Friday, September 23, 2011

What is it like being a doctor in the military?

I was just wondering if anyone has ever been a doctor in any of the branches of military. Did you like it? What are its pro's and cons? I have read the Student Doctor Forums online, and it seems like the general consensus is that military medicine sucks. However, I'm not really sure if this is just a bunch of disgruntled army doctors ranting in one place online, and if the happy military doctors don't even know about the website. If anyone has any info, please tell me. Thanks!|||I was an MD in the USAF from 1989-1999. I enjoyed it, mostly, and I thought I received excellent training. You will enjoy it more if you stay in the larger medical centers, as I did. The USAF is a young person's place, so it is fun to be there when you're young. No one is allowed in who is not reasonably healthy and not overweight, so it gives you a somewhat warped perspective on humanity. If you're single and especially if you're female it's a great place to meet someone who doesn't have AIDS. The system is essentially socialized medicine, which has its good points and bad points. I wouldn't recommend it if you want to stay put in one place or if you have great designs on being a family man or a family person, I should say. They can and do tell you what to do and where to go, and you only have some say in the matter. The 30 days paid vacation is wonderful.|||it's like the television show M.A.S.H.|||An army doctor is a combatant doctor who commands a lot of respect.He is paid slightly higher for his rank.(I drew major`s pay as a captain in Army medical corps). It gives job satisfaction and exposes to varied experience. Apart from treating soldiers and families,treating battle casualties,treating in open air,treating prisoners of war is a very good experience which civilian doctors do not get. But army doctors earn much less than civilian doctors.|||It is like practicing medicine anywhere else with the following exceptions:


1) You are working on military personnel (and occasionally their dependents)


2) You don't get paid as much as a civilian doctor


3) You need to be concerned about gaining a promotion.





The goods generally outweigh the bads, if you are happy when you are there.


Usually, if you sign to be a military doctor, they will pay for your schooling in return for X number of years service... and free medical school can't be all that bad.

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