To those who have attended or is attending - Is USUHS "family-friendly"?

[LadySophia]

Hi to everyone.

I am seriously contemplating about USUHS. I've read various threads on the positives and negatives of being a military physician, but none have clearly answered my question on the school/military family-friendliness.

How accommodating is the school towards students with families? Will my family be able to reside with me on-base or off-base in Bethesda? If I am sent to various locations, will the military make arrangements for my family to be by my side? (I understand in war-conflicted areas that they cannot join me. It's regarding to normal or safe locations/bases.)

Please share any details about family life in the military.

Thank you for all answers.

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[MidnightSun32]

LadySophia,

I only know a little bit about USUHS, but I know a lot about being a dependent to someone in the military. My dad was an officer in the Army and I'm currently a Navy wife. There can be a lot of separation and it's hard sometimes. It also depends on which service branch you enter. Do you have any idea yet? Since my husband is in the Navy, obviously when he's on a ship for long periods of time, I cannot accompany him. Between my work and my husband's career, I've been to three colleges and I still have two years left. I could post a lot here, but it'd really take up so much room. If you have any questions, you can send me a PM and I can answer as many as I can for you or refer you to a better source. Also, there are quite a few benefits and support areas for spouses/ family members of service members. Hope you get all of your questions answered and hopefully people here will be able to answer your specific school questions 🙂

Chloe

 

[murfettie]

i think, if you are active duty and "stationed" at a place, our family can come with you.
i think your order is for about 2 years or so?
they can live in on base housing for officers or you can take your housing allowance and find a place to live off base.
if you are "deployed" they can't come with you.
not sure how this stuff works if you are going to the military med school.

ChloeCSU -- how are you going to go to med school with navy officers moved around once every 2 years.

 

[MidnightSun32]

i think, if you are active duty and "stationed" at a place, our family can come with you.
i think your order is for about 2 years or so?
they can live in on base housing for officers or you can take your housing allowance and find a place to live off base.
if you are "deployed" they can't come with you.
not sure how this stuff works if you are going to the military med school.

ChloeCSU -- how are you going to go to med school with navy officers moved around once every 2 years.

Family can go with you as long as it's not unaccompanied duty (which some, even on land and in non-war areas, can be). It is situation-dependent from what I've seen.

I am going to go to med school (hopefully!) by being apart from my husband for multiple years. Long distance sucks, but it's something we are both willing to do. We've done it several times before. Also, I don't expect him to give up his dreams and he doesn't expect me to give up mine. I spent many years without my dad in my life because of his work and then he also worked in Saudi Arabia for another ten years. My husband I've been separated from a lot since he's been in, but I guess I'm just used to it now (I haven't seen him in a few months, but we talk as much as possible). Hopefully it'll work out, but here's to trying. 😀

 

[LadySophia]

Thank you murfettie and Chloe CSU.

To Chloe: I was deliberating between Air Force and Navy. However, after reading your story, I may choose Air Force. Being on a ship for months without my family will be too difficult. 🙁 Do you know if the family situation is better in the Air Force?

Fifteen years - school, internship, residency, and the 7-year commitment - or even longer is something I am willing to do with my husband and children by my side. I want to be able to take care of them and be a part of their lives. I am prepared for the risk of being deployed for a definite time, but I will not be ready being without my family for an extended amount of time or for many years apart. In the situation when your husband is on unaccompanied duty or being deployed, what does the military do to help you and your husband during that long distance time? How do you both cope with a long separation?

Thank you again for your answers. I really appreciate them.

 

[MidnightSun32]

LadySophia,

I have also deliberated about military medicine and would choose between Navy and Air Force. I'm still up in the air about it and still have to become a citizen (I'm a Brit). I don't know a whole lot about the Air Force, but my brother-in-law is in and he's an E7 I believe. He's never gone overseas or been separated from his family aside from TDY (temporary duty) which at most I think lasted 3 weeks in another state. That doesn't mean it won't happen though because they do get deployed as well. I think it may depend on your specific job, but I'm not really sure. Someone else would be better to answer that one for ya. Most deployments seem to last at least one year or a bit more. I have been told that Navy physicians may be deployed at times to take care of the Marines as well.... not too sure about that. Also, when the Navy have ship duty, they'll have so much time (year or so) on land again before going out, unless there is military need.

The Navy is great about helping dependents of active duty members. I'm sure all branches are. There are several different avenues of support including wives' clubs, activities, etc. There are specific people also dedicated to communicating with your family if they have questions or needs. Also, they have helped me find so many different avenues of volunteering and shadowing experience at the hospital. They really encourage community involvement and it also makes the active duty spouse look good. Education is also very big with them; many people have been helpful even though I'm the spouse.

So as for how I cope with the long separation, I get a lot of help. When my husband is on a ship, sometimes they have email and can receive packages and mail. It's nice to communicate as much as possible, but it's not so much a matter of how I cope, but how he can. It's pretty hard being isolated from friends and family, so I really make sure to write no matter how busy I get. Also, I have a very hyper Vizsla (a dog). He's incredibly needy and keeps me company (weird I know).

The military isn't for everyone, however, it is a very unique community for both active duty and dependents. I have met so many great and supportive people. There are so many people that are eager to assist people with the difficult transition. I think it just depends on who you talk to because some people love it and some people end up hating it. I'll PM you a couple of sources to get additional feedback on. 🙂 🙂 Sorry for all the rambling!

Chloe

 

[murfettie]

I'm always amazed that military spouses are always so positive, because the lifestyle really sucks. Girlfriends who are not super duper enthusiastic about the whole thing just moves on, like myself.
I dated a navy jag, had to leave him in the end. Divergent dreams. The military is an institution which will exact more sacrifices from its members than it will give you.

I think being E and O also makes a difference. a lot of senior officers specifically mentioned the absolute necessity of moving every 2-3 years to keep getting promoted in the JAG corps. I think this applies to line officers as well? I don't think enlisted people had this kind of pressure to move constantly.
Being a doctor is different than other officers though. You do not get forced out since the military really need doctors and there is not pyramid quota on higher ranks.

LadySophia,

I have also deliberated about military medicine and would choose between Navy and Air Force. I'm still up in the air about it and still have to become a citizen (I'm a Brit). I don't know a whole lot about the Air Force, but my brother-in-law is in and he's an E7 I believe. He's never gone overseas or been separated from his family aside from TDY (temporary duty) which at most I think lasted 3 weeks in another state. That doesn't mean it won't happen though because they do get deployed as well. I think it may depend on your specific job, but I'm not really sure. Someone else would be better to answer that one for ya. Most deployments seem to last at least one year or a bit more. I have been told that Navy physicians may be deployed at times to take care of the Marines as well.... not too sure about that. Also, when the Navy have ship duty, they'll have so much time (year or so) on land again before going out, unless there is military need.

The Navy is great about helping dependents of active duty members. I'm sure all branches are. There are several different avenues of support including wives' clubs, activities, etc. There are specific people also dedicated to communicating with your family if they have questions or needs. Also, they have helped me find so many different avenues of volunteering and shadowing experience at the hospital. They really encourage community involvement and it also makes the active duty spouse look good. Education is also very big with them; many people have been helpful even though I'm the spouse.

So as for how I cope with the long separation, I get a lot of help. When my husband is on a ship, sometimes they have email and can receive packages and mail. It's nice to communicate as much as possible, but it's not so much a matter of how I cope, but how he can. It's pretty hard being isolated from friends and family, so I really make sure to write no matter how busy I get. Also, I have a very hyper Vizsla (a dog). He's incredibly needy and keeps me company (weird I know).

The military isn't for everyone, however, it is a very unique community for both active duty and dependents. I have met so many great and supportive people. There are so many people that are eager to assist people with the difficult transition. I think it just depends on who you talk to because some people love it and some people end up hating it. I'll PM you a couple of sources to get additional feedback on. 🙂 🙂 Sorry for all the rambling!

Chloe

 

[murfettie]

why are you so set on military medicine anyways?
it's way more flexible and pays a lot more in the civilian world.
you can quit or move any time without being punished severely..

Thank you murfettie and Chloe CSU.

To Chloe: I was deliberating between Air Force and Navy. However, after reading your story, I may choose Air Force. Being on a ship for months without my family will be too difficult. 🙁 Do you know if the family situation is better in the Air Force?

Fifteen years - school, internship, residency, and the 7-year commitment - or even longer is something I am willing to do with my husband and children by my side. I want to be able to take care of them and be a part of their lives. I am prepared for the risk of being deployed for a definite time, but I will not be ready being without my family for an extended amount of time or for many years apart. In the situation when your husband is on unaccompanied duty or being deployed, what does the military do to help you and your husband during that long distance time? How do you both cope with a long separation?

Thank you again for your answers. I really appreciate them.

 

[Ag2007]

How accommodating is the school towards students with families? Will my family be able to reside with me on-base or off-base in Bethesda? If I am sent to various locations, will the military make arrangements for my family to be by my side? (I understand in war-conflicted areas that they cannot join me. It's regarding to normal or safe locations/bases.)

Please share any details about family life in the military.

Thank you for all answers.

One, I would recommend going to the Military Medicine forum which is a bit o the ways down on the main page. You will get the best advice from current and former usuhs students. I am neither.

However, I have been to Bethesda, and I have been to the school and base there.

As far as the school goes, there is no on-base housing for Bethesda. It's a relatively small base that has a few marine corps barracks IIRC and by that, I mean probably 100 single marines max maybe live there. But, no students stay in them AFAIK.

As far as having a family goes, USUHS is probably the best for medical school and families bar none. You receive O-1 pay and will receive slightly higher compensation compared to single fellow medical students (maybe $200-$300 per month for housing allowance). Also, you and your family are covered under Tricare. So, you can start a family and really not worry about financial costs which is what a lot of people can and do that are married. You have no medical school tuition, books are payed for, and you receive a full salary as any other O-1 stationed in the DC area would get. Win-win-win-win.

Of course, you will have to do the military payback of 7 years plus number of years in residency. So, it does have its' drawbacks.

As far as being with your family, if you're not in a warzone or something special like Diego Garcia, you will probably get an accompanied tour overseas. I qualify probably with Korea being a possible exception b/c it gets weird over there. Some people don't get accompanied tours, others do. They have the entire DODDS school system there at most if not all of the bases, so it's not like kids are non-existent. But as a physician, my guess is that they will want to take care of you and would send your family over with you. You don't really have this problem with Japan, europe and other overseas assignments like hawaii and alaska. But you're right, military bases are very safe even withstanding what that ******* Major Hasan did.

Keep this all in mind, it's good to ask questions, and I'd recommend heading over to the military medicine forum as they are a tremendous wealth of knowledge and will give you straight answers (not that I'm deceiving you with mine).

 

[Segovia]

I'm always amazed that military spouses are always so positive, because the lifestyle really sucks. Girlfriends who are not super duper enthusiastic about the whole thing just moves on, like myself.
I dated a navy jag, had to leave him in the end. Divergent dreams. The military is an institution which will exact more sacrifices from its members than it will give you.

I think being E and O also makes a difference. a lot of senior officers specifically mentioned the absolute necessity of moving every 2-3 years to keep getting promoted in the JAG corps. I think this applies to line officers as well? I don't think enlisted people had this kind of pressure to move constantly.
Being a doctor is different than other officers though. You do not get forced out since the military really need doctors and there is not pyramid quota on higher ranks.

Enlisted aren't "pressured". They are just forced.

 

[MidnightSun32]

I'm always amazed that military spouses are always so positive, because the lifestyle really sucks. Girlfriends who are not super duper enthusiastic about the whole thing just moves on, like myself.
I dated a navy jag, had to leave him in the end. Divergent dreams. The military is an institution which will exact more sacrifices from its members than it will give you.

I think being E and O also makes a difference. a lot of senior officers specifically mentioned the absolute necessity of moving every 2-3 years to keep getting promoted in the JAG corps. I think this applies to line officers as well? I don't think enlisted people had this kind of pressure to move constantly.
Being a doctor is different than other officers though. You do not get forced out since the military really need doctors and there is not pyramid quota on higher ranks.

It's great that military spouses are so supportive! The lifestyle is easier for some than others. I really don't think it's that bad, but I knew what to expect. There is sacrifice, but there's also a lot of good that comes from it. Enlisted people definitely get orders to move a lot, too. The only person I've known that hasn't moved in quite a while is my brother in law in the AF. I think he's been at his duty station for 5 years now.