Find solution
Joining the military?

Feeling guilty about not joining military?

  • I am a male (not sure if that matters here)I completed high school in 2004, after which I immediately entered a combined Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) program through the University of New Hamsphire and Columbia University, respectively. The duration of both degrees combined is lasts seven academic years. There are only 16 of these programs in the entire country, each taking at most 20 people per year. I finish my M.D. in June of 2011, and play to specialize in neurosurgery. After my M.D.studies I will work as a resident ("paid internship") for 6 years. Three of my friends joined the Marines and served in Afganistan and Iraq One of them died. Throughout my education I have often felt guilty about not joining any military branch and fighting on the front lines. I have the utmost respect for military personell who risks their lives and often experiences sorrow on their behalf. I read up (via multiple sources) on the military operations as much as could have. I particularly felt guilty during my times of relaxation from studies, when I would be consuming alcohol in moderation, hanging out, messing around (albeit legally), partying etc, all when my three friends and everyone else out there were risking their lives and ready to both kill and die. At the end of high school I strongly considered joining but could not resist the seven year BS/MD option I was accepted into. I ultimately chose against joining any of the military branches. I was wondering if anyone else felt/feels like this. Sometimes it's hard for me to justify living such a normal life when so much suffering is out there. Also, any troop members here (i'm sorry, im not sure about the lingo here) ever think about such things?

  • Answer:

    The military is in shorter supply of medical doctors than soldiers. If you want to serve your country and your friends, plan to complete your medical training and apply for a direct commission. Thus, by completing your medical training you are serving the greatest needs of your country and friends. And who knows, once you've completed your education and residency, your country and friends may need you more as a civilian rather than a military physician. Only time will tell.

VeritasV... at Yahoo! Answers Visit the source

Was this solution helpful to you?

Other answers

I am also an M.D., just finishing up this year. I did the traditional 4+4 pathways,although I had a gap year because I was not accepted into any MD program in the US or Canada the first time I applied. I'm assuming you are not part of the HPSP option? If not, the Army,Navy (serves Marines) and Airforce have excellent option called FAP. Look it up. You are provided with additional stipends during residency. If you want to serve, do it in whatever way your life situation allows. Medical doctors are needed the military. They are not neccesarily exclusive however....as doctors under the Navy umbrella end up taking caring other branches as well. The classification is kind of just a formality. check out studentdoctor.net,there is forum there on military medicine. I've wanted to do this since I started undergraduate college.

My husband felt the same way. He graduated HS the same year you did. Eventually he could live with knowing his friends were going off to war fighting while he just sat back and did nothing, so he joined. He is now a soldier in the US Army and LOVES IT! I have never seen him as happy as he has been since he joined =)

Army Wife

Look, anyone can be made into a grunt, most couldn't get through what you've done. You're far more valuable to the military after you graduate with your M.D. that a high school educated grunt. If you want to serve, do it as a doctor.

Related Q & A:

Just Added Q & A:

Find solution

For every problem there is a solution! Proved by Solucija.

  • Got an issue and looking for advice?

  • Ask Solucija to search every corner of the Web for help.

  • Get workable solutions and helpful tips in a moment.

Just ask Solucija about an issue you face and immediately get a list of ready solutions, answers and tips from other Internet users. We always provide the most suitable and complete answer to your question at the top, along with a few good alternatives below.