Hi everyone!
A) Do VA hospitals have mostly veterans from this current war in Iraq or from Vietnam, WWII, etc.?
B) I have been told that it is possible to work in military hospitals overseas as a civilian. Is this true? (i.e. If I get a medical degree on my own, do an internship/residency/etc., could I be employed by the military as a civilian and work as a doctor in the country where there was presently a war going on [i.e. Iraq]?).
Thank you!
2007-06-13 05:26:13 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Military
Most of the veterans the VA is treating, are from previous wars or service.
Only about 2% are Iraq/Afghanistan veterans.
You have to remember, there are 26 million veterans in the United States.
I don't think the military forward deploys civilian doctors to war zones.
But you definitely could get a job at a military hospital as a civilian doctor.
2007-06-13 06:00:24 · answer #1 · answered by jeeper_peeper321 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A.) There are a fair amount of veterans from all wars being treated at the VA hospitals. You could say that the current war veterans are gaining on the numbers of older war veterans as they are dying off at a fairly rapid rate, leaving more of the younger veterans behind.
B.) To my knowledge, there are no VA hospitals overseas, except possibly for Germany, and the chances of being a doctor in a hospital in a war-torn country are slim unless you went as a member of the Peace Corps or something. I believe only military doctors are in the military hospitals in Iraq.
2007-06-13 05:32:39 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A. they have vetrans from all wars. yes, they will have some from iraq, but it really depends where the VA hospitals are located.
B. no, they dont usually have civilian doctors in VA hospitals that are not in the US. if you want to be based in a war-torn country to pratice medicine on soliders, why not just join the military? if you do ROTC they will pay for your medical school.
2007-06-13 05:46:50 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most VA hospitals today have patients from Iraqi back to Korea, most are probably VietNam era, alot of WWII guys are dying off.
I am a retired Army NCO, now working for the Army as a civilian. If you want to go to med school the civilian route good luck, we do hire some civilains to work in our facilities. Check USAJOBS.COM (it is like Monster.com for the government).
If you are qaulifed you may want to look into the HPSP (Medical, Dental or Vet school scholarship) the Army will pay for school, and commission you as an officer-- for more info go to --www.healthcare.goarmy.com
2007-06-13 05:38:16 · answer #4 · answered by Margaritavillian 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A) It depends on which VA Hosp you go to. The closest one here (currently is about 200 miles away. We have two VA Outpatient Clinics. No, they are mostly Vietnam Vets with a smattering of WW II, Korean and Desert Storm Vets. I never applied for my "benefits."
B) You could even apply for a job at a military hospital here in the states! Just stop in at Manpower Management.
2007-06-13 05:34:56 · answer #5 · answered by Doc 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Another option for serving as a civie, which I discourage but its your call... look into NGOs.
Doctors Without Border is a French organization in theater...
Red Cross / Red Cresent are in both theaters...
I talked to some of these folks and they have the most heartwrenching stories b/c of the nature of their work. The negative, they aren't necessarily protected by combat forces in Iraq or Afghanistan. You are on your own.
2007-06-13 05:45:26 · answer #6 · answered by mye_725 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The VA has patients from WW1 on up to present day.
OCONUS yes. war zone.. no. only on bases established overseas, such as Landsthul in Germany or Yokosuka in Japan.
2007-06-13 11:32:40 · answer #7 · answered by Mrsjvb 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the answer is no? not in iraq... as a civilian. but in countrys not at war it's posible.
2007-06-13 05:35:26 · answer #8 · answered by Joe L 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋