Navy MSC: Medical Service Corps Officer Program (2025)

This guide provides useful information that will help with your decision to become a Navy Medical Service Corps Officer during Fiscal Year 2025.

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.

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

Healthcare Administrators	42%
Healthcare Clinicians	32%
Healthcare Scientists	26%

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 Qualifications

Applicants must have a PhD degree or have completed degree requirements and passed their doctoral dissertation final defense from a U.S. approved university in a human performance-focused program.

Priority will be given to graduates of non-clinical psychology programs such as cognitive, experimental, engineering, human factors, or industrial/organizational psychology; neuroscience; or an inter-disciplinary program emphasizing human-systems integration, human-machine interaction, psychometrics, or the cognitive and behavioral sciences.

Candidates should have a strong background in research methodology and statistics, be familiar with human research protection processes, be able to effectively communicate research findings to diverse audiences through publications and presentations, and have an interest/ability to conduct basic and applied research.

Applicants must demonstrate the ability to develop and conduct research projects independently, lead diverse research teams, and assist technology transfer and transition to military end-users.

Applicants with a master’s degree from one of the above-mentioned program areas and four years of commissioned service may be considered.

Applicants must fulfill aviation physical requirements. The active service period begins three years from the Naval Aerospace Experimental Psychology winging date.

Furthermore, Reserve Component applicants must have completed the six-month Naval Aerospace Experimental Psychologist training course at the Naval Aerospace Medical Institute, have successfully completed 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 Defense 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 in the Navy monitor and direct the activities of military forensic laboratories.

This work typically entails detecting drugs of abuse in bodily fluids using innovative technology.

Furthermore, forensic toxicologists also create methods for identifying substances of interest, procedures for maintaining a chain of custody, and strategies for presenting forensic evidence to attorneys, military judges, and court-martial members.

Toxicologists may conduct research on the impact of harmful chemicals on normal life processes, test and manufacture protective equipment for military activities, and analyze chemical compound exposure limits.

In addition, toxicologists may work at a forensic laboratory, a Navy research laboratory, or an Environmental Preventive Medicine Unit, or they may lecture at the Naval Academy and other institutions.

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 from a university or professional school program recognized by the American Psychological Association (APA) or Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System (PCSAS) must be met by applicants.

A doctoral internship that is APA-accredited is necessary. Individuals who have completed an APA-accredited post-doctoral residency or fellowship or who have achieved board certification by the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP) may be eligible for waivers from the APA recognized internship requirement.

All candidates must have current licensing 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.) from a university or professional school program approved by the APA or PCSAS.

Applicants must have passed their comprehensive examinations and have fulfilled all didactic and clinical practice requirements for internship eligibility by the start of the internship.

Most applicants will not have finished all of their practice, courses, or PhD dissertation by the time they apply, but they must be recognized suitable to apply for internship by their training director.

Applicants will be commissioned as lieutenants and will be required to serve for four years (including the one-year internship).

Following the end of the internship, applicants are required to earn licensure within 18 months. Officers who are

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, applicants must have completed all requirements for a doctoral degree (Ph.D. or Psy. D.) in clinical or counseling psychology from an APA-accredited university or professional school program, including doctoral dissertation and doctoral internship.

A doctoral internship that is APA-accredited is necessary. Applicants will be chosen for a one-year post-doctoral fellowship at the Naval Medical Center in Portsmouth.

Applicants will be commissioned as lieutenants and will be required to serve for four years (including the one-year fellowship).

Applicants should expect to be licensed within six months after completing their post-doctoral residency.

Officers who do unable get licensure within six months after completing their 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 roughly 30 Navy Dietitians on active duty. Most Navy Dietitians’ duty assignments are in hospitals.

Navy Dietitians have the clinical skills required to function as entry-level clinical dietitians, such as patient assessment, medical record documentation, medical nutrition therapy counseling, and the ability to organize and conduct weight control, diabetic diet, and cardiovascular risk reduction classes.

Furthermore, they help patients with Medical Nutrition Therapy, outpatient nutrition counseling, and food service operations.

They are also involved in general nutrition education and wellness initiatives for military members and their families, besides hospital dietetic tasks.

When deployed to a deployable platform, Navy dietitians can assist in field and shipboard patient care and food service operations.

Following first clinical postings, Navy Dietitians often proceed to Administrative/Food Service positions.

Dietitians may work clinically on one tour, administratively the next, and may do field or shipboard operations.

Navy Dietetics is an intriguing and difficult career option since 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 variety of intriguing tasks, most of which are aimed at avoiding vector-borne illnesses in the Navy and Marine Corps’ operating troops.

Navy medical entomologists organize, direct, and engage in operational, consultative, training, quarantine, and research activities aimed at preventing and controlling arthropod pests and disease vectors.

They train military and civilian professionals from the Navy’s medical and other commands.

On the staffs of preventive medicine operations in the continental United States and various overseas locations, Navy Entomologists perform operational and consultative tasks.

In addition, they collaborate with government and non-government groups to develop and test 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, with a concentration on entomology in their course work.

Applicants must have a 3.2 GPA on a 4.0 scale in graduate school and a 3.5 GPA or above in entomology coursework.

Medical entomology, pest management, insect taxonomy, insect morphology, immature insects, vector biology, medicalveterinary entomology, insect ecology, insect toxicology, and insect physiology should all be covered in 30 or more hours of course work (graduate and undergraduate).

Acarology, parasitology, insect virology, invertebrate zoology, statistics, epidemiology, public health, and environmental health are all strongly recommended.

Experience with disease vector surveillance and control or 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) handle disease prevention and control in Navy and Marine Corps active duty and civilian populations, identifying health concerns, formulating plans of action, and advising commanders on risks and countermeasures to safeguard our personnel.

EHOs are taught to identify effective methods of assessing health concerns, to perform disease and environmental surveillance, and to create countermeasures to meet prospective and current dangers.

Furthermore, EHOs provide direction on food safety, water/wastewater safety, communicable disease prevention/control, disease outbreak investigations, and environmental risks to operational commanders, commanding officers, officers in charge, joint forces, US Embassy staff, and the United Nations.

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

Basic Qualifications

Applicants must have a baccalaureate or master’s degree in environmental health from a program accredited by the National Environmental Health Science and Protection Accreditation Council, or a master of public health degree with a concentration in environmental health from a CEPH-accredited college of public health.

Environmental health, epidemiology, food safety, water quality, air quality, solid waste and wastewater management, communicable diseases, public health sanitation, vector control, toxicology, risk assessment, risk communication, biostatistics, and microbiology should all be included in degrees.

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

Field experience in environmental health is also very desirable, as is certification as a Registered Environmental Health Specialist or Registered Sanitarian 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, or a master’s degree in business administration with a focus in health care management and a GPA of 3.0 or above on a 4.0 scale.

The Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (www.cahme.org), the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (www.aacsb.edu), or the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) (www.ceph.org) must accredit programs.

Accredited master’s degrees in public administration with a focus on healthcare administration from the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (www.naspaa.org) are also approved.

Candidates having master’s degrees from non-accredited schools may be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Access to “exceptionally qualified” applicants with a master’s degree in business administration or public health, with a focus in health management or health administration disciplines, may be granted.

Candidates must have professional experience in a health care related sector and these programs must have a special emphasis in health care.

Completion of a residency program and work experience in health care administration (hospital or outpatient clinic environment, with a chosen provider organization, health maintenance organization, or managed care organization) are highly sought.

“Exceptionally qualified” applicants with a baccalaureate degree in health care administration, hospital or health service administration, health policy, or business administration with a concentration in health care administration will be considered on a case-by-case basis, with selections not exceeding 40% of the total health care administration direct admission quota.

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

This criteria is not met by online degrees.

Candidates with programs that are not certified in the ways specified above may be considered on an individual basis.

Active Component (AC) applicants with a bachelor degree must submit a Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) score, with 300 (GRE) and 525 (GMAT) as the minimum desirable results.

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

Prior to their first assignment, AC selectees may matriculate immediately into the Army/Baylor or Uniform systems University of the Health Sciences (USUHS) master’s degree program in health systems administration.

AC officers recruited under this section who do not immediately enroll in the Army/Baylor or USUHS programs should be counseled on duty by their administrative director and 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) safeguard people, facilities, and equipment by controlling risk in working, living, and operating environments to maintain mission capability.

The IHO is in charge of the professional oversight of a diverse and continuously increasing range of environmental and occupational control initiatives.

Navy IHOs conduct technical duties, such as respiratory and personal protection equipment; ergonomic risk assessments; hazardous material evaluation and disposal; biohazards evaluation; safety assurance; and detection, monitoring, and assessment of chemical and biological agents in warfare and natural disaster scenarios.

They give guidance to the United States Navy’s Environmental and Occupational Health, Industrial Hygiene, and Safety Programs across the world.

In addition, IHOs act as an advisor to Headquarters and Operating Force Commanders on environmental and occupational health issues, reducing the risk of avoidable injuries and illnesses among Navy and Marine Corps troops.

Basic Qualification

Applicants with a Master of Science or Master of Science in Public Health degree in industrial hygiene from an institution accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (www.abet.org) are preferred.

Applicants who do not have this degree must have a Bachelor of Science or graduate degree in industrial hygiene, occupational health, or a related engineering degree.

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

All applicants must have completed two academic years of chemistry (inorganic and organic with laboratory), one year of biology, one semester of calculus and physics, and at least 40 semester hours of pure scientific courses.

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

Applicants having 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 essential members of the medical team who oversee and supervise innovative clinical laboratories and blood banks at Navy hospitals throughout the United States and many other countries.

They are qualified for subsequent assignments as educators at DoD training institutions and are eligible for appointment as a staff officer with policy and practice control.

Likewise, Navy Med Techs conduct and manage a wide range of laboratory services with precision and under the industry’s highest standards.

Basic Qualifications

Applicants are required to possess the following: 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; a GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale (with a minimum of 3.0 in prerequisite coursework for MT/MLS/CLS); and 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.

In order to be exempt from the NAACLS program completion requirement, an applicant must possess a minimum of four years of documented clinical laboratory training and experience working in a clinical laboratory.

Active duty applicants are specifically required to have four years of laboratory experience subsequent to their graduation from a military service school.

The specialty leader may, on an individual basis, waive the minimum required GPA for outstanding candidates who possess substantial work experience or skills that are presently underrepresented but will contribute to the advancement of the community’s mission.

In addition to supervisory and leadership expertise, blood bank experience (including donor centers and transfusion services) is an asset.

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 currently stationed in 20 locations, performing a variety of interesting duties such as research and development (both medical and non-medical) overseas in Egypt, Peru, Cambodia, and Singapore.

They also serve within the Continental United States, such as the Washington DC metro area, Norfolk VA, and San Diego CA; or the Environmental Preventive Medicine Units in Pearl Harbor, HI, Norfolk VA, and San Diego, CA; or clinical microbiology at our three large teaching medical centers in Bethesda, MD, San Diego, CA, or Portsmouth, VA.

Navy microbiologists advise, train, and undertake infectious disease research, as well as engage in operational deployments. Conduct defense research, including the creation of vaccines.

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

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

Basic Qualifications

Applicants are required to possess a doctoral degree (Ph.D., D.Ph., and DSc) in microbiology or a closely related field (e.g., bacteriology, immunology, virology, mycology, parasitology, infectious disease epidemiology and molecular biology, food microbiology, or veterinary microbiology) from an institution accredited in the United States.

Applicants must possess a graduate-level GPA of 3.3 or higher on a 4.0 scale, in addition to microbiology coursework with a GPA of 3.5 or higher.

A candidate majoring in epidemiology or molecular biology is required to complete a curriculum that includes a minimum of sixteen hours of laboratory-based upper-level microbiology courses (300/400 hours).

Preferred qualifications include a postdoctoral experience of one to two years in infectious diseases research and a track record of successful publication in peer-reviewed journals.

In exceptional cases, master’s degrees in microbiology or a closely related discipline may be taken into account, contingent upon consultation with the chief 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 focuses on visual rehabilitation, driving simulation, and return to duty/community transitional care, has seen significant expansion. Navy Occupational Therapists are now serving in Afghanistan in a combat zone.

Navy OTs are critical in the orthopedic, neurological, and behavioral health models for our nation’s injured military men’ rehabilitation and retraining.

They study to become a physician extender with advanced clinical qualifications as a neuromusculoskeletal evaluator (direct access evaluations, order x-rays, prescribe NSAIDs, write duty status chits).

Their job assignments might include outpatient rehabilitation in a military treatment facility/satellite clinic, a DoD school (abroad), the Navy Medical Training Center (OT assistant program instructor), or as a full-time graduate student if they are selected for Duty Under Instruction.

Basic Qualifications

In addition to possessing 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 obtained certification from the National Board of Certification in Occupational Therapy.

Prior to commissioning, candidates must hold a valid license in one of the fifty states or the District of Columbia and have accumulated a minimum of 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 are stationed in military medical centers across the world, providing full eye examinations, including ocular health evaluations and prescriptions for glasses and contact lenses.

They take advantage of possibilities to treat submariners and pilots and may also qualify for roles in vision research and laboratory administration.

Similarly, they may work as an aeronautical optometrist.

Medical certification is required for aeronautical optometry, as well as completion of a 6-month training course 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 a wide range of hospitals and clinics, from big teaching hospitals and tiny clinics to working on a 1,000-bed hospital ship when it is deployed.

They manage effective pharmaceutical regimens with the utmost safety and efficiency and further develop clinical and administrative abilities.

Pharmacists can get expertise in a variety of areas, including drug information services, drug use evaluations, sterile goods, unit dosage distribution, interventions, patient counseling, administration, and much more.

Moreover, Pharmacists in the Navy take advantage of two American Society of Hospital Pharmacists (ASHP) recognized residency programs that are available each year.

They can be qualified for full-time out-of-service training programs for master’s and Post-BS Pharmaceutical Degrees.

Basic Qualifications

A doctor of pharmacy from an accredited institution of higher education and a valid license in one of the fifty states or the District of Columbia are prerequisites for application.

Additionally, candidates must possess a valid license in one of the fifty states or the District of Colombia prior to commissioning and hold a Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Examination Committee Certificate.

Ideal qualifications include a residency in pharmacy practice or at least two years of hospital experience gained within the previous five years.

Applicants lacking hospital experience and who have recently completed their undergraduate education (within the past three years) must have maintained a minimum GPA of 3.0 in required courses.

Courses such as therapeutics, pharmacotherapy, and pharmacology, or their equivalents, are also preferable.

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

Navy Physical Therapists’ (PT) primary responsibilities include providing comprehensive orthopedic care to Sailors and Marines in a variety of scenarios.

Naval Hospitals and clinics in the United States and abroad, aircraft carriers, and Navy and Marine Corps Special Operations Unit are examples of practice environments.

They are experts in orthopedics, sports medicine, electromyography, and manual therapy.

Furthermore, they work in clinical and managerial roles across the world and collaborate with top-tier health-care experts, such as doctors and occupational therapists.

Navy PTs seek further degrees in physical therapy or similar professions limitedly.

Basic Qualifications

Applicants are required to possess a doctoral degree at the entry level or a transitional doctoral degree (tDPT) in physical therapy from a Commission on Accreditation for Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)-accredited institution.

In order to qualify for the tDPT, candidates must have earned their initial qualifying degree (e.g., MPT) from a CAPTE-accredited institution.

Physical therapists who are currently licensed or registered in one of the fifty states or the District of Columbia are required to submit an application.

Preferred are candidates who possess a minimum of one year of experience working in sports physical therapy or outpatient orthopedics environments.

Board certification in athletics or orthopedics is exceedingly sought after.

Physical Therapy Student Program (Active Duty Only)

An annual selection process may be used to determine which candidates, lacking physical therapy degrees, are eligible to enter the Navy MSC and subsequently matriculate into the Army/Baylor University Program in physical therapy.

At the time of the selection board, candidates must hold a baccalaureate degree or be in their final semester prior to receiving the degree, with no more than two prerequisite courses remaining to be completed.

Four semester hours in anatomy with a laboratory, three semester hours in physiology, seven semester hours in biology with a laboratory, eight semester hours in physics with a laboratory, eight semester hours in chemistry with a laboratory, six semester hours in psychology, and three semester hours in statistics are prerequisite courses.

In addition to a minimum GRE composite score of 300 and quantitative score of 148, applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.25. Requests to waive these requirements are not granted.

It is mandatory to submit all applications for program admission via the Physical Therapy Centralized Application Service (PTCAS).

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 (PA) function as a vital element of the Navy’s health care delivery team while practicing medicine under the supervision of a supervising physician.

Physician Assistants use their abilities, knowledge, and experience to gather complete medical histories, do extensive examinations, order and initially interpret diagnostic laboratory and X-ray findings, and plan and begin comprehensive treatment regimens in all areas of primary care medicine.

They may be deployed to a variety of medical treatment centers in the United States, abroad, and on a variety of operational units

Sea tours of duty are part of the PA career progression and are typically two years.

Navy PAs are eligible to apply for postgraduate specialist training under established requirements for Medical Service Corps Officers.

Not to mention, they can get financial support for continuing medical education and recertification examinations.

Basic Qualifications

Candidates must possess an Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant-accredited master’s degree in physician assistant studies from an accredited university or college (www.arc-pa.org).

Additionally, they must have passed the Physician Assistant National Certification or Examination (PANCE) and be presently certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) (www.nccpa.net).

On an individual basis, PANCE/NCCPA-certified candidates who are exceptionally qualified and possess a baccalaureate degree in physician assistant studies will be evaluated.

Applicants are encouraged to have a minimum of two years of experience 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

Applicants must hold a doctorate in physiology from an accredited institution in the United States, with a substantial research background.

Those who possess doctoral degrees in relevant biomedical disciplines, including pharmacology, neuroscience, and molecular biology, will be given due consideration.

Applicants should concentrate their primary research efforts on areas that are pertinent to the Navy and Marine Corps.

These areas may include, but are not limited to, cardiovascular, pulmonary, musculoskeletal, hyper/hypobaric, neuroendocrine, and neurophysiology.

Preferable are courses taken at the undergraduate or graduate level in the physical sciences or mathematics/statistics.

Ph.D. candidates in biomedical engineering who have completed substantial physiology-based doctoral research and graduate-level coursework may also be taken into consideration.

Potential candidates should possess prior experience overseeing research protocols involving animals and/or humans, be well-versed in regulatory procedures, have an extensive publication record in peer-reviewed journals, and exhibit a keen interest in conducting both fundamental and applied biomedical research.

Applicants ought to exhibit the capacity to autonomously devise and execute research investigations, guide interdisciplinary research groups, and generate research deliverables that bolster the objectives 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

Applicants are required to possess a baccalaureate degree in one of the following fields: radiological science, health physics, radiobiology, physics, chemistry, mathematics, engineering, nuclear engineering, or biology. Physics and calculus courses must comprise two semesters of the curriculum.

Applicants who have successfully completed a Master of Science in Medical Physics or Health Physics (preferably from an institution accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Physics Education Programs, Inc.) are considered preferred.

A cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher is required, with a particular emphasis on main courses.

Prospective candidates are strongly encouraged to possess field experience in health or medical physics, or obtain certification from the American Board of Health Physicists or American Board of Radiology.

Coursework and radiation specialist programs will be evaluated on an individual 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

There are about 24 Navy Research Psychologists on Active Duty.

Research Psychologists are critical members of research and development teams that create operational products that have a significant influence on the health, safety, and operational performance of Navy Fleet and Marine Corps units.

While there are other career paths available, former roles frequently entail laboratory and field research on factors affecting elements of human performance in military systems.

They eventually qualify for jobs in policy creation, research administration and oversight, and program assessment.

Not to mention, Navy Research Psychologists manage extensive research and development projects in laboratories and aid employees with human performance, training, and people challenges.

They seize senior officer opportunities for medical department leadership roles, such as the head of the Navy Medical Research and Development Laboratories.

Basic Qualifications

Candidates must possess a Doctor of Philosophy degree in a psychology-related field (e.g., cognitive, experimental, social, industrial/organizational, human factors engineering, personnel, neuroscience, physiological, or a closely related area).

Additionally, they must have a robust foundation in research methodology and statistics.

Applicants will be evaluated on the basis of their completion of the degree requirements and successful completion of the dissertation final defense.

Applicants who have successfully completed coursework with a focus on psychology, research methodology, and statistics will be taken into consideration for related degrees.

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 (www.cswe.org).

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 plus hands-on experience? That’s a resume that stands out.

Your leadership, technical skills, and military training make you a strong candidate in the civilian world. Employers value that kind of background—whether in healthcare, management, or beyond.

As a Naval Officer, you lead from day one. More responsibility. Bigger challenges. Your career grows as your leadership skills sharpen.

Whether you stay in or move on, you’ll be ready. The experience you gain 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.