Orthopedic Surgeon

U.S. Army Orthopedic Surgeon protect the foundation of the Army by treating the foundation of Soldiers’ musculoskeletal systems.

If you are a professional in the field of Orthopedics and want to combine your passion for in this specialized field with a desire to serve your country, a career as an Army Orthopedic Surgeon might be the one for you.

Outstanding Opportunities

As a U.S. Army Orthopedic Surgeon, you will be able conduct both surgical and nonsurgical means to treat Soldiers, retirees, and their families with injuries and conditions involving the musculoskeletal system. Through your skills in diagnostic care, you will determine the best course of treatment when examining patients with disorders, malformations, disease or injury. You will also be able to utilize state-of-the-art equipment, go through continued education courses, seminars and trainings to advance yourself as a medical professional, and conduct research for the development of your field.

If you choose to serve in the Army Reserve, you will be able to serve your country as needed while still supporting your community.

Whether you choose to serve Active Duty or Army Reserve, a career as an Army Orthopedic Surgeon allows you to be all that you can be.

Outstanding Benefits

When you join the Army Medical Corps, you’ll be making a difference in the lives of our Soldiers and the country at large while gaining access to invaluable opportunities, like supporting humanitarian missions and leadership training, all while earning a competitive benefits package.

Benefits may include:

• Repayment of qualified education loans to lending institution, paid annually over a maximum of three years while serving
• Based on your field of concentration, you may be eligible for an accession bonus, paid over a four-year period while serving. You may also be eligible for special pay as a physician
• For Army Reserve, a monthly stipend through the Specialized Training Assistance Program (STRAP) for physicians currently enrolled in an accredited residency program
• Travel opportunities, to include humanitarian missions
• Up to 30 days of paid vacation earned annually
• Enrollment into the Uniformed Services Blended Retirement System
• No- to low-cost medical and dental care for you and your family
• Commissary and post exchange shopping privileges
• As an Active Duty Soldier, you may qualify to receive a monthly stipend through the Financial Assistance Program (FAP) while enrolled in an accredited residency program
• Specialized training to become a leader in medicine

Eligibility Requirements

• Must have a Doctor of Medicine or Doctor of Osteopathy degree from an accredited U.S. school of medicine or osteopathy
• Foreign graduates may apply if they have a permanent certificate from the Educational Council of Foreign Medical Graduates
• Must have a current license to practice medicine in the United States, District of Columbia or Puerto Rico
• Must be eligible for board certification
• Must have completed at least one year of an approved Graduate Medical Education (GME) internship
• Must be a U.S. citizen to serve Active Duty
• Must have a permanent U.S. residency for Army Reserve

Have questions or want more information?

To find out more information about becoming an Orthopedic Surgeon in the U.S. Army, visit You may also reach out to your local Army Healthcare Recruiter to learn how you can get started on your journey as an Army Orthopedic Surgeon.