I have just completed the J-1 Visa merry-go-round Its complicated, requires a certain amony of time and dedication, yes you may have to plan on not having your passport HHmmmm a bit like trying for any flying licence?
How many people get aggravated here in the UK about the lack of control of immigrants into the country? It seems to me that if you want the visa then be prepared to do the things that the people (who's country you wish to enter) are asking.
I have J-1 Visa for myself, (2 hours wait in the Embassy) and a J-2 for my wife. The system is not perfect by any means, but at the end of the day I am now able to stay in the US for 2 years and complete my training. Isn't that worth a little bit of effort?