Healthcare Officers

As an Army National Guard Healthcare Officer, you'll earn a commission in the Army Medical Department (AMEDD). Additional AMEDD officer positions include a number of specialties within the following areas:

Medical Corps

Physicians (MD and DO) serve as Army Medical Corps Officers. A Medical Corps Officer is responsible for the overall health of Soldiers by covering every medical specialty from allergists to vascular surgeons, providing a wide range of healthcare to Soldiers. During combat, Medical Corps Officers make sure Soldiers are healthy and combat-ready. They will examine, diagnose and treat casualties for the initial phase of battlefield disease and injury.

Dental Corps

Dentists (DMD and DDS) serve as Dental Corps Officers. The mission of the Dental Corps in peace is to ensure that each Soldier is in optimal oral health and prepared to deploy without becoming a noncombat dental casualty. In war, the mission of the Dental Corps is to conserve the fighting strength of Soldiers by the restoration and preservation of oral health and function, and assisting in the emergency medical management of combat and noncombat casualties.

Specialist Corps

Physician Assistants (PA-C) and Physical Therapists (PT) serve as Army Medical Specialist Corps Officers—treating and supporting the overall health of Soldiers and their Families. You'll be working side-by-side with Guard physicians as the primary medical officer of your state medical command, infantry, battalion, armored cavalry squadron, or other combat arms or support units.

Medical Service Corps

Medical Service Corps Officers are essential in treating and helping the overall health of Soldiers. The Army Medical Service Corps includes many areas of specialty: Medical Administrators (Human Resources, Operations, Logistics, Medical Records Managers), Environmental Engineers, Nuclear Physicists and Aeromedical Evacuation Pilots serve as Medical Service Corps officers. Learn more about the Medical Service Corps.

Students

Medical/dental students can serve as a Healthcare Student Officer while attending medical or dental school. Healthcare Student Officers are placed in nondeployable positions, are eligible to participate in substantial financial assistance programs, and receive professional development during their professional programs.

Nurse Corps

Registered Nurses (RN) and Family Nurse Practitioners (FNP) serve as Army Nurse Corps Officers. RN applicants need a minimum of a bachelor's degree in nursing (BSN) or to be currently licensed and attending a BSN program. FNP applicants must have a master's degree in nursing with a certification in Family health. Nurse officers provide professional nursing care, services and health promotion in military health treatment organizations.

Behavioral Health Officers

Behavioral Health Officers (BHO) are another specialty of the Medical Service Corps: Social Workers (LISW, LCSW) and Clinical Psychologists. As a Behavioral Health Officer, you will be the one who plans, directs, and administers programs and services relating to clinical psychology and social work. These programs promote all aspects of mental health and the social well-being of all personnel entitled to care.

Find more information about bonuses, student loan repayment and eligibility for stipend programs.

Healthcare Officer Training Requirements

All Healthcare Officers are required to complete an initial military training course at Fort Sam Houston, located in San Antonio, TX. Most AMEDD specialties will attend the 26-day orientation course, but some nonlicensed specialties will be required to attend the full seven-week course. The trainers for the short course are fellow healthcare officers.

General Eligibility Requirements

  • Meet the prescribed medical and moral standards for appointment as a commissioned officer
  • Be a United States citizen
  • Have completed an accredited qualifying degree program
  • Be 21 years of age
  • Be able to obtain a secret security clearance

Enjoy Additional Benefits

  • Medical and dental care for you and your Family (TRICARE Reserve Select)
  • Up to $400,000 in low-cost life insurance
  • Discounted and tax-free grocery and shopping privileges at post exchanges and commissaries
  • Free military air flights based on space availability
  • Free academic testing and counseling for spouse
  • Access to recreational facilities on military installations
  • A retirement pension plan at the completion of 20 years of part-time service

The Army National Guard Medical Team can be a great place to start your healthcare career or an inspiring place to lead others with your experience and expertise. Either way, it's an outstanding way to serve your country and help others.

For more information about careers in the Army National Guard Medical Team, contact your local recruiter.

If you don't have your degree, you can still serve in the medical field as an enlisted Soldier.