Navy MSC: Medical Service Corps Officer Program

A Medical Service Corps Officer is a Staff Corps Officer in the Navy who is a member of the most diversified Corps within Navy Medicine, serving either in healthcare administration, healthcare science, or clinical healthcare. The Navy Officer designator code for the Medical Service Corps is 2300.

As you will see, there are many aspects to becoming a Medical Service Corps Officer. After reading this guide, you will have more understanding of this Navy commissioning program and the large community behind it. Let us go straight into the details.

Qualifications and Eligibility

The Medical Service Corps (MSC) is different from most officer programs because eligibility depends heavily on your specialty. A hospital administrator and a clinical psychologist are both MSC officers, but their degrees, licenses, and experience requirements do not look the same.

The official baseline requirements for MSC accessions are described in the current program authorization. Use it to confirm that you are eligible before you spend time collecting transcripts, licenses, and letters.

Core eligibility (applies to most MSC specialties)

• Citizenship: You must be a U.S. citizen.
• Age: You must be commissioned before your 42nd birthday. Age waivers may be considered case by case.
• Medical readiness: You must meet commissioning medical standards and remain eligible for worldwide assignment.
• Professional fit: You must meet the degree and credential requirements for the specialty you are applying for. Many MSC specialties require an active, unrestricted professional license or certification.

Education and credential requirements are specialty-based

The MSC program authorization lays out different minimum degrees for different fields. Common patterns include:

• Health care administration: Often requires a master’s degree in health care or health services administration, or an MBA or MPH with the right health-focused concentration and program accreditation.
• Clinical specialties: Fields like clinical psychology, social work, occupational therapy, physical therapy, pharmacy, and audiology typically require graduate or doctoral education and licensure in the United States.
• Science and preventive medicine specialties: Fields like environmental health, industrial hygiene, entomology, microbiology, and dietetics often require graduate-level education in a specific discipline plus specialized coursework or certification.

If your degree is outside the exact specialty requirement, do not assume you can talk your way in. MSC boards use eligibility rules as a hard gate, and some specialties also limit how many exceptions can be approved.

What to prepare before you talk to a recruiter

Applicants move faster and avoid preventable delays when they can provide:

• Official transcripts for every college or graduate program attended
• Copies of current professional licenses and certifications (with expiration dates visible)
• A resume that shows relevant clinical hours, internships, residencies, or health care leadership experience
• Any required test scores for the specific specialty (when applicable)
• Prior-service evaluations and service records if you are currently serving or have served before

Service obligation (typical baseline)

The MSC program authorization describes a three-year active duty obligation from the date of appointment for Active Duty accessions, and eight years total obligated service (active plus reserve time as needed). Special pay, bonuses, or funded education can add additional obligations.

Navy Medical Service Corps

The Medical Service Corps (MSC) is the most diverse corps within Navy Medicine. The MSC is an essential component of the Navy, comprising a diverse team of commissioned Naval Officers in clinical, scientific, and administrative health care sectors. In this MSC, you can:

• Receive unrivaled professional experience and Navy-funded advanced training
• Earn excellent pay on a renowned team of experts
• Work in exciting locations across the United States or around the world
• Operate with the benefit of well-funded support
• Distinguish yourself with pride and respect as a health-care leader and Navy Officer

Navy Medicine divided the Medical Service Corps into 31 subspecialties, which are structured into three broad categories:

1. Healthcare Administrators
2. Clinicians
3. Scientists

There are roughly 2,400 officers on Active Duty and 344 officers in the Reserve Component of the Medical Service Corps.

Navy MSC Manning Proportions

MSC Officers are stationed in over 250 naval and medical commands across the world.

Approximately 65 percent work in direct patient care facilities, while the remaining 35 percent work in operational units, headquarters commands, material and logistic support commands, training and research commands, and occupational and preventive medicine units.

With a community of Active Duty and Reserve Component professionals, the MSC actively supports the Navy and Marine Corps team, as well as Navy Medicine’s readiness and health benefits mandates.

A later section will list the individual qualifications for each MSC job.

Navy MSC Officer Duty Stations

MSC Officers support Navy Medicine’s readiness and health benefits missions in a variety of settings, including Expeditionary Medical Operations to support our war fighters in Iraq and Afghanistan, Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response missions in Africa, Southeast Asia, and Haiti.

Moreover, MSC Officers work in places that assist the care of the wounded, sick, and injured, such as the Marine Corps’ Wounded Warrior Regiment.

MSC assignments are as diverse as its members. Here are the typical duty stations available for MSC Officers:

• Navy Medical Treatment Facilities
• Naval Branch Clinics
• Surface Ships
• United States Marine Corps Battalions
• Construction Battalion (Seabee) Detachments
• Expeditionary Medical Facility (EMF) Kuwait and EMF Djibouti, Iraq, or Afghanistan
• Research Centers and Laboratories

Likewise, here are the typical locations for these duty stations:

Stateside locations

• California
• Illinois
• Florida
• Virginia
• North Carolina
• Rhode Island
• Maryland
• Hawaii

Overseas locations

• Japan
• Spain
• Italy
• Cuba
• Guam
• Europe

Navy Medical Service Corps Specialties

To become a Navy Medical Service Corps Officer, you must be an American citizen who is no older than 42 years of age with qualifying credentials as either a healthcare administrator, healthcare scientist, or healthcare clinical provider.

The basic requirements contained herein are current as of September 2023, per the Navy Personnel Command. No updates have been issued thus far.

There are 31 available job types in the MSC, but the Healthcare Administrator specialty is further split into 10 more subspecialties.

With that being said, the Navy MSC offers 22 diverse healthcare-related specialties, which are:

Aerospace Experimental Psychologist

Naval Aerospace Experimental Psychologists (AEPs) promote and assure the safe and effective performance of Navy and Marine Corps personnel in aviation systems.

AEPs provide professional and technical counsel and support to the Naval Service in the design and execution of new system research, testing, development, and evaluation.

They train with the Navy’s only human centrifuge, which is at NAS Lemoore in California, to educate all tactical–jet aircrew tactics for enhancing performance under high G-forces.

Likewise, they also deal with issues like staff selection, flying training, and operational safety.

Basic Requirements

Prospective applicants need to possess a Ph.D. degree in a human performance focus program from a U.S.-approved university or fulfill the necessary credit requirements and submit the final doctoral dissertation which should be attended to a final defense.

The selection will favor students from non-clinical psychology programs such as cognitive, experimental, engineering, human factors, or industrial/organizational psychology; neuroscience; or a program with an interdisciplinary approach wherein the course of study consists of human-systems integration, human-machine interaction, psychometrics, or the behavioral and cognitive sciences.

Prospective candidates are required to have a substantial experience in research design and statistics, to be conversant with human research protection processes, to be able to communicate research results through publications and presentations to different audiences efficiently, and to have an interest/ability to conduct both fundamental and applied research.

An applicant must prove independence in designing and running a research project, cooperability in leading a multidiscipline team, and being a technology transition facilitator to the military end-user.

Those with a master’s degree are considered if they are from the areas mentioned above and have served for four years as a commissioned officer.

At the same time, the applicant is required to meet aviation physical standards. The duration of active service begins from three years after the date of the Naval Aerospace Experimental Psychologist winging.

Apart from that, Reserve Component candidates should have completed the compulsory six-month Naval Aerospace Experimental Psychologist training course at the Naval Aerospace Medical Institute, have successfully finished the prescribed flight training syllabus, and have served an active duty utilization tour as a naval aerospace experimental psychologist.

Competitive Profile

The following factors make an applicant more competitive for selection:

• A Ph.D. in psychology, neurology, or human factors, as well as advanced statistics, quantitative analysis, and research methodologies courses.
• Research, publication, and consultation experience in applied psychology, particularly with military and aviation systems.
• Extensive knowledge in all elements of aviation, including flight operations, aircraft maintenance, air traffic control, and flight-line operations.

Typical Assignment Locations

• Pensacola & Orlando, Florida
• Arlington, Virginia
• Dayton, Ohio
• Patuxent River, Maryland
• San Diego & Monterey, California
• Washington, District of Columbia

Aerospace and Operational Physiologist

Navy Aerospace and Operational Physiologists teach all U.S. Navy and Marine Corps aircrew in aviation physiology, acceleration physiology, sensory physiology, ejection/egress, life support equipment, parachute operations, and water survival. This training lowers the likelihood of disasters occurring and improves survival changes when catastrophes occur.

Basic Qualifications

Applicants must hold a Master’s or doctorate degree in physiology (cardiovascular, pulmonary, neuro, exercise, or occupational). If prerequisite courses are completed, applicants with related master’s degrees (e.g., biology, biomedical engineering, kinesiology, human factors, human systems integration, or other biologically based disciplines) will be considered.

Human anatomy and physiology I, human anatomy and physiology II, biology (200 level), chemistry (general, organic, biochemistry, or inorganic), physics, college mathematics (college algebra, pre-calculus, or above), and statistics are all required courses. Some courses may be waived for Ph.D. aspirants.

Applicants with significant military aviation experience (Naval Aviators and Naval Flight Officers with multiple operational flying tours in fleet squadrons) and a baccalaureate degree in an applicable field of study, as well as all required courses outlined above, will be considered, though completion of an Aerospace Physiology Certificate program is highly recommended.

Graduate students must have a GPA of 3.3 or better on a 4.0 scale. Applicants must have a 3.0 GPA in undergraduate core (science and math) coursework.

Experience as a trainer or instructor is very appreciated. Applicants must fulfill aviation physical requirements.

The time spent in Naval Aerospace and Operational Physiology training, which includes the Naval Aerospace and Operational Physiology Internship Program, has no bearing on whether fresh responsibilities are incurred or current duties are performed.

The active-duty period begins three years after the completion of the Naval Aerospace and Operational Physiology Internship Program.

Reserve Component applicants must have completed the 6-month Naval Aerospace and Operational Physiology training course at the Naval Aerospace Medical Institute, the prescribed flight training syllabus, the Naval Aerospace and Operational Physiology Internship Program, and an active duty utilization tour as a Naval Aerospace and Operational Physiologist.

Competitive Profile

The following factors make an applicant more competitive for selection:

• Previous experience as an instructor/teacher is preferred.
• Strong personal recommendations in the areas of initiative and collaboration are desired.
• Military or general aviation experience

Typical Assignment Locations

• Pensacola & Orlando, Florida
• Annapolis, Maryland
• Norfolk, Virginia
• San Diego, California

Audiologist

Navy Audiologists provide a wide variety of clinical support services to a varied populace in medical treatment facilities.

They also give rehabilitative, non-medical help at other locations to preserve and develop communicative skills.

While working as consultant supervisors of Navy/Marine Corps Hearing Conservation Programs, Navy Audiologists assure the auditory combat preparedness of our fleet and Marine Forces.

Navy Audiologists have expertise providing industrial audiology assistance to the aviation, shipboard, and artillery communities.

They take advantage of international possibilities as educational audiologists supporting the Department of War Dependent Schools and assist special-needs youngsters.

Basic Qualifications

Applicants for Audiology must have a master’s or doctorate degree in Audiology, as well as a valid state license to practice and board certification from either the American Board of Audiology (ABA) or the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).

Applicants who have substantial professional experience in audiology are highly preferred.

Competitive Profile

The following factors make an applicant more competitive for selection:

• Extensive professional experience in the field.
• Interested in clinical, industrial (laboratory), or educational audiology.
• Able to work in a range of medical settings with a diverse demographic.

Typical Assignment Locations

• Camp Lejeune, North Carolina
• Pensacola, Florida
• Bremerton, Washington
• Norfolk and Portsmouth, Virginia
• San Diego, California
• Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
• Sigonella and Naples, Italy
• Rota, Spain
• Guam, Mariana Islands
• Yokosuka and Okinawa, Japan

Biochemist and Toxicologist

Officers in this position experience working in Navy and joint-service research institutes, acting as a part of a research team, and aiding in medical personnel training.

They also assist in the deployment of a Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Environmental (CBRE) Training Team to strengthen our nation’s defense against biological, chemical, and nuclear weapons.

Biochemistry

Navy research biochemists perform and oversee fundamental and application research on biochemical problems of relevance to the Navy.

This may comprise study design, data analysis, research study execution, and technique creation. Toxicologists and research biochemists have similar career options and work in many of the same places.

Toxicology

Forensic toxicologists monitor and supervise military forensic labs in the Navy.

Drug detection in bodily fluids is usually the main task. Advanced technology supports this work.

Method development is also part of the role. This includes ways to detect substances of interest. It also includes chain of custody maintenance procedures. It also includes strategies for presenting forensic evidence to lawyers, military judges, and court members.

Other work may include research on how chemical agents affect normal biological functions. It may also include developing and testing personal protective equipment for military operations. It may also include assessing exposure limits to chemical compounds.

Several career options exist for toxicologists. Work may take place in forensic laboratories. Roles may also exist in Navy research laboratories. Environmental Preventive Medicine Units are another option. Teaching at the Naval Academy and elsewhere is also an option.

Basic Qualifications

Applicants must have a Ph.D. in biochemistry, toxicology, or a related life or physical science, as well as a solid research history. Graduate students must have a GPA of 3.3 or above on a 4.0 scale.

Applicants must have a 3.0 GPA in undergraduate studies and a 3.3 GPA in undergraduate core (science and math) curriculum. Teaching, leadership, and principal authoring of peer-reviewed scientific journal publications are also preferred.

Competitive Profile

Applicants with graduate training or job experience in biochemical and analytical chemistry laboratory procedures are competitive for selection.

Typical Assignment Locations

• Annapolis, Maryland
• Bethesda, Maryland
• Dayton, Ohio
• Great Lakes, Illinois

Clinical Psychologist

There are roughly 140 active-duty clinical psychologists in the Navy, working at military hospitals and clinics in the United States (California, Washington, D.C., and Hawaii), overseas (Italy, Spain, and Japan), on aircraft carriers, and with special operational units.

There are teaching possibilities at the Naval Academy, as well as chances to supervise training at the Navy’s APA-approved internship programs in San Diego, CA and Bethesda, MD.

Navy psychologists have access to excellent continuing education opportunities. They become eligible for fellowships in pediatrics and neuropsychology at top institutions, as well as student loan payback and acceptance/retention bonuses.

Basic Qualifications

All prerequisites for a doctoral degree (Ph.D. or Psy. D.) in clinical or counseling psychology must be met. The degree must be from a university or professional school program recognized by the American Psychological Association (APA) or the Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System (PCSAS).

An APA-accredited doctoral internship is required. A waiver of the APA recognized internship requirement may apply for individuals who completed an APA-accredited post-doctoral residency or fellowship. A waiver may also apply for individuals who achieved board certification by the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP).

All candidates must hold a current license from a U.S. state, territory, or district.

Clinical Psychology Doctoral Internship Program (Active Duty Only)

Applicants must be enrolled in a doctoral degree in clinical or counseling psychology (Ph.D. or Psy. D.). The program must be approved by the APA or PCSAS.

By the start of the internship, comprehensive examinations must be passed. All didactic and clinical practice requirements for internship eligibility must also be fulfilled.

Most applicants will not have finished all practice, courses, or the PhD dissertation when applying. Even so, the training director must recognize the applicant as suitable to apply for internship.

Commissioning will be as lieutenants. A four-year service requirement applies, including the one-year internship.

After the internship ends, licensure must be earned within 18 months.

Clinical Psychology Doctoral Student Program (Active Duty Only)

Candidates are chosen on an annual basis for admission to the Navy MSC and subsequent enrollment in the USUHS Ph.D. program in clinical psychology.

A baccalaureate or master’s degree from an approved institution or university is required for applicants. Candidates must have a GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

A minimum combined score of 300 or higher on the verbal and quantitative parts of the GRE is recommended, as is a score of four or above on the analytical writing component.

Clinical Psychology Post-Doctoral Fellowship Program (Active Duty Only)

Prior to the start of the post-doctoral fellowship, all requirements for a doctoral degree (Ph.D. or Psy. D.) must be completed. The degree must be in clinical or counseling psychology. The program must be from an APA-accredited university or professional school. Completion must include the doctoral dissertation and the doctoral internship.

An APA-accredited doctoral internship is required. Selection will be for a one-year post-doctoral fellowship at the Naval Medical Center in Portsmouth.

Commissioning will be as lieutenants. A four-year service requirement applies, including the one-year fellowship.

Licensure should be expected within six months after completing the post-doctoral residency.

Officers who are unable to get licensure within six months after completing the fellowship may be separated.

Competitive Profile

The following factors make an applicant more competitive for selection:

• Both outpatient and Inpatient experience.
• Knowledge of crisis intervention and traumatic stress treatment.
• Professional references showing exceptional clinical knowledge and supervisory/leadership abilities.

Typical Assignment Locations

• Bethesda, Maryland
• San Diego, California
• Naples and Sigonella, Italy
• Okinawa and Sasebo, Japan

Dietitian, Food Manager

There are about 30 Navy Dietitians on active duty. Most duty assignments take place in hospitals.

Navy Dietitians have the clinical skills needed for entry-level clinical dietitian roles. These skills include patient assessment, medical record documentation, and medical nutrition therapy counseling. They also include the ability to organize and lead weight control, diabetic diet, and cardiovascular risk reduction classes.

They also support patients through Medical Nutrition Therapy, outpatient nutrition counseling, and food service operations.

General nutrition education and wellness initiatives are also part of the work. These efforts support military members and their families, along with hospital dietetic tasks.

When assigned to a deployable platform, Navy dietitians can support field and shipboard patient care. They can also support food service operations.

After first clinical postings, Navy Dietitians often move into Administrative or Food Service positions.

Some tours focus on clinical work, while the next may focus on administrative duties. Field or shipboard operations may also be part of certain assignments.

Navy Dietetics can be an intriguing and difficult career option. It offers new experiences.

Basic Qualifications

A master’s degree in dietetics, nutrition, exercise and sports nutrition, food service management, public health, or a closely related discipline is required.

Applicants must also have completed a dietetic internship, pre-professional practice program, or other qualifying profession experience authorized by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND).

Applicants must hold the AND certification of “Registered Dietitian (RD)” or “Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)” and have at least one year of experience working in the field of dietetics.

Competitive Profile

The following factors make an applicant more competitive for selection:

• 3.0 out of 4.0 GPA in dietetics, nutrition, exercise and sports nutrition, food service administration, public health, or a closely related program.
• Two or more years of clinical dietitian experience, preferably with managerial duties. Professional references showing exceptional clinical knowledge and supervisory/leadership abilities.

Typical Assignment Locations

• Camp Lejeune, North Carolina
• San Diego, California
• Naples and Sigonella, Italy
• Yokosuka, Japan

Entomologist

Navy Entomologists handle a range of tasks. Most of this work focuses on preventing vector-borne illnesses in Navy and Marine Corps operating troops.

Navy medical entomologists organize, direct, and take part in operational activities. They also perform consultative, training, quarantine, and research work. These efforts support prevention and control of arthropod pests and disease vectors.

Military and civilian professionals receive training from them. Training often supports Navy medical commands and other commands.

Operational and consultative duties are also part of the job. This work occurs on preventive medicine staffs in the continental United States and in many overseas locations.

They also work with government and non-government groups. This collaboration supports development and testing of new pesticides, pesticide application equipment, and pesticide application procedures.

Basic Qualifications

Applicants must have a master’s or doctorate degree in entomology or a closely related subject. Course work must include a concentration in entomology.

A 3.2 GPA on a 4.0 scale is required in graduate school. A 3.5 GPA or above is required in entomology coursework.

At least 30 hours of course work must cover key entomology areas. This includes graduate and undergraduate course work. Topics should include medical entomology, pest management, insect taxonomy, and insect morphology. Topics should also include immature insects, vector biology, medical veterinary entomology, and insect ecology. Insect toxicology and insect physiology should also be covered.

Several subjects are strongly recommended. These include acarology, parasitology, and insect virology. Invertebrate zoology, statistics, and epidemiology are also recommended. Public health and environmental health are also recommended.

Experience with disease vector surveillance and control is highly requested. Experience with medically significant arthropods is also highly requested.

Competitive Profile

The following factors make an applicant more competitive for selection:

• A minimum of 3-5 hours in each of the following disciplines is strongly desired: acarology, parasitology, invertebrate zoology, insect virology, computer science, statistics, epidemiology, and environmental health.
• Expertise in disease vector surveillance and management, as well as medically relevant insects, is highly requested.

Typical Assignment Locations

• Bethesda, Maryland
• Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
• San Diego, California
• Jacksonville & Gainesville, Florida
• Norfolk & Portsmouth, Virginia
• Atlanta, Georgia
• Cairo, Egypt
• Lima, Peru

Environmental Health

Environmental Health Officers (EHOs) support disease prevention and control. This work serves Navy and Marine Corps active duty and civilian populations. They identify health concerns, form plans of action, and advise commanders on risks and countermeasures to protect personnel.

They are trained to identify effective ways to assess health concerns. They also perform disease and environmental surveillance. They also create countermeasures to address both future and current threats.

EHOs provide guidance on food safety and water and wastewater safety. They also advise on communicable disease prevention and control. Disease outbreak investigations are also part of the role. They also address environmental risks for operational commanders, commanding officers, and officers in charge. Support may also extend to joint forces, US Embassy staff, and the United Nations.

Many EHOs hold a nationally recognized accreditation. This may be as a Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) from the National Environmental Health Association. It may also be as a Registered Sanitarian from a local or state agency.

Basic Qualifications

Applicants must have a baccalaureate or master’s degree in environmental health. The degree must be from a program accredited by the National Environmental Health Science and Protection Accreditation Council. A master of public health degree also qualifies when it includes a concentration in environmental health. The MPH must be from a CEPH-accredited college of public health.

Degrees should include environmental health and epidemiology. Course work should also include food safety and water quality. Air quality and solid waste and wastewater management should be included. Communicable diseases and public health sanitation should be included. Vector control, toxicology, and risk assessment should be included. Risk communication, biostatistics, and microbiology should also be included.

Applicants pursuing master’s degrees should have a bachelor’s degree in environmental health, biology, chemistry, or physics.

Field experience in environmental health is very desirable. Certification is also desirable as a Registered Environmental Health Specialist or Registered Sanitarian. Certification may be through the National Environmental Health Association or a state body.

Competitive Profile

Environmental health field experience and certification as a Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) or Registered Sanitarian (RS) from the National Environmental Health Association or a state agency are strongly desired for selection.

Typical Assignment Locations

• Bethesda, Maryland
• Norfolk Virginia
• San Diego, California
• Okinawa and Yokosuka, Japan
• Rota Spain
• Naples and Sigonella, Italy

Healthcare Administrator

Healthcare Administrators (HCAs) serve in administrative and managerial capacities in a variety of medical and dental treatment institutions, as well as other healthcare organizations across the world.

The Navy HCA subspecialties include:

• Patient Administration
• Plans Operations Medical Intelligence
• Financial Management
• Operations Research
• Medical Data Services
• Medical Logistics
• Education and Training
• Information Systems Management
• Personnel Management
• Medical Construction Liaison Manpower

HCAs in the Navy can pick from several specialized careers, and they serve at top Navy Medical Centers across the world.

Basic Qualifications

Applicants must have a master’s degree in health care, hospital or health service administration, or health policy. A master’s degree in business administration also qualifies with a health care management focus. A GPA of 3.0 or above on a 4.0 scale is required.

Programs must be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (www.cahme.org). Accreditation may also come from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (www.aacsb.edu). The Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) (www.ceph.org) is also accepted.

Accredited master’s degrees in public administration may qualify. The degree must focus on healthcare administration. Approval must be through the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (www.naspaa.org).

Master’s degrees from non-accredited schools may be reviewed case by case. Access to “exceptionally qualified” applicants may be granted in some cases. This applies to a master’s degree in business administration or public health. The degree focus must be in health management or health administration disciplines.

Professional experience in a health care related sector is required. These programs must also place a special emphasis in health care.

Completion of a residency program is highly sought. Work experience in health care administration is also highly sought. The setting may be a hospital or an outpatient clinic environment. Experience may be with a chosen provider organization, health maintenance organization, or managed care organization.

“Exceptionally qualified” applicants with a baccalaureate degree will be considered case by case. Accepted fields include health care administration, hospital or health service administration, and health policy. Business administration with a concentration in health care administration is also included. Selections must not exceed 40% of the total health care administration direct admission quota.

Programs accredited by the Association of University Programs in Health Administration (www.aupha.org) are highly sought after.

This criteria is not met by online degrees.

Programs that are not certified as described above may be considered individually.

Active Component (AC) applicants with a bachelor degree must submit a GRE or GMAT score. A score of 300 (GRE) is the minimum desirable result. A score of 525 (GMAT) is the minimum desirable result.

AC selectees will be allocated to significant teaching medical treatment institutions wherever possible. They will also be considered and assessed for mentorship programs.

Prior to the first assignment, AC selectees may matriculate immediately. The option includes the Army/Baylor master’s degree program in health systems administration. The Uniform systems University of the Health Sciences (USUHS) master’s degree program is also included.

AC officers recruited under this section may not enroll immediately. In that case, counseling should be provided on duty by the administrative director. They should be urged to apply as soon as practicable.

Typical Assignment Locations

• Bethesda, Maryland
• San Diego, California
• Naples and Sigonella, Italy
• Okinawa and Yokosuka, Japan

Industrial Hygiene

Navy Industrial Hygiene Officers (IHOs) protect people, facilities, and equipment. They control risk in working, living, and operating environments. This helps maintain mission capability.

The IHO provides professional oversight for many environmental and occupational control efforts. This range is diverse and keeps growing over time.

Technical duties include respiratory and personal protection equipment. Ergonomic risk assessments are also part of the work. Hazardous material evaluation and disposal may be required. Biohazards evaluation and safety assurance also fall under IHO duties. Detection, monitoring, and assessment of chemical and biological agents may occur during warfare and natural disaster scenarios.

Guidance is provided for the United States Navy’s Environmental and Occupational Health, Industrial Hygiene, and Safety Programs worldwide.

IHOs also advise Headquarters and Operating Force Commanders on environmental and occupational health issues. This support helps reduce avoidable injuries and illnesses among Navy and Marine Corps troops.

Basic Qualification

Preferred applicants hold a Master of Science or Master of Science in Public Health in industrial hygiene. The degree must be from an institution accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (www.abet.org).

Applicants without this degree must hold a Bachelor of Science or a graduate degree in industrial hygiene, occupational health, or a related engineering degree.

Degrees in toxicology, chemistry, biology, or environmental sciences may be accepted on a case-by-case basis.

All applicants must complete two academic years of chemistry. This must include inorganic and organic chemistry with laboratory. One year of biology is required. One semester of calculus and physics is required. At least 40 semester hours of pure scientific courses are required.

A GPA of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale is required.

Suitable industrial hygiene work experience and professional certification may be evaluated for exceptions to criteria on a case-by-case basis.

Competitive Profile

• IHO candidates with a Master of Science or Public Health degree with an emphasis in industrial hygiene, engineering, or a related discipline, such as toxicology, chemistry, biology, or environmental sciences, are preferred.
• Ideal candidates have earned a Master of Science or Master of Public Health in industrial hygiene from an institution certified by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABE), or a degree from a school with a strong industrial hygiene or occupational health program. Applicants without a degree must have relevant job experience and at least one year of mathematics and biology, two academic years of chemistry, including inorganic and organic with laboratories, and at least 40 semester hours of pure science courses.
• Competitive applicants have industrial hygiene field experience and certification by the American Board of Industrial Hygiene (ABIH) or a Doctorate in Industrial Hygiene.
• Most qualified applicants have knowledge of and/or expertise in Emergency Management Systems, Consequence Management, and Safety and Occupational Health Assessments.

Typical Assignment Locations

• San Diego, California
• Norfolk, Virginia
• Sigonella, Italy
• Sasebo and Yokosuka, Japan

Medical Laboratory Scientist

Navy Medical Technologists are key members of the medical team. They oversee and supervise modern clinical laboratories and blood banks at Navy hospitals across the United States and in many other countries. Their work keeps these operations steady, safe, and well managed.

They also qualify for later assignments as educators at DoW training institutions. They remain eligible for appointment as a staff officer with policy and practice control. Navy Med Techs conduct and manage a wide range of laboratory services with careful precision and the highest industry standards.

Basic Qualifications

Applicants must have a baccalaureate or master’s degree in medical technology (MT), clinical laboratory science (CLS), medical laboratory science (MLS), or a natural science from an accredited college or university.

They must also have a GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale. A minimum 3.0 is required in prerequisite coursework for MT/MLS/CLS.

Applicants must hold a certificate of completion for a one-year course of study in medical technology, clinical laboratory science, or medical laboratory science at an academic institution.

An applicant can be exempt from the NAACLS program completion requirement with at least four years of documented clinical laboratory training and experience in a clinical laboratory.

Active duty applicants must have four years of laboratory experience after graduating from a military service school.

On an individual basis, the specialty leader may waive the minimum GPA for outstanding candidates. This applies when a candidate brings strong work experience or underrepresented skills that will help advance the community’s mission.

Beyond supervisory and leadership expertise, blood bank experience is an asset. This includes donor centers and transfusion services.

Competitive Profile

The following factors make an applicant more competitive for selection:

• Supervisory and leadership experience is strongly preferred.
• Previous blood banking experience is highly desirable.
• Proof of continuous education, such as coursework, seminars, workshops, and participation at professional meetings.

Typical Assignment Locations

• San Diego, California
• Portsmouth, Virginia
• Jacksonville, Florida
• Bremerton, Washington
• Camp Lejeune, North Carolina
• Sigonella, Italy
• Rota, Spain
• Yokosuka, Japan

Microbiologist

Navy Microbiologists are stationed in 20 locations. They perform a range of duties, including research and development, both medical and non-medical. Some assignments are overseas in Egypt, Peru, Cambodia, and Singapore.

They also serve within the Continental United States. Common locations include the Washington DC metro area, Norfolk, VA, and San Diego, CA. Other billets include the Environmental Preventive Medicine Units in Pearl Harbor, HI, Norfolk, VA, and San Diego, CA. They may also work in clinical microbiology at three large teaching medical centers in Bethesda, MD, San Diego, CA, and Portsmouth, VA.

Navy microbiologists advise and train teams across the force. They also conduct infectious disease research and support operational deployments. Their work includes defense research, including the creation of vaccines.

Senior members may serve as department heads, program managers, and research directors. They may also serve as senior scientist liaisons to Officers in Charge, Executive Officers, and Commanding Officers in Navy Executive Medicine.

Their main focus is preventing, detecting, diagnosing, and treating infectious disease risks to our military forces.

Basic Qualifications

To be eligible, candidates are required to have obtained a doctoral degree, namely, Ph.D., D.Ph., or DSc in microbiology or any other closely related discipline. The degree is also acceptable in bacteriology, immunology, virology, mycology, parasitology, infectious disease epidemiology and molecular biology, food microbiology, and veterinary microbiology. It should be acquired from an institution that is accredited in the United States.

Applicants need to attain a minimum graduate-level of 3.3 or on a 4.0 scale GPA. They must also demonstrate that they had micromorphology course work with a GPA of 3.5 or above.

Epidemiology or molecular which are the major students must follow the curriculum of 300/400 level upper-level microbiology laboratory-based courses amounting to a minimum of 16 hours.

Desirable qualifications pertain to one to two years of postdoctoral involvement in research related to infectious diseases. It is also imperative to have a good publication record in peer-reviewed journals.

In most cases, but very few, a master’s degree in microbiology or any other related field may be acceptable. This, however, will depend on a discussion with the head of the microbiology specialty.

Competitive Profile

Candidates who have a doctorate degree and experience in clinical microbiology, infectious disease monitoring, or biowarfare defense are competitive for selection.

Typical Assignment Locations

• Bethesda, Maryland
• Washington, District of Columbia
• San Diego, California
• Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
• Lima, Peru
• Cairo, Egypt

Occupational Therapist

Navy Occupational Therapists (OTs) work in a range of therapeutic settings across the United States and Japan. The primary clinical practice areas include:

• neuromusculoskeletal screenings as physician extenders
• upper extremity upper extremity and hand rehabilitation
• acute inpatient rehabilitation
• lymphedema management
• pediatric/school-based therapy
• ergonomic and injury prevention
• post-traumatic stress disorders
• mild traumatic brain injury
• substance abuse in the behavioral health arenas

The therapeutic treatment of mild traumatic brain injury, which emphasizes visual rehabilitation, driving simulation, and return to duty/community transitional care, has grown significantly. Navy occupational therapists are now serving in Afghanistan in a war zone. Navy occupational therapists play an important role in the orthopedic, neurological, and behavioral health models used to rehab and retrain our nation’s disabled military men.

They study to become a physician extender with advanced clinical skills as a neuromusculoskeletal evaluator (direct access assessments, x-ray orders, NSAID prescriptions, and duty status chits).

Outpatient therapy in a military treatment facility/satellite clinic, a DoW school (abroad), the Navy Medical Training Center (OT assistant program teacher), or as a full-time graduate student if selected for Duty Under Instruction are some of their work options.

Basic Qualifications

In addition to having a master’s or doctoral degree in occupational therapy from an accredited institution recognized by the American Occupational Therapy Association’s American Council for Occupational Therapy Education, applicants must have passed the national registration exam and been certified by the National Board of Certification in Occupational Therapy.

Prior to commissioning, applicants must have a valid license in one of the fifty states or the District of Columbia and at least one year of work experience.

Competitive Profile

Applicants with work experience in acute rehabilitation services, as well as evaluation and intervention methodologies, are expected to be competitive for selection.

Typical Assignment Locations

• Bethesda, Maryland
• Portsmouth, Virginia
• Bremerton, Washington
• San Diego and Camp Pendleton, California
• Camp Lejeune, North Carolina
• Guam, Mariana Islands
• Iwakuni and Sasebo, Japan
• Yokosuka and Okinawa, Japan

Optometrist

Navy optometrists work in military medical centers all over the world and do full eye exams that include checking the health of the eyes and writing orders for glasses and contacts.

They take advantage of the chance to help submariners and pilots, and they may also be able to get jobs doing study on vision and running labs. In the same way, they might work as an aviation optometrist.

To become an aeronautical optometrist, you need to get a medical license and finish a 6-month training school at the Naval Aerospace Medical Institute in Pensacola, Florida.

Basic Qualifications

Applicants must hold a doctor of optometry (O.D.) degree from an Accreditation Council on Optometric Education-accredited institution or university and a valid license to practice in one of the fifty states or the District of Columbia.

Competitive Profile

The following factors make an applicant more competitive for selection:

• GPA in graduate school of 3.0 or above on a 4.0 scale
• Licensed and experienced optometrists
• Membership in national professional groups

Typical Assignment Locations

• Great Lakes, Illinois
• Norfolk, Virginia
• San Diego, California
• Guam, Mariana Islands
• Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
• Yokosuka and Okinawa, Japan

Pharmacist

Navy Pharmacists work in many types of hospitals and clinics. They serve in large teaching hospitals, small clinics, and even on a 1,000-bed hospital ship during deployment.

They manage pharmaceutical regimens with strong focus on safety and efficiency. They also build deeper clinical and administrative skills through daily practice.

Pharmacists can gain expertise across many areas. These include drug information services, drug use evaluations, sterile products, unit dose distribution, interventions, patient counseling, administration, and more.

Navy Pharmacists can also take part in two ASHP-recognized residency programs offered each year. They may also qualify for full-time out-of-service training programs for master’s degrees and Post-BS Pharmaceutical Degrees.

Basic Qualifications

The minimum requirement for the Pharmacy applicants is a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from a recognized higher education institution. Additionally, they need to have a license issued by one of the fifty states or the District of Columbia.

Applicants for the company must always possess a valid option of a state or District of Columbia license before they can provide commission. This is in addition to the passing Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Examination Committee Certificate. 

The additional qualifications sought after for the candidates encompass a pharmacy residency or a minimum of two years in the hospital within the last five years.

Undergraduate courses that the applicants do not have but which they took within the last three years should have a minimum of 3.0 GPA in the required courses, should they lack the hospital experience.

Preferably, the candidate is required to attend elective courses in therapeutics, pharmacotherapy, and pharmacology or their equivalents.

Competitive Profile

Applicants who have two or more years of hospital experience or who have completed a residency in Pharmacy Practice are competitive for selection.

Typical Assignment Locations

• Bethesda, Maryland
• Portsmouth, Virginia
• San Diego, California
• Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
• Rota, Spain
• Guam, Mariana Islands

Physical Therapist

The main work of Navy Physical #8035 (PT) specialists involves delivering all the necessary orthopedic care to Sailors and Marines in a multitude of situations. Examples of practice surroundings are naval hospitals, and clinics within and outside the United States; on Navy Aircraft carriers, and Marine Corps special operations units.

The three qualifications they have are orthopedics, sports medicine, and electromyography. In addition, they act in clinical and managerial positions worldwide and work in partnership with leading health professionals including medical doctors and occupational therapists. Navy PTs have the option of getting a master degree in physical therapy or other programs which are limited to medical professions.

Basic Qualifications

To be admitted to the program, candidates should have either a doctoral degree or a transitional doctoral degree (tDPT) in physical therapy from an accredited institution approved by the Commission on Accreditation for Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). Candidates are eligible for the tDPT if they have obtained their first qualifying degree (e.g., MPT) from an institution accredited by CAPTE.

Physical therapists who have attained a current license or registered in one of the fifty states or the District of Columbia should apply for a positionediagram.

Considered first are individuals who have at least one-year experience in sports physical therapy or outpatient orthopedic settings. The certification of the board in athletics or orthopedics is very much desired.

Physical Therapy Student Program (Active Duty Only)

The selection of eligible candidates for the Navy MSC is through an annual process for the ones who do not have a physical therapy degree; afterward, they can enter the Army/Baylor University Program in PT.

Candidates shall possess a baccalaureate degree or should be in their last semester almost to receive the degree but they can have only two prerequisite courses left to complete overall.

The prerequisite courses are as follows: four semester hours in anatomy with a lab, three semester hours in physiology, seven semester hours in biology with a lab, eight semester hours in physics with a lab, eight semester hours in chemistry with a lab, six semester hours in psychology and three semester hours in statistics.

A minimum GRE composite score of 300 and quantitative score of 148 as well as a minimum GPA of 3.25 are what applicants need to secure at the very least. There is no possibility to get exemption from those requirements.

The Physical Therapy Centralized Application Service (PTCAS) is the only platform to submit the applications for the program admission.

Competitive Profile

The following factors make an applicant more competitive for selection:

• Previous Physical Therapy experience (constructive credit for work experience now offered to Physical Therapists).
• A referral letter from an active-duty Physical Therapist.
• Professional and personal references (letters of reference from professors) for fresh graduates and letters of reference from physical therapy supervisors for workforce candidates.

Typical Assignment Locations

• Great Lakes, Illinois
• Portsmouth, Virginia
• San Diego, California
• Bremerton, Washington
• Jacksonville, Florida
• Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
• Rota, Spain
• Sigonella, Italy

Physician Assistant

Navy Physician Assistants (PAs) are an integral part of the Navy’s health care delivery team and function by practicing medicine with the guidance of an attending physician.

Physician Assistants effectively employ their competence, ideas, and practical skills to the fullest when they are involved in such processes as taking a thorough medical history, conducting a complete physical examination, ordering and initially interpreting the diagnostic findings, and drafting and starting the treatment plans in all areas of primary care medicine.

They might receive deployment to different medical treatment facilities in the United States, overseas, and on various operational units. Time at sea is a must for PA career progress and usually last two years.

Navy PAs can request to proceed to specialist postgraduate training as per laid out requirements for the Medical Service Corps Officers.

Besides, they are entitled to the provision of financial aid aimed at ensure that medical education continues and there is recertification of the teaching staff..

Basic Qualifications

To be considered for the program, one must first have an accredited master’s degree in physician assistant studies from an Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA)-accredited university or college.

It is also essential for them to have completed the Practice Assistant National Certification or Examination (PANCE) and current have the certificate from the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA).

Apart from that, PANCE/NCCPA-certified individuals who meet the stringent standards and have a bachelor’s degree in physician assistant studies will be assessed separately.

The candidates are advised to have a basic qualification of two years in either urgent/emergent care or family practice/primary care.

Competitive Profile

The following factors make an applicant more competitive for selection:

• High recommendations, both professional and personal
• Previous experience as a physician assistant

Typical Assignment Locations

• Camp Lejeune, North Carolina
• Great Lakes, Illinois
• Camp Pendleton, California
• Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii
• Guam, Mariana Islands
• Yokosuka and Okinawa, Japan

Physiologist

Navy physiologists use innovative physiology and medicine technology to conduct fundamental and applied research on the physiological issues that Navy and Marine Corps personnel face.

These fields include, but are not limited to, military-related stressors (e.g., temperature, altitude, pressure, and acceleration) in both human and animal models.

Navy Physiologists are important members of research and development teams because they create, perform, and manage research initiatives, as well as teach and train medical staff.

They can oversee large-scale medical research and development activities, and they receive acquisition or project management training.

Basic Qualifications

Admission requires a doctoral degree in physiology from a US accredited university as well as a substantial research background. Candidates holding doctoral degrees in relevant biomedical areas such as pharmacology, neuroscience, and molecular biology will be given preferential treatment.

Research topics outlined by the applicants should be mostly related to the Navy and Marine Corps. Potential topics of research can include, but are not limited to, cardiovascular, pulmonary, musculoskeletal, hyper/hypobaric, neuroendocrine, and neurophysiology.

It would be an asset to take courses in the physical sciences or mathematics/statistics at the undergraduate or graduate level. Candidates with a Ph.D. in biomedical engineering who have successfully undertaken a considerable physiology-based doctoral research project and also completed relevant graduate coursework may also be considered.

The desired candidates will have a history of managing research involving animals and/or human participants, be familiar with the relevant regulatory procedures, have an extensive publication list in peer-reviewed journals, and exhibit a strong interest in both basic and applied biomedical research.

The applicants need to demonstrate the ability to independently design and implement research studies, lead interdisciplinary research teams, and produce research deliverables that contribute to the goals of Navy Research Commands, the Joint Force, and the Operational Fleet.

Competitive Profile

The following factors make an applicant more competitive for selection:

• A concentration in physical sciences or mathematics at the undergraduate level is preferred.
• One or two years of postdoctoral research experience in physiology.
• The ability to operate autonomously.
• A track record of successful publication in peer-reviewed journals.
• Strong professional endorsements
• Professional adaptability, including the willingness and ability to refocus research aims every three to four years.

Typical Assignment Locations

• Bethesda, Maryland
• Silver Spring, Maryland
• Groton, Connecticut
• San Diego, California
• Arlington, Virginia
• Panama City, Florida

Podiatrist

Naval Podiatrists are part of the medical team devoted to keeping our combat forces operationally ready while also treating service men and their families.

Podiatrists in the United States Navy can practice within the entire medical and surgical limits of the profession and have access to therapy at their individual treatment centers.

Podiatrists are assigned with leadership duties as Naval Officers, both within their field of medical specialty and within the Navy medical community.

Major treatment centers, branch clinics, Navy and Marine Corps recruit depots, and worldwide deployment are also possible assignments.

Basic Qualifications

Applicants must have completed a program at a college of podiatric medicine that has received accreditation from the Council on Podiatric Medical Education, the organization designated by the American Podiatric Medical Association to accredit podiatric medical education.

Presumably valid licenses from all fifty states and the District of Columbia are mandatory prerequisites for enlistment in active duty. In addition to a board-qualified/certified status recognized by the American Board of Podiatric Medicine or the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery, a three-year Podiatric Medicine and Surgery Residency is mandatory.

Competitive Profile

The following factors make an applicant more competitive for selection:

• Three-year surgical residency allowed by the American Podiatric Medical Association is highly sought.
• Grade point average of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale (undergraduate).
• Grade point average of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale (Podiatric Medical School).
• Hospital personnel having current privileges and certifications.

Typical Assignment Locations

• Bethesda, Maryland
• Mayport, Florida
• San Diego, California
• Beaufort, South Carolina
• Great Lakes, Illinois
• Jacksonville, North Carolina
• Okinawa, Japan
• Sigonella, Italy

Radiation Health

Navy Radiation Health Officers (RHOs) handle the safe operation of radiation-producing equipment and radioactive materials.

Increasing degrees of responsibility and leadership are required for advancement in the administration of radiation protection programs, basic/applied research, clinical medical physics, and industrial/environmental oversight.

They hone the technical managerial abilities required for positions of leadership in Navy Medicine or the private sector. Not only that, but RHOs also complete the experience requirements for board certification while being mentored by experienced RHOs.

They look for career opportunities in shore-based commands, forward-deployed ships, and foreign hospitals.

RHOs also teach in a variety of training programs for technicians, physicians, and medical students.

Basic Qualifications

To be eligible, one of the following bachelors’ degrees should be held by applicants: radiological science, health physics, radiobiology, physics, chemistry, mathematics, engineering, nuclear engineering, or biology. Two semesters of physics and calculus courses are prerequisites of the curriculum.

An applicant with a Master of Science in Medical Physics or Health Physics, particularly from a school that holds accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Physics Education Programs, Inc., is considered preferable.

Only students with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 are eligible, with main courses being especially important. Candidates are highly suggested to have an experience in the field of health or medical physics or to obtain certification from the American Board of Health Physicists or American Board of Radiology.

Coursework and radiation specialist programs will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Competitive Profile

Applicants who hold a science degree with a GPA of 3.0 or above on a 4.0 scale or master’s degree in health sciences or medical physics are highly desirable for selection.

Typical Assignment Locations

• Portsmouth, Virginia
• Jacksonville, Florida
• San Diego, California
• Everett, Washington
• Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
• Yokosuka, Japan
• Naples, Italy

Research Psychologist

Navy Research Psychologists, who make up about 24 people on active duty, are very important to research and development teams. These groups are in charge of making operational goods that have a big effect on the health, safety, and success of units in the Navy Fleet and Marine Corps.

There are many career routes that can be taken, but past jobs often involve doing study in the lab and the field on what makes people perform better in military systems. This study sets them up to be qualified for jobs in policymaking, overseeing and managing research, and evaluating programs in the future.

In addition to these duties, Navy Research Psychologists are in charge of large research and development projects in labs. They also help workers in important ways by dealing with issues related to human performance, training, and getting along with others. They also take advantage of chances to become top officers in medical departments and lead them, like being in charge of the Navy Medical Research and Development Laboratories.

Basic Qualifications

Candidates must have a Ph.D. in a field connected to psychology, such as cognitive, experimental, social, industrial/organizational, human factors engineering, personnel, neuroscience, physiological, or a closely similar field.

They also need to have a strong background in study methods and data.

The applicants will be judged on how well they meet the degree standards and how well they do in the final presentation of their dissertation.

For related degrees, applicants who have finished coursework with a focus on psychology, study methods, and statistics will be given more weight.

Competitive Profile

The following factors make an applicant more competitive for selection:

• Evidence of professional adaptability, flexibility, and a broad range of interests in psychology.
• Expertise in study design, method, execution, and statistical analysis.
• Outstanding professional references, as well as a solid academic record and past record of publishing in peer-reviewed scientific publications.

Typical Assignment Locations

• Bethesda, Maryland
• Arlington, Virginia
• San Diego, California
• Washington, District of Columbia

Clinical Social Worker

Navy Social Workers are employed at both Medical Treatment Facilities (MTF) and Fleet and Family Support Centers (FFSC). Within an MTF, the focus of Social Work ranges between medical surgery, counseling services, and administrative roles, such as department management.

Within an FFSC, social work practice is limited to delivering behavioral health treatments.

All Active Duty Navy Social Workers are licensed independent providers who must be granted privileges in line with Commander, Navy Installations Command and Bureau of Medicine and Surgery rules.

They may further their studies through post-clinical master’s fellowships.

Basic Qualifications

Applicants must possess a master’s degree in social work from a Council of Social Work Education-accredited graduate institution of social work.

A minimum of two years of full-time, post-master’s degree supervised clinical social work experience is required of applicants. Additionally, they must hold an active, unrestricted, independent clinical social work practice license in a state or territory of the United States.

Board certification in “clinical social work” practice from the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) or the American Board of Clinical Social Work (ABCSW) is strongly preferred.

It is mandatory for all candidates to exhibit current clinical competence in the areas of adult behavioral health diagnosis, assessment, and evidence-based treatment.

This should ideally have occurred within the past 12 to 24 months prior to the application deadline.

Clinical supervisory roles, clinical practice with children, clinically intensive case management, clinical research, and the development of behavioral health programs are all highly regarded, provided that the candidate possesses current clinical competencies.

After commissioning, board certification in clinical social work is anticipated and required.

Clinical Social Work Fellowship

Candidates are required to possess a master’s degree in social work (MSW or its equivalent) from a Council of Social Work Education-accredited graduate institution of social work.

The post-graduate fellowship program will be carried out at a military treatment facility, with an emphasis on skills, knowledge, and abilities relevant to mental health practice.

The duration of the program will not exceed twenty-four months. Fellowship recipients designated to a program in a state where graduate-level social workers are required to be licensed must obtain this license.

Fellowship participants are required to obtain unrestricted licensure to practice and pass the independent practice level clinical social work licensure exam prior to the conclusion of their fellowship and transfer to their subsequent duty station.

A U.S. state or territory issues the independent clinical social work license, which authorizes the social worker to engage in clinical practice as a Licensed Independent Provider (LIP).

Competitive Profile

The following factors make an applicant more competitive for selection:

• Mental health experience with a solid foundation in clinical diagnosis and therapy intervention.
• A candidate should have direct experience dealing with evidence-based therapeutic methods, such as extended exposure and cognitive process therapy. These interventions are essential for working with the Wounded, Ill, and Injured populations, as well as their families.
• Broad awareness of family violence and prior experience working with it.
• Experience in supervisory program management or other forms of leadership.
• Expertise, knowledge, and comfort dealing with diverse groups from varied cultural backgrounds.

Medical Service Corps Officer Service Obligation

Officers in the Medical Service Corps must serve for a minimum of three years on active duty.

Depending on the professional expertise, the Naval Officer career path may involve shore, abroad, and operational (sea) tours.

Sea duty provides options for global travel. Most shore tours do not require officers to travel to sea, and most sea tours spend less than half of their time at sea.

Active Duty

Most selectees are required to serve for three years from the date of appointment.

The remaining years to complete eight years of service may be performed in either inactive ready reserve (IRR) or active chosen reserve status.

Reserves

Chosen individuals are subject to an eight-year ready reserve requirement, and a three-year selected reserve (SELRES) duty. The service obligation takes effect upon commissioning.

Initial Training for Navy MSC Officers

Officer Development School (ODS) is a training facility where the Navy teaches medical professionals, attorneys, chaplains, and other Staff Corps Officers on the duties of being a Naval Officer and leader.

Trainees will undergo a 5-week indoctrination program at the Officer Training Command in Newport, Rhode Island, to prepare for this additional duty.

ODS is a strict military training facility. The school values collaboration, self-sacrifice, integrity, and character strength in the spirit of lifelong learning in an environment of mutual respect for everyone.

Navy MSC Officer Salary

Comparisons differ by job, but after salary, housing and other allowances, benefits, and education are factored in, the income is commensurate with civilian wages.

In contrast to typical civilian work arrangements, you will earn yearly and gradual raises and promotions throughout your career. Members of the Navy Medical Service Corps are eligible for a variety of special pay packages based on their specialty, years of service, and intent to continue Active Duty.

Medical special pay examples:

• Health Professions Loan Repayment (HPLRP) is offered for accessions to specific medical professional subspecialties each year.
• Board Certified Pay
• Pharmacy Accession Bonus
• Pharmacy Officer Special Pay
• Optometry Special Pay
• Optometry Retention Special Pay
• Health Profession Officer (HPO) Special Pay for Clinical Psychologists and Physician Assistants encompasses an accession bonus, incentive pay & retention bonus.

Navy MSC Officer Post Service Opportunities

A Navy commission and hands-on experience? That’s an impressive resume.

Your leadership, technological talents, and military experience make you a good civilian contender. Employers respect that type of experience, whether in healthcare, management, or elsewhere.

As a naval officer, you take the lead from the start. Increased responsibilities. Larger difficulties. Your career advances as your leadership abilities improve.

Whether you stay or leave, you will be prepared. Your experience here opens doors everywhere.

More Information

If you want more information about becoming a Navy Medical Service Corps Officer, the next logical step is to contact your local Medical Officer Recruiter.

Your recruiter will help you determine if this Navy Officer job is even right for you.

Qualified enlisted personnel should consider applying for the Medical Service Corps In-Service Procurement Program.

You might also be interested to read:

• Navy Medical Corps program
• Navy Nurse Corps program

Hope you find this helpful in your career planning.