Guys who have done the Military thing I need your input

[2000SiVTEC]

Okay guys here is my situation. I am getting ready to take my DAT exam and apply to dental school in the next year or so. But I have come upon an opportunity that is pretty tempting. Now anyone who knows me knows I have said time and time again I would not do the military, but how bad is it really? Everyone I talk to says it is not that bad, especially as an officer.

Here is what I am looking at. After my mom talked to a dentist the other day I found out exactly how expensive this schooling is. I went online and did some reserch of my own and confirmed what the dentist said. Anway the tuition is around 15-22k a year for the places I want to go. But in your first year you have to buy over 30,000 dollars of equipment. Well I am eligble for a scholarship with teh military that would give me a full ride to dental school. They pay everything and give me 1100 per month while I am doing the school/ROTC thing. I would also still be able to keep my regular job. And I of course owe them 4 years when I complete school, but I wold go in as a Lieutenant. So how is the military guys? Especially for a doctor.

[TedR719]

That sounds like a great oppertunity for you, defaintly do that!

[GEN4CRX]

you know to be honest, who cares if its hard, you got a chance to do alot of things with you life, i mean come on whats 4 years of your life if you can be a DOCTOR!! i mean come on!! and you know, you also get to put in the sweat and blood and serve your counrty, and then in the end you can say you,ve earned that good life youll be livin:) plus if you jion the air force or navy youll see some hella cool places and youll be an officer to boot, i say ,do that shit dawg :)

[2002jettavr6]

I spent 5 years in the NAVY and loved it every bit of it


Go for it man

[phil]

my uncle was in the navy and was even stationed in the middle east during the whole gulf desert storm thing. but whenever he talks about navy life he has huge grin on his face the whole time and says he would do it again if he could.

[2000SiVTEC]

See that is what i am thinking. I am not worried about the hard part of it. I mean it just seems that I have this weird misconception about the military. I am thinking if I do go it will probably air force. But to have well over 100k worth of education paid for I can justify it. Hell who knows I am young enough that if I stayed in I could retire and be young enough to start my own practice outside of the military. It is somthing I have been throwing around a lot lately.

[cat 1]

I would definately not go enlisted... But then again none of the doctors/ dentists are enlisted.
I would jump all over it if I was 17 again. I did my 3 years in the Navy and was deployed for over half of that time.

[Scuba_Steve]

See that is what i am thinking. I am not worried about the hard part of it. I mean it just seems that I have this weird misconception about the military. I am thinking if I do go it will probably air force. But to have well over 100k worth of education paid for I can justify it. Hell who knows I am young enough that if I stayed in I could retire and be young enough to start my own practice outside of the military. It is somthing I have been throwing around a lot lately.


Sounds like a great opportunity, just be sure to go Air Force. I was in the USAF for 5 1/2 years with no regrets. I think the Air Force is your best choice because it's more like a regular job than the other branches. No PT, no going out to sea for 6 months and the basic training is only 6 weeks:D. Good luck.

[hoffman]

Agreed. Look at the Air Force.

Are you sure it is not 6-8 years owed after school? Every officer I have ever met must serve 6-8 years, minimum.

I have been in the Army for 10 years and it is the easiest job I have ever had. Before the Army I was a lifeguard and a swimming instructor. Not really high demanding jobs, but then again, neither is the military.

Its as easy as showing up on time, in the right uniform and doing what your told. Thats it. If someone is yelling at you you, who cares. His job is to yell, your job is to listen.

Being a Doctor, easy life. Even at a MASH its easy. I say do it. Look at it this way, free school, paid vacations, see the world, great stories to tell the grand kids.

[2000SiVTEC]

Yeah it is only 4 years from what I understand. The doctor that my mom was talking to was telling her his son just got done with his 4 years and was about to start his own practice.

[damian9669]

Yeah it is only 4 years from what I understand. The doctor that my mom was talking to was telling her his son just got done with his 4 years and was about to start his own practice.
Go Air Force for sure.I was in the army for 4 years and im still not quite sure how to rate my experience.But since I got out ive been a lot happier so I guess that will help your decision out some.Being in the military is not just a job you can walk away from at the end of the day.Its more like a way of life and if youre not ready for that sort of commitment dont do it.But being in the Air Force and an Officer should be cake.Especially if you plan on being a dentist.
I wonder if you qualify for an sign up bonus as well? Look into that because you may be able to score some free money as well as getting a free education.As far as helping you progress through life I would have to say that the military is good for that as long as you use it as a tool.I was able to get 50 grand for my college education I learned a whole lot of usefull skills,became a sergeant and gained managerial skills and still got paid fairly well in the process.As an officer you will also be getting paid about twice what the enlisted personel get paid.So its not a bad move if you are ready to commit 8 years of your life.
Keep in mind that you will lose 4 years because instead of getting out of school in 4 years and then opening up your own practice you will be commited to fullfilling your obligation.the downside of getting out of school and starting your own practice will be the school loans you have to pay back.But if you make good money being a dentist it shouldnt be a big deal.
It all depends on which route gets you to your goal the quickest.If going to school and being a dentist allows you to finish school and pay your loans off withing a total of six years then I would say go that route.Because you would be gaining two years.if the military yields better results in eight years go that route.

[CSMsi311]

Some NAVY recruiter was talking to me at the job fair yesterday. I was bored and not having much luck so i talked with him.. It seems like a decent deal. I'm sure I haven't gotten the full picture, but it is something that i've been pondering lately.

One thing that I thought was odd was that their 'competitive pay' for a mechanical engineer around 33k starting. I'm sure i can make at least 10k more if i find a real job.

I think I would go Air Force if i do join

[damian9669]

Some NAVY recruiter was talking to me at the job fair yesterday. I was bored and not having much luck so i talked with him.. It seems like a decent deal. I'm sure I haven't gotten the full picture, but it is something that i've been pondering lately.

One thing that I thought was odd was that their 'competitive pay' for a mechanical engineer around 33k starting. I'm sure i can make at least 10k more if i find a real job.

I think I would go Air Force if i do join
never trust a recruiter.He will tell you what you want to hear in order to get you in.Remember that and you wont go wrong.If something feels screwy it probably is.If something feels left out it probably is.Hope that helps.

[2000SiVTEC]

Yeah if I do decide to do it I will definitly go Air Force. The big deciding factor for me has been that it is a full ride sort of deal. And I wouldn't have to pay back huge student loans. Hell in 8 years I will be 31. That is still very young, you get out of the military and start your own practice and have a great life. It's just something I am throwing around. All I have ever heard is that being an officer is cake and they make decent money. Although as a dentist I could probably easily make 100k plus with my own practice, but at the current time money (salary wise) is not a huge deciding factor for me.

[damian9669]

if you can make that in one year screw the military.go to school.get out.and start your own practice.Youll pay your school loans off in a year and still have three years left over to make money and be free.Youll reach your goal 3 years earlier.Youre not going to live forever and if you want to retire earlier those 3 years will help.

[Maverick]

If you go Air Force be sure to get caught up in some sort of a sex scandal........................................... ..I love reading about those in the news paper.

[exciv2000]

If you go Air Force be sure to get caught up in some sort of a sex scandal........................................... ..I love reading about those in the news paper.

:rofl: