• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

US Military

  • Branches
    • Army
    • Navy
    • Air Force
    • Marine Corps
    • Coast Guard
    • National Guard
    • Air National Guard
    • Find A Recruiter
  • Find A Recruiter
  • Military Benefits
    • GI Bill
    • VA Loans
    • Military Scholarships
    • Military Friendly Colleges
    • Money
  • Jobs
    • Military Pay Chart
    • Veteran Jobs
    • Civilian Jobs
  • VA Loan Rates
  • Military News
    • Top News
    • Benefits
    • Careers
    • Education
    • Featured Columnists
      • Larry Fowler
      • Scott Ostrow
      • Kim Lengling
      • Dr. Sasha Toperich
      • Rick Stewart
  • USM Shop
  • GI Bill
  • VA Loans
  • Military Scholarships
  • Top Military-Friendly Colleges and Universities in America

Do You Have What It Takes To Be An Air Force Doctor?

May 26, 2008 By admin

If you are a medical student, and wish to serve your country there are opportunities for a career as an Air Force doctor. You can serve as a physician in the Air Force, and receive state of the art continuing training, as well as being a part of the support for our country.

As an Air Force doctor, some of the duties you may have include: Assisting in patient surgery and extended care in Air Force Care facilities. You will work in Direct Ward and outpatient Services and work to provide direct and extended care to Air Force personnel and dependents. You will work to instruct and assist in training medical technicians and field medics.

As an Air Force Doctor you will formulate procedures and plans for patients’ direct care and work to assign schedules and direct medical activities in a variety of settings. You can enter into and serve in the Air Force as a doctor in a variety of different ways. You can sign up for Air Force service while going to school, graduate and become a commissioned medical officer. Or, you can apply for a direct commission if you are already a licensed civilian doctor.

Last, you can become an Air Force Doctor by applying for one of the U.S. Air Force medical enlistment training programs.

To enter into a Doctor medical career in the Air Force you have to have a doctorate degree in medicine, or be Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, or other specialty. Sometimes you must have a graduate one-year program degree in advanced medical studies to qualify, depending on the specialty and the needs of the Air Force. Air Force Doctors works with patients and other medical personnel in Air Force Facilities. They work with patients to develop case histories, obtain data and information through patient interviews, and evaluate wounded and sick personnel.

Do You Have Prior Service? Get Cash Bonuses For Your Past Military Service. Click here for more information.

Doctors in the Air Force can be stationed literally anywhere that the Air Force serves around the world. As you rise in rank you will be assigned additional responsibility including supervising other doctors, and managing departments. Doctors can be assigned as advisors to commanders in battlefield situations, as well as headquarters units. Senior Medical personnel help coordinate patient care and health service for military command facilities. As a Senior Command Doctor you will participate in a variety of professional societies and organizations. You can be called upon to advise commanders on issues of Air Force Personnel welfare and health’s

Filed Under: Careers, Updates

[related_posts_by_tax format="thumbnails" limit_posts="100" image_size="sidebar-thumbnail" public_only="true" posts_per_page="6"]

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Madison Grayson says

    July 27, 2009 at 6:01 pm

    Hi, I am Madison Grayson and I am going into the 8th grade this year. I am looking into the doctor in the Military career. I am going to attend LSU. Now, I want to sign up for th eairforce whilr in school, graduate adn then come in as an officer. I want to know how to start this whole thing out. i want to help serve my country! Thank you for proving this information with me. I appreciate all the soldiers. THANK you. God Bless the USA!!!!!

  2. arin says

    July 29, 2009 at 12:50 pm

    there’s not much you need to do now. When you get to college, you’ll want to do Air Force ROTC to come out as an officer. Make sure you keep your high school grades up and do extracurricular activities and you could get a scholarship as well.

  3. chris waters says

    August 25, 2009 at 8:41 pm

    Hi, I am a senior in high school that’s looking to persue a career in medicine via the USAF. I was wondering if ROTC would be the best way to go. Or is there a better way. I’m not sure if there’s anyway that you can defer active duty till you get out of grad school and are actually a M.D.

  4. arin says

    August 25, 2009 at 11:11 pm

    yes, ROTC is the best way for you to do it, especially for the medical field. With the ROTC program, you’ll graduate an officer. Afterwards, If you are accepted, you can attend medical school and the USAF will pay for it. since the AF benefits from your training, they will wait for you to complete your schooling before deploying you.

  5. Meghan says

    September 26, 2009 at 9:15 pm

    Hi, I am a sophmore in college at UGA and plan on pursuing medicine. I am not in ROTC though, but I want to be a doctor in the USAF after graduating med school. Can I do that without ROTC or do I need to join? Also, can I go to any med school I want or do I have to go to a certain med school for USAF to pay for it?

  6. Robert says

    October 14, 2009 at 4:51 pm

    You do not need to do an Air Force ROTC for undergrad. In fact I would think that to be unwise since often times applying to medical school can take over a year and during that time the Air Force is not going to let you volunteer at hospitals and study for the MCAT, they will make you work.

    What you should do is get through college and apply to medical school. Once you are accepted you can apply for the HPSP scholarship. This will pay for your medical school in return for 4 years active duty and 4 years inactive reserve duty. Your residency options my be limited but that is for you to research on your own.

  7. hamit says

    January 13, 2010 at 8:02 pm

    Hey, I am looking at going into the AFROTC as a possibility. If i were to join as soon as I go into college, would I still be able to pursue a medical career after my first four years. Thus, having the AF help with med. school tuition?

  8. arin says

    January 13, 2010 at 8:42 pm

    yes, hamit, that is a common approach to getting your med degree, as long as you maintain academics and get accepted into a med program

  9. Nicole says

    February 19, 2010 at 7:41 pm

    My plan is to go thru with college and medical school and then join the air force……however, my question is……residency? Do I have to go thru with residency on my own OR may I join usaf right away after grad from med school?

  10. Ben says

    February 28, 2010 at 3:30 pm

    I am an M2 in medical school at FSU and i was wondering how life as an MD in the air force worked with family life? As much as I’d like to serve, my fiance is very worried about not seeing me for months at a time.

  11. Bea says

    March 24, 2010 at 1:57 am

    Hi! I just graduated from med school and wanted to join the Air Force. But I also want to get into residency. Should I join the AF first, then enter apply to residency program while in the AF, or complete my residency at become a licensed physician as a civilian? THanks

  12. marissa deckard says

    April 14, 2010 at 12:06 pm

    well i am a freshman at bloomfield indiana and im in our ROTC program here. we never get the Air Force to come and talk to us. BUt we do get the Air National Guard. They dont really help when you have questions tha your not sure about. if you could please message me or write me at 100 earl st. carne, in 47522 2006 north sharkey rd. 47424 bloomfield in. Or e-mail me at [email protected]
    thank you.. Marissa

  13. Andrew says

    June 26, 2010 at 3:05 pm

    My name is Andrew and am going into the 9th grade, overseas in Ma’adi Egypt. My parents work for the DoS. I am looking to become a doctor in the Air Force. Would it be better to go through their education process or choose colleges of my own. Do they get good pay, and have the oppurtunity to deploy? Thank you so much! – Andrew

  14. April says

    June 30, 2010 at 10:54 am

    Hey i am a 13 year old that is interested in being a doctor in the usaf!

  15. Nicole says

    November 25, 2010 at 7:48 pm

    I am in 12 grade and I would want to become a medic In the air force. What is the best way to go?? What r the bentfits to become a medic??

  16. Thomas says

    December 20, 2010 at 11:36 pm

    It’s great to see quite a few of our younger people who are interested in a medical career with the U.S. Air Force, and the other branches as well. I have 12 years of military service under my belt, and will be going to medical school in the fall of 2011. So, here is my advice to you.

    ROTC: It really doesn’t matter. This program is used to train officers in the other occupational fields within the military.

    The best thing you can do is concentrate on your education. Finish High School with a good academic standing. Go to college, and work hard. Remember that the frat life and parties won’t get you into the Air Force, let alone medical school. I have posted a few links here that you may want to check out. Good luck to all of you, and from a former US Marine, I say Semper Fi!!!!

    http://www.usuhs.mil/admissions.html

    This link will direct you to the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences. There is alot of good information on here. After you have read through it, do a google search on what it takes to become a doctor. Don’t let anyone ever tell you that you can’t do it!!!!

  17. Trent says

    March 30, 2011 at 3:05 pm

    Hi, Im 14 years old. I am looking to become a doctor in the Air Force. Im really confused on OTC and COT school. Is COT for people wanting to be medical professionals, or people who already have their degree? I really want the USAF to pay for my schooling. Thanks for your help!

  18. Trent says

    June 27, 2011 at 12:15 pm

    Hi my name is Trent and I want to become a Neurologist in the AF. I want the AF to pay for my college but idk if med school is different from any other college. Do I have to graduate from with with a degree in medicine then have the AF pay for my med school? Or does the AF pay for both my college and med school? Please help!

  19. Malana says

    July 12, 2011 at 7:40 pm

    My dream is to become a surgeon. Both sides of my family are military. I don’t know much about the air force but I personally know it’s the safest bet when it comes to taking care of you and letting you have a family life. I would love to serve my country and for the truest reasons, not the politics of it all. I know that becoming a physician is one way I know I can help people and really do what our country was founded upon: which is helping others. I want to go to college and get my doctorate, but I also want to intern. I am currently in high school and I plan on applying to ivy league medical schools but plan on going to a university here where I live for my premed. My question to you is how do I do all that but work for the airforce after i am done. How do I get school assistance and still get to “travel the world”. Is it possible? if so, how do I do it. I want to enter as an officer but i am not entirely certain as to what that pertains to within the airforce. Any advice helps for the time for deciding is now. Thank you and God bless.

  20. Fred says

    August 7, 2011 at 10:02 pm

    Hello. My name is Fred. I just finished my bachelors degree (with honors) in science, and I am currently in the process of applying to medical school. I have always dreamed about joining the USAF (as a kid, I always wanted to fly an F16 falcon), but in terms of medicine, I am not so sure about what to do next in terms of joining the air force. Should I wait until I get accepted or contact a USAF office now? I would truly appreciate some input/clarification. Thanks.

  21. Bill says

    August 12, 2011 at 4:10 pm

    My son is a senior in college pursuing a biology degree, with minors in chemistry and German. He is carrying a 3.9 GPA. He has already taken the MCAT’s and has scored very well. He is currently applying to medical schools. For the past four years, he has been taking direction from a Navy recruiter in hopes of obtaining a Navy Medical School scholarship.

    The Navy scheduled him for a physical and he was denied acceptance due to a pre-existing condition that causes joint pain in his knees. His doctor has written a letter that states this condition should not prevent my son from performing any duties. In fact, my son has wrestled since he was 6 years old and currently is a collegiate wrestler, with academic all-star honors. In addition, he runs at least 3 miles every day.

    Being a military doctor has been my son’s ambition for years. He is obviously devastated that this opportunity seems to be slipping away because of a physical issue that has never held him back previously.

    I mentioned that this might just be a Navy requirement/issue and that perhaps his dreams can still be obtained through other branches of service. I write this to you because the Air Force was originally my Son’s original branch of choice until he talked with a college alumni Doctor who had successfully navigated the Navy Medical Scholarship program.

    Should my son give up on his desire to be a military doctor or is there more he needs to know about what the Air Force can offer? Any insights are very greatly appreciated.

    Thank you.

  22. Walter Ward-Bos says

    March 18, 2012 at 9:28 pm

    Hi i am Walter Ward and i am a Sophomore at Forks High School and i am very interested in the medical field, and i really want to work with the people who risk their lives for us. At first i was just interested in joining the Air Force but then i changed my mind and wanted to be an Aeromedical but then i got to thinking again and then it came to me i love the Air Force and the medical field so i though and i said to myself ” I want to be a doctor in the Air Force so i can help the people who help us”
    Q: Ok so if i was a doctor in the USAF how long would i be there for and would i be released back home?

  23. Ed says

    August 4, 2012 at 9:19 pm

    My name is Ed. I am 30. I an a DO and I am a year away from finishing my residency in Internal Medicine. I am considering joining the Air National Guard as a physician. I have looked on line for information and have found a lot but I would like to hear from someone with first hand experience. Is there any way I can talk to a physician who is in the ANG?

  24. medical assistant salary says

    October 2, 2012 at 6:04 pm

    Fantastic goods from you, man. I’ve remember your stuff prior to and you’re just extremely magnificent. I actually like what you’ve bought here, really like what you’re stating and the best way by which you are saying it. You’re making it enjoyable and you continue to take care of to stay it smart. I can not wait to read much more from you. That is actually a terrific website.

  25. MPA says

    October 12, 2012 at 5:41 pm

    Hi my friend! I want to say that this post is awesome, nice written and include approximately all important infos. I’d like to peer extra posts like this .

  26. Allen says

    February 7, 2013 at 7:51 pm

    I am inquiring for my son who is 1.5 years away from graduating from BSN (nursing). He wants to further his education in medical to become a doctor. He wants to join the Airforce as an officer and at the same time send him to med school to become a physician. Does the Airforce have such program?

  27. Dorothea Dixon says

    January 3, 2014 at 7:54 pm

    I am a US citizen medical student in medical school in Argentina and want to enter the Air Force after getting my doctor of medicine degree AND passing the USMLE…… is there a possibility to enter your residency programs?? Or is it better to complete everything first and enter in as a full fledged doctor??

  28. Annonymous says

    August 26, 2014 at 7:28 pm

    I am planning to join the air force as a medical doctor, but I don’t know how to go about the whole process. Do I go to college, then go to medical school and enlist as a medical doctor or do I go to college, enlist and then the air force pays for my medical school? Also, do I need to undergo internship and residency before I become a med doctor, or is there specific air force training? Thank you so much!

  29. Darryl Cunningham says

    July 17, 2015 at 5:13 pm

    This is the second greatest discovery since man discovered the Bible. It’s also thy greatest story of this century. Sir this could very well be your greatest editorial.
    THE CURES for all external and internal bacterial infectious viruses and diseases

    I am an (AFRICAN AMERICAN SCIENTISTS.) After reading this an as smart as you really are you will undoubtedly know that this cures all forms of cancers by using Ultaviolet light incorporated inside x-ray machines. Treatments are too be done in moderadiation there’s a 99% curing rate done on humans.

    What i have here is irrefutable proof, yes scientific facts written in the form of a copyright. THE ULTAVIOLET LIGHT NEWSLETTER. This working hypothesis and/or concept Pura files the D.N.A. and is a cure for all CANCERS, EBOLA an all other external as well as internal bacterial infectious diseases on and in all living creatures.These’s protected United States Government copyright’s are stating that the traditional high – intensity radiation bulb be removed and then replaced with the same high-intensity Ultaviolet light bulb in its place. The concept is additional help and improvement on the x-ray machine, RENDERING DISEASES INERT.

    This procedure would allow the curing properties in ultraviolet light ray’s to pass through the anatomy of any living creature curing them of all infectious viruses an / or diseases instantly. Again suggesting use this procedure under control medical conditions in moderadiation on patients.

Primary Sidebar

USMilitary.com Career Guide

Sign up to receive USMilitary.com email updates and to hear what's going on with all military branches!

Featured Columnists

Larry Fowler

Larry Fowler is the publisher of USMilitary.com Network one of America's premier privately owned

Daring True Story Comparing Gutsy Christian Living With Navy SEAL Training (BUD/S).

Scott Ostrow

Lt Col (Dr.) Scott A. Ostrow retired from the Air Force in September 2005 and has been teaching

Must Read: The Truth About The ASVAB Test Prep From The Man Who Wrote The Book

Kim Lengling

Kim Lengling is a Air Force Veteran whose passion is to help support veterans and their

The Moving Wall: Women Who Paid The Ultimate Price For Their Country

Dr. Sasha Toperich

Dr. Sasha Toperich is the Senior Executive Vice President at Transatlantic Leadership

Sarraj’s Dangerous Dance With Power

Rick Stewart

Rick Stewart is a former United States Air Force Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE)

Announcing American Patriots Unsung Magazine

Nathan B. Nelson

Capt (ret) Nathan B. Nelson is the Director of Military Affairs for the 1st Congressional district

Three Critical Considerations for Every Veteran Prior to Leaving Active Duty

Laquan Daniels

Laquan Daniel is a military recruiting expert with over 17 years of specialized experience in the

Important News For Military Transitioning Veterans

Veteran Buzz

Hire Military Veterans

Which Companies Are Most Likely to Hire Military Veterans?

July 30, 2018 By Ben Ehinger

High-Paying Jobs for Military Veterans

5 High-Paying Jobs for Military Veterans

July 2, 2018 By Ben Ehinger

High Paying Jobs Not Requiring a Degree

June 28, 2018 By Ben Ehinger

Footer

  • Advertise With Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Write For US
  • Link to Us

Recent

  • Daring True Story Comparing Gutsy Christian Living With Navy SEAL Training (BUD/S).
  • Apache Attack Helicopter Pilot: To Maintain a Watchful Eye, “Above the Best”
  • Peering Into The Future: NATO 2030 Initiative Announced
  • What Military Branch Sees the Most Combat?
  • From Belarus “With Love”, Yet Again

Search

© Copyright 2021 USMillitary
Web Design by Goebel Media Group


THIS IS A PRIVATE WEBSITE THAT IS NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE U.S. GOVERNMENT, U.S. ARMED FORCES, OR DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES HAVE NOT REVIEWED THIS INFORMATION. THIS SITE IS NOT CONNECTED WITH ANY GOVERNMENT AGENCY.

​Tips
Discounts
News

​

​

Join the USMilitary.com Newsletter Today!

By subscribing you agree to our terms & conditions

x