True! But it's not like I'd be denied specialist training in some areas - I'm really interested in infectious diseases, and the army will pay for your postgrad training if they need someone in that area. And dude. Crazy foreign diseases! Of course they need people who know about those.
And yeah. It would be VERY different to a hospital or private practice, but that's some of the appeal. Anyway. I don't have to decide for another four years or whatever. It's just an option that I really like the look of.
I think I might be one of the few that says that might not be a bad idea, but I grew up in the American South, and know that when one says "military service", one does not always mean "sent to die in a war zone" in no uncertain terms. No matter what the current times tell us right now.
Besides, you'd be a research doctor and lots of money invested into your training. You're too expensensive to send off to war without good reason.
Military research into disease, viruses, and bacteria is a HUGE thing. I know many people that served out their contract and came out just fine. It can be so interesting and you would get exposed (ha! PUN!) to things that you could never get your hands out on outside the service.
But it is really something you have to think about. Boot camp is hard. Both emotionally and physically. Some tough guys I know just couldn't take the emotional and mental control you have to give up in order to survive in the military.
My vote is keep thinking about and look into it more. And see if you could ever get a chance to talk to someone that has been through any of the programs or has retire from your area of interest.
And...yes. I am going to talk to people. My father joined the army reserve as a medical specialist and had to do the basic training, and my housemate's sister is currently at the Defense Force Academy undergoing HER basic training. So.
Hey, I lurk a lot, so I hope you don’t mind me commenting, but I think that if Medical school is what you really want to do, then go for it. I know what it’s like to really want something and not get it right away, and even though being a medical student is tough and sometimes makes you think WTF am I doing, it still is wonderful and I’d go through the testes and the waiting and the suffering to get in all over again.
Had cramps so badly that you thought you were going to puke
(Or possibly kill someone)
Had your Nurofen completely fail to take effect, or wear off far too soon
Been forced to go to class, or work, or both
Been required to be friendly and polite and show in no way that you were in pain?
If all of these hold true, and moreover you think you could survive having it happen for six weeks straight, then boot camp will be no problem for you! :D
That said, all jokes aside: America has a similar plan, except that then they take their retired/inactive military and fuck them up the ass by paying them squat. It is not good. Your plan does sound better, but research is your friend!
Also, keep in mind that you will be taking orders from people for years and expected to fill them even if it's impossible, although I mean you are planning to be a doctor so perhaps you were expecting to have that happen anyway, in which case I say go for it. *cheerful*
i've really thought about this too...because the experience would be worth it career-wise for me.
but some things don't make me feel right...you can't avoid the fact that there is some bullying...(and the physical fitness thing would worry me as well, esp if i felt like i wasn't as competent as the others who would be fitness freaks).
i researched this ages ago...but don't you have to already be accepted into a medical program before they even think of sponsoring you? getting into med is a hurdle in itself methinks.
but the experience would be great...esp if someone wanted to be a surgeon.
My first instinct is NO! But that's because I would worry about you, and I know very little about it.
Research, as everyone's been saying. See how much you would be signing away. To be honest you're going to probably be able to do more good if you get the army to pay for it than some sort of enormous corperation thing... so if it's an either/or thing, maybe it's the best plan. If you could possibly afford it, though...
I dunno. I object on principle to the idea of being owned.
In terms of years, it'd be whatever they pay for + 1. So...five or six years?
The other thing I was considering was the rural bonded scholarships, but they basically mean the government owns you and gets to move you around the countryside for six years. And. No. If I don't get big cities, I'd rather be doing something exciting.
I've done the research on the equivalent for the U.S. military (I considered Air Force and Navy systems over here). It's -- well. It can be a really, really hard thing, and the amount of time that you end up owing for your education is not necessarily the minimum depending on what you specialize in.
That said, and especially since you have an interest in infectious disease, (you and me both have an interest there, and how did I not know this before?) there are some very valuable things about it. There are some opportunities for travel and practical experience that are nearly impossible to duplicate otherwise; there are systems, there are research and technological advances, and any number of other things that might make it worthwhile-- at least in the US system. I don't know exactly how yours would translate in terms of the service environment and a number of other things.
The most important thing is to talk to people who've done it; use whatever connections you have to find out about the practicalities of military service from those who've lived it. Most especially talk to women, and talk to the medical service as well.
'Cause if it's just the opportunity to go see neat infectious diseases in remote parts of the world, then we should talk about a whole lot of OTHER opportunities to do that too. :)
Do whatever makes you happy mate. I really have no idea what is like to work in the army in a non-combatant role. I get the idea you may be moved around a lot but I guess it depends on exactly what your job is. I read a great book on a guy who was researching infectious diseases who was in the army. I think it was called Hot Zones or something like that. Anyway this dude went to areas with ebola and so on. It was quite a good read, if I find it I might lend it to you. It also talked about how it affected his personal life too, so prehaps it'd give you an idea what you're in for both professionally and personally.
The army may be the way to go. As long as it puts that rather nice mass of neural tissue to good use and doesn't get you killed I'm all for it.
On the other hand I'm pretty sure you could get any kind of scholarship you want.
'tis early days yet anyway, you may completely change your mind about what you want to do with your life.
Well, the initial posting is about 18 months long, and then I figure you pretty much go where they need you. I don't actually dislike the idea of moving around a lot.
That does sound ideal! I shall look for it.
The scholarships available are mostly Rural Bonded, which means that instead of owing the army six years I would owe the government six years. All of the being-moved-around-outside-of-urban-centres without the student salary and the overseas travel.
after having a look around the site myself (being the research gerbil i am), i don't think it's such a bad idea. it would be extremely valuable, experience-wise, and being forced to be physically fit is... well, not bad objectively. would your heart thing stop them from letting you in?
really not such a bad idea. i mean, don't commit yourself or anything, and any option that doesn't involve you in the army is still to be considered :P, but i'm going to try to be not anti-army on principle. have you spoken to your parents about it yet?
presentation hasn't been looked at yet... but it will. after i ring Ann, Asha, Pizza people, etc. ARGH.
On the heart thing - I don't think so? It means I can't scuba dive, but hey. I wouldn't want to apply for the Navy anyway. Messing around on boats. Eh. Air Force wouldn't be too different to Army, in terms of medical postings.
My parents both think it's a good idea. Especially because if my sister still has her heart set on vetinary science she may only get a full-fee paying place and...if I can be completely financially independent after only a year of medicine, I would LOVE to take that strain off my parents. Because my brother will be starting uni the year I start medicine, most likely.
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Occasionally, they do useful things like act as a peacekeeping force in East Timor.
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And yeah. It would be VERY different to a hospital or private practice, but that's some of the appeal. Anyway. I don't have to decide for another four years or whatever. It's just an option that I really like the look of.
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Besides, you'd be a research doctor and lots of money invested into your training. You're too expensensive to send off to war without good reason.
Military research into disease, viruses, and bacteria is a HUGE thing. I know many people that served out their contract and came out just fine. It can be so interesting and you would get exposed (ha! PUN!) to things that you could never get your hands out on outside the service.
But it is really something you have to think about. Boot camp is hard. Both emotionally and physically. Some tough guys I know just couldn't take the emotional and mental control you have to give up in order to survive in the military.
My vote is keep thinking about and look into it more. And see if you could ever get a chance to talk to someone that has been through any of the programs or has retire from your area of interest.
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And...yes. I am going to talk to people. My father joined the army reserve as a medical specialist and had to do the basic training, and my housemate's sister is currently at the Defense Force Academy undergoing HER basic training. So.
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If all of these hold true, and moreover you think you could survive having it happen for six weeks straight, then boot camp will be no problem for you! :D
That said, all jokes aside: America has a similar plan, except that then they take their retired/inactive military and fuck them up the ass by paying them squat. It is not good. Your plan does sound better, but research is your friend!
Also, keep in mind that you will be taking orders from people for years and expected to fill them even if it's impossible, although I mean you are planning to be a doctor so perhaps you were expecting to have that happen anyway, in which case I say go for it. *cheerful*
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Being a doctor kind of IS trying the impossible every day, especially if you're a specialist in an odd area like infectious disease or neurology.
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but some things don't make me feel right...you can't avoid the fact that there is some bullying...(and the physical fitness thing would worry me as well, esp if i felt like i wasn't as competent as the others who would be fitness freaks).
i researched this ages ago...but don't you have to already be accepted into a medical program before they even think of sponsoring you? getting into med is a hurdle in itself methinks.
but the experience would be great...esp if someone wanted to be a surgeon.
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Research, as everyone's been saying. See how much you would be signing away. To be honest you're going to probably be able to do more good if you get the army to pay for it than some sort of enormous corperation thing... so if it's an either/or thing, maybe it's the best plan. If you could possibly afford it, though...
I dunno. I object on principle to the idea of being owned.
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The other thing I was considering was the rural bonded scholarships, but they basically mean the government owns you and gets to move you around the countryside for six years. And. No. If I don't get big cities, I'd rather be doing something exciting.
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S'weirdly attractive. SO MUCH MONEY.
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That said, and especially since you have an interest in infectious disease, (you and me both have an interest there, and how did I not know this before?) there are some very valuable things about it. There are some opportunities for travel and practical experience that are nearly impossible to duplicate otherwise; there are systems, there are research and technological advances, and any number of other things that might make it worthwhile-- at least in the US system. I don't know exactly how yours would translate in terms of the service environment and a number of other things.
The most important thing is to talk to people who've done it; use whatever connections you have to find out about the practicalities of military service from those who've lived it. Most especially talk to women, and talk to the medical service as well.
'Cause if it's just the opportunity to go see neat infectious diseases in remote parts of the world, then we should talk about a whole lot of OTHER opportunities to do that too. :)
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I don't know anyone who's done longer military service as a medical officer, but I'm going to see if my dad can find me someone to talk to :)
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The army may be the way to go. As long as it puts that rather nice mass of neural tissue to good use and doesn't get you killed I'm all for it.
On the other hand I'm pretty sure you could get any kind of scholarship you want.
'tis early days yet anyway, you may completely change your mind about what you want to do with your life.
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That does sound ideal! I shall look for it.
The scholarships available are mostly Rural Bonded, which means that instead of owing the army six years I would owe the government six years. All of the being-moved-around-outside-of-urban-centres without the student salary and the overseas travel.
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really not such a bad idea. i mean, don't commit yourself or anything, and any option that doesn't involve you in the army is still to be considered :P, but i'm going to try to be not anti-army on principle. have you spoken to your parents about it yet?
presentation hasn't been looked at yet... but it will. after i ring Ann, Asha, Pizza people, etc. ARGH.
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My parents both think it's a good idea. Especially because if my sister still has her heart set on vetinary science she may only get a full-fee paying place and...if I can be completely financially independent after only a year of medicine, I would LOVE to take that strain off my parents. Because my brother will be starting uni the year I start medicine, most likely.
Hokay. I'll be around :)