Types of medical jobs in the military: options and pathways

I'm interested in a medical career but also considering joining the military. Can someone explain the types of medical jobs available in the military and what the pathways are to those roles?

The U.S. military offers a wide range of medical positions across its various branches: U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Space Force. These roles cover a broad spectrum of medical fields, from primary care to specialized medical practice. So regardless of your medical interests, there's likely a role for you in the military.

Let's first talk about enlisted roles. As an enlisted servicemember, you can work in a medical capacity as a medic or corpsman, depending on the branch of service. These roles are akin to civilian EMTs or paramedics and you'll be providing basic medical care, often in combat or field conditions. This role usually requires a high school diploma, and you'll receive specialized training once you enlist.

There are also roles for medical technicians or specialists, who perform duties similar to nurses and physician assistants in civilian healthcare. These roles often require some level of civilian medical training and certification, such as a Licensed Vocation Nurse (LVN) certification or Registered Nurse (RN) degree.

If you're interested in becoming a physician, the military has its own pathway through the Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP). You could attend any accredited civilian medical school, with the military covering the cost of tuition, books, and a monthly stipend in return for a service commitment after graduation. As a military doctor, you could be a general practitioner or train in a specific specialty like surgery, orthopedics, or cardiology.

Another pathway is the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS), the military’s own medical school. Here, you will be an active duty officer while attending the four-year program. After graduation, you'll serve as an active-duty physician in the military for seven years.

For nursing roles, you can join the Nurse Corps in each branch and serve as a Registered Nurse (RN), Nurse Practitioner (NP), or other specialized nurse roles. To qualify, you'll need a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree as a minimum.

For more specialized roles like psychologists, dentists, pharmacists, or physical therapists, you usually need the relevant degree and state license to practice.

Do note that every path in the military, whether enlisted or officer, involves basic training often referred to as "boot camp." Officers also attend Officer Candidate School or Officer Training School.

I encourage you to reach out to a military recruiter who can give you the most up-to-date and accurate information based on your individual qualifications and interests. You might also want to talk to current and former military medical personnel to get a better sense of the realities of these roles. They can provide firsthand insight into the rewarding yet challenging nature of military medicine.

Keep in mind that entering the military, even in a medical capacity, is a big decision. Consider your personal career goals, your willingness to potentially serve in combat zones, and your readiness to make a service commitment, as these factors will significantly influence your experience.