futoromd,
You ask very good questions, I'll answer them briefly, but we have had extensive discussions on these topics -- search on HPSP for prior posts. I have asked the powers that be to start a forum on military medicine to avoid some of the re-posts, but as of yet my requests not yielded any change.
I am a MS-III with an army Health Professions Scholarship Program. HPSP scholarships are generally 2-4 years. However, the Air Force generally gives only 4 year scholarships, doling out its 3 year scholarships to those who didn't make the cut the prior year. The program pays for your tution, most fees, and books (thank god). You also get about 1000/month as a stipend. In exchange you give the military one year of post residency service for each year in the scholarship program.
In the middle of fourth year, you must apply to the military match. Generally, if you match, you must do the military residency. If you don't match (at least in the army) you are given an automatic deferral to the civilian match and would enter the military after you civilian time. From what I have seen posted here, the Air Force is less stingy with granting deferrals prior to the match, but only for specialties they really need and do not have adequate residencies for (like interventional rads?). The quality of the residencies varies from good to exceptional depending on your choice. Most of them will probably be half-way between what you would get in a community hospital versus an academic medical center. In order to avoid limiting exposure to just its own patients, the programs have away rotations at non-military hospitals (e.g. the ortho program in Tacoma sends residents to Seattle (?I think) for pediatric ortho.
In terms of horror storries, there are lots of problems with military medicine. Remember, however, there are lots of problems with managed care everywhere. I would encourage you to look at the website
www.usmedicine.com. Look at the letters to the editor for the past few years. Just remember, however, because the satisfied are not going to write letters. If you want to avoid a horror story, just know what you are getting into. Don't do it just do it for the money. If you are inclined toward serving your country in the military, it is a great deal. If not, you will regret it. Unlike civilian service, the organization comes first -- before both you and your patients. Never forget that.
I can post some more at a later time on some of the advantage/disadvantages including a financial calculation to show the money side.
One final warning. When talking to the recruiters take everything with a grain of salt. They are great people and do a great job, but they often do not know some of the sticky details of the program (I will tell you a few later). Remember what their goal is. You comittment is not like some high schooler signing on for two years. You will be in the program for a decade or more.
Ed
