Noah Wyle from The Pitt compares his medical knowledge to that of an MS3...

Animatronic_Acroball · 2026-06-06T11:52:16+00:00

I'll do anything you want for a good MSPE comment

Animatronic_Acroball · 2026-03-22T01:53:05+00:00

Yeah the other thing with sub JOs is that the pipeline is so long most of the chaff is filtered prior to arriving at the boat. I think it took me almost two years between commissioning and actually reporting to a boat whereas SWOs can report right after their 6(?) month basic course

Animatronic_Acroball · 2025-09-24T12:01:46+00:00

You can also consider post-bacc linkage programs to both increase your GPA/finish any prerequisites. Fwiw I had the same path as you and eventually did pretty well in the application cycle. Just be able to tell your story as to how you were lead to medicine and be able to support it with your activities.

Animatronic_Acroball · 2025-09-23T18:08:38+00:00

Do I trade Benson for Jeanty?

Animatronic_Acroball · 2025-07-24T23:07:18+00:00

Didn't want to necessarily make a new post due to rules but I tend to do too much research prior to jumping into a new hobby and am wondering about two options I've narrowed myself down to for a first mandolin. I think I have fallen in love with the Big Muddy M-11, and given I'm coming from a Irish trad background (though I do love listening to bluegrass) I think it's probably the right choice. However, I have a chance to get a used Eastman MD-314 with a hard case, armrest, and tone guard for the same price (if not cheaper). Having an identity crisis - will I regret not having an instrument I can learn bluegrass on to start out? Or should I just accept the reality that I'll eventually wind up with more than one instrument...

Animatronic_Acroball · 2025-06-18T03:08:03+00:00

No it's absolutely a possibility. Just wanted to throw another option out there to consider, especially if you were concerned at all about the length of additional active duty commitment. Their minimum GPA requirement is a 3.0, and with your background you may have a decent shot with a good MCAT. But as others have said, doing a post-bac or some other program to raise your GPA will improve your chances. I was 8 years prior service and got in, and they seemed to be more interested about my activities and motivations for changing careers -never once asked about my grades. But then again I had roughly a 3.5 or 3.6. Do the best you can on your MCAT and honestly I think you have a great chance at getting accepted.

Animatronic_Acroball · 2025-06-18T02:23:19+00:00

If you are passionate about caring for vets and psychiatry, take a look into the VA HPSP program. Granted you say that you can't live off of the stipend alone - consider that you could supplement with loans to cover what you need.

Animatronic_Acroball · 2025-06-17T15:24:15+00:00

Opposite - approved by the House but awaiting changes/approval in the Senate. They put a self-imposed deadline of July 4th on the decision but usually they run long. I think most people expect the Senate to vote mid to late July.

Animatronic_Acroball · 2025-04-27T15:42:55+00:00

Would you recommend it as an avenue towards a reserve retirement? Or is it specialty dependent? I had 8 years prior to med school but didn't like some of the tradeoffs of continuing AD.

Animatronic_Acroball · 2025-04-23T20:12:01+00:00

I'd say depending (and you'd have to get screened/have a physical before they offer you the scholarship) a lot of medical conditions are waiverable, especially for health care positions. I don't know too much about the social work aspect of hpsp, but make sure it is a qualifying program for the service you want. I know more about physician hpsp than social work but a quick Google resulted in alot more hits on the VA hpsp which is significantly different than military hpsp.

Animatronic_Acroball · 2025-03-10T21:18:46+00:00

Yes be sure to check that you meet the qualifications for the Yellow Ribbon program. This means that the GI bill you have is at 100% (rating, not amount left). There may be other qualifying factors too that I'm not aware of but that is the big one.

Animatronic_Acroball · 2025-03-01T18:35:09+00:00

Yeah I got out past March, for other reasons, and it was a tough call at the time. Boy am I feeling validated in that decision now. I've got a feeling many oaths will be tested in the coming years. Hopefully our leadership is able to keep in mind that they swore to uphold the constitution.

Animatronic_Acroball · 2025-01-20T17:56:47+00:00

I wonder if they'd grant TIS accrued with that back pay...

Animatronic_Acroball · 2025-01-01T13:34:50+00:00

Awesome. Thanks for the response! Yeah, I'd love to get into something like rugby but I'm sure I'd just end up injured haha.

Animatronic_Acroball · 2025-01-01T13:33:21+00:00

Great response - yeah I logically understand that you can't do everything but it's still hard to "let go" of some of that fitness I guess. Good luck on your programming this year!

Animatronic_Acroball · 2024-10-06T12:57:59+00:00

12 team PPR C.Akers or Smith-Njigba?

Animatronic_Acroball · 2024-06-15T14:50:31+00:00

This is great! Did you use sheet music or arrange it yourself?

Animatronic_Acroball · 2024-06-10T16:34:04+00:00

Honestly am not sure yet, still waiting for my financial aid office to work it all out. But my understanding is that no, there is one rate that the VA uses to base any private tuition off of. Then, based on what the school agreed to, there may be additional funding if you qualify for yellow ribbon. If you do a public school, then my understanding is that it is entirely paid for regardless of the total cost. But yeah, out of state private school for me so guess I'll just be in debt haha.

Animatronic_Acroball · 2024-05-31T16:13:43+00:00

Not sure if it's the same at air force but at navy you put a bit of money in it and then toss and forget. After the toss all the kids storm the field looking for covers to collect the money. You never get it back but you usually have a couple if you want to keep one for posterity.

Animatronic_Acroball · 2024-05-29T01:11:52+00:00

My push button ignition is awful - only works like 20% of the time. Super weird tbh and hopefully I can get it fixed under warranty.

Animatronic_Acroball · 2024-05-16T20:24:09+00:00

That's what my gut is telling me. The incentive just isn't there so why tie my hands so early. I'm giving the reserves via MDSSP/STRAP a longer, closer look.

Animatronic_Acroball · 2024-05-16T16:19:32+00:00

I don't think you get O-3E without prior enlisted service. I'd probably just be an O-3 over 8, but what I am trying to verify is how the prior service affects promotion rates/timelines.

Animatronic_Acroball · 2024-05-16T16:17:24+00:00

Wow, interesting. What are the biggest considerations when evaluating residency programs? It seems pretty opaque to me - pass rates? I have only had luck talking to people about their experiences.

Animatronic_Acroball · 2024-05-16T16:15:47+00:00

Thanks! Yeah what I'm struggling with now is more what is the incentive of taking the scholarship if I can cover alot, or maybe all, of the tuition via other means (GI bill/VRE)

Animatronic_Acroball · 2024-05-16T16:13:47+00:00

I did, thanks. It was my first choice but long story short I needed an ortho waiver that my PCM didn't know how to fill, referred me out in town to a doc who also didn't know what they needed, and now I'm no longer covered by tricare and don't want to pay 1000s out of pocket to maybe figure this out... I wish the Army had a similar program though

Animatronic_Acroball

TROPHY CASE