The U.S. Army has several entrance points for those interested in the Army Medical Corps.
The U.S. Army offers a diverse range of training experiences as well as several methods of developing a career as an enlisted service person or a commissioned officer. The Army is highly interested in recruiting leaders in certain professional fields, including medicine and law, to become directly commissioned officers. Whether you have not yet earned a degree or already have completed medical school, the Army Medical Corps could offer career opportunities.
Instructions
Steps for Candidates Lacking a Degree or Experience
1. Visit the official website of the U.S. Army, GoArmy.com. Read the general information posted on the homepage. Apply online through the application link on the home page. Once you submit your application and personal information, an Army recruiter will review your qualifications and contact you.
2. Contact a local U.S. Army recruitment office and arrange to meet a recruiter. You can discuss your background and goals to determine if you qualify to serve.
3. Register and complete the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery test, or ASVAB. This test, a job assessment tool, helps the Army determine your strengths.
4. Visit the Military Entrance Processing Station, or MEPS, where you will receive a full medical physical, choose your military occupational specialty, or MOS, and be sworn into the U.S. Army as an enlisted service person. If you qualify, you will train in one of the Army's medical specialty areas.
Steps for Candidates With Limited Experience.
5. Browse the U.S. Army Medical and Emergency Career website. Review the job opportunities currently available. Select a job of interest and read further details on training requirements and helpful skills for the job. For example, an operating room specialist requires completion of nine weeks of basic training to learn basic skills involved in being a soldier, then another 19 weeks of advanced individual training, including on-the-job experience.
6. Contact a local recruitment office for the U.S. Army or an Army career counselor to discuss the job details and your qualifications. Complete required assessments per the counselor's instructions.
7. Finalize your job choice process by working with your recruiter or career counselor. Upon successful completion of your required testing, report to the Military Entrance Processing Station for your physical and swearing in.
Steps for Pending or Current Medical School Students.
8. Contact a local U.S. Army recruitment office or an Army career counselor to discuss opportunities to enlist while enrolled in medical school. The Army offers a comprehensive scholarship, the F. Edward H bert Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship Program, or HPSP, to qualified students pursuing medical degrees. Students who qualify can receive full tuition at an accredited medical program in addition to books, academic fees and a monthly stipend. Qualifying students also could receive a signing bonus.
9. Review qualifications for the HPSP, which might include but not be limited to proof of U.S. citizenship, an undergraduate degree from an accredited school, current enrollment in or possession of a letter of acceptance from an accredited medical school in the U.S. or Puerto Rico. In addition, during the length of the program you must maintain your status as a full-time student.
10. Discuss the obligation required by the U.S. Army in exchange for receiving the scholarship. As of 2010, the requirement included one year of active duty service for each year as a scholarship recipient.
11. Apply to the U.S. Army and complete the necessary skill assessment testing. Report to the Military Entrance Processing Station to complete your physical and swearing in.
Steps for Medical School Graduates.
12. Contact a local U.S. Army Recruiter or a qualified career counselor to learn about eligibility requirements. Consider the direct commission process to become an officer. This group has a specialized study program to understand Army history and leadership as well as military protocols, customs and career-specific coursework.
13. Browse the U.S. Army Medical Department career website to look at current openings and needs. Review the requirements of each position, which can include but are not limited to being a U.S. citizen between ages 21 and 42 with a medical degree from an accredited program, holding a valid license to practice medicine in the U.S. or Puerto Rico, having board certification eligibility, one year of completed work in an approved internship and the completion of a specialized training program.
14. Select the option that best fits your career plans. Complete the required physical and skill assessment testing per Army instructions. Report to your specified Military Entrance Processing Station or other location as determined by your career counselor or recruiter.
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