Military Medical Scholarships

[rubybullet]

I am just curious how many people that are going through medical school go this route? It seems like a fantastic opportunity for the right person.

We thought about it, but due to my husband's medical condition we went the NHSC scholarship route. So far it has been alright.

[peggyfromwastate]

Are you referring to the HPSP route? My husband went to the military medical school. He is now in residency, with about 1 2/3 yrs to go. Who's counting, though, right?

The pros:

For us, the income during medical school was really important. I was able to stay home with our kids, which is a blessing and a burden (isolation) all in itself. It's great to have the option though. Money is still tight, believe me, but it's not nearly as bad as the student loans. We don't have any student loans.

The biggest benefit for us was (and continues to be) the medical care. We get all our care on base and have NEVER paid a copay, even for medications. Even for alcohol wipes. I had 2 NICU pregnancies under military medicine, had access to great specialty care from top medical program-trained specialists, and I have no complaints about medical care. Sure, I've had to deal with an incompetent medical student or resident from time to time, but that's all part of getting care at any teaching hospital.

There are other benefits, too. Like the non-taxable BAH (housing allowance), and the years we had in medical school counting towards our retirement pension at the end of the day (NOT towards payback--- we are lifers due to a long payback from the USU route.) And the military covers your malpractice for the work you do in the military-- if you moonlight, you need your own malpractice for that.

CONS:

Depending on your specialty, there can be a HUGE pay discrepency between military docs and civilian docs. My dh is in ENT, and he'll get far less from the military than he could on the "outside". He will probably moonlight once he hits attendinghood to help make up some of the difference, but while in the military we will never earn the same.

You do not get to choose where you live, and often you don't get to choose what you practice. Sometimes the military doesn't allow for certain fellowships if they don't need them. Once you are in a residency program, you will be informed of what fellowships the military needs- and if you have your heart set on one that they don't need, you will not get it. They don't care if you cry, whine, beg, plead... The needs of the military come first.

You will be deployed. Do not think *why would they need an X in Iraq?" because if they really don't need an "X" doctor, they will deploy that doc as an administrator of some type. Your military doctor WILL be deployed. Don't even kid yourself on this one. I have heard too many times "My husband is an interventional radiologist and they don't do that on the battle field so he won't be deployed." Noooo, sorry sister.

Ultimately, we decided to do this for job security for our family, health care, and the benefits. There are lots of other fun benefits too, like military vacation resorts and what not. But my husband ALWAYS wanted to be in the military. ALWAYS. I think this is huge. Had he never wanted a military career, I wouldn't have been in support of this decision.

Good luck. I was in your shoes about 10 years ago, trying to figure this all out...

[Flynn]

Great points.

The military can also screw with your residency track. My cousin was in his first year of ortho and the navy made him quit residency to train and ultimately be the on board medical guy (it escapes me what the true title is) for two years -- mandatory. If he decides to go back to ortho he has to do it as a civilian and his first year doesn't count.

Additionally, we don't know anyone in surgery that hasn't had at least two tours of something -- somewhere.

Good luck with your decision.

[peggyfromwastate]

Flynn that is standard operating procedure for the Navy. They make them do a 1 year intern year, then a 2 year flight surgery tour, then you reapply to your desired residency.

The army does not do that- they allow for continuous residency, so that's a big reason why we went army. Plus DH always preferred the army. Air force has fewer spots for specialists, as does the Navy, in general, so getting a specialist residency is harder in those 2 branches than the army.

HooAh

My SO went this route: saved him and us (long term) a lot of money. (we are still paying for undergrad loans as well). Army family!

I have to say I am a PRO for it. Being we both were military (he's the only one on active duty), I am a pro military supporter (12 years and counting now). There are many down falls of course, deployments, no choices, limited duty stations; but overall the benefits and of course serving, is a great decision for us.

We do only have 4 places we can be stationed once he finishes his training (which is a bummer), but being fully aware of these things if helpful when making a decision. You can access where all the residencies, and fellowship are and where you can be stationed afterwards online. (ill post link later, SO knows it by heart). Also, he is able to do a civilian fellowship in his chosen area; but with more time incurred. This is not always the case, (we could only pick a one year program: with the war, deployments leaving holes in staff slots, the Army limited time for fellowship). Luckily, NSG Trauma and Critical Care can be mushed into a 1 year program (minus 1 year of research) so we were able to luck out!

OF course medical care, commissary, and the BAH is very helpful! I think a huge benefit is the medical care: always having access and not having to worry about cost for spouse and children is just unmeasurable.

It's not for everyone, but can really help out on many levels, and once they/you have completed your time commitment to the military, they are well trained and in high demand. Plus, if interested in private practice, can often buy in at a partner level because of time and experience. The pay is quite different: but it's consistent and predictable! SO makes and will make 5 times less what he could make civilian side, but once we are all down with the obligation, it will pay off. Plus moonlighting is allowed, if you have time, and can really help supplement!

goodluck on your thoughts!

My SO went this route: saved him and us (long term) a lot of money. (we are still paying for undergrad loans as well). Army family!

I have to say I am a PRO for it. Being we both were military (he's the only one on active duty), I am a pro military supporter (12 years and counting now). There are many down falls of course, deployments, no choices, limited duty stations; but overall the benefits and of course serving, is a great decision for us.

We do only have 4 places we can be stationed once he finishes his training (which is a bummer), but being fully aware of these things if helpful when making a decision. You can access where all the residencies, and fellowship are and where you can be stationed afterwards online. (ill post link later, SO knows it by heart). Also, he is able to do a civilian fellowship in his chosen area; but with more time incurred. This is not always the case, (we could only pick a one year program: with the war, deployments leaving holes in staff slots, the Army limited time for fellowship). Luckily, NSG Trauma and Critical Care can be mushed into a 1 year program (minus 1 year of research) so we were able to luck out!

OF course medical care, commissary, and the BAH is very helpful! I think a huge benefit is the medical care: always having access and not having to worry about cost for spouse and children is just unmeasurable.

It's not for everyone, but can really help out on many levels, and once they/you have completed your time commitment to the military, they are well trained and in high demand. Plus, if interested in private practice, can often buy in at a partner level because of time and experience. The pay is quite different: but it's consistent and predictable! SO makes and will make 5 times less what he could make civilian side, but once we are all down with the obligation, it will pay off. Plus moonlighting is allowed, if you have time, and can really help supplement!

goodluck on your thoughts!

[DCJenn]

My husband was prior service and USUHS was the first one to admit him for medical school so that was a done deal. We're lifers- as in by the time he's done with the payback + the extra 4 he tacked on he'll have 25 years in. Whether he ends up in the civilian world kind of depends on what he's doing in the Army and where and with whom. Once the obligations are done, you're able to go year to year contract-wise.

He could make more in the civilian world but the research and the meds and equipment are so much better in the military. They get all of the toys, first.

Jenn

ETA: the benefits as listed by Peggy are so very true. We have reservations for the military resort in Germany and I think it'll be like $100/night.

J.

[peggyfromwastate]

Pay discrepency for ENT for one is not as huge as for other specialties-- in general. If you are a Facial Plastics guy for ENT, the pay difference is huge. But for general ENTs, the basic salary is about 2-3 times more on the outside. For my DH's hopeful fellowship, it could be around 4 times less he'll get in the military for his pay alone.

But then there are also taxes and the future of health care in America to consider- will the pay remain about the same by the time you are done with residency and ready for attendinghood? Will the system be completely different?

Anyway, for DH there is basically no red tape in practicing medicine right now in the military. I know that sounds strange, but since he's a resident and he's at a big medical center, he really can order whatever test, do whatever procedure. As long as it makes some type of sense. There is no insurance to haggle with, no one is telling him that he needs to do a certain course of meds for a certain amount of time before he can consider a certain surgical procedure. This may be in the future, but for the most part he can just work...

Jenn is right about the new toys and what not- I know that usually people think of military medicine as being basic, rustic. The big medical centers are really amazing, though. My dad who's been in medicine for 30 years is always dumbstruck when he comes with us to one of the big med cens, just to see a huge shopping mall where every specialty you may need is right there...

Anyway, ultimately I think the people who hate military medicine at the end of the day are those who really just went into it because they thought it could pay for them- they were depserate, didn't want debt, didn't really want to serve, but wanted the paycheck at the front end. Then when they had to deal with pay problems (which there will be), or extra military commitments (special courses, classes, meetings, PLUS deployments), not being able to live where you want, etc., they just were ready to get out and ASAP. It usually comes down to if you WANT to be in the military or if you don't. Usually it's about as simple as that.

My only advice (and we're not military, we did look into it, but I totally agree w/Peggy's perception in her last paragraph) is to believe what the people HERE tell you, and not what the recruiters PROMISE. You won't believe how many people say "Oh, they told me I'd be able to say where I wanted to go, do a civilian residency, etc." and then are totally gobsmacked when the reality is exactly what is detailed above. I'm sure most recruiters aren't trying to be dishonest, but they've not lived it.

[peggyfromwastate]

It's pretty strong in ortho and neuro. But I think that's to be expected, right?

Anyway, with the new major med centers for the Army, they are going to be pretty cutting edge. The new Walter Reed National Med Cen in Bethesda is already looking pretty sharp. Dh will start working there (in the new part I believe) in the fall, although he's been away so he's out of the loop. The new hospital at Ft Belvoir Virginia is going to be huge, and it's brand new, not renovated. So I think with new hospitals new technology comes in too... But the ortho stuff they use is pretty intense, cutting edge, even experimental stuff...

[Chrisada]

DH has been wanting to do military for years. He has this strong desire to serve. Almost went to the Naval Academy. So far I have somehow managed to talk him out of it. But a few weeks ago, he did have me call the Navy. They actually do not need anyone for FAP right now. I do not want to go through deployment. Simple as that. Otherwise I wouldn't mind it. But it is tempting from the financial side for me. It makes residency way easier. His chief just did FAP and gets $70,000 on top of her resident pay.

Yeah Peggy, the new center is pretty sweet! I didn't realize we are such close neighbors!

It wasn't too long ago I was stationed at Walter Reed myself, and even when I go back, it's very changed. The ortho and Neuro suites at WRAMC now are really really nice, and are going to be great at the facility. I will def miss the facility when it's no longer the main active hospital. But to peggy back I think military medicine is cutting edge in different areas of course, but always trying to stay on top of the newest and greatest. Plus, there is no red tape when it comes to patient needs: usually if it's needed, a way can usually be found

I understand the pay issue from civilian and military, but we are going to the the +4 for the 4 years of bonus we get on top of the normal bonus. After 9 years owed, add 2 for fellowship, what's 4 more? lol Career Army here, until transition to private practice. (or two private practices !!)

[DCJenn]

Pebbles- you know my beloved is back at WRAMC for a year, right? We should all try to meet sometime when I'm in town. There are a few others liike L. Jane nearby, too.

J.

[peggyfromwastate]

I would love that.