Anyone Here Go through Medical or Dental School on the Military's Dime?

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Anyone Here Go through Medical or Dental School on the Military's Dime?

Posted: 1/10/2006 7:10:29 AM EDT

How was your experience? where were you deployed after you graduated?

I am going to be attending dental school next year, hopefully, and I was considering this as a way to pay for school. Anyone with some experience with this, please post here.

Posted: 1/10/2006 7:13:27 AM EDT

[#1]

I haven't, but that is the route I plan to do, if I don't just enlist in the Marines. I'm considering the USUHS.

Posted: 1/10/2006 6:44:28 PM EDT

[#2]

no one? I am shocked, I thought that this site had at least one person who had done everything.

Posted: 1/10/2006 6:47:36 PM EDT

[#3]

maybe drjarhead, if he sees this post.

Posted: 1/10/2006 6:55:04 PM EDT

[#4]

I went in at 17 as an enlisted man.

Med School at 31.

It is MO, FWIW, that you are better off going it on your own in the long run. Even if you go in the military afterward you will get a better deal from them at that point. Now if you are going to go in and that is what you want, then go for it. You get all of your tuition and books paid for as well as a stipend. They were laughing at the start but at the end of the 4 years and looking at the military obligation many were not so happy.

It really is a personal decision but in the long run you are not better off financially IMO.

Posted: 1/10/2006 6:58:53 PM EDT

[#5]

Quoted:
I went in at 17 as an enlisted man.

Med School at 31.

It is MO, FWIW, that you are better off going it on your own in the long run. Even if you go in the military afterward you will get a better deal from them at that point. Now if you are going to go in and that is what you want, then go for it. You get all of your tuition and books paid for as well as a stipend. They were laughing at the start but at the end of the 4 years and looking at the military obligation many were not so happy.

It really is a personal decision but in the long run you are not better off financially IMO.

My father served 2 tours with the dental corps in the late 70s. He did the "went in as a professional route", which means he went to the recruiter after he graduated and just said I want to be in the military. Took him in, OBC, got his captain bars.

PM/Email me, I have lots of answers to your questions..

Posted: 1/10/2006 7:02:00 PM EDT

[#6]

We had a member who was doing that but when things got a little hairy in the sandbox he made the mistake of posting that he was just in it for the free medical education and hadnt signed on for anything like what was possibly coming his way.

As I recall he was totally ripped to shreds in one of the biggest arfcom dogpiles ever and left in disgrace.

I cant remember his name,

Posted: 1/11/2006 12:05:40 AM EDT

[#7]

Quoted:
We had a member who was doing that but when things got a little hairy in the sandbox he made the mistake of posting that he was just in it for the free medical education and hadnt signed on for anything like what was possibly coming his way.

As I recall he was totally ripped to shreds in one of the biggest arfcom dogpiles ever and left in disgrace.

I cant remember his name,

kramrd?

If that's him, he was a dentist (or student) and a reservist crying about not wanting to give up his hopes and dreams after 9/11 and the impending activations. He certainly was put in his place.

Posted: 1/11/2006 9:00:58 AM EDT

[#8]

Quoted:
How was your experience? where were you deployed after you graduated?

I am going to be attending dental school next year, hopefully, and I was considering this as a way to pay for school. Anyone with some experience with this, please post here.

Atomic-

My best friend is a surgeon in the Army and went the military route.

He has never been depolyed, but he's an ENT cutter and facial plastics specialist. Those with "lesser" specialties do get deployed, and he has been given the option of deploying if he wants. If you plan to be in the military forever, NOT deploying is a career-limiting move.

His quality of life is WAY better than your typical surgeon, and he makes pretty good money too.

I can put you in touch if you want to speak with him.

Posted: 1/11/2006 9:33:27 AM EDT

[#9]

I was enlisted USMC 0311.
Then USNA
Then NFO
Then medschool on the Navy's dime to the University Of Michigan. HPSP program.
I deploy to Iraq next week.
I wouldn't have traded it for the world.
I'll be glad to field any questions.

Posted: 1/11/2006 10:03:30 AM EDT

[#10]

I live quite close to USHS. HPSP may be a better route. Obligation is 4 years for HPSP and 7 for USHS.

ZJK, MD
LCDR MC USN

Posted: 1/11/2006 10:08:30 AM EDT

[#11]

I have a friend that went thru the Army after Med School (they paid his way).
He was even in Somalia during the BHD incident. He is an excellent general surgeon and makes a good living. I have never asked if he would do it thru the Army again if given the choice but I think he would. I believe it made him a better doctor by some of the things he did and saw.

Now one of the ortho doctors here in town fixed my wifes hand (or tried to) and I wouldnt take a dog to him again.

Whatever you do, be conscientious at your job and not a piece of crap. Thats the difference in the above two people.

Posted: 1/11/2006 10:12:13 AM EDT

[#12]

Quoted:
I have a friend that went thru the Army after Med School (they paid his way).
He was even in Somalia during the BHD incident. He is an excellent general surgeon and makes a good living. I have never asked if he would do it thru the Army again if given the choice but I think he would. I believe it made him a better doctor by some of the things he did and saw.

Now one of the ortho doctors here in town fixed my wifes hand (or tried to) and I wouldnt take a dog to him again.

Whatever you do, be conscientious at your job and not a piece of crap. Thats the difference in the above two people.

Excellent advice, will get you far in any career path.

Posted: 1/11/2006 10:12:13 AM EDT

[#13]

Quoted:
I was enlisted USMC 0311.
Then USNA
Then NFO
Then medschool on the Navy's dime to the University Of Michigan. HPSP program.
I deploy to Iraq next week.
I wouldn't have traded it for the world.
I'll be glad to field any questions.

How many enlisted Marines and sailors enter the USNA each year? How much did that put you at an advantage over the other mids during plebe summer?

Kharn

Posted: 1/11/2006 10:14:29 AM EDT

[#14]

I had Infantry Training paid for by the .gov...does that count?

Posted: 1/11/2006 10:16:21 AM EDT

[#15]

A handfull. If I recall, (and this is going back aways), there were a dozen or so prior Marines in my class. When Borda was CNO, he was very enthusiastic about the sailor to seaman program and the numbers went up drastically.
I'm unsure the exact numbers now, but my roomate from P-cola is an instructor there now, and he said he sees alot of good conduct ribbons amongst his students.
Had to yell at a plebe that has seen combat, as many of the new mids have in this day and age...some of the OIF/OEF vets must be giving their upperclass hell!

Posted: 1/11/2006 10:21:47 AM EDT

[#16]

Quoted:
How was your experience? where were you deployed after you graduated?

I am going to be attending dental school next year, hopefully, and I was considering this as a way to pay for school. Anyone with some experience with this, please post here.

I know people who have.

Be advised, while the army pays for it (no GSLs to pay back later) you will often do 2-4 years worth of classes in a single year. And if you fuck up at any point that is the end of the army sending you to those kinds of classes.

High qualification requirements and a long list of those waiting.

Posted: 1/11/2006 10:24:46 AM EDT

[#17]

It takes much longer before you have a salary that resembles a doctor's pay if that matters to you.

Posted: 1/11/2006 10:57:02 AM EDT

[#18]

Quoted:
It takes much longer before you have a salary that resembles a doctor's pay if that matters to you.

It depends on speciality, rank, time in service etc. A large portion of a military physician's pay is a bonus that depends on speciality, time in service, and any obligation.
A senior military pediatrician or general internist makes more than their civilian counterparts.
A military neurosurgeon makes much less than his civilian counterpart.
It's no secret that my last year's income was 150K

Less than a third to a quarter to what I could be making on the outside.

Cest La Vie.

Semper Fi

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Anyone Here Go through Medical or Dental School on the Military's Dime?

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