Thanks, Hedgy, for your response. It seems like the Navy doesn't make it difficult to leave after the payback years.
If you don't mind me asking, what did your years in the Navy look like, as in locations, residencies, etc.?
Thanks!
Edy,
I completed my AEGD at Great Lakes in 2001-2. It was a great program with an unlimited patient population. It's not the most popular place for an AEGD/GPR, but the point is to get the most out of the program you commit to and we had great mentors.
I took a sub-tender tour out of La Maddalena, Italy (Sardania), the USS Emory S. Land. Do not kid yourself as to what you will do after residency. Expect to deploy and make the most of it. I'd recommend the ESL to anyone, but the base closed and the ship is now USNS. I'm not sure if you're married or have children (or both), but that had a lot to do with my decision.
I didn't want a carrier as the deployment is 6-12 months depending on when/where you go. I would do it if I were single though. Again, I had 2 little kids and didn't want extended deployments if I could help it. My other option was Okinawa, I had to extend a year to go there, but most officers I talked to didn't mind it. I optioned for the ship stationed overseas. They made it sound like the worst thing I could do. It turned out to be the best place for me, IMO.
We deployed for about 1 month at a time to a port somewhere in the Med. Serviced a ship or two, then came home for 1-2 months. Total time away was 10 months, but it wasn't all in a row, so I got to see my kids more than my colleagues on other ships. We also had money from the sub fleet and surface fleet (very nice). I got in w/ the GM's and security guys and was able to shoot 9mms, M-16s, M-60's, .50 cal's, and gernade launchers. The camaraderie was tops, I made some great friends.
I feel I know a lot more about places to go than most and since I'm out don't have as much bias. My friend from the ESL is a periodontist at Quantico and the Floss Boss from the ship is in NJ. I hear the promotion rate to CAPT is poor because they have so many being retained, thus my friend is getting out as he doesn't see a clinician making rank vs a paper dentist-aka clinic director (as usually is the case).
The best advice I think I can give is to make the most of your situation. If you get sent to Afghanistan w/ the Marines, make the most of it. I see so many of my colleagues feel sorry for themselves and blame the military for "sending them away". I don't feel sorry for them...it sucks to be away from family...but make the most of it. We are there to serve others, not ourselves, help your fellow sailors and Marines and you will have experiences you can share for a lifetime.
Also, if you do decide to get out...get to know you're Admin Officer or Admin CPO. They will make your life so much easier and really help you out if you have a YN who doesn't know what the heck they are doing.