Time between moves as an attending

[deuist]

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I know that the Air Force typically moves officers every three years, but what about medical officers? Since my payback is four years, should I expect to PCS once at the beginning of my ADSC and again sometime later? I'm trying to plan things with my significant other and her career.

 

[colbgw02]

I think most people end up just extending a year, assuming you want to stay there. Whether or not the military is predictable enough to base career decisions on that is a different question.

 

[sethco]

It is now actually 4 years before you can PCS within CONUS. If you want to go OCONUS, you have to have at least 2 years on station before you can PCS.

Notice had I bolded the on station part. The reason for this is (as an example) if you report to AMP before checking in at you permanent duty station, your on station time will not start until you get back from AMP. Had a couple of flight docs that this happened too and they were not allowed to PCS until September, which also would have affected their date of separation.

If you plan on doing your 4 year ADSC and then leaving, I would strongly suggest avoiding PCSing unless you are absolutely miserable there. However, I would caution that the grass is always greener on the other side and other bases may have other problems that aren't apparent until you get there.

 

[deuist]

It is now actually 4 years before you can PCS within CONUS.

Great, that's what I wanted to hear. I really had no desire to move to a new location with only one year left on my ADSC.

 

[The White Coat Investor]

It's easy to stay for four. After 3, just don't sign on for more time and they can't/won't move you.

 

[Yellowstone]

Stay for four years. If you PCS after three years, you have to do at least two years at your next duty station - even if you only owe one year (an exception is if you are coming from OCONUS, then you can get away with just doing 12 months before getting out).

 

[Yellowstone]

My comments are in regards to the Navy - not sure if the Air Force is different.