What health professional jobs are available in the military?

I'm interested in joining the military but want to work in the healthcare field. What kind of health professional roles are available? Are there specific qualifications I should aim for during my high school years?

The military offers several rewarding and fulfilling roles in the healthcare field. You can pursue a career in a variety of disciplines such as nursing, medicine, dentistry, psychiatry, pharmacy, physical therapy, and even health administration and logistics, among others.

1. Medical Corps: As a physician in the military, you'd provide direct patient care to military personnel and their families in clinics or hospitals, or in deployed locations during peacetime and periods of conflict.

2. Nurse Corps: In this capacity, you'd be entrusted with the responsibility of delivering patient care, health promotion, disease prevention strategies, and managing healthcare delivery.

3. Dental Corps: As a military dentist, you would offer oral healthcare services such as examinations, procedures, and treatments for a variety of dental conditions.

4. Medical Service Corps: Professionals in this role could be healthcare administrators, clinical care providers, or scientists. The goal here is to manage the health services program for the military including fiscal, human resources, and material resources management.

5. Veterinary Corps: Regularly catering to the needs of military working dogs and horses, military veterinarians are also involved in public health activities related to the control and prevention of zoonoses.

6. Medical Specialist Corps: Includes jobs such as dieticians, physical therapists, and occupational therapists serving to enhance the health and performance of military personnel.

Preparation for these roles typically involves obtaining the requisite degree in your chosen medical field, which generally happens after high school. High school students interested in a healthcare career in the military should focus on achieving in-depth understanding in science and mathematics, as these subjects form the foundation of most healthcare professions.

You can start by taking advanced science classes - biology, chemistry, physics - and math through calculus. Additionally, joining health-related clubs and extracurricular activities will help you explore the field more thoroughly.

Keep in mind that entry into health roles in the military, particularly as an officer, usually requires a Bachelor's degree at minimum, with many roles requiring a Master's degree or higher. This is not always the case for enlisted roles, but they tend to be more limited in scope and advancement.

Lastly, consider developing physical fitness and leadership skills, as these are vital qualities for a successful military career. Remember, no matter which healthcare role you choose in the military, you're likely to be operating under challenging circumstances and these skills will be indispensable.