- Joined
- Nov 17, 2017
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I'm a new guy here but my googles over the past year or so routinely direct me to this site, so I figured I should probably register and ask my specific questions in a new thread... I've tried searching but the results are always a little off from what I want to know specifically.
So here goes - I'm a 12-year F-16 pilot, O-4 type, done with my commitment, owe Uncle Sam nothing, and have a stable Wing job that is going to let me stay in place through probably 2021. I decided a little over a year ago that I am definitely going to try to go the MD route - I can explain later if required but I went DNIF and bottom line, I'm probably done flying single-seat due to some barotrauma I experienced. I feel like Medicine is my calling. I wasn't premed at the Air Force Academy and (like most service academy grads) grades aren't exactly what Med Schools are looking for. So I enrolled in School last year to bump up my GPA (I also have a 4.0 MBA) and knock out my pre-reqs. School has been going great. My question is: I'm on track to apply to Med School for a 2021 school year start. I'm thinking the HPSP might fit my needs, because my thought would be to get out, go to school, get paid (and school paid for), come back in, payback what I needed to and then retire somewhere after the 20 year mark but not too much later.
Is that a reasonable plan? Is there any preference to a former pilot to perhaps come back in as an Aerospace Physiologist? When I come back in, do I keep my previous rank? I know how it works at USUHS, but I'm not interested in that kind of commitment. Does HPSP make me resign my current commission? Do I recommission as an O-3 plus half of my time like USUHS? Or do I keep my current rank? Are the Reserves a better option to finish out my time (is there that option?) What would you do if you were in my shoes, were done flying, have 12 years of service, 34 years old, and really passionately feel medicine is your future? I understand everyone's perspective is different but that's what I'm looking for. Family considerations are all good, I do have 4 young children and my wife is a trauma/Sx PA, we all know what we're getting in to and they're all 100% on board. I know things can change but I can leave that out of the equation for now. Thanks in advance!
So here goes - I'm a 12-year F-16 pilot, O-4 type, done with my commitment, owe Uncle Sam nothing, and have a stable Wing job that is going to let me stay in place through probably 2021. I decided a little over a year ago that I am definitely going to try to go the MD route - I can explain later if required but I went DNIF and bottom line, I'm probably done flying single-seat due to some barotrauma I experienced. I feel like Medicine is my calling. I wasn't premed at the Air Force Academy and (like most service academy grads) grades aren't exactly what Med Schools are looking for. So I enrolled in School last year to bump up my GPA (I also have a 4.0 MBA) and knock out my pre-reqs. School has been going great. My question is: I'm on track to apply to Med School for a 2021 school year start. I'm thinking the HPSP might fit my needs, because my thought would be to get out, go to school, get paid (and school paid for), come back in, payback what I needed to and then retire somewhere after the 20 year mark but not too much later.
Is that a reasonable plan? Is there any preference to a former pilot to perhaps come back in as an Aerospace Physiologist? When I come back in, do I keep my previous rank? I know how it works at USUHS, but I'm not interested in that kind of commitment. Does HPSP make me resign my current commission? Do I recommission as an O-3 plus half of my time like USUHS? Or do I keep my current rank? Are the Reserves a better option to finish out my time (is there that option?) What would you do if you were in my shoes, were done flying, have 12 years of service, 34 years old, and really passionately feel medicine is your future? I understand everyone's perspective is different but that's what I'm looking for. Family considerations are all good, I do have 4 young children and my wife is a trauma/Sx PA, we all know what we're getting in to and they're all 100% on board. I know things can change but I can leave that out of the equation for now. Thanks in advance!