My understanding of the current Navy HPSP for Podiatry is that they will pay for 3 years of school plus living expenses ($2k per month), books, and self health insurance as required by the school. In exchange you are required to pay back 3 years active duty plus 5 years of Inactive Ready Reserve. If a recruiter promises otherwise I'd blame the recruiter, not podiatry discrimination. I have never heard of the 3 months service at war vs. 12 months if in Medical Service Corps, but this may be indeed true. It is true that Podiatrists don't get signing bonuses and will be paid less than Doctors. However, there is less repayment (3 years vs 4 years) and there is a much lesser chance that podiatrists will have to extend their repayment time due to completing a military residency - I believe that most MDs and DOs end up owing considerably more than 4 years of active duty upon completion of a military residency. Financially, there is a lot to be said as a Podiatrist to come out of school with only 1 of 4 years of debt. Plus when you consider the tax benefits of the deal, you often will come out ahead financially by doing the Navy HPSP and serving 3 years compared to coming out of private podiatry school with a full debt load, then face repayment with interest with after tax dollars working for someone. But the most important thing is do you want to be a member of the Navy, aside from the finances. Yes, I agree that it would be better if Podiatry received the 20k sign on bonus and other benefits that MDs and DOs get, but Podiatry has made considerable progress, particularly when the Navy opened up the HPSP to podiatry for the first time just a couple of years ago. If you are considering doing the program, I'd caution two things, 1. Most medical recruiters probably haven't had a lot of experience with the Navy HPSP for podiatry. 2. Get the application process going early, you want it to be complete before the beginning of the second year of pod school.
