Training Pipeline

Unlike civilians, military physicians must apply for PGY2 residency and fellowship training positions through the JSGMESB. This military matching process is conducted every fall.

Types of Training:

1. Full-Time Inservice (FTIS) or Other Federal Institution (OFI) program
2. Full-Time Outservice (FTOS)
3. In a Civilian Facility in a Deferred Status or Navy Active 4. Duty Delay for Specialists (NADDS)
5. Financial Assistance Program (FAP)

Typically applications are submitted during internship, the last year of a GMO tour or when seeking a fellowship.

The Health Professionals Scholarship Program (HPSP) is targeted at medical students and college seniors who have been accepted to medical school. Physicians in a civilian residency program can join the military through the FAP program. FAP participants receive a monthly stipend (est $1605) and an annual grant (est $28,454). In July 2008, the bonus will increase to $45,000 and monthly stipend to $1,907.

The advantage of FAP is that the physician is able to complete "straight through training" without having to apply for a PGY2 position. HPSP recipients have to apply for a PGY2 training position and may be required to complete a GMO tour after graduating internship.

USUHS Homepage

USUHS is a military medical school for all three branches of the service that is located in Bethesda, Maryland. The undergraduate takes the MCAT, submits an application and goes through an interview process just like with any civilian medical school. USUHS students wear a uniform and get paid an active duty salary as an O1. They make more money than a HPSP student who receives only a stipend. The big difference between USUHS and HPSP is the time commitment. The USUHS graduate owes 7 years active duty time instead of 4.

USUHS is rumored to be more kind to non-traditional applicants such as prior enlisted or military officers looking to become a physician during the application process.

The HPSP scholarship comes in 4-year and 3-year varieties.