From Medical School to Military Physician

My two-year active-duty commitment to the US Air Force provided many benefits worth considering

Jacob Shepherd, MD Family Medicine – US Air Force

Back to my college days, I had a desire to serve in the military. My grandfather had briefly served as a physician with the Navy during World War II, and my older brother has spent nearly two decades leading soldiers in multiple roles with the US Army. I see serving in the military as a way to give back and serve this great country.

During my first-year of residency at University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine, I met with the recruitment coordinator for both the US Army and US Air Force at the AAFP National Conference for Family Medicine Residents and Students. After discussion with my wife and family, we decided to choose the Air Force based on base locations and the contract. Initially, I had to pass a Medical Entrance Physical. Once I completed this at the local Kansas City Office, I was sworn in as a Commissioned Officer in September 2016.

Jacob Shepherd, MD (former Major, USAF) with his brother, Major Tim Shepherd (US Army)

The program I joined as part of my Air Force commitment is the military called the Financial Assistance Program. I was compensated approximately $70,000 per give back year during my last two years of Residency, which is two years of financial support, and I committed to serve two years active duty as an Air Force Physician. The Air Force allowed me to select up to 20 bases where I would prefer to be stationed. During my final year of residency, I did an elective at Whiteman Air Force Base (AFB) in central Missouri and put this base as my top choice. In May 2018, I found out that I was granted my first choice by the military. When I completed residency, I showed up at Whiteman AFB—newly commissioned as an Air Force captain. One of the benefits of being in the military is housing and meal allowances. It varies based on rank and location, but roughly $18-20K per year of my monthly check is a non-taxable housing allowance. This was very helpful for our young family.

In August 2018, I arrived at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama for a six-week Officer Training School. There I learned proper military customs and courtesy and spent long days in training from 4:30am to 10pm at night. It consisted of some physical training, such as learning how to march, but primarily it involved classroom time learning the history and roles of the US military. (Having prepared with a solid workout regimen, fortunately I passed the physical fitness exam.) I left Maxwell AFB with a much greater understanding of how the US Air Force strategically carries out its mission to protect and defend American values.

After returning home, I served at Whiteman Air Force Base as a Family Medicine Physician for two years. I became the Medical Director of the Primary Care Clinic where I started a weight loss program—following a model my father, also a family physician, pioneered. In addition, I served on the Resuscitation Committee at Whiteman AFB. During this time, my wife and I had twin boys. Due to various factors including them being born slightly underweight, the boys required a week-long NICU stay. We were thankful that Tricare insurance fully covered their birth and the NICU stay.

One of my highlights at Whiteman AFB was serving under strong leaders. I had four Lt. Colonels who have each served for prolonged service times. One of the most important things I learned was to become a better listener. Each mentor had a variation in leadership styles and that helped me to gain a different perspective on how to deal with high-stress environments.

Some potential military physician recruits’ express concerns about the likelihood of international deployments. I did not personally have a deployment, but my counterpart did. However, the Air Force works hard to direct deployments to safer locations. My friend was also granted permission to return home for the birth of his child. Part of my commitment is to remain in inactive ready reserve status for the next six years, which means in an extreme situation, the US Air Force could call me into service. As I understand it, such measures have not occurred since the Korean War.

In spring 2020, I served on the COVID Task Force at Whiteman AFB. We set-up our own COVID-19 testing site, one of the first in the region, to ensure the readiness of our Active Duty Airmen. Related to this role, I had the opportunity months later to brief a Four-Star General. Overall, I was honored to serve Air Force personnel and their families as a Military Physician during those two years and I completed my active-duty commitment in July 2020.

MILITARY MEDICINE - PROS AND CONS

Pros:

Opportunity to Start Paying Down Medical School Loans While Still in Residency

Leadership Positions and Mentorship

Education Benefits for Continued Medical Education Credits

Opportunities to Earn Additional Degrees (i.e. Master’s) With Tuition Paid by Military

Some Education Benefits May Be Granted to Immediate Family Members (Montgomery GI Bill) Excellent Health Insurance Benefits

Non-Taxable Housing and Meals Allowance Per Month

Cons:

Six-to-Eight-Week Officer Training School (away from family)

Additional Duties Not Compensated (medical director positions, committees, etc.)

Military Physicians Submit Preferred Bases, But First Choice Not Guaranteed

Potential International Deployments