Wanting to become an Army doctor

[foreverxyours]

If a person joins the Army... and wants to become a doctor... how much of their education would be paid? Do you have to join the Army with a 4-year degree to get them to pay for you to become a doctor?

The reason why I ask is that I want to become a doctor & I want to be in the Army.

If I have a medical assistant diploma... will that help me get the MOS I want (68w) ?

[hasan_the_mad]

A medical assistant diploma...you mean degree? Certificate?
ANyhow, I am a 68W. You do not need any college to be a medic. Your degree in medical assisting (I am assuming that is what you meant) may give you the prerequisites to apply to the Army PA program...which gets you a master's degree in 2 years, a comission as a 2nd LT, and pays you while in school! Check it out:
http://www.usarec.army.mil/armypa/
As far as being an MD, you would need your bachelors in pre-med, join, then apply to the program for a 4-year tuition paid program...I am not too sure about the details for that, try the Medical Corps recruiter.

[Gunbunny13]

You must already be a doctor when you join.
What you can do is join a ROTC program at the college you plan to attend. You agree to be an officer (and doctor) for a stated period of time and the Army will pay for your education.
You can become a medic, and later a P.A.

[hasan_the_mad]

She would have to be accepted to the Med school, and have the bachelors in pre-med, then go through the direct-comissioning program and ROTC...long road.

[foreverxyours]

Yeah... I think I'll just join the Army... and see where that takes me. I'm only 22 so... I still have time to figure out if I still want to be a doctor.

Thanks for the information guys... I appreciate it!!!

[hasan_the_mad]

Keep in mind that in the Army, the PA has the same scope of practice and responsibility as an MD...also, if you do enlist, contact me about the SMART program, as it can earn you some rank/cash...

[foreverxyours]

Thanks so much Hasan... I appreciate it.

I was going to tell you yesterday that my MA diploma is just a certificate. The school I went to is certified by the health department though. I had a friend of mine check it out for me and he said the Army would accept it.

Will having that diploma help me get a rank? Or will it just help me get the job I want?

So basically if I go to school for 4 years and become a PA in the Army it's the same thing as a MD? That's crazy.... because there is much difference between PA and MD. IMO!!!