Good Morning, I am currently still serving as an Active Duty Officer in the Army. I have a little over 11 years of active service and 2 years in the national guard. Within the last year I have finally decided to listen to the consistent desire in the back of my head to pursue medicine. I discovered the IPAP program and am in the process to apply for the program (working on prereqs, LOR, shadowing, etc…) so I can finish out my career in the Army as a PA and get my foot in the door to medicine. However, my true desire is to one day become a Physician. Unfortunately, due to my time in service and the fact that I have 2 kids and a spouse that depend on me financially I feel the HPSP is not feasible for my situation, but I could be wrong.
I have contemplated getting out of the service and apply for medical school because I am now 34 years old and feel if I wait until I finish out my 20 I will be too old to begin med school. On the other hand I feel it would be foolish to leave Active service when I am already half way to retirement. All I know is my desire to do medicine is STRONG. Any advice on which path I should take? Thanks!