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Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Military Minded

Is there anyone out there who's significant other is doing medical school via the Military route? My MS1, Blake, is highly considering going into the Air Force. (For those of you who aren't familiar with this option, he would be a doctor in the Air Force and the AF would reimburse his tuition--and more, for paying back a certain amount of time.) He has family that have retired from the Air Force, but they weren't doctors. He has talked to people who have decided to go down this road, but wants to talk to someone who's actually been through it (or is currently going through it). He's a very family-oriented guy and has been told by Recruiters that the Air Force is big on family, too (i.e., keeping families together.) Another reason Blake is looking into the Air Force is because the bonuses and retirement benefits as a physician in the military are great.

My question for y'all is, have you been down this road, are you going to go down this road, or do you know anyone who has experienced it? Any bit of advice would be wonderful, or anyone to contact would be great, as well. We just want to know what we might be getting ourselves in to.Thankfully,Katie

Labels: military

11 Comments:

Anonymous said...: One of the girls in our Alliance has a MSIV husband and is in military. I'll see if she can get on here and possibly give you some insight.; September 8, 2009 at 5:36 PM
Mrs. Dawkter said...: Jaidi just asked this a little while ago and I sent her over to this forum and these were the responses she got:

http://medicalspouse.com/forums/showthread.php?t=37848&highlight=military; September 8, 2009 at 5:44 PM
JLee said...: All I know is that it may be harder to get into the specialty that you want for residency in the military. For example, our friend who is air force wanted ortho. There is only 1 air force program in Texas with a limited number of spots. He applied for a civilian residency and it was approved and then he had a better shot at getting into orthopedics. They told us to join after finishing school and residency. Just FYI!! Good luck!; September 8, 2009 at 6:55 PM
Jennifer said...: My brother-in-law was in the Army w/ortho. The benefits were great, but I don't think he would do it again. The Army paid for 3 yrs of MS, and he paid back close to 9, I think. They also sent him to middle-of-nowhere Utah after MS (after he had already arrived at his residency program) b/c they needed a general doc on a base there, so he had to postpone his residency for 2 years...then he was in Germany for 4 years, including 6 mos in Iraq.

I think his general feeling is that they promised a lot, but they weren't very straightforward with just how much they would control his life and his training.; September 8, 2009 at 10:15 PM
Megan said...: Hi! My boyfriend is an MSIV and is in the Navy. Feel free to email me and hopefully I can answer a few questions. mwbsweeters@gmail.com; September 8, 2009 at 11:16 PM
Unknown said...: Wow, thank you for all of these comments. I think I'm more confused than to begin with, HA! but definitely more educated. It's definitely going to be a big decision. Thank you, Marissa, for the forum link.; September 9, 2009 at 9:21 AM
Lee Ilaoa said...: Hey there - I was just encouraged to get on here. My husband is a 2nd year DO in med school and in the Navy. I am a PhD mama with a 2 year old and one in the oven. I work but am online a lot and would be happy to chat/answer questions about the madness that is med life. :)
Take care!; September 9, 2009 at 11:40 AM
Unknown said...: Lee, if would be wonderful if you could give me any insight into how demanding military life is. Also, I have heard that the military promises you a lot of things, but then doesn't follow through. Are you happy with your husband's decision? What are some things you love/hate? My boyfriend is an M1 D.O.

Thank you for your response! I really appreciate it.; September 9, 2009 at 9:14 PM
Lee Ilaoa said...: Hey there!

Yea, you know, we actually like it. I was VERY VERY WARY. My husband went through medic training and then went to Iraq out of high school. He is now 28 and a second year - a little older than the others in his class. He got OUT of the military, went to undergrad, and then we found out we were pregnant. I am a college prof, and there was NO insurance available to me, and THAT was the main reason he went back in!

Since he has been in, he accepted the salary option, where he still has to take out loans but he gets paid to be in school. He owes them 4 years at a Navy residence prog when he is out. There is a prog too that offers to pay tuition, but with no other funds. The Navy follows through with promises as far as bonuses for good grades, etc. He has to do that twice a year PT training thing a few hours away, and has to keep grades in contact with his C.O. in Oklahoma City, OK. Besides that, it is nice. We have insurance and a salary which is our lifeline because the guys/girls can't work, you know?

The reservations that I have, not him as much I think, are that we will be told we have to stay in a place someplace we don't like later on. Job placement is hard too, because you have to get a job where they are sent/accepted. The biggest FREAK OUT I have is another war and a deployment. One is already too many in my mind, and I don't want my kids without a father because of another BS political ego war machine.

I heard the residencies are pretty competitive.

But, you guys are not there yet, I bet. Are you thinking about YOUR changes that are going to happen? There are a lot, if you are used to seeing your honey. You have to work, keep busy, and count the blessings. It is NOT too hard, it is just a strain because you end up being the housekeeper/responsible person all the time. That is NOT my only goal in life and so for me I had to get used to being a "single mom" as I joke with friends.

Do you have questions about that kind of stuff? :)

Lee; September 11, 2009 at 12:24 PM
Unknown said...: Thank you, Lee! I really appreciate it. I think my reservations about the whole things are #1, the war, and just being told or promised one thing by the military, and then having something completely different happen instead.

I really appreciate everyone's help!! I'll let you know what my boyfriend decides to do, as he needs to make a decision in the next few months.

Katie; September 11, 2009 at 8:23 PM
Unknown said...: Lee - I know that this feed happened about a year ago, but I thought I would see if you still check it. I was very interested to hear your situation. My husband is currently in the Navy (submarine officer) and applying for Osteopathic Medical School. We are weighing the option of taking a military scholarship. What year is your husband in school? Has he experienced or heard anything about military docs getting their residencies postponed and having to give more years than agreed to?

Also, what school is your husband at? Could you tell me how he likes it?

Thanks!; August 13, 2010 at 1:55 PM

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Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Military Minded

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