Job Description of a USAF Flight Surgeon
A US Air Force flight surgeon is a medical officer. His job is to ensure that pilots, crew members, and air traffic controllers are in good health at all times to preclude accidents and inflight illness.
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Educational Requirements
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Pilot Individuals who become flight surgeons enter the Air Force after they have completed medical school at a civilian university. Once on board, they are required to attend Air Force schools for up to three years.
Flight Physicals
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Medevac Chopper Flight surgeons ensure personnel are in continuous good health by performing rigorous periodic flight physicals. This includes cognitive and physical testing, as well as follow-up remedial action, as required.
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Treatment
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Stethoscope A flight surgeon has an ongoing responsibility to ensure that anyone involved in flying is fit for duty at any given time. This includes flight crews as well as air traffic controllers.
Emergencies
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Flight Surgeon Although flight surgeons don't spend a lot of time in the air, they must be available to accompany wounded or sick personnel on medevac flights to distant health care facilities.
Salary
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Control Tower A Captain in the Air Force earns between $43,927.20 and $71,467.20 per year. A Major earns between $49,964.40 and $82,562.40, and a Lieutenant Colonel earns between $57,906 and $98,380.80 annually. Medical officers also get special pay, if they agree to stay on active duty for at least a year. Salary also depends on pay grade, years of service, and board certification.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit a fighter formation at an air show image by Gary from Fotolia.com military mannequin # 1 image by Kevin Chesson from Fotolia.com chopper rescue image by FotoWorx from Fotolia.com stethescope image by Jeffrey Zalesny from Fotolia.com relaxed doctor image by Keith Frith from Fotolia.com air traffic control tower image by Paul Hill from Fotolia.com
