When I was at Summer Seminar last year, one of the teachers made it seem like grad school was practically a requirement if you wanted to promote to Maj. Is that true? He also said it's often on the Air Force's dime that you go. Is that true?Also, whether you you choose Intel or some other career field, don't overlook the possibilities of applying for Grad School after the academy. Approximately 10% of the class generally can get accepted for a grad school slot. And you don't lose your job selection. Example: You could have a job slot for Intel or even being a pilot; get accepted to grad school after the academy, and the air force will hold your job until you graduate from grad school. Some grads like Hornet and my Son, got selected to get their PhD. They both had Pilot slots and the air force held those slots for them until they graduated from grad school. When Hornet was done with grad school, he moved onto pilot training. My son graduates with his PhD this September and his slot is still being held for him. (Caveat: My son did apply and tried out while at Grad School to get a slot as a Special Tactics Officer. He got accepted. So he will turn down his pilot slot and start STO training in the fall after he gets his PhD).
The point is, I know the OP mentioned only the top grad(s) getting accepted to Medical School. But I wanted others reading to know that no matter what job you get, you can also get a "Grad School" slot directly after the academy and you won't lose the job you received. They'll hold it for you. And it's a lot easier to go from the academy straight to a grad school program and get it out of the way, than waiting a couple years until your regular job starts, you're settled in, possibly married, possibly having kids, and trying to get your Master's or PhD done part time while trying to work full time. Not everyone gets a grad school slot, but if you work hard at the academy, you can be one of the select few. And it won't hurt your job selection.
Pretty much YES. If you want to get promoted, and basically stay in past the 10 year mark, then a graduate degree is pretty much mandatory.
Now; as far as it being on the "Air Force's Dime", that's a 2 sided question. Except for directly out of the academy, most officers get their master's and/or PhD on their OWN TIME while they're working full time. Occasionally, a few will get selected to go back to school full time; but that's not the majority. The majority do online internet courses or night classes at a local college/university. As for the Military paying for it, there is tuition assistance available; as well as fellowships and other ways to pay for your advanced degree. But I would not say that most times that it's 100% free. But generally speaking, cost isn't usually the problem. "TIME" is usually the problem. Like I said, MOST don't get to stop work for 2-3 years and go back to school full time. Most will work their military job full time, then in between their off time, family time, taking kids to ballet and soccer, etc. they will work on their master's or PhD.
So, if you can bust your butt at the academy and get selected to go to grad school directly after the academy, you will be so much further ahead of your peers in getting your advanced degree out of the way. But yes, if you want to stay in the military past your commitment, a master's or PhD is pretty much required.