One of the most common questions that comes up on my Instagram page is, “How do I become a military physician and what are the benefits.” I will answer these questions here and in subsequent posts.
There are 5 ways to become a physician in the military:
- Uniformed Services University (Military Medical School)
- Health Professions Scholarship Program (Medical School Scholarship)
- Health Services Collegiate Program (Medical School Scholarship
- Family Assistance Program (Residency Scholarship)
- Direct Accessions (Commissioning as a physician)
Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences (USUHS)
USUS is a free-standing medical school located in Bethesda, Maryland. Applications are similar to any other program (AMCAS), however there are special considerations for service-connected applicants. Seats are designated for graduates of the military service academies and the public health service. Applicants must meet requirements for active military service, including background checks and physical exam screening, before receiving a full acceptance.
While attending USU, students are commissioned as active duty military officers and paid on the O1 level (Ensign for Navy). Students also receive military benefits and tuition, fees and books are provided. After completing medical school, students are promoted to O3 and must serve 7 years on active duty (AFTER) completing a PGY-1 year (Internship). If there are prior service commitments, they will affect the amount of time owed.
Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP)
Health Professions Scholarship Program covers full tuition, fees and provides reimbursement for required books and equipment. The program also provides a monthly stipend of $2300 (pre-tax). Each year of the program, recipients are eligible for 45 days of active training, during which time they will receive their full officer pay and allowances. Currently there is also a $20,000 (pre-tax) signing bonus.
Once accepted to a medical program (MD/DO in the states or Puerto Rico), students can apply to receive the HPSP. Scholarships are based upon the service needs and local recruiters serve as liaisons. Recipients incur an active duty service obligation equivalent to the number of years they receive funding, with a minimum of three years. Scholarship applicants must meet the requirements for active duty military service, and must be younger than 42 at the time of their commissioning. Periods of training (Internship, residency and/or fellowship) do not count towards fulfilling military service commitments. However, they do count towards military retirement. Generally, residents have the rank of O3, and within 4-5 years will promote to O4. If completing a civilian residency program, it is possible to promote to O4 in the reserves after 4-5 years of residency and start their active-duty payback at this rank. In a follow-up post, I can provide more details about service commitments and the financial and career impacts of this program.
Health Services Collegiate Program (HSCP)
The Health Services Collegiate Program is similar to the HPSP, however students are not commissioned into the Inactive Ready Reserves. With the HSCP, students receive pay and benefits of a senior-enlisted service member. Medical school tuition is NOT reimbursed, but the time counts towards military retirement. (ex: 4-years of medical school + 4-year in-service residency = 8 years towards retirement.) This option is usually more appealing to students with prior military service with families. After completing medical school, recipients will apply to military residency programs (+/- civilian programs) and follow a similar trajectory as the HPSP recipients. The payback for this program is 6-months per 6-months, with a 3-year minimum.
Financial Assistance Program (FAP)
Financial Assistance Program (FAP) is a scholarship awarded in residency. Once accepted to a residency program this application can be completed. Acceptance likely depends upon the type of residency program, with a strong preference for “critical wartime specialties.” (Anesthesiology, General Surgery, Emergency Medicine). The FAP incurs a “year for a year plus one” commitment (ex: 3 years of scholarship = 4 years of payback.) The incentives include a yearly $45k bonus (pre-tax), and a monthly stipend of $2400 (pre-tax).
Direct Accessions
Direct Accessions programs exist for physicians who decide to join the military. Program requirements include having an active medical license and being fully qualified in a specified medical specialty. Applicants for direct accessions must meet the requirements of becoming a military officer. Accessions bonuses are pre-set amounts depending on the specialty ($400k for Anesthesiologists) and incur a four-year service obligation. There is a scale to translate work experience into military rank, so it is not uncommon for Direct Accessions to enter Active Duty as an O4 or O5.
In summary,
this is a very brief overview of five different pathways to become a military physician. In future posts, I will provide more guidance on specifics aspects of these programs Of course, additional information is available online. Did I miss anything? Please comment below with any questions or concerns.
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*Disclaimer: Views represented are my own, and not those of the US Navy. No component of the Department of Defense has approved, endorsed, or authorized this blog.