How to Become a Doctor in the Air Force

If you want to combine an interest in the military with a love for the field of medicine, think about becoming a doctor in the Air Force. For your commitment to serve your country, the Air Force will be happy to pay for your schooling and training, As an Air Force doctor you can work almost anywhere in the world, from seeing clinic patients at an Air Force hospital in the U.S. to operating at a combat unit during war.

Instructions

1. Finish your undergraduate degree with a major in pre-medicine. Keep your grades up to get into medical school. During this time, get to know your local Air Force recruiter who can keep you informed of the steps you need to take.

2. Apply for the Health Profession Schlarship Program (HPSP) to pay for medical school. If you are eligible to become an Air Force officer and have been accepted to an accredited school of medicine, the HPSP can pay your entire medical school tuition and your books. You'll also receive a monthly stipend to help you cover your living expenses. As of 2009, this amount is about $1,000 a month.

3. Complete a residency program at an Air Force hospital. If you want to do a residency at a civilian hospital, you can ask for a civilian deferment. The HPSP will pay for either type of residency.

4. Begin your active duty commitment for the next four years. You will automatically enter the service as a Captain. The Air Force will allow you to rank your choice of base assignments, and you can usually stay in the U.S. for much of the four years, unless you want to be stationed out of the country. You will probably have to serve a three to six month assignment in another country at some time during your four-year commitment.

5. Serve reserve duty after you complete active duty. This is called Individual Ready Reserve. Many Air Force doctors go into private practice at this time. Remember that the Air Force can recall you to active duty in times of need, such as war. And for every year of active duty you serve, you are required to give a year of reserve duty.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have already completed medical school and are a licensed physician, you can enter the Air Force and begin working immediately. The Air Force will pay for your required continuing education training.

• Being a doctor in the Air Force does not command the high salary you can make in private practice. An Air Force doctor get a starting salary of about $50,000, with an additional housing allowance. But you won't have to pay for office space, equipment or liability insurance. You'll also get 30 days of paid vacation time starting your first year as an Air Force doctor.

Resources

• Air Force site on working in healthcare