Medical Corps Officer (Physician)

Navy Doctor Becoming a doctor is one of the most challenging paths you can choose for yourself. You have to want it, and to know why you want it: to help people, to heal sickness and cure disease, to solve medical mysteries and make scientific discoveries. The reasons for becoming a doctor are noble, but there are plenty of distractions once you hit the real world. Running your own office means watching insurance reimbursement rates dwindle while exorbitant malpractice insurance premiums skyrocket, all while dealing with healthcare industry red tape and staffing. But as a Navy Physician, all those nuisances are handled for you—from cutting through the red tape to covering the expenses—so you can focus on what really matters: treating the Sailors and Marines who keep our country safe and the families who support them. Navy Physicians also Earn excellent compensation in an established, thriving practice Experience manageable patient ratios for high-quality, one-on‑one care Receive hands‑on experience and Navy‑funded advanced training Enjoy a flexible schedule that leaves more time for family and personal pursuits Navy Medical Corps: What to Expect Internal & Family Medicine Orthopedic Surgeon Histopathology Anesthesiology General Surgeon More Information Responsibilities As a Navy Physician and Officer in the Navy Medical Corps, you will lead the highly respected Navy healthcare team as you provide high-quality medical care for Sailors, Marines, service members, their families and, when called upon, the population at large. In this role, you may be called upon to: Diagnose ailments and treat injuries Work at the best military medical facilities on shore, at sea and in the field Join top health care professionals on the highly valued Navy health care team Collaborate with fellow military doctors and other health care officers, and partner with International Relief Teams and organizations, such as FEMA, USAID and Project Hope Operate as a leader within your focus area and get exposure outside your specialty Gain management experience that will serve you well throughout your career Navy Medicine offers practice opportunities in more than 30 specialty and subspecialty areas: Aerospace Medicine Anesthesiology Dermatology Emergency Medicine Family Medicine Fleet Marine Corps Medicine Geriatrics Internal Medicine Allergy/Immunology Cardiology Endocrinology Gastroenterology Hematology/Oncology Infectious Disease Nephrology Pulmonary/Critical Care Rheumatology Neonatology Neurology Nuclear Medicine Obstetrics/Gynecology Occupational Medicine Ophthalmology Osteopathic Medicine Otolaryngology Pain Management Pathology Pediatrics Physical Medicine Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Preventive Medicine Psychiatry Radiology Diagnostic Radiology Interventional Radiology Radiation Oncology Sports Medicine Surface Medicine Surgery Cardiothoracic Surgery General Surgery Neurosurgery Orthopedic Surgery Transfusion Medicine Tropical Medicine Undersea/Diving Medicine Urology Work Environment Navy Physicians work in a variety of settings, including military medical facilities, ships, and field hospitals, both domestically and internationally. As a Navy Physician, you can work at one of the highly acclaimed National Naval Medical Centers in Bethesda, MD; Portsmouth, VA; and San Diego, CA. You might even provide medical support to deployed troops aboard one of two dedicated hospital ships—the USNS Comfort and USNS Mercy. Still more opportunities are available aboard a surface ship, working closely with a nearby aircraft squadron, or with the Fleet Marine Force. Reserve Physicians primarily drill one weekend a month at a location near their home. Training & Advancement Upon graduation from medical school, those pursuing a Physician position are required to attend Officer Development School (ODS) in Newport, RI. ODS is a five‑week program that provides a comprehensive and intense introduction to the responsibilities of Navy Staff Corps Officers. Here they learn about the military structure of the U.S. Navy, its rich history of traditions and customs, leadership development and military etiquette. Once that training is complete, you will learn the ins and outs of life as a Navy Physician at your first assignment. Promotion opportunities are regularly available but competitive and based on performance. Post‑Service Opportunities Specialized training received and work experience gained in the course of service can lead to valuable credentialing and occupational opportunities in related fields. Education Opportunities The Navy offers generous scholarships, financial assistance and continuing education programs, allowing you to finish your education with little or no debt. In the Navy, you'll learn to lead others, further distinguishing your career, enhancing your credentials and expanding the boundaries of your expertise. Plus, if you're a student or resident, you can concentrate on your education or training, with no military/training obligation until after your program is completed. For Students The Navy may pay for your medical education, and you don't need to attend a military medical school. Attend a school of your choice and you may emerge debt‑free. With the Navy Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP), you may receive 100% tuition coverage during medical school, plus a monthly stipend, reimbursement of expenses and up to $20,000 sign‑on bonus. With the Navy Health Services Collegiate Program (HSCP), you may receive from $157,000 to $269,000 while attending medical school. This includes a monthly military salary, a housing allowance, and a comprehensive health care benefits package. For Residents Residents may get supplemental income in medical residency through the Navy Financial Assistance Program (FAP), which may offer you $275,000 or more during your medical residency, including an annual $45,000 grant, a monthly stipend and reimbursement for out‑of‑pocket expenses. For Practicing Physicians Practicing physicians can receive a sign‑on bonus of up to $800,000 if they qualify. Qualifications & Requirements A degree from a four‑year college or university is a minimum educational requirement to become a Commissioned Officer. You must also attend Officer Training. There may be exceptions to the degree requirements based on extensive service experience. Additional qualifications include: Be a U.S. citizen currently practicing in the U.S. Be a graduate of an eligible medical school accredited by the AMA or the AOA Have completed one year of graduate‑level medical education in a program approved by the AMA or AOA (interns currently in training may also apply) Have an MD or DO degree Have a current state medical license within one year of entering the Navy Medical Corps Be willing to serve a minimum of two years of Active Duty Be between the ages of 21 and 64 (qualified candidates over the age of 64 will be considered on a case‑by‑case basis) Be in good physical condition and pass a full medical examination General qualifications may vary depending upon whether you're currently serving, whether you've served before or whether you've never served before. Part‑Time Opportunities in the Navy Reserve Medical Corps Serve your country as a physician and part‑time Navy medical officer. Navy commissioned physicians attend to service members and their families. They have opportunities to participate in humanitarian relief efforts at home and around the world. They work at state‑of‑the‑art medical facilities and have access to advanced training and technology, including those not yet available to civilian providers. Navy healthcare offers the ability to focus on the finer points of medicine without the financial and business complications of private practice. Benefits Repayment of qualified education loans to the lending institution, paid annually while serving Annual bonuses for critical wartime specialists Post 9/11 GI Bill (May transfer many of the benefits to immediate family members) No‑cost or low‑cost medical and dental care for you and your eligible family members Full Morale, Welfare, and Recreation Privileges (golf, gym, RV camping, movie theater, and discounted event tickets) Stay at DoW lodging located on or near U.S. military installations for both duty and recreation Military Commissary and Exchange Privileges Space “A” Availability for Air Travel VA Home Loans Miscellaneous military discounts with your military‑issued ID card Enrollment in the Uniformed Services Blended Retirement System Specialized training to become a leader in medicine Flexible drilling opportunities Any one of these three generous financial offers: Up to $50,000 per year in specialty pay Up to $250,000 in medical school loan repayment assistance An immediate one‑time sign‑on bonus of up to $10,000 Job Requirements MD or DO degree from an accredited U.S. school of medicine or osteopathy; foreign graduates may apply with a permanent certificate from the Educational Council of Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG). Current license to practice medicine in the United States, District of Columbia, or Puerto Rico Eligibility for board certification Completion of at least one year of an approved graduate medical education program Between 21 and 42 years of age (waivers may be granted on a case‑by‑case basis up to age 68) For current or former Navy Officers (NAVET) Prior experience satisfies the initial leadership training requirement—so you will not need to go through Officer Training again. For current or former Officers of military branches other than the Navy (OSVET) These officers who may already have a commission in another United States Military Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Public Health Service, or United States Coast Guard can skip the ODS program or LDO/CWO Academy. Officers who previously held a commission in another branch are exempt from attending ODS or LDO/CWO Academy. 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