>>I would find a better way to pay off the loan.
Yea, he is clear on that - its not just about the loans - I have already pointed out that doing it just for the loans is not a good enough reason and he agrees; he is aware of that - he has the right personality for the military imo, but just isn’t sure his marriage could survive years of unexpected deployments overseas with no end, especially if he starts having kids etc. Surely lots of people make it work, but it is easier (I would think) if you knew ahead of time exactly what you were getting yourself into and your spouse was fully onboard.
https://www.airforcemedicine.af.mil/Organizations/Physician-Education-Branch/Medical-School-Scholarships/
The doctors there are in high demand and they start out as O-3 (Captains). Most are commissioned in their residency years too (three year accelerated medical school program), so the pathway to commission is shorter.
All military branches have been tailored recently to be more reactive to international issues and the question of short term and long term deployment is an issue he will have to sort out.
On the plus side, the USAF tends to have better and newer facilities than the other branches. Also if deployed, he would likely be at a base level hospital rather than a field unit.
There have been cases where all branches have contributed medical people to field level units, particularly first level trauma care units. The possibility is still there but IMO, less likely for USAF personnel as compared to army and navy personnel.
In an all out conflict like Desert Storm all bets are off. The needs of the service will prevail.