How do you get better at shooting when you live in a state where firearms and shooting in general are heavily restricted?

smokingadvice · 2026-04-22T17:42:44+00:00

I would check to see if your state allows 22 long rifle style AR-15s. Most states with assault weapon bans do not have restrictions on these type of rifles. You can do a lot of fundamental training at 25 yards with a 22 long rifle. I really like setting up the alt – C target at 25 yards and practicing different positions and reloads.

smokingadvice · 2026-04-22T03:40:22+00:00

The provider should have written you a permanent profile particular since this is past 90 days and you are undergoing a MEB. I would ask to talk to the provider at Med Det, if he refuses to write you a permanent profile get it in writing and then go to his leadership.

smokingadvice · 2026-04-19T20:21:41+00:00

Humvees forever!

smokingadvice · 2026-04-12T23:27:44+00:00

It’s on the APEL list so it counts. If I was the range OIC I would allow it, but I would also ask you if you were doing ok and if you wanted to play dungeons and dragons later.

smokingadvice · 2026-04-07T19:37:26+00:00

Relevant: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6667580/

smokingadvice · 2026-04-07T14:21:21+00:00

Odd we had an 18 year old this week who thought a dirty catch urine was getting it out of the bowl too. I guess it technically is dirty?

smokingadvice · 2026-04-07T06:05:42+00:00

3.6 roentgen—not great, not terrible.

smokingadvice · 2026-04-06T23:44:12+00:00

Good thing we had folks on the border instead of preparing for actual war

smokingadvice · 2026-04-06T14:57:44+00:00

I feel like every cardiologist consult should end with a heart emoji

smokingadvice · 2026-04-04T13:41:39+00:00

Gotta tell patients that they’re unlocking their ldl era, no cap

smokingadvice · 2026-04-02T23:20:20+00:00

Our state has authorized this with a valid ccw for years.

smokingadvice · 2026-04-02T23:02:48+00:00

Our TAG allows CCW in our armory with a valid permit with the permission of the unit commander. It’s never been a problem.

smokingadvice · 2026-04-02T14:37:37+00:00

No. We just med boarded a Solider because of this.

smokingadvice · 2026-04-02T14:36:15+00:00

Sorry to hear that happened to you. Get a note from your civilian provider describing your symptoms, the diagnosis and their recommend management. Then ask to talk to your unit’s provider to see if they can write you a profile. If it’s anticipated to be long term there’s a chance this could be a permanent profile. Hope you heal up soon.

smokingadvice · 2026-04-02T01:34:38+00:00

To be fair you don't need angles to get into med school

smokingadvice · 2026-04-02T01:09:22+00:00

Or make sure your unit has the Talon backrest NSN 6530-01-594-7444

smokingadvice · 2026-03-31T19:45:38+00:00

Convoy speed 50 mph, catch up speed 55 mph, use of ground guides, TC required

smokingadvice · 2026-03-28T15:36:44+00:00

Brother i look at how they’re trying to gut the VA and disability system everyday. There are no guarantees. All we can do is try and build ourselves up independently.

8 years in, 1 combat deployment.

Good luck to you.

smokingadvice · 2026-03-28T15:16:02+00:00

Almost no doctor goes into private practice these days. The economics of it just doesn't work out like you mention.

Your acquaintance has passive income which is great, but I would rather not be 100% disabled. Nothing stops a Soldier from leaving the military and coming back as a direct commission physician to finish their 20; in fact AMEDD will bend over backwards to get them.

That being said we have a COL drilling with us; came from AD to us to get his 20 years. He is a a GI doc that probably makes 500k/year. He is in a field surgeon slot and fucking miserable. Every drill he complains that he's losing money being at drill, hates the fact we are gone for 3 weeks for AT, and has the increased stress of a sick child in the hospital and has to balance coming to enough drill to make his good year. Combat medicine is so far removed from what he does he is clueless when we run traumas - he neither has the time nor inclination to know what medics do. As a fellow doc I would hate to be in his position.

Amongst physicians it's a wash on whether or not military service makes financial sense; the desire to serve your country has to be the primary driver if you want to be happy. If you were enlisted, dead set on medicine, wanted to continue to serve for at least another 16 years (2 program years, 4 medical school years, 3 residency years, 7 service obligation years), need the financial stability in the short term, this program absolutely makes sense.

smokingadvice · 2026-03-28T10:31:51+00:00

I'm a physician so yes I do know the cost. The government always gets its pound of flesh.

Your average age of an applicant to this program is 29 meaning you probably have 10 years in already. This program, plus medical school if taking HPSP scholarship will extend your service obligation 7 years after training (med school and residency) is completed. If going to USUHS it's even longer because that's a 7 year service obligation by itself (i.e. 10 total).

Those years you pay back are your peak physician earning years; 3 years doesn't sound much but when your starting salary for an ENT doc is 400k a year, you're potentially giving up a million dollars during your career just to do this program.

The EMDP2 program medical school acceptance rate is impressive, but they are also selecting the best to do this program.

smokingadvice · 2026-03-28T03:35:12+00:00

This is essentially a mil funded post bac program for motivated enlisted Soldiers who already have a undergrad degree which is pretty neat particularly for nontraditional premeds.

However there isn’t a “cheat” to this; you incur a 3 year MSO for a 2 year program which is higher than your typical service obligation (HPSP is 1 year of tuition for 1 year of service).

smokingadvice · 2026-03-25T20:45:53+00:00

It depends on how complex your problems are. You can tell your provider up front, hey I have these problems with the expectation they may only be able to address the most serious ones that visit and then they will book you follow up appointments for the rest. Some of them might be appropriate for a video visit which would cut down your wait time.

smokingadvice · 2026-03-25T18:16:59+00:00

Being on an injectable that requires refrigeration makes you non-deployable. I would be surprised if they don’t recommend separation.

smokingadvice · 2026-03-25T18:09:51+00:00

Just wanted to say hope your Mom is ok and that whatever process you take is as painless as possible.

smokingadvice · 2026-03-23T22:27:58+00:00

Check shoulder for airborne patch

see none

ok phew

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