This guide provides useful information that will help with your decision to become a Navy Medical Corps Officer during Fiscal Year 2025.
A Medical Corps Officer is a Staff Corps Officer in the Navy who provides care to military members and their families in the same manner that a civilian doctor would. The Navy Officer designator code for Medical Corp Officer is 2100.
As you’ll notice, the Medical Corps has a wide range of specialties, each with its own specific requirements.
We’ll get into those details, but first, let’s cover the basics.
Medical Corps Officer Job Description
A Navy Medical Corps doctor does everything a civilian doctor does—but faster, broader, and with next-level tech. You’ll treat service members, their families, and people in need around the world, all while working at the cutting edge of medicine.
You train at top military medical facilities, using tools the civilian world hasn’t even caught up to—like NASA-developed LED probes that speed up healing. You’ll master forward surgery, connecting field medics with major medical centers in real-time. And when disaster strikes—war, disease, natural disasters—you’ll be there, leading medical relief efforts.
No malpractice insurance. No hiring staff. No business overhead. Just medicine, hands-on care, and a team of elite professionals. Add Navy-funded advanced training, excellent pay, and a flexible schedule—and you get a career that delivers more than a paycheck.
Responsibilities of Navy Physicians
A Navy Medical Corps Officer treats Sailors, Marines, service members, their families—and when needed, people across the world. Same life-saving work as any physician, but with bigger impact and higher stakes.
You don’t just diagnose, treat, and heal. You lead. Manage teams. Work with FEMA, USAID, and global relief efforts. Gain hands-on experience across specialties, not just in your focus area.
And the workplace? Top military medical facilities. Ships. The battlefield. Wherever the mission takes you.
What to Expect as a Navy Physician
Navy doctors go where they’re needed—250+ medical facilities worldwide, from Hawaii to Japan, Germany to Guam, and everywhere in between: Bethesda, Portsmouth, San Diego—top-tier military medical centers.
Or maybe you’re aboard a hospital ship, treating patients on the USNS Comfort or USNS Mercy.
The Navy Medical Corps is 4,300 strong, covering 23 specialties and over 200 subspecialties. But this job isn’t just hospitals and clinics. Navy doctors serve with Marine Forces, aviation squadrons, and deployed battalions.
They handle combat medicine, disaster relief, humanitarian aid, and direct medical support for troops in the field.
One day, you’re in a cutting-edge research facility. The next, you’re treating patients at sea. Wherever you serve, you bring life-saving care to those who protect the country—and those who need it most.
Navy Medicine
Navy Medicine isn’t just a job—it’s a mission. A team of doctors, dentists, nurses, and specialists working together to treat service members, their families, and people in need.
It’s about saving lives, promoting health, reaching the unreachable. War zones, disaster zones, remote villages—wherever help is needed, they go.
This isn’t private practice. It’s bigger. More challenges. More impact. More purpose.
Navy Medical Corps Specialties
Navy Medicine provides clinical practice opportunities in over 30 specialties and subspecialties, including:
- Anesthesiology
- Dermatology
- Emergency Medicine
- Family Medicine
- Fleet Marine Corps Medicine
- Geriatrics
- Global Health Engagement
- Internal Medicine
- Allergy/Immunology
- Cardiology
- Endocrinology
- Gastroenterology
- Hematology/Oncology
- Infectious Disease
- Nephrology
- Pulmonary/Critical Care
- Rheumatology
- Histopathology
- Neonatology
- Neurology
- Nuclear Medicine
- Obstetrics/Gynecology
- Occupational Medicine
- Ophthalmology
- Orthopedics
- Osteopathic Medicine
- Otolaryngology
- Pain Management
- Pathology
- Pediatrics
- Physical Medicine
- Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
- Preventive Medicine
- Psychiatry
- Transfusion Medicine
- Tropical Medicine
- Undersea/Diving Medicine
- Urology
Operational Medical Officer
Operational Medical Officers (OMOs) in the Navy go where the mission takes them—land, sea, air, even cyberspace and space. No other branch gives doctors this kind of range.
You’ll practice medicine in:
- Hospitals and clinics (MTFs)
- Field units and expeditionary hospitals
- Ships (Surface Force Medicine)
- Submarines (Undersea Medicine)
- Aviation units (Aerospace Medicine)
- With the Marine Corps (Fleet Marine Force Medicine)
Traditionally, General Medical Officers (GMOs) handled operational care—doctors who paused residency to serve the fleet. But Navy Medicine is shifting. Instead of breaks in training, new doctors will go straight through residency like their civilian counterparts.
That means fewer GMOs over time and more residency-trained doctors in operational roles. The transition isn’t instant—GMOs will still be around for now, and the path offers flexibility for those who want it.
Wherever you serve, you’re not just a doctor—you’re on the front lines of Navy Medicine.
Undersea Medical Officer
Undersea Medical Officers (UMOs) keep people alive in the most extreme underwater environments. Pressure changes, radiation exposure, total isolation—they handle it all.
Traditionally, doctors became UMOs after internships. Now, with Operational Medical Officers (OMOs) taking over, most new UMOs will train after residency. The Navy has 108 UMO slots, critical to Submarine Forces, Naval Special Warfare, Marine Special Ops, Diving Units, and Research Teams.
UMOs train and lead Independent Duty Corpsmen, advise commanders, and specialize in dive medicine, submarine medicine, and radiation health. They serve in submarine squadrons, Navy SEAL teams, MARSOC, EOD units, and high-level research labs.
Since diving is part of the job, UMOs must meet strict physical standards and pass the Diver Physical Criteria Test.
UMO Training Pipeline:
- Phase 1: Groton, CT (6 weeks) – Fitness, radiation health, submarine medicine.
- Phase 2: Panama City, FL (9 weeks) – Dive & hyperbaric medicine, SCUBA, hyperbaric chamber ops. Earns Navy Diver certification.
- Phase 3: Groton, CT (8 weeks) – Submarine escape, hyperbaric treatment, operational medicine. Ends with a final oral exam.
This isn’t just medicine—it’s front-line survival expertise.
Aviation Medicine
Aviation Medicine isn’t just about treating pilots—it’s about keeping them in the air, sharp, and mission-ready. Flight surgeons work side by side with aircrew, flying with them, understanding their stress, and ensuring their safety. It’s medicine with a personal connection—something rare in the field.
You’ll likely be attached to a squadron or a command overseeing multiple squadrons. Your job? Minimize risks, keep aircrew healthy, and investigate aviation accidents. The role demands leadership, planning, and teaching skills—plus, you’ll travel the world and run your own practice independently.
Flight Surgeon Training:
- Phase I (7 weeks): Classroom work, survival training, environmental physiology.
- Phase II (6 weeks): Aviation Preflight Indoctrination—engines, navigation, weather, water survival.
- Phase III (11 weeks): Flight training, hands-on aviation safety, crash investigation.
There are 240+ flight surgeon positions worldwide, from Italy to Japan, Bahrain to Hawaii. Aviation Medical Examiners handle clinical aviation support (no flight training, just seven weeks of coursework).
For those who want even more, there’s a Navy Residency in Aerospace Medicine—a two-year program leading to board certification, focusing on preventive and occupational medicine in aviation. These specialists lead in aerospace health and safety while working in both operational and clinical settings.
Surface Force Medical Officer
Surface Force Medical billets offer vital leadership opportunities for Medical Officers who choose to serve aboard or support Surface Force ships.
In these roles, Medical Corps Officers act as medical experts, department heads, and special advisors to Commanding Officers, so having leadership experience is a must. You’ll find opportunities on a wide variety of ships and in locations around the world.
You’re expected to provide expertise in areas like industrial hygiene, occupational and preventive medicine, emergency care, medical evacuations, and medical intelligence.
As the ship’s Department Head, you’ll manage all medical matters for the crew, oversee department organization and training, handle medical reports and staff assignments, evaluate personnel performance, and ensure your team is prepared for promotions.
Fleet Marine Medical Officer
Fleet Marine Medical Officers (FMMOs) don’t just treat Marines—they live like them. They train, shoot, run, hike, and look the part. More than doctors, they’re leaders in the field, guiding Marine Corps Commanders on medical readiness and keeping their units fit for battle.
FMMOs supervise Corpsmen, physician assistants, and Independent Duty Corpsmen while handling patient care, emergency trauma, and battlefield resuscitation. They serve as Medical Department Heads and must earn their Fleet Marine Force (FMF) Qualification, setting the standard for both enlisted and officer ranks.
Marine Corps Training for FMMOs:
- Officership 101 – Leadership fundamentals
- Field Medical Training Battalion (FMST-FMSO) – Marine Corps medical operations
- Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) – Battlefield trauma response
- Fresh Whole Blood Transfusion – Emergency field transfusions
- Basic Rifle Marksmanship – Weapons training
- USMC Customs & Courtesies – Marine Corps traditions and expectations
This isn’t hospital work—it’s combat medicine at the front lines.
Medical Corps Ranks
| Pay Grade | Navy Rank | Abbreviation |
| O-1 | Ensign | ENS |
| O-2 | Lieutenant Junior Grade | LTJG |
| O-3 | Lieutenant | LT |
| O-4 | Lieutenant Commander | LCDR |
| O-5 | Commander | CDR |
| O-6 | Captain | CAPT |
| O-7 | Rear Admiral (Lower Half) | RDML |
| O-8 | Rear Admiral (Upper Half) | RADM |
How It Breaks Down:
- O-1 to O-3: Brand-new officers start at Ensign (O-1). By Lieutenant (O-3), they’re leading teams, running divisions. However, medical doctor candidates start at O-3.
- O-4 to O-6: Lieutenant Commanders (O-4) take on bigger roles. Commanders (O-5) lead departments. Captains (O-6) run hospitals and large clinics, major shore units.
- O-7 to O-10: Rear Admirals (O-7, O-8) call the shots on higher tier commands. Vice Admirals (O-9) and full Admirals (O-10) run entire fleets, so Medical Corps Officers are not rated for these levels.
This is Navy-specific. The other branches do it differently.
Salary and Benefits
2025 U.S. Navy Officer Pay Chart
| Pay Grade | <2 Years | Over 2 Years | Over 3 Years | Over 4 Years | Over 6 Years |
| O-1 | $3,998.40 | $4,161.90 | $5,031.30 | $5,031.30 | $5,031.30 |
| O-2 | $4,606.80 | $5,246.70 | $6,042.90 | $6,247.20 | $6,375.30 |
| O-3 | $5,331.60 | $6,044.10 | $6,522.60 | $7,112.40 | $7,453.80 |
| O-4 | $6,064.20 | $7,019.70 | $7,488.90 | $7,592.40 | $8,027.10 |
| O-5 | $7,028.40 | $7,917.30 | $8,465.40 | $8,568.60 | $8,910.90 |
Notes:
- A 4.5% pay raise is effective January 1, 2025.
- Officers with 4+ years of prior enlisted or warrant officer service (O-1E, O-2E, O-3E) earn more. Example: O-1E (4+ years) makes $5,031.30 monthly.
- Future pay changes depend on legislation. Check DFAS.mil for updates.
Additional Pays and Allowances
- Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH): Covers housing costs for those living off-base. Amount depends on rank, location, and dependents.
- Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS): Helps cover meal costs. 2025 officer rate: $323.87/month.
- Hazardous Duty Incentive Pay (HDIP): Extra pay for dangerous jobs—flight decks, EOD, etc. $150–$250/month.
- Career Sea Pay: For shipboard or deployed sailors. $50–$750/month, based on rank and time at sea.
- Overseas Cost of Living Allowance (COLA): Extra pay to offset higher living costs in foreign duty stations. Varies by location, rank, and dependents.
- Special & Incentive Pays: Extra cash for specific skills. Ranges from a few hundred to several thousand dollars annually.
- Accession Bonus (AB): Newly commissioned Medical Corps officers may receive up to $400,000, payable as a lump sum or in installments.
- Board Certification Pay (BCP): Board-certified medical officers receive $8,000 annually, paid monthly.
- Incentive Pay (IP): Medical officers in certain specialties receive additional pay, including:
- General Medical Officer (GMO): $20,000 annually
- GMO with Aerospace Medicine or Undersea Medical Training: $25,000 annually
- Anesthesiology: $59,000 annually
- Neurosurgery: $65,000 annually
- Retention Bonus (RB): Medical officers who extend their service commitment can earn bonuses, such as $105,000 annually for a four-year commitment in General Surgery.
Benefits
- Healthcare: Free medical and dental for active duty. Low-cost TRICARE options for families.
- Housing: On-base housing or tax-free BAH for off-base living.
- Food: BAS provides a monthly food stipend.
- Blended Retirement System (BRS): Pension + Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) contributions. Retirement pay kicks in at 20 years.
- Education: Tuition assistance, Post-9/11 GI Bill, and Navy College Program support higher education.
- Life Insurance: SGLI covers up to $500,000.
- Vacation: 30 days of paid leave per year, plus federal holidays.
All rates and benefits are subject to change with future legislation.
Navy Medical School Scholarships and Incentives
The Navy offers plenty of financial support and continuing education programs to help ease your financial burdens and advance your career, no matter where you are in your medical journey.
You can benefit from scholarships, sign-on bonuses, and debt repayment assistance. These options are available whether you’re in grad school, residency, or already practicing.
Health Professional Scholarship Program (HPSP)
The Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP) provides a full-tuition scholarship to the medical school of your choice, as well as a monthly stipend surpassing $2,300 per month and a $20,000 signing bonus in exchange for a three or four-year commitment to service as a Navy physician following residency.
Here is the official document for HPSP.
Health Services Collegiate Program (HSCP)
In exchange for duty as a Navy physician following residency, this program gives up to $269,000 while attending medical school, including a monthly military wage, considerable housing allowance (depending on location), and a full benefits package.
Here is the official document for HSCP.
Direct Commissioning
Practicing medical doctors may receive a sign-on bonus of $180K to $400K when you qualify. Incentive offers have many variables depending on the service agreement and chosen specialty.
Here is the official document for Medical Corps commissioning.
Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU)
You can also apply directly to the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences (USU).
Approved students get free tuition, a housing allowance, and a salary.
Known as “America’s Medical School,” USU trains and prepares military and U.S. Public Health Service doctors to support the nation’s military, public health systems, national security, and defense strategies, along with ensuring the readiness of our Uniformed Services.
Here is the admission information at USU.
Financial Assistance Program (FAP)
The Financial Assistance Program (FAP) offers financial incentives to doctors who complete certain residencies and fellowships that lead to postings on active service in the Medical Corps.
While completing your residency or fellowship, you will be eligible for a $45,000 yearly award and receive a monthly compensation of more than $2,300.
Navy Physician Basic Qualification
To become a Navy Medical Corps Officer, you must be an American citizen no older than 42 years of age with a qualifying medical degree and license as prescribed by the United States Navy. Qualified students who are admitted to an accredited medical school may apply for a Navy Medical Corps scholarship.
The detailed list of Medical Corps Officer requirements below are current as of July 2019, per the Navy Personnel Command. No updates have been issued so far.
Medical Corps Officer Basic Qualifications
Citizenship
To apply for the Medical Corps Officer program, you must be a U.S. citizen (either born in the U.S., naturalized, or born abroad to U.S. parents), unless the Secretary of Defense waives this requirement for appointments below lieutenant commander.
If you hold dual citizenship, you can still apply, but you’ll need to provide proof that you’ve renounced your non-U.S. citizenship before being considered for final selection.
Additionally, SECNAVINST 5510.30B requires all applicants to undergo a personnel security investigation.
Age
Applicants for the Medical Corps must be commissioned before their 42nd birthday.
Waivers will be handled on an individual basis.
Age Waiver
In some cases, an age waiver can be approved if a candidate exceeds the statutory age for commissioning but has an exceptional record or specialized skills that the Navy needs.
When reviewing these requests, the Navy will prioritize specialties that are understaffed or have consistently missed recruiting goals.
Gender
The Medical Corps Officer program is open to both men and women with no restrictions.
Education
To be qualified for appointment in the Navy Medical Corps, the candidate must complete one of the following educational qualifications, as outlined in OPNAVINST 1120.4C (Appointment of Regular and Reserve Officers in the Medical Corps of the Navy):
- Physician (Doctor of Medicine): Graduate of a medical school in the United States or Puerto Rico approved by the American Medical Association’s Liaison Committee on Medical Education and licensed to practice medicine or surgery in a U.S. State, territory, commonwealth, possession, or the District of Columbia.
- Physician (Doctor of Osteopathy): Graduate of an American Osteopathic Association-approved institution of osteopathy and be licensed to practice medicine, surgery, or osteopathy in a U.S. State, territory, commonwealth, possession, or the District of Columbia.
- Physician graduates of foreign medical schools in specialties approved by the Deputy Chief Of Naval Operations (Manpower, Personnel, Training and Education) who complete all standards stipulated in OPNAVINST I 120.4C.
Physical
Medical Corps applicants have to meet the physical standards laid out in Chapter 15 of the Manual of the Medical Department, as well as those specified in DoD Instruction 6130.03 (Medical Standards for Appointment, Enlistment, or Induction in the Military Services) from May 6, 2018.
Licensure
Applicants for the Medical Corps must be licensed to practice medicine or surgery in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, possession, or in the District of Columbia, as required by BUMEDINST 6010.30. (Credentialing and Privileging Program).
Professional Qualifications Review
The Professional Review Board (PRB) at the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery (BUMED) will assess all applicants’ credentials and professional qualifications.
Before sending an accession package to the PRB for review, the Medical Corps program manager at Commander, Navy Recruiting Command (CNRC), needs to have the applicant’s credentials verified by the Centralized Credentialing and Privileging Directorate in Jacksonville, Florida.
Medical Corps Service Obligation
Active Duty
Once you’re appointed, there’s a three-year Active Duty commitment. The rest of your service, up to a total of eight years, can be spent in the Ready Reserve.
If you receive special pay, bonuses, or have education obligations, or if there are minimum activity tour requirements, these could extend your service commitment beyond that original timeframe.
Reserves
If you’re selected for the Medical Corps Reserve Component, you’ll have an eight-year Ready Reserve obligation, with the first three years as a Selected Reserve. This commitment starts when you’re commissioned.
Keep in mind, if you receive special compensation, bonuses, or have educational obligations, your service term could be extended beyond that.
More Information
If you wish more information with regard to becoming a Navy Medical Corps Officer, the next logical step is to contact your local Navy Officer Recruiter.
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Hope you find this helpful in your career planning.
