Expert: Cynthia Bedell - 7/21/2008

Question
I am interested in becoming a physician in the Navy.  Are there other ways to become an officer without NROTC or the Naval Academy (both are pretty much out of the question for me)?  Also, are there any special commissioning programs just for those that are interested in the Navy Medical Corps?  Any information would be great.  

Respectfully,
Margaret Ishee

Answer
Dear Margaret --

You will be required to do military training to be a doctor in the Navy.  Although I understand that the Naval Academy might not suit you, if you cannot do the training associated with the Navy Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC), you would not be suitable to be a commissioned officer in the Navy.

If you already have a medical degree, and have passed your medical boards in a least one state, you can apply for a direct commission into the Navy Medical Corps.  You will still be required to do military training, and you will be required to do medical officer training at the completion of your military training.

If you have a bachelors degree in an appropriate field, you can apply to the Uniformed Services University for Health Science.  This is a degree granting university which produces medical doctors for the armed forces of the United States.  If accepted, you will attend the university as a second lieutenant.  To learn more, please go to this website: http://www.usuhs.mil/prospectivestudents.html

Good luck to you.