Uniformed Services University

[EHCMD]

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Just wondering what you think about someone considering 7 years of military service in exchange for a tuition free medical degree?

I spent last Monday reading through the Medical School portion of the 2008-2010 USU Catalog and am SERIOUSLY considering applying for 2012 Matriculation. With a lot of hard work and serious studying (which I was going to do anyway) and a full load (16 hours) during the 2011-12 academic year, I can finish the MCAT in the fall and complete all the pre-reqs.

I am worried that I'm not seeing the whole picture. Everytime I come up with a con, I quickly turn it around into a pro. I was hoping you could give me your thoughts, opinions, suggestions as to what you would do.

Thanks

 

[FiremedicMike]

Spend some time in the military med forum on these boards, they can advise you much better than we can.

 

[spicedmanna]

Seven years is a long commitment. Consider it carefully. Consider your taste for military and military medicine. Explore it by shadowing some military doctors and asking hard questions. It's not for everyone. There's no such thing as a free lunch, as it were. You aren't getting free tuition. You are training to become a military doctor. What's your link to military service? If being a military doctor is indeed what you want to be, then it makes sense. Here's a question to ponder: Why academy versus, say, HPSP?

 

[spicedmanna]

Agree with FiremedicMike. Check out the military forum. You'll get lots of pros and cons to help you make your decision from those who are knee deep in it, or have been through it. BTW, I am a soon-to-be military resident (T-minus two weeks). I'd say PM me with questions, but I've been horrible about getting back to people these days.

 

[EHCMD]

Thanks for the reply's

I have been and will continue to review the posts in the Military Medicine forums. However, I was also looking for opinions from other non-traditional students. I really believe that something is trying to lead me in this direction for reasons that I'm not really ready to disclose at this time. But I want other opinions. I mean really, how desperate would you personally have to be to go this route? or would you even consider it, as a non-traditional student?

Thanks again for any information.

 

[mspeedwagon]

You don't have to be "desperate" to pursue this route. What you have to be is interested. Always remember that no matter what role you take in the military, your most important role is to serve.

If you were considering serving in the armed forces anyway, than UHS is a great way to go. If your thought is that I'm going to UHS for the money or to be solely a doctor in the military you'll be disappointed. The military is not looking for doctor or nothing types. They are looking for people that will serve no matter what the role they have to play. A lot of folks (and you'll see them on the military forum) are disappointed they went this route because money was a motivating factor. On the flip side, folks that truly want to be in the armed services and picture a role as a solider and a military doctor tend to be happier. So, would you go to serve the military if you couldn't be a doctor? That really is the key question.

 

[NAVY ROLE 3]

Great advice! As a Corpsman currently serving in Afghanistan, MDs and DOs that I have spoken with are just in it to pay for school. They advised me to go the traditional route and then the Reserves. That was enough for me.

Bonus for me as a Corpsman is tons of shadowing and performing procedures such as reductions, suturing, etc. It's a great way to see what the military is all about with a shorter contract.

 

[Nate9862]

Great advice! As a Corpsman currently serving in Afghanistan, MDs and DOs that I have spoken with are just in it to pay for school. They advised me to go the traditional route and then the Reserves. That was enough for me.

Bonus for me as a Corpsman is tons of shadowing and performing procedures such as reductions, suturing, etc. It's a great way to see what the military is all about with a shorter contract.

I was active duty in the Marines for 9 years and until recently I seriously considered the USU for my path. Well, I have since reconsidered. Here's why. It's opportunity cost. You will lose 7 years of prime pay otherwise gained going through a traditional medical school. Now, you won't LOSE 100% of it, but I can assure you your salary as an O4 (probably what you'll be after your residency, because you're commitment doesn't start until after your residency) is not even remotely similar to a board certified physician in or out of a specialty. Let's say it's within a conservative estimate of $50,000 per year... over 7 years that's $350,000, plus intangibles like restriction on personal freedom, and general military service lifestyle.

Now, what I will tell you is that I urge you to go this route if it's out of desire to serve in the military. It's an incredibly humbling experience and you'll gain more life experience in 7 years than most do in decades. Of course, not all of that experience is going to be 100% positive, as a medical officer you may be attached to a maneuver battalion (infantry, arty, tanks, etc.) or at a forward operating base in Afghanistan, etc.

So will I apply to USU? Nope, I'll just pay my med school debt off like every other doctor. If it was overbearing or impossible no one would do it. But I won't apply to USU mainly because I don't want to commmit myself to the military anymore because of my family situation. If I was single w/ no family I'd strongly consider it because the military is very rewarding. But if you are considering the USU merely for reduction in post-med school debt, I think it's a poor motivation.

my .02

 

[EHCMD]

Sorry, I haven't responded or updated sooner; but I've been doing a lot of thinking about this and other aspects of my decision to pursue this life long goal of being a Doctor. Basically, I took this past summer off to make sure I am doing the right thing and I'm pretty sure that I am. As for the military side of this let me see if I can clear up some things or answer some the questions posed in this thread.

Tomorrow, Thur. I am going to a Veterans Orientation at my school to get some more information and get some questions answered about my decision to go back into the military as an officer (ROTC) and maybe as a USU Student or a Reservist in medical school.

I've been unemployed in Feb.2008 and am not motivated by money in the least. Whether serving my country or being a doctor, I am not in it for the money. I have been thinking about returning to the Reserves as a career for a while now. I on a personal level have no problem serving my country but I have to make sure I am willing to make that sacrifice for my family. I would like nothing more than to retire from the military (reserves) but is that best for my family, specifically my spouse? More importantly than that what affect would it have on my becoming a doctor?

I'm sure it sounds like I am rambling but it's just that I have a lot of things to consider while tackling the challenges of getting into medical school which IS my number one priority above all else.

Again, thanks in advance for any thoughts you may be willing to share.

 

[Enkidu]

I was active duty in the Marines for 9 years and until recently I seriously considered the USU for my path. Well, I have since reconsidered. Here's why. It's opportunity cost. You will lose 7 years of prime pay otherwise gained going through a traditional medical school. Now, you won't LOSE 100% of it, but I can assure you your salary as an O4 (probably what you'll be after your residency, because you're commitment doesn't start until after your residency) is not even remotely similar to a board certified physician in or out of a specialty. Let's say it's within a conservative estimate of $50,000 per year... over 7 years that's $350,000, plus intangibles like restriction on personal freedom, and general military service lifestyle.

I agree with your point, but your numbers are way off. Medical officers get paid their normal pay-grade, but they get some pretty huge specialty bonuses that bring their total salary up a lot closer to their civilian counterparts. A good rule of thumb is that military compensation is close to compensation in academic practice, but not as much as private practice.

I've been unemployed in Feb.2008 and am not motivated by money in the least. Whether serving my country or being a doctor, I am not in it for the money. I have been thinking about returning to the Reserves as a career for a while now. I on a personal level have no problem serving my country but I have to make sure I am willing to make that sacrifice for my family. I would like nothing more than to retire from the military (reserves) but is that best for my family, specifically my spouse? More importantly than that what affect would it have on my becoming a doctor?

To the OP: I think that USUHS sounds perfect for you. If you have experience with the military and are comfortable with the commitment, then there is no real problem. The obligation of USU is 7 years + military residency of lets say 4 years. This is 11 years toward retirement. If you already have some years of service, then serving your minimum obligation will get you very close to retiring, probably as an LTC.

In addition, I think that your retirement income uses the 4 years of USU itself towards calculating your time in service, so after your 20 years you'll be considered as though you were in service for 24 years.

I can't speak for the reserves, but the national guard also has some great programs for paying for medical school. I'm in the guard right now and it's pretty chill. The guard will give you more flexibility in choosing your residency and a lot less of the military lifestyle. Good luck in your choice.