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Medical Corps Officer

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Medical Corps Officer - 62


  • Active/Reserve:Both
  • Officer/Enlisted:Officer
  • Restrictions:None

Overview

An Army Medical Corps officer is responsible for the overall health of Soldiers and providing health care to Soldiers' families and others eligible to receive this care in the military community. During combat, the Medical Corps officer oversees the emergency medical management of casualties and makes sure Soldiers are combat ready when it comes to their overall health.

Job Duties

  • Commanding and controlling medical units during emergency and nonemergency medical situations
  • Coordinate employment of medical officers and personnel at all levels of command in U.S. and multinational operations

    • Requirements

    To qualify for an officer appointment in the U.S. Army Medical Corps, you must:

  • Meet the prescribed medical and moral standards for appointment as a commissioned officer
  • Be a U.S. citizen
  • Be a graduate of an American Medical Association or American Osteopathic Association accredited medical school
  • Have a current unrestricted license to practice medicine in the United States, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico or a territory of the United States
  • Must be between 21 and 42 years of age (may request a waiver, Locate A Recruiter for more information)
  • Those who want to serve must first take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery, a series of tests that helps you better understand your strengths and identify which Army jobs are best for you.

    • Training

    As a U.S. Army Medical Department officer, you will not be required to participate in the Basic Combat Training that enlisted Soldiers attend. Instead, you'll attend an Officer Basic Leadership Course, a basic orientation to the Army health care team, Army doctrine and basic Soldier and leadership skills. OBLC for active duty officers is held four times per year at the U.S. Army Medical Department Center and School at Fort Sam Houston and lasts from 10 to 14 weeks. Officers in the Army Reserve attend OBLC for two weeks, and Health Professions Scholarship Program recipients attend a six-week course during their academic training. Your training time depends on your chosen specialty and whether or not you have prior military experience. You must also meet height and weight standards, as well as pass the Army Physical Fitness Test. After completing OBLC, AMEDD officers report to their initial active duty assignment, and students return to their academic training.

    Helpful Skills

  • Selfdiscipline
  • Physically fit
  • Perform under physical and mental pressures
  • Make decisions quickly and on your own

    • ASVAB

    The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) is an examination that is administered by the United States Military Entrance Processing Command. It is used to determine qualification and helps predict future academic and occupational success in the military.

  • No ASVAB

    • Compensation

    ACTIVE BENEFITS:
    In addition to the many privileges that come with being an officer on the U.S. Army health care team, you'll be rewarded with:

  • 30 days of paid vacation earned annually
  • Noncontributory retirement benefits with 20 years of qualifying service
  • Nocost or lowcost medical and dental care for you and your family
    • RESERVE BENEFITS:
  • Health Professional Special Pay Health Professionals Loan Repayment
  • Noncontributory retirement benefits at age 60 with 20 years of qualifying service
  • Lowcost life and dental insurance
  • Travel opportunities, including humanitarian missions
  • Both active and Reserve duty officers enjoy commissary and post exchange shopping privileges; a flexible, portable retirement savings and investment plan similar to a 401(k); paid continuing education, and specialized training to become a leader in their field.

    • See the whole list of Army Occupational Specialties here

    To learn more about the Army's rank structure, see our complete list of Army ranks.
    To see a list of military medals and decorations that can be earned by servicemembers in the Army and other branches of the military, see our list of military decorations and medals.