Expert: Cynthia Bedell - 4/14/2005

Question
Do the Marines offer the position of a Physical Therapist as one of their occupational specialties?  Would they pay for the schooling required?

Answer
Dear Keshia --

I do not know if the Marines offer an physical therapist occupational specilaty.  They often get their rear area support services from the Navy and the Army.  The Marines do not show physical therapist on their informational website: http://www.marines.com/enlisted_marines/combatservice.asp?format=flash

The Army does offer that specialty.  You would have to apply for an ROTC scholarship if you want to get a college degree, in physical therapy, and then enter the service as a second lieutenant.  If you wish to be a technician, then you would arrange with your recruiter for that specialty, and enter the service as a private.  For more about joining the Army see -- http://www.goarmy.com/flindex.jsp

You would go through standard basic training and if you do well there, your specialty training would be at Fort Sam Houston.  If you enlist for a specific occupational specialty, be certain that all the agreements are spelled out in your enlistment papers before you sign.  Those documents are the only proof you have of the agreement between you and the recruiting command.  Verbal promises from your recruiter are difficult to enforce.

Good luck to you.