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what is the best branch to join for the military if i wanna be a doctor
Im a junior in high school and i plan on joining the military after high school #military
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James’s Answer
If you want to pursue a medical profession, join the Army, Navy, or Air Force. Each of those branches has medical fields. The Marine Corps relies on the Navy for their medical needs. Each has their own benefits, but there is a storied history with the Navy Corpsmen. In my experience with military medicine, the Navy has been the best. Sometimes these jobs aren't available. Speak with a recruiter to make sure.
Meighan Middleton
Former College Advisor and Admissions Professional/Surface Warfare Officer
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Meighan’s Answer
Like the other answers stated, all branches of the military have medical professionals (though the Marine Corps relies on the Navy for medical professionals). I would also like to put the Commissioned Corps of the Public Health Service on your radar. This program is another form of public service for medical professionals without joining a military branch.
A good medical school option for entering any of the military branches or the Commissioned Corps of the Public Health Service is attending the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences (USUHS). USUHS is a medical school specifically for training military and commissioned corps healthcare providers. As a USUHS student your tuition is free, but you owe a time in service obligation to your specific branch.
Learn more about the Commissioned Corps of the Public Health Service: https://www.usphs.gov
Learn more about the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences: https://www.usuhs.edu
A good medical school option for entering any of the military branches or the Commissioned Corps of the Public Health Service is attending the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences (USUHS). USUHS is a medical school specifically for training military and commissioned corps healthcare providers. As a USUHS student your tuition is free, but you owe a time in service obligation to your specific branch.
Meighan recommends the following next steps:
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Ari’s Answer
ALL the services need doctors, dentists, nurses, medical/dental technicians, etc. As a former Naval officer, I've actually had the pleasure of being treated by all of the above in EACH service.
It comes down to how much you wish to be deployed (sent forward on a mission) and/or being stationed in one place. If you are stationed with a combat division in the Army or on a hospital ship in the Navy, you might be deployed more often than an air force doctor stationed at a base in US - just know that the Air Force also has forward deployed medical staff in permanent bases in places like Italy, Japan, Germany, etc., and if there is a conflict, they will deploy just like the other services do.
Great thing about being a military doctor - if you are able to get in the right program in college, they may even help you pay for medical school. Further, there are no shortages of patients, and you certainly don't have to worry about the costs of running a practice. Finally, if you should decide to leave the service, you will have had excellent professional experiences as you transition. If you retire as a military medical professional, you will also receive benefits
Look into the career sites for the various services. Further, if there are any colleges you are interested in, see if they have ROTC programs. The folks at the ROTC programs will have a LOT of information as well
Speak with prior military personnel to get their perspectives. Also - especially important, reach out to doctors to see if they have any colleagues who were prior military. If you don't know any doctors, DON'T SWEAT IT! Literally looking up doctors and asking for advice will work 9 out of 10 times, as most doctors really take mentorship seriously
It comes down to how much you wish to be deployed (sent forward on a mission) and/or being stationed in one place. If you are stationed with a combat division in the Army or on a hospital ship in the Navy, you might be deployed more often than an air force doctor stationed at a base in US - just know that the Air Force also has forward deployed medical staff in permanent bases in places like Italy, Japan, Germany, etc., and if there is a conflict, they will deploy just like the other services do.
Great thing about being a military doctor - if you are able to get in the right program in college, they may even help you pay for medical school. Further, there are no shortages of patients, and you certainly don't have to worry about the costs of running a practice. Finally, if you should decide to leave the service, you will have had excellent professional experiences as you transition. If you retire as a military medical professional, you will also receive benefits
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John’s Answer
Of all of the bases I have been to, I think that the Navy doctors have been the best. Talk to the Navy recruiter or the Air force recruiter.
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Angela’s Answer
All branches need doctors. I personally would say the Navy, but I have bias. I served in the Naval Reserves as an Aviation Structural Mechanic for 8 years. One of my best friends in Boot Camp was a Hospital Corpsman. She enjoyed it. If you want to be in the thick of it, the Marines or Army would be beneficial and a great experience for learning.
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Kevin’s Answer
Any service can lead you there. Also, there are the options of the guard units or the reserves.
The bigger branches have more options. Air Force, Army, Navy ( in no particular order).
The bigger branches have more options. Air Force, Army, Navy ( in no particular order).