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