Medical Specialist Corps Officer

Overview

Medical Specialist Corps officers are essential in treating and helping the overall health of Soldiers and their families.

The Army Medical Specialist Corps includes four areas of specialty: Occupational Therapist, Physical Therapist, Dietitian, and Physician Assistant.

Job Duties

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

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 Skill

• Self-discipline
• Physically fit
• Perform under physical and mental pressures
• Make decisions quickly and on your own