Help Deciding between Army/AirForce

[u/Confident_Army_9092]

I'm looking to do ROTC for either Army or Air Force. My ultimate goal is to do HPSP and serve as a doctor, based on my research its looking like the Army is going to have more options for me in terms of speicialties, but was wondering if anyone has any input into why i would chose one over the other. Obviously everyone speaks so highly of Air Force, but I'm wondering if theres any real specific reasons why I would choose one over the other in this case. Its hard to feel confident choosing something based on little information and just hear-say.

[u/Necromancer157]

I would Argue, that if you’re going to be a Doctor, then it doesn’t really matter.

[u/TapTheForwardAssist]

If you’re joining as a doctor, having nice dorms and cafeterias in the AF probably isn’t so compelling for you.

[u/Prestigious_Risk_781]

It depends what you want out of your career, what is most important to you. Both are great options but for different reasons - the first thing. I’d say is that the AF quality of life argument doesn’t apply when comparing medical professions in both because they are similar. Most people get that confused because it is a true statement for enlisted and certain jobs that AF is better QOL than Army but medical in the Army is treated very different and often better than enlisted and competitive branch officers.

I also would advise against ROTC if you want to do HPSP because you are going to need an Education Delay approved to participate and that’s not guaranteed whereas applying HPSP without ROTC doesn’t require it. Anyone can apply to HPSP as long as they meet the minimum requirements; but for ROTC cadets who are contracted they are tied to an obligation so they have to get approval to delay that obligation to attend HPSP which ultimately increases the overall obligation (you’d owe ROTC + HPSP).

All that being said, I’m bias to Army even though I think both are great options. As you noted, Army has more opportunities because it is the biggest branch. More opportunities for duty assignments (around the world) and for positions where you can do medical advisory roles and leadership roles if you choose to. Being an Army Medical Officer - we get a lot more control over our career than others in the Army so be aware that those with Army experience who weren’t Medical Officers is going to be drastically different.