Another med school thread

[futurephysician]

I'm looking to enlist, ideally under 68P Radlology Specialist. I'd like to eventually work my way up to Radiology Physician, and I currently don't have a degree. I was thinking enlist, as a 68P, then while I'm serving get a degree in premed. I'm about 7 months shy of 30, so ROTC is out of the question.

My questions are:
a) Is there a viable way to get a degree with online universities, which seem to be the best schools for those who might get deployed, in a field that would benefit my goal?
b) Once I have a degree, would I be able to get into med school through the army to become a physician in my field, or would I have to leave after my enlistment and use the GI Bill to help pay for med school?

Any help or places to research would be appreciated, I'd like to have something mapped out before I roll in.

[MSG Glenn]

I can't answer any of your questions but I have a few ideas that popped into my head.First off I wonder if you realize that you can get up to $ 50,000 towards your education to be used after you serve your time in the Army? That's a pretty good chunk of change. You might be able to use that while on active duty but I'm pretty sure it's payable after your active duty enlistment is finished. You'll still have some Reserve/Guard time to do but at that time your GI Bill would be in force.

Another idea that I can pass along to you is to attend the best medical training you can get as an enlisted man in the Army. That's the Special Operations Combat Medic Course- SOCM. You'd have to apply for Special Operations which include Special Forces & Rangers which would be an Airborne/Option 40 contract. For Special Forces (read Green Beret) you'd need to get an 18X contract. There may be SOCM slots available for non-spec ops. That I'm not sure about.Thos Spec Op medics really know their $hit! Be advised: any Spec Ops contract would entail Airborne School.

You'll have to ask a recruiter what courses are available to you online. There might be a catalogue available.

Do lots & lots of research so when you start the enlistment process you'll be armed with information. That way a recruiter can't give you a snow job. If you're the least bit unhappy with the contract they offer you then walk out. Accept exactly what you want. If there's a good reason that they can't give it to you do to availability of slots then try waiting a few months. A good time to get a contract is early in the year which is coming up soon. There's usually seasonal bonuses available. The worst time is early summer when most graduate from H.S. & college. if after all your trying to get an "impossible" contract then be prepared to initiate Plan B. Always have a backup plan or two in your mind.

[futurephysician]

Yea I figured the best option would be to go in for a term, try to get a premed degree while I'm in, then use the money I'll get from enlisting to go to med school after I get out. I was just wondering if there was an option that I could do and still stay enlisted, I'd like to repay back the branch that got me to there in the first place.

Spec Ops combat medic might not be my gig, I've always found it facinating that we can use radiation to heal as well as harm the human body. I'm hoping that the time I spend in as a 68P will look good on an internship as I try to get into med school after I'm out - I'm looking more specifically as a Radiology Physician than just a General Physician. Don't get me wrong though, I've got great respec for them and especially for the combat medics, it's just not my thing.

[futurephysician]

Do lots & lots of research so when you start the enlistment process you'll be armed with information. That way a recruiter can't give you a snow job. If you're the least bit unhappy with the contract they offer you then walk out. Accept exactly what you want. If there's a good reason that they can't give it to you do to availability of slots then try waiting a few months. A good time to get a contract is early in the year which is coming up soon. There's usually seasonal bonuses available. The worst time is early summer when most graduate from H.S. & college. if after all your trying to get an "impossible" contract then be prepared to initiate Plan B. Always have a backup plan or two in your mind.

I can't agree more with that comment. I watched my buddy go into the marines and get completely hosed on what he'd like to do because the recruitor told him whatever he wanted to hear just to get him in. I've had more buddies get in and get exactly what they wanted though, so anyone who's new to the military don't feel you're guarenteed to get screwed. Just make sure you've got your plan down and ready when you sign those papers.

[MSG Glenn]

I've got great respec for them and especially for the combat medics, it's not my thing.I can understand that. It's just the best premed training you can get. Better than RN or EMS/Paramedic.
I always push for the medics as my son is an Army Ranger & I'm always trying to get the best care for him & his buddies!:)

Good luck & it seems you have the situation well under control with your life mapped out .

Have you seen a recruiter yet? Now that you know exactly what you want give them a try! I'd wait until after Christmas & even New Year. The most experienced recruiters might be on leave. Of course a more junior recruiter may be willing to spend more time with you.

[futurephysician]

I'm waiting to hear from one actually, my roomate is at MEPS right now getting his physical - which is what really prompted me to look into my options with the army. His recruiter is supposed to contact me either tonite or tmr to have me come in and see what he can do for me. Just decided to be a little proactive and get some "I've been there" non-biased advice before I talk to him.

I still might help your son, if he breaks a bone he might be sent to me to find out what we have to do to put it back together ;)

[MSG Glenn]

You might at that but I think you'll be too late. He gets back stateside shortly into the new year & gets out in May. He got promoted to SGT this last May & has been offered SSG stripes & a squad as soon as they get back but it would require a 2 year reenlistment as they want stability in their leadership. He'd also get $12,000 & the school of his choice as long as his Batt. could use those skills. Something like Pathfinder, Sniper, SCUBA, etc. He'd have to go to Jumpmaster School because that's one of the requirements to be a squad leader in the Rangers.
The last time I talked to him he was 90% sure he was going to get out. He wants to be a cop. He'd have to join the Guard or Reserve to finish the 8 year obligation. He'll probably go Guard because it's an Infantry brigade while the Reserve has combat arms slots they're still desk jobs & Service & Service/Support units, unless he becomes a Reserve Drill SGT. He realizes he'll probably get deployed eventually with the WI Guard but he'd rather take his chances with them than going into the IRR. At least he'd be going with people he knows & had a hand in training them.

[Nightflyer]

You might at that but I think you'll be too late. He gets back stateside shortly into the new year & gets out in May. He got promoted to SGT this last May & has been offered SSG stripes & a squad as soon as they get back but it would require a 2 year reenlistment as they want stability in their leadership. He'd also get $12,000 & the school of his choice as long as his Batt. could use those skills. Something like Pathfinder, Sniper, SCUBA, etc. He'd have to go to Jumpmaster School because that's one of the requirements to be a squad leader in the Rangers.
The last time I talked to him he was 90% sure he was going to get out. He wants to be a cop. He'd have to join the Guard or Reserve to finish the 8 year obligation. He'll probably go Guard because it's an Infantry brigade while the Reserve has combat arms slots they're still desk jobs & Service & Service/Support units, unless he becomes a Reserve Drill SGT. He realizes he'll probably get deployed eventually with the WI Guard but he'd rather take his chances with them than going into the IRR. At least he'd be going with people he knows & had a hand in training them.

That totally sounds like a plan...a V G one at that...Good stuff...