So You Want to Be a MILITARY DOCTOR [Ep. 5]

So You Want to Become a Military Doctor. Here's how you can decide if military medicine is a good field for you, how to become a military doc, and some of the lesser known truths of being one.

TIME STAMPS:
00:45 - The Two Paths to Military Medicine
01:00 - HPSP
02:34 - USUHS
03:32 - How is Military Medical Training Different?
04:21 - Military Match & Specialty Choice
07:05 - Who Should Consider Military Medicine?
07:12 - The Two Paths to Military Medicine
07:38 - Lower Compensation
03:51 - Inflexible Practice Location
08:02 - Limited Fellowship Options
08:20 - Additional Considerations

LINKS FROM VIDEO:

#medicalschool #militarymedicine #soyouwanttobe
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Disclaimer: Content of this video is my opinion and does not constitute medical advice. The content and associated links provide general information for general educational purposes only. Use of this information is strictly at your own risk. Kevin Jubbal, M.D. and Med School Insiders LLC will not assume any liability for direct or indirect losses or damages that may result from the use of information contained in this video including but not limited to economic loss, injury, illness or death. May include affiliate links to Amazon. As an Amazon Associate, I may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through them (at no extra cost to you).

[spideylover]

I'm HPSP. Correction-we do NOT do basic military training, or BMT. We do a modified version of officers training that varies slightly by branch but is different from basic.
It's also worth nothing that while practicing (after residency) civilian definitely pays better, military residencies actually pays better. (About 70k). They also generally aren't as hellacious because of additional regulations (welcome to the military!) so in general the hours are better. IN GENERAL.
You'll also rarely be deployed basically unless you want it. Think about it- they just spent 200k-400k paying for you to go to school, then 3-5 years training you. Do you really think they'd risk you getting shot after all that?

[BeenPlaces]

I was in Military Medicine for about 8 years and the best way to prepare for it is to look at each task/challenge as an opportunity to learn new skills and explore different places rather than just not getting your way all the time. You also will have a much larger scope than civilian practice and it really can't be beat for that. If I could go back in I definitely would.

[Spencer_Thatcher]

3 CRITICAL points missing
1. Your years in residency DO NOT count for your time obligations. Your 4 years for HPSP and 7 years for USUHS wont start until you are board certified. Therefore, expect between 7 to 12 years of your life to be dedicated to military practice.

2. It's worth mentioning that you will not work with billing and insurances. Everyone you see is required by UCMJ (United Code of Military Justice) law to follow your diagnosis, treatment plans and prescriptions, your patients are regularly drug tested and are required to maintain a healthy weight and exercise daily. You wont be up late after seeing patients dinking around with insurance companies and wont have to worry about denying people a specific test because they're not covered. It's a life of pure doctoring your patients. That's a double edged sword though because when you get out you WONT have the medicine as a business experience like your civilian peers.

3. For those thinking "At 12 years plus my 4 at USUHS I might as well go to retirement, " bare in mind your years for residency and school will not count for time in service BUT will be added to your pension. That means assuming you have no prior service time you will retire 20 years from the date you graduate residencie and at that time they will also add 7-12 years onto your retirement essentially taking your pension and adding to it.
Now I'm grandfathered into the old half pay at 20, three-quarters at 30, full pay at 40 plan so I unfortunately dont know how the new retirement plan works but the years applied is still true if you want to make it to retirement.
EDIT: I'm reading some HPSP recipients making claims that you wont be deployed. You WILL go where you are told and when you are told. Always have the mindset that anyday you will be give a call to serve. Be prepared to engage the enemy and fulfill your duties as a physician. NEVER accept the mentality that you are just using the services as a means to enrich your life. You ARE an American Soldier/Airmen/Sailor! If you're not willing to risk your life for your brothers and sister in the box then stay the hell out and be a civilian doctor, you're not wanted. You love the military, you love being a military doctor, you want to serve because you want to be part of the most elite force on the planet. Dont ever take advice from someone who talks about how easy or posh its gonna be. Go in with the mentality that you want every hardship, deployment, struggle and trial that can possible happen because you want to serve for good or bad. If you're like that then I welcome you to my elite family, we need you and we want you.

[jeremiahcelestin]

I love how when he said “captain in the army and Air Force” it showed a picture of a Marine.

[amarmot]

For those not familiar with the military rank system, a Navy lieutenant is equivalent to an Air Force/Army captain. A Navy captain is equivalent to an Air Force/ Army colonel (06).

[doctorstrange]

My advice and recommendation is complete your medical school, internship and residency in civilian hospitals. The clinical training and specialty training programs are more robust in civilian teaching hospitals. After gaining your board certification, you can join the military, preferably in the reserves already qualified as a specialist doctor (with higher rank and pay) and just focus on adapting to military life, non-medical duties. Trying to juggle your specialist training and military obligations is not easy at times, and the endpoint is you want to get board certified.

[J-jizzy_]

For Canadians:
In canada its a 2 to 1 system. So every 1 month of schooling equates to 2 months of service. You get a salary of $62, 000/year during med school. Average pay for doctors is worse than if you were a civilian doctor.

[jasonsheby]

Can you make a video for international students getting into medical school? And I just want to remind you “You are an inspiration!!!”

[swissladydriver]

You missed one. The FAP (Financial Assistance Program). I attended a civilian medical school and completed civilian residencies and fellowships. During my 2nd year of residency, I learned about the FAP and decided to go for it. Basically, I got commissioned as a Captain (USAF) and started receiving the Captain's base pay. This continued throughout my fellowship. When I completed fellowship, attended COT (Commissioned Officer Trainig) and subsequently went on active duty. I worked in the USA and in Europe. The "payback" was each year of "sponsorship" plus one. (4.5 years total in my case) It was a great experience. No regrets.

[densestlemon]

Being a military physician has been my goal since I graduated high school. I’ve volunteered at a VA clinic and shadowed with an Air Force dermatologist. It’s definitely a different world from civilian, but it’s amazing in different ways. Another interesting aspect is the fact that serving as a gmo increases your chances of getting into a specialty. The dermatologist I shadowed with was in the bottom 15% of his medical school class, and served as a flight surgeon for 8 years and was then accepted into one of the highest ranked dermatology residencies in the country because of his extended service as a gmo. Also, if you stay in past your service requirement, you receive retention bonuses to entice you to remain serving. In addition to the you make as a physician, you also receive up to $400, 000 every four years after your service obligation is up. You may not live as well off as some civilian practitioners, but it’s safe to say you will still be living quite comfortably. USUHS is my number 1 school of choice and I’m looking forward to applying in just over a year!

[TheKagedd]

This is EXACTLY what I needed. Thank you. I’m planning on being in the Navy as a physician.

[nostromo]

I want to add something here: first, I had a miserable time until I did some soul-searching. I got out after 7 years and wish I had not. Here is the thing: people who complain about military service don't realize that ANY organization will suck in the beginning. The key is in remembering that if you work hard, get the right connections and behave yourself, you will advance and thrive. Expect shitty commands in the beginning. You ain't gonna be on staff in Bethesda or San Diego. More like Diego Garcia. But, hang in there. Pay: it used to be that doctors do their time, get out and make more money than civilian counterparts. Uh, no longer. Here is what you don't have to deal with as a military doctor: malpractice insurance, managed care, healthcare insurance for you and dependents, no pre-authorization bullshit and so-forth. Stick it out 20 years, you can retire, receive a pension and continue in civilian practice. Or stay in until retirement. If you hate patients (like I do), you can go an admin. pathway. The possibilities are endless. Want to be a flight surgeon? You can be part of aviation. Like SEALS? Then, you can do undersea medicine. I wish I had known this 20 years ago. I'm not gonna blow smoke up your ass: much of it completely sucks. But ask yourself this: how is that different from civilian medicine these days? Doctors don't get respect anymore. But military doctors who make an actual difference as support staff? Different story! I miss the uniform. However miserable I was, it filled me with pride. And now: I just spend my off-time drinking alone in the basement while staring at a brick wall. I rest my case.

[gjonesii]

Wow! One of the most useful videos I have ever watched on the topic. Solid content and expertise. Will forward to my son who is deployed as a medical resource in the National Guard and aspires to finish college and become an army doctor. Thanks again for the valuable information and clarity.

[aryansaeedi]

I’ve been researching about this for a while now thank you so much

[romeogolf]

(As a current Active Duty medic) After I get out active duty I plan to transfer reserves, finish my BA and apply to HPSP in my home state, graduate with a specialty in Family Medicine and perform my residency as needs of The Army. Now then, alright! - come on MS1-4's, start throwing rocks at my dreams!

[wueskew]

"So You Want to be ..." is a fascinating series of videos.

[karma]

1:55 You get paid less but you don't have student loans and are given an allowance while in school to cover your other expenses. This definitely looks like the better option to me.
Edit:
After finishing the video, I'm still interested in this. It would be a unique and interesting experience to have.

[barbaraloveless]

Thank you so much for this!!! I have been seriously considering military medicine and appreciate the info!!!

[donluz]

It’s funny I finished my contract as active duty enlisted. The docs on my ship were always the most laid back and cool. Makes me consider going into medicine

[swissladydriver]

Military compensation may be "lower", but large portions of it, such as BAH (basic allowance for Housing) and BAS (basic allowance for subsistence, i.e. food) are not taxed, leaving a larger take-home pay. Then there are a lot of free benefits such as healthcare, dental, gyms recreation and entertainment. Later, there are lots and lots of VA benefits: GI Bill, disability, VA home loans etc. Military service is the gift that keeps on giving.