Physicians and Surgeons
Background
Military physicians and surgeons represent all of the major fields of medical specialization. Physicians and surgeons are the chief providers of medical services to military personnel and their dependents. Physicians and surgeons examine patients, diagnose their injuries or illnesses, and provide medical treatment.
What They Do
Physicians and surgeons in the military perform some or all of the following duties:
- Advise patients on their health problems and personal habits
- Coordinate the activities of nurses, physician assistants, medical specialists, therapists, and other medical personnel
- Determine presence and extent of illness or injury by reviewing medical histories, x-rays, laboratory reports, and examination reports
- Develop treatment plans that may include medication, therapy, or surgery
- Examine patients to detect abnormalities in pulse, breathing, or other body functions
- Perform surgery to treat injuries or illnesses
- Conduct medical research
Physical Demands
No information available.
Special Requirements
A doctor of medicine or osteopathy degree and advanced training in a medical specialty are required to enter this career.
Helpful Attributes
Helpful attributes include:
- Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely
- Desire to help others
Helpful School Subjects
No information available.
Helpful Fields of Study
No information available.
Work Environment
Physicians and surgeons work in hospitals and clinics on land and aboard ships.
Services offering this career:
- Air Force
- Army
- Coast Guard
- Navy
Hiring Practices
To serve in the military, a person must be at least 17; the maximum age for enlistment varies. To enlist, a person must pass a physical exam and an aptitude test. An enlistee must also meet military standards of discipline and be a US citizen or permanent resident alien.
This position is for officers.
Wages
The military is competitive with the civilian world when it comes to pay and benefits. All branches offer the same basic pay and benefits.
Pay depends mainly on rank or grade as well as length of service. Bonuses and the situation in which the person is serving (for example: flight duty, sea duty, hazardous duty) also affect pay.
Cost-of-living increases usually occur every year, based on inflation. The military also pays allowances for food, clothing, and housing. All these factors combined are called Regular Military Compensation (RMC). They should all be considered when comparing military pay to civilian pay.
There are two main parts to RMC: basic pay and allowances. There are also additional incentives for special abilities, training, or hazardous duty.
Check out the RMC Calculator to calculate your RMC based on your inputs.
Training Provided
No initial job training is provided to officers in this career. However, advanced courses and programs in medical specialties are available. In addition, scholarships for advanced medical training are available in return for an obligated period of military service.
Civilian Counterparts
Civilian physicians work for hospitals or clinics or in private practice. They perform the same duties and work in the same areas of specialization as military physicians.
Related Civilian Careers
- Allergists and Immunologists
- Anesthesiologists
- Dermatologists
- Family and General Practitioners
- Internists
- Obstetricians and Gynecologists
- Pediatricians
- Podiatrists
- Psychiatrists
- Radiologists
- Surgeons
Employment and Outlook
In peace time the services have about 12,000 physicians and surgeons, including all general practitioners and specialists. In times of military action the number may be different, depending on the type of specialties required. Each year the services need new physicians and surgeons due to changes in personnel and the demands of the field. The services give several hundred scholarships yearly to attend civilian medical schools or the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Maryland, in return for an obligated period of military service after graduation. The services normally hire physicians who have completed medical school and their internships. However, some services have programs to grant early officer commissions to civilians who are in medical school, internship, or residency status in return for an obligated period of service. Positions for physicians and surgeons in the Coast Guard are filled by US Public Health Service Officers. After gaining experience in the military, physicians and surgeons may advance to senior management or command positions in the services' medical corps.