USAF Flight Surgeon Tour Transition Vs Prelim

[NASA123]

Quick question that I haven't been able to find a direct answer to. I'm a 3rd year currently. I want to do a flight surgeon tour after a PGY-1. I know that going from med school to a transitional year program onto a flight doc tour is an option. Is it also possible to go from med school, into an internal or surg prelim year and then onto a flight surgeon tour? I know it is much harder in the Air Force for an HPSP to get a transition year slot than USUHS because they are required to go active. Just looking for a back up over a deferred transitional year slot. I plan on being a lifer and I'd like to do that year with the Air Force.

thanks🙂

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[cautionmaster]

Is it also possible to go from med school, into an internal or surg prelim year and then onto a flight surgeon tour?

thanks🙂

Yes, transitional not required, medicine and surgery spots available, just have to ask for them. I'm not sure why you'd want to go GMO only. Haven't found anything you like in medicine? The only reasons to go GMO are to get a competitive specialty, become a career flight surgeon and future aerospace medicine resident, or you don't know what you want to do.

It is also possible to train in primary care, become a flight surgeon, and do the RAM.

 

[NASA123]

Thanks for the info! I want to go into Aerospace Medicine. I know the FamRAM, E-Med/Flight Doc options exists but I'd rather do a gmo tour and then go to Aerospace Med.

I used to think that getting thrown into a transitional year program was sort of the default if you weren't selected for any other program. It's always the talk that you can get thrown into a transition year and then be stuck doing a GMO. I didn't realize how competitive it actually could be.

 

[USAF Flight Doc]

Yes, transitional not required, medicine and surgery spots available, just have to ask for them. I'm not sure why you'd want to go GMO only. Haven't found anything you like in medicine? The only reasons to go GMO are to get a competitive specialty, become a career flight surgeon and future aerospace medicine resident, or you don't know what you want to do.

It is also possible to train in primary care, become a flight surgeon, and do the RAM.

Disagree. Doing a GMO flight surgeon tour (or two) may be the most valuable experience you have in your military career. You can always go back to a full residency (GME) after your tour and you'll have incredible stories to share and experiences gained. Also, you get additional points towards getting into competitive military GME specialties for doing a GMO tour.

I'm a doctor and flight surgeon in the USAF. I've practiced medicine in almost 10 separate countries over the 3 years I've been doing the job. I fly in an F-16 at least monthly. I love my job. I plan to go back to EM after my current tour, eventually I plan to get into wilderness medicine.

Here is a website I have created promoting the aerospace medicine: www.goflightmedicine.com

If you have specific questions about flight medicine in the USAF, send me an email at the 'contact us' on my above website or you can also post the question on the forum I just added to my site: http://goflightmedicine.com/forums/military-aviation-medicine-flight-medicine/

Either way, good luck with your decision.