out the military medicine section of SDN for a more in depth review of the problems facing military medicine.

 

[Coronaviridae]

I considered both the Air Force and Army scholarships for quite awhile before deciding they weren't for me. My advice would be to talk to a recruiter if you haven't already. Your local one can refer you to a med recruiter and from there you can have them send you copies of all the contracts and materials to help you make a decision.

 

[DropkickMurphy]

Just beware, recruiters are the sleaziest bunch around- they are the used car salesman of HR.

Honestly, I would rather dip my scrotum in brown gravy and go dickslap a wolverine that is high on angel dust than even talk to a military recruiter, especially one who has as difficult time filling his quota as a medical recruiter.

 

[DO Sigma Nu guy]

Just beware, recruiters are the sleaziest bunch around- they are the used car salesman of HR.

Honestly, I would rather dip my scrotum in brown gravy and go dickslap a wolverine that is high on angel dust than even talk to a military recruiter, especially one who has as difficult time filling his quota as a medical recruiter.

Are they worse than personal injury lawyers?

 

[DropkickMurphy]

Yes. They make personal injury lawyers look like bastions of moral fortitude.

 

[DO Sigma Nu guy]

Yes. They make personal injury lawyers look like bastions of moral fortitude.

HAHA

 

[gogo110182]

army HPSP here..... check out military medicine thread under graduate medical forums for more detail.... just be aware that almost everything on there tends to be very negative...

 

[jbone]

Just beware, recruiters are the sleaziest bunch around- they are the used car salesman of HR.

Honestly, I would rather dip my scrotum in brown gravy and go dickslap a wolverine that is high on angel dust than even talk to a military recruiter, especially one who has as difficult time filling his quota as a medical recruiter.

What kind of gravy? I'll be sure to keep this in mind. My wife won't let me go military anyway. By the way, Happy B-day yesterday Preatorian. Gettin old buddy. 😉

 

[QuantumMechanic]

does anybody know if the medical recruiters can obtain your phone number like they did before we started college to constantly remind us of the military route? When I was a gullible teen in 2002, I almost got talked into joining that Army Reserve. Good thing I was smart enough not to, instead of planning a career in medicine, there's a good chance I would be mulling my bleak future as an amputee. 👎

 

[gogo110182]

they obtained my application status--my acceptances in this case, and started mailing me postcards asking me to consider all three branches of the military... too bad, i am already in the army HPSP...

 

[DropkickMurphy]

army HPSP here..... check out military medicine thread under graduate medical forums for more detail.... just be aware that almost everything on there tends to be very negative...

For good reason....

 

[DropkickMurphy]

What kind of gravy? I'll be sure to keep this in mind. My wife won't let me go military anyway. By the way, Happy B-day yesterday Preatorian. Gettin old buddy.

Thanks....yeah, I'm "so" old (granted I feel like I'm 35+).

And rouladen gravy to be specific. Give the f--kin' wolverine a taste of my family's homeland while he's at it.

 

[jcr_massage]

I was wondering if anyone was planning on using Military scholarships to finance their medical school education?

I was told that the military scholarships often come attached with allot of unfavorable things such as 1) The very distinct possibility that you will be forced to do a miltary residency and not be allowed to choose a civilian residency. 2) The fact that they can make you leave even your military residency after a year whereby you cannot say you are a doctor but just a general practitioner. Certainly you can go back and finish it but many never do. 3) Due to these possibilities it takes allot of military doc's longer to become doc's.

Not for me.......only as a very very last resort

Blessings
Bodyworksweety

 

[Echinoidea]

The most important thing to remember when considering taking an HPSP scholarship is this: The military DOES NOT exist to help you fulfill your dreams and aspirations. Their mission is to kill people and break things, when they are told to do so. Now, the military may find it convenient to finance your medical education so that you can take care of their trigger-pullers, but don't think for 1 second that they are going to accommodate any of your desires IF it is not in the military's best interest. If you get to do a dream residency in XYZ medicine, thats great, but if the service needs toenail pathologists, then by God, you're going to be a toenail pathologist. Any recruiter who tells you otherwise is blowing smoke up your a$$. Now, is this likely to happen? No, it's not, but that doesn't mean that the military can't or hasn't done it.

Secondly, you need to read ALL of the fine print in the contract you are going to sign. Realize that there is a thing called Inactive Ready Reserve, (IRR) which is a stipulation that allows them to INVOLUNTARILY recall you after you have been released from active duty. It's all in the contract in tiny print, and nobody will care if you read it or not. Over the past 2 years they have recalled thousands of troops from the IRR, and the standard response you get from the DoD is "You signed the contract, now live with it". You need to consider the full length of your committment, and understand that the military is well within its legal rights to keep you on active duty for every single day of that committment. Alot can change in 10 years or whatever they get you for. Beware.

 

[HunterGatherer]

Don't talk to recruiters. Talk to people who went through the program.

I was promised a boatload of BS(college money) from an Army recruiter and when I reported to my unit before training they all told me the real deal. Thank god I was able to back out of it.

I remember I went to a Naval recruiter office when I was 18. I told them I wanted to go college, but all they kept telling me about was all the pu--y I was going to get and all the "beer and pizza" money I would have. Maybe they thought I had problems getting laid and making enough money to buy a 40oz. If it was a scene in a Spike Lee movie people would call it BS.

Another Naval Recruiter tried to convinve me that I would learn more in their Nuclear propulsion program(for enlisted) than I would at Univ of Illinois Nuclear Engineering program I was accepted into. Maybe it's possible.

Recruiters are merely salesmen and they will just try to find what they think is your "hot button' and push it.

 

[cosmo]

The most important thing to remember when considering taking an HPSP scholarship is this: The military DOES NOT exist to help you fulfill your dreams and aspirations. Their mission is to kill people and break things, when they are told to do so. Now, the military may find it convenient to finance your medical education so that you can take care of their trigger-pullers, but don't think for 1 second that they are going to accommodate any of your desires IF it is not in the military's best interest. If you get to do a dream residency in XYZ medicine, thats great, but if the service needs toenail pathologists, then by God, you're going to be a toenail pathologist. Any recruiter who tells you otherwise is blowing smoke up your a$$. Now, is this likely to happen? No, it's not, but that doesn't mean that the military can't or hasn't done it.

Secondly, you need to read ALL of the fine print in the contract you are going to sign. Realize that there is a thing called Inactive Ready Reserve, (IRR) which is a stipulation that allows them to INVOLUNTARILY recall you after you have been released from active duty. It's all in the contract in tiny print, and nobody will care if you read it or not. Over the past 2 years they have recalled thousands of troops from the IRR, and the standard response you get from the DoD is "You signed the contract, now live with it". You need to consider the full length of your committment, and understand that the military is well within its legal rights to keep you on active duty for every single day of that committment. Alot can change in 10 years or whatever they get you for. Beware.

It's called the Individual Ready Reserve. Just in case anyone wanted to google it. Otherwise, good points to ponder.

 

[XKV]

army HPSP here..... check out military medicine thread under graduate medical forums for more detail.... just be aware that almost everything on there tends to be very negative...

Yeah - that's what I did. I honestly thought HPSP was a good deal, but after reading some of the experiences that those poor bastards went through on that forum...hell no. I checked up with some ppl that my dad knows through his work and they confirmed that a lot of it is true. It might have been different 10-15 years ago, but military medicine seems to have a lot of issues right now. In the long run, it seems to be cheaper and easier on your personal life if you don't do HPSP.

 

[Echinoidea]

It's called the Individual Ready Reserve. Just in case anyone wanted to google it. Otherwise, good points to ponder.

Thats right, thanks for the correction.

 

[DO Sigma Nu guy]

they obtained my application status--my acceptances in this case, and started mailing me postcards asking me to consider all three branches of the military... too bad, i am already in the army HPSP...

Yep that is happening to me now. I received a letter from a Medical recruiter for the NAVY. Thats why i started this thread.

"My name is Tim Campbell, Lieutenant U.S. Navy. I’m your local medical programs recruiter. If you’re pursing the MD, Dentist or Optometry field our scholarship program may be for you. Many do not know about this amazing program so please take the time to review this great opportunity the U.S. Navy can provide you. I know your time is very valuable so I’ll keep this as short as possible.



Scholarship benefits to you:

- Full 100% tuition paid to any AMA or AOA approved Med School in the U.S., Canada or Puerto Rico. ADA approved school for Dental. American Optometric Association approved school for Optometry.

- School required fees and expenses paid for (with the exception of room and board).

- Reimbursement of all required books and equipment.

- Required rental fees paid for.

- $1279 per month stipend to spend as you wish.

- Access to military installations; use of state of the art fitness facilities, tax free commissary (food), tax free exchange (similar to Target), tax free package store (wine & liquor), lower gas prices on bases, moral welfare and recreation (MWR) which gives you discounted tickets to local events and vacation equipment rentals.

- A commission as an Ensign in the inactive U.S. Navy Reserves while in school. No drilling or wearing of the uniform, you are only required to attend school.

- Choice of residency specialty, military or civilian match. This is not offered in the Army.

After graduation:

- Promoted to rank of lieutenant on active duty. Will receive active duty pay, bonuses and benefits.

- Travel opportunities and choice of work location.

- Networking with all MD/Dental/OPT specialties.

- No overhead, start up, partnership fees, malpractice or other insurance needs like civilian counterparts will have to endure.

- Very low cost life insurance for self and spouse.

- Furthering education benefits.

- Leadership opportunities unrivaled in civilian workforce.

- Tax benefits.

- Normal working hours, no patient overload and highly trained assistants.

- Promotions and pay raises are known.

- Opportunity to retire after only 20 years.

- Free military space A flights for self and immediate family to locations around the world.



Requirements for scholarship:

- Minimum GPA of 3.0 (2.8 or above if exceptional MCAT/DAT/OPT).

- Minimum 20 MCAT (18 or above if exceptional GPA and already accepted to school), no minimum for DAT or OPT.

- Be accepted to school or already attending (can take advantage of program up until end of Junior year of MD/Dental/OPT school, Financial Aid Program is available to seniors, interns and residents). ACCEPTANCE TO SCHOOL NOT REQUIRED TO APPLY.

- Be a U.S. Citizen and no other country.

- Be Physically fit.

- Be at least 21 years of age at time of reserve commission. Graduate and accept active commission by age 40.

"




MAKES IT SOUND TOOOOOO GOOD!

 

[DropkickMurphy]

You know what they say- if it's too good to be true, it probably is.

By the way, I can arrange you a meeting with the wolverine if you would like DOSigma.

 

[DO Sigma Nu guy]

You know what they say- if it's too good to be true, it probably is.

By the way, I can arrange you a meeting with the wolverine if you would like DOSigma.

"and go dickslap a wolverine that is high on angel dust than even talk to a military recruiter,"

HAHA yea I think i need to see that wolverine...but i'll pass on the "dickslap" part of your last post.

 

[DropkickMurphy]

Oh, but that's one of the most important parts of the meeting!

 

[Nylesor]

Air Force HPSP through the AFROTC program. And its sort of annoying how hot and bothered people get over the whole military medicine scholarship thing. First off, there are two words, MILITARY medicine. When you commission as a military doc, you are an officer (in the military) first, a doctor second. So don't even consider it if all you're looking for is the money. Otherwise, it's a good deal if you're interested in both the military and medicine.

 

[DropkickMurphy]

That has to be one of the best posts I have ever read.

But of course most people have no idea what the military is like. I think that is a major reason why so many people get fired up.

 

[DO Sigma Nu guy]

That has to be one of the best posts I have ever read.

But of course most people have no idea what the military is like. I think that is a major reason why so many people get fired up.

I 2nd that

 

[Echinoidea]

Air Force HPSP through the AFROTC program. And its sort of annoying how hot and bothered people get over the whole military medicine scholarship thing. First off, there are two words, MILITARY medicine. When you commission as a military doc, you are an officer (in the military) first, a doctor second. So don't even consider it if all you're looking for is the money. Otherwise, it's a good deal if you're interested in both the military and medicine.

Yeah, I agree 100%. As long as you know that the military does not exist at all for your own personal benefit, then you can properly understand what you are getting into. The problem arises when people get sold on the financial appeal of the scholarships but have no underlying desire to live the life of an officer.

One more little thing...regarding Army recruiters, especially the enlisted ones that called you all during high school. I have a tremendous amount of sympathy for them. Most times they were pulled away from doing jobs they enjoyed to the hell of recruiting. I've known many, many, decent hardworking family men who literally had their career ruined by the stress of recruiting. Trust me, they hate cold-calling teenagers and pushing the hard sell on them. They are under incredible stress from their superiors, and work under conditions that, outside of the military, would be illegal.

IMHO, the entire military recruiting system is broken, and now is not a good time to be getting on the military bandwagon. Iraq has broken the volunteer Army and it's going to get alot worse before it gets better. The Army went through a similar period after Vietnam and it took 10 years to get things back on track then.

 

[jsmittyund03]

God, I'm glad I read this thread just for the laughs. However, I have been considering the route of HPSP through either the Army or Air Force. I do have a couple of friends that took this route, and are now in their third year of school. Neither of them regret their decision, and they seem to be completely aware of what lies ahead. They even believe that military residency is a benefit rather than a negative of the program (they believe the facilities/equipment/learning environment exceed that of the civilian world). As far as the negatives, to me this thread doesn't seem to point to specifics. Is the military lying to you when it speaks of the positives of its scholarship program? Are the monetary claims (both during school and post-graduation) inaccurate? Is the training/profession in the army sub-par? I just don't understand the negativity.

J-Smitty

ballsack in gravy might be the funniest thing I've heard all day, granted it's only 11:20, but I'm pretty confident it'll hold up

 

[Nylesor]

Thanks for the compliment on the post. 🙂 The thing is, I've done recruiting for my program for the last four years, so I've seen it all. People who think they can join up for the money and don't read the fine print or expect that they will have to give anything in return, i.e. deploymment, years of service, actually having to do/go what they tell you to, etc. This is why while I enjoy recruiting in that I can let people know what kind of opportunities are out there (I really had to search for all this stuff myself), I'm not really a fan of the "pressure recruiters" who will tell you anything to fill their quota. I think that in order for people to be happy with their decisions, they need to be fully informed. This includes the pros and cons. Yes, there are probably some aspects of the military medicine system that are broken, but all you have to do is look at civilian medicine to see that it's the same way. And you'll also have civilian doctors complaining and whining just as much as people seem to do on this website about military medicine. In the end, it's your life, your decision. YOU need to be responsible for getting all the facts before you sign anything. Look at all different sources, not just recruiters. Go online, ask around, better yet, go and actually shadow a military doctor on your local base. And as a little hint for those considering HPSP or any type of military contract, READ THE FINE PRINT...ALL OF IT, and don't be afraid to ask questions if you don't understand. This is a big commitment. If you have a good recruiter, he/she should try to help you in any way, even if it means letting you walk away from it if its just not for you. Feel free to ask me if you have any questions. I've been there.