pew peter Posted February 24, 2013 Report Share Posted February 24, 2013 Hey, I have been looking into the Medical Officer Training Plan (MOTP). I have talked to recruiters, but I was hoping to speak with someone who has gone through, or (preferably) currently going through the medical officer process. Much thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pew peter Posted February 25, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 25, 2013 ya thanks...not really what I was wondering though...im after someone's personal experience and opinion Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
future_doc Posted February 25, 2013 Report Share Posted February 25, 2013 Use the search function for MOTP threads. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jochi1543 Posted February 25, 2013 Report Share Posted February 25, 2013 Do a search in the general premed discussions as well as this subforum, this topic has been brought up a few times recently and got a few pages' worth of responses. I'll say what I've heard (BF is in the army, so I've got a good source). Every military doc I've ever heard of is trying to get out. Army in general is not for everyone. To give you an example, I went to a military function recently and we had an activity planned and then a dinner reservation. Neither myself nor my boyfriend had much interest in the activity, but we HAD to come on time because whenever he's late, he gets talked to about behaviour, professionalism, etc. That's a "party," by the way, not some sort of mandatory work meeting. The activity fell through, so we stood around for a while (that being almost two hours). Everyone was hungry, and it was getting close to dinner time, but no one dared to bring up that we had to go to the restaurant because the highest-ranked person in the crowd was oblivious and no one felt safe suggesting something to the group unless he was spoken to first, so people lollied around for a good 15 minutes past until the highest-ranked person was like, "gee, I'm hungry, maybe we should go down to the restaurant now!" We then sat down across from someone who's a rank above my BF and struck up a conversation. The conversation happened to be about a topic my BF is very knowledgeable about, but this person is completely ignorant on it. That person made a lot of really dumb statements, but my boyfriend never challenged him or questioned him in any way, because that's not appropriate. I've heard the specialist community is a bit more relaxed, generally on a first-name basis, but that gives you a glimpse of the environment there. Once again, this is a "party." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvantes Posted February 25, 2013 Report Share Posted February 25, 2013 OP, I have also been interested in finding out more on this subject and if I could handle knowing I was going Family as I am quite driven and would like to specialize ( I would think about going for specialty after fulfilling my commitment through military as then I would know for sure I did not like family and not completely write it off) I have talked to recruiters but at the office where I am located they did not seem to be very knowledgeable. From what I have heard.. pros: -med school paid for with salary -sense of community (as in a ton of programs etc. good for family)? -health benefits* -pension* -insurance* -reliable pay -not sure on how you specialize but it would be great if it was less competitive as Carms guarantees nothing for civilians. *things that you do not need to go through the trouble to arrange but is done for you unlike civilian life. cons: -relocation, but if you matched a residency in a different area than you attended med school and then got a job again somewhere different it would be similar. -not as competitive pay (but also no real extra costs or overhead as everything is pretty much included) -they "own you" for that time -in med school you could find out you truly love a specialty they do not offer after your family commitment. -not as challenging pro or con: - learning cool military stuff and possibly seeing some of the world while paid for it I have a family and my wife stays at home and does not have a formal education yet so the benefits, pay and lack of debt would be great but I know we do want to settle somewhere specific to further raise the kids. I plan on asking to speak with a military doc in the area to get further insight once I find out if I am even going to med school this year lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pew peter Posted February 26, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 26, 2013 Thanks for the responses. Seems like the opinions are fairly polarized. Love it or hate it, but I guess its up to the individual Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kylamonkey Posted February 26, 2013 Report Share Posted February 26, 2013 The MOTP program is highly competitive to get into. Just keep that in mind. Also, I think one of the other posters said something about applying for it- you have to already be military from what I understand. I second what Jochi said about searching for MOTP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvantes Posted February 26, 2013 Report Share Posted February 26, 2013 I have e-mailed the medical officer recruiter and although competitive you can enter the program without having already been in the military. That is the MOTP anyway. There is another program for officers already in the military and they attend the military med school I believe, where as with MOTP you need to be accepted already to a med school and they fund you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jochi1543 Posted February 27, 2013 Report Share Posted February 27, 2013 Yeah, you definitely don't have to be in the military to apply. However, the selection process is roughly a year long, so you have to apply ahead of time OR in 1st year med (or later, of course). Keep in mind you'll be limited in terms of where you can go for residency; not every school has MOTP-funded spots. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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