Medical Service Corps Officer
The Medical Service Corps is a diverse and integral part of the Army Health Care Team. Medical Service Corps Officers are essential in treating and helping the overall health of Soldiers and their families. They are also responsible for much of the medical research that takes place in the Army. From medical fields such as optometry and podiatry to laboratory sciences to behavioral sciences, the Army Medical Service Corps includes many areas of specialty:
Health Services Officer (MOS 67A)
Great hospitals, talented doctors and the respect of your peers - these
are just a few of the things you can expect when you join the Army Medical
Service Corps.
Laboratory Sciences Officer (MOS 67B)
There are four broad biomedical career fields that are available to Army
Laboratory Science Officers; Biochemist, Clinical Laboratory Officer,
Microbiologist, and Research Psychology
Preventive Medicine Sciences Officer (MOS 67C)
There are five Preventive Medicine Sciences career fields to choose from;
Nuclear Medical Science Officer, Entomologist, Audiologist, Environmental
Science Officer, and Sanitary Engineer.
Behavioral Sciences Officer (MOS 67D)
In Army Behavioral Sciences, you can specialize in the following career
fields; Social Worker, Clinical Psychologist, and Counseling Psychologist.
Pharmacy Officer (MOS 67E)
Army Pharmacists are an integral part of the Army Health Care Team; they
certainly do more than just handle prescriptions.
Optometry Officer (MOS 67F)
Providing direct patient care to Army personnel and their families will
be your top priority as a member of the Army Optometry Health Care Team.
Podiatry Officer (MOS 67G)
As an Army Podiatrist you'll provide surgical services to Soldiers and
personnel, but you'll also gain experience by caring for family members
and Army retirees.
The responsibilities of a Medical Service Corps Lieutenant may
include:
Commanding and controlling the Medical Service Corps units during emergency
and non-emergency medical situations
Coordinate employment of Medical Service Corps Soldiers at all levels
of command, from platoon to battalion and higher, in U.S. and multi-national
operations.
Requirements for Medical Service Corps Officers
You must be a degreed professional in your area of specialty in the Medical
Service Corps.
Training
As an Army Medical Department (AMEDD) Officer, you will not participate
in the Basic Training or Boot Camp; instead, you'll attend an Officer
Basic Leadership Course (OBLC), a basic orientation course to the Army
Health Care system, Army doctrine, and basic soldier and leader skills.
Officer Basic Leadership Course for Active Duty Officers is held four times a year at the AMEDD Center in Fort Sam Houston and lasts from ten 10-14to 14 weeks. Officers in the Army Reserve go to OBLC for two weeks. Health Professions Scholarship Program recipients will attend for 6 six weeks one time during their graduate medical education.
Your training time depends on your chosen specialty and whether or not you have prior military experience. You must also meet height and weight standards, as well as pass the Army Physical Fitness Test.
After completing OBLC, AMEDD Officers report to their initial Active Duty assignment. Students return to their graduate medical education following successful completion of OBLC.
Helpful Skills
Being a leader in the Army requires certain qualities. A leader exhibits
self-discipline, initiative, confidence and intelligence. They are physically
fit and can perform under physical and mental pressures. Leaders make
decisions quickly, always focusing on completing the mission successfully,
and show respect for their subordinates and other military officers. Leaders
lead from the front and adjust to environments that are always changing.
They are judged by their ability to make decisions on their own and bear
ultimate moral responsibility for those decisions.
Advanced Responsibilities for a Medical Service Corps Officer:
Medical Service Corps Officers may continue to specialize and serve in
the Medical Service Corps at ever increasing levels of leadership and
responsibility. Responsibilities of a Medical Service Corps Captain may
include:
- Commanding and controlling part of a Field Hospital, installation Dental or Medical Activity (DENTAC or MEDDAC), or larger Health Services Command.
- Coordinate employment of Medical Service Corps Soldiers at all levels of command, from company to division level and beyond, in U.S. and multi-national operations.
- Develop doctrine, organizations and equipment for unique Medical Service and health care missions.
- Instruct medical, laboratory and psychology skills at service schools and medical training centers.
- Serve as a Medical or Health Care advisor to other units, including Army National Guard and U.S. Army Reserve organizations.
Related Civilian Jobs
Being an Officer in the Army Medical Service Corps, you will have the
same qualifications to practice in your specialty in the civilian world.
Article Last Modified: February 17, 2011
Return to: Medical Service Corps MOS List or the top level Army Jobs / MOS List