Should I become a Navy Doctor?

Question

How is life in the navy as a doctor? I heard they work 9-5 monday though friday. Is it still as rewarding or is it more? Is the pay good? Also, do you start as an O-6 or an O-3?

Answer 1

Navy doctors start at Lieutenant (0-3). They work a bit more than 9-5. Most that I served with worked 60 hours a week or more, depending on whether they were in a residency training program or active surgeons of one type or another. The only ones I remember with a 9-5, 40 hour a week existence were dermatologists.
Besides the basic pay and allowances of a commissoned officer, they receive bonuses depending on their medical specialties. Of course, if they are assigned in a combat area the pay is exempt from Federal income taxes. And, yes, they do serve in combat since the medical support of the Marine Corps is provided by the Navy Medical Department.

Answer 2

Doctors do start as a full O-3.

My advice is the same for anybody else, in the Navy you can see the world for free. I loved being at sea. Man some days I almost wish to go back.

Answer 3

Navy Doc start at 01

The reason I suggest military doctoring is this...The military will pay for college and med school (No student loans) Then the years of your internship when your pay grade is 01 you are being paid better than most interns and better hours.

Navy Docs have all the weird hours of civilian by fIEld. ie dermatologist regular hours expect on rotation for ER, OB GYN all hours of the day and night like any other OB GYN

You will get a first rate education and serve our country!

Good luck!

Answer 4

no such animal as a Mon-Fri 9-5 job. not even for the Medical Community. ESPECIALLY if you are on a carrier.

Highest starting Rank is O3. Most start off as O2s.

Answer 5

be a civilian doctor if you can, you get paid alot more, as a navy doctor you wont get paid crap compared to civilian.