<p>I'm a freshman at Penn State, aiming for medical school. When I graduate, I will have a lot of debt (both medical school + undergrad). I don't consider myself fitting in with a military lifestyle, but the AF gives good benefits, such as no malpractice premiums. My biggest fear would be stationed overseas, especially in the Middle East. How would you rank the quality of life in the AF as a doctor when compared to civilian life? Could I live a civilian-like life as an AF doc? Is it worth it in the end?</p>
<p>I'm currently an EMT so I am considering the specialities of emergency medicine or cardiology.</p>
<p>Well, you are in the military. For a while you may live on a base and you can be shipped out. You’ll work a lot at military hospitals. Once you get into the reserves it gets easier and you can work pretty much as you please in civilian life as long as you do your few required shifts a month at the military hospital. You can still be shipped out though and you pretty much have to live near by. My father was an airforce doctor, so that’s my vague memory of it before he went full civilian.</p>
<p>And no I don’t think it is worth it if you aren’t at least inclined to join the armed forces.</p>
<p>No, for one very simple reason - you’ll be in the military. When you’re active duty, they own you for all intents and purposes. Its just the nature of the military lifestyle and many people enjoy it. But don’t go into the military just for the money - yes you’ll be debt-free and better paid as a resident (due to your O-3 rank), but i’ve seen calculations that show that you’ll still come out on top money-wise in the civilian sector.</p>
<p>Do the military if you want to, but don’t expect to not have a military lifestyle. I always like hearing people who join the navy or airforce medical corps thinking that they’ll be out of harms way and won’t be deployed to theatre. Doesn’t work that way for the medical corps. Those field hospitals in Afghanistan and Iraq are staffed by physicians from all branches. And it leaves a bad taste in my mouth when people want to take the benefits but not assume the risk of being in the military. Not saying this applies to you OP, but it is a very common reason I hear for people joining AF or Navy.</p>