Overview

Podiatrists treat personnel suffering from diseases, injuries or disorders of the ankle, feet and lower leg. As an officer on the U.S. Army health care team, you’ll have access to the latest treatments and drug therapies in order to provide for your patients.

Job Duties

• Provide surgical/nonsurgical treatment and consultative services
  
• Supervise administrative requirements for the podiatry clinic
  
• Provide initial diagnosis and management of foot injuries from the battlefield

Requirements

Active Duty

• Doctor of podiatric medicine degree from an accredited program acceptable to the Surgeon General
  
• Completion of a one-year surgical residency accredited by the Residency Review Committee for the American Podiatric Medical Association
  
• License to practice podiatry
  
• Must be between 21 and 42 years of age (may request a waiver)
• Must be a U.S. citizen
  

Army Reserve

• In addition to the above qualifications, permanent U.S. residency is required for Reserve duty officers.

Training

Job training for medical service corps officers includes completing an Officer Basic Leadership Course, which introduces you to the Army Health Care system, Army doctrine and basic Soldier/leader skills.

Helpful Skills

• Ability to make accurate, immediate decisions
  
• Perform under stress
  
• Apply critical technical and thinking skills
  
• Tremendous concentration

Learn more about the ASVAB and see what jobs you could qualify for.

Compensation

Active Duty
In addition to the many privileges that come from being on the U.S. Army health care team, you’ll also be rewarded with:

• Pay for continuing education
  
• Noncontributory retirement benefits with 20 years of qualifying service
  
• No-cost or low-cost medical and dental care for you and your family
  
  

Army Reserve

• Pay for continuing education
  
• Noncontributory retirement benefits at age 60 with 20 years of qualifying service
  
• Flexible, portable retirement savings and investment plan similar to a 401(k)
  
  

Education Benefits

In the Army, qualified students can earn full-tuition, merit-based scholarships, allowances for books and fees, plus an annual stipend for living expenses. Learn more about education.