I'm thinking about going into the medical field, and I'm curious about what medical jobs the military offers. What are the pathways and responsibilities for these roles, and do they require specific degrees or certifications? Would love to hear any personal experiences!
The military offers a wide array of roles in the medical field, from combat medics and military nurses to military physicians and military psychologists. Each branch of the military - Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Space Force - has its own Health Services division that employs a variety of healthcare professionals.
For instance, if you enlist directly after high school, you could become a combat medic, healthcare specialist, or a medical technician. You would receive all your training (both basic training and job-specific training) through the military. As an enlisted healthcare professional, your responsibilities could range from assisting doctors and nurses, to managing medical supplies, to providing frontline care in emergency situations.
On the other hand, to become a military nurse or physician, you will need higher education and specific certifications. Most often, nurses need a Bachelor's in Nursing (BSN) while physicians need a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree. After obtaining these degrees, you can either directly apply to the military or join a military medical school like the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences (USUHS).
On joining, you will be commissioned as an officer and your role will involve providing medical care to service members and their families, and possibly leading a healthcare team. Further, the military might want specialists like surgeons, psychiatrists, radiologists, etc., so more specialized training could be beneficial.
It's also noteworthy that the military offers programs that can help pay for your medical education in exchange for a service commitment, like the Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP).
Please keep in mind that these are just summaries. The specifics of these roles and the paths you can take vary greatly depending on the branch of military and even within individual roles - there could be different requirements, job responsibilities, training etc. It may help to contact a local recruiter or a current healthcare professional in the military for advice tailored to your specific interests and circumstances.
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