Military Medicine

Military Medicine

Disclaimer: The following is biased towards the Army. Navy and Air Force requirements may be somewhat different. We will try, however, to relate general information. All definitive information can be found in your HPSP handbook and through your HPSP counselor.

 

The Third Year

By the middle of third year you should have an idea of what specialty interests you. You should also be thinking about the locations you are most interested in spending your next several years.

We recommend back-to-back rotations between third and fourth year with your most desired location done second. Use the first as practice so you’ll shine by the time you get to your second hospital. This will give you two Sub-Internships in military hospitals early enough for match consideration. Remember the ADT application deadlines!

NOTE: These Sub-Internships do NOT count towards your Sub-I requirement for fourth year, so you will still need to do a Sub-I within the BU system.

Before you get to your ADT site

  1. Get an evaluation form for each ADT rotation from the BU registrar so you can hand-carry it to your ADT hospital.

  2. Plan to interview! Get your CV ready, as some hospitals require a CV for interviews.

  3. Get pictures (they do not need to be military) to give to the residency directors after you interview.

  4. You will need Class A’ s for interviews and Class B’s for daily wear. Make sure your uniforms fit properly, are clean and all the insignias, tags and ribbons are in order. Part of the interview is your appearance.

  5. Some hospitals require a presentation on a relevant topic of your choice. Some hospitals like you to take the initiative and ask to present. Prepare before you go and take slide materials with you. The hospitals can make slides but it may take up to two weeks to get them back to you.

On arrival at your ADT site

  1. Have with you many copies of your orders, your CV, a picture, and an evaluation form for each ADT site.

  2. Within the first few days, arrange for interviews. You may have as many as seven at each location.

  3. Consider asking your primary evaluator/attending for a letter of recommendation.

  4. Turn in slide materials for presentation.

What to expect during the rotation

  1. Paperwork is similar to that in the VA. In some hospitals "paperwork" is all on the computer. Wherever you go you may need to take a training class in order to use the computer.

  2. The hospitals are generally efficient, with good ancillary services. The residents are helpful and relatively laid back.

  3. You will have a lot of independence but no more than you can handle. Residents know you are still a student. You are expected to work as an acting Intern but you will not be over-burdened.

  4. Call schedules range from every third to every fifth night depending on the rotation. Daily schedules include rounds, morning report, teaching conferences and teaching rounds.

  5. You are expected to wear Class B’s to the hospital. You may be permitted or required to wear scrubs (provided). You may be permitted to wear civilian clothes on the weekends.

  6. You will have a good time, so relax and enjoy the rotation. You are there to learn. Don’t be shy. Speak up and ask questions. The attendings and residents love to teach and everyone works together very well as a team.

 

The Fourth Year

Turn in your application ON TIME or your stipend may be suspended. NOTE: The original application MUST be submitted by the first deadline. For those applying to OB/GYN Internship, a regular application must be submitted in addition to the ERAS application.

Arrange to have your military photographs and physical done early in August. Allow extra time to order appropriate insignia. Sometimes the uniform shops are out, so call ahead.

The physical is taken at the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) in South Boston. You are Chapter 3. Chapter 2 lists the standards for new recruits and the Chapter 3 standards are slightly different, and they will probably ask YOU what chapter you are. You will need to give supporting documents for any medical conditions you tell them about.

NOTE: Every year the MEPS doctors find a medical reason (such as a history of childhood asthma) to send a disqualification letter directly to an unlucky candidate. NO ONE except the Surgeon General can disqualify you from the HPSP for medical reasons. So if you receive one of these letters (probably one week before USMLE Step II) DON’T PANIC. You WILL get a waiver. Call the HPSP office and let them know.

IT IS IMPORTANT that you enter the civilian residency matching program (NRMP) because not everyone matches in the military. DO NOT disregard the NRMP. The deadlines for the Dean’s letter and registering for the NRMP come before you find out about your military match status. If you do not match in the military and you have not applied to the NRMP, you will find yourself in an unfortunate position.

 

The Match

If you match in the military, CONGRATULATIONS. Notifications will come sometime in December. BU students have a good reputation throughout the military and have a history of matching in their desired specialty and location. Once you match in the military you MUST withdraw from the NRMP immediately.

 

Final Notes

Your stipend will end on graduation day and you will not be paid again until your first day of active duty. Your orders will be set to start on the day you are to report for active duty which will be two or three weeks before the start of your Internship (1 JUL). This time will be used for orientation, in-processing and other requirements.

You cannot do anything without your orders, which will show up between March and May. You will need your orders to arrange for moving and housing. Your match hospital will send a welcome letter, a welcome packet, questionnaires (with deadlines), and will arrange for a sponsor to answer your questions. You can call the Housing office at your match hospital to find out about housing options.

It is never too early to start getting back in shape. You will need to take your PT test during or soon after orientation.

 

 

Disclaimer