Question about PCC fellowship after military service

[MadScientist95]

Hey guys, rising OMS III here trying to figure out what I want to do in life. I am an Air Force HPSP student who has been interested in both general surgery and pulmonary critical care medicine for quite a while. Since I am HPSP I realize that these two paths would look different for me. If I went the PCCM route, I would do an internal medicine residency through the military, serve four years, and then apply for a fellowship. My question is how would fellowships look on my military experience? Would it help or not? I would hate to go into internal medicine blindly expecting to get a PCCM fellowship and then not get it at the end of my commitment (however, I realize there's never a guarantee). Also, how would a military IM residency prepare me for this fellowship? I probably wouldn't be picky about location when applying. I have also read that it may be hard as a DO to obtain an IM fellowship. Any thoughts there as well? Thanks!

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[chessknt]

I dont think it matters either way. You wont cost the program anything which is a minor plus I guess since DOD will be paying you.

 

[MadScientist95]

I dont think it matters either way. You wont cost the program anything which is a minor plus I guess since DOD will be paying you.

Sorry, I probably should have worded this better but what I meant was getting out of the military after four years and applying for a civilian fellowship

 

[Bobblehead]

I'm not sure anyone would care either way. It might draw a question or two during your interview to fill the time. From what I can see you could in theory do residency and fellowship and then complete your 4 year commitment? You stand a better chance of making it through the whole process if you don't stop for a "real" job in between.

 

[MadScientist95]

I'm not sure anyone would care either way. It might draw a question or two during your interview to fill the time. From what I can see you could in theory do residency and fellowship and then complete your 4 year commitment? You stand a better chance of making it through the whole process if you don't stop for a "real" job in between.

Thank you, I would actually prefer that. However, it was my understanding that being able to go straight through fellowship after residency before doing your commitment usually doesn't happen in the military?

 

[Gastrapathy]

It is variable but pulm/cc is one of the specialties they still seem to value for the moment. As a DO, you’ll be more competitive inside the .mil than out.