How do you become an Army Surgeon? What’s the best route to take or tips in what I would need to do?

2021-02-22T12:17:20-05:00

I eventually want to become an Orthopedic Surgeon for the Army. i graduate from high school in three months and my ship date is five days after graduation. My desired college to go to is USUHS to become a surgeon. I just don't have a lot of knowledge on how to get into the school or the route in which I need to take. I would like more information on the best route to take and if there are any tips in what I would need to do, that would be greatly appreciated as well. Thank you.

Response by SP5 Peter Keane made Feb 22 at 2021 1:15 PM

2021-02-22T13:15:57-05:00

https://www.usuhs.edu/medschool/somadmissionrequirements

Uniformed Services University

The mission of USU is to support the readiness of America’s Warfighter and the health and well-being of the military community by educating and developing uniformed health professionals, scientists and leaders; by conducting cutting-edge, military-relevant research, and by providing operational support to units around the world.

Response by LTC Eugene Chu made Feb 22 at 2021 1:17 PM

2021-02-22T13:17:19-05:00

You should talk to a military medical recruiter and also be prepared for the other requirements. Undergraduate pre-med is likely required and USUHS admission is not easy. It means high scores on multiple tests (i.e. ACT/SAT, MCAT, etc.) along with GPA

https://recruiting.army.mil/MRB_Physicians/

Physicians

This page includes resources related to medical physicians.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 22 at 2021 1:25 PM

2021-02-22T13:25:13-05:00

https://www.usuhs.edu/emdp2

Uniformed Services University

Response by SPC David S. made Feb 22 at 2021 1:46 PM

2021-02-22T13:46:39-05:00

Regardless of how you do it - way to set the bar high. Best of luck!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 22 at 2021 2:50 PM

2021-02-22T14:50:03-05:00

While you're in the Army knock our your bachelor degree, taking extra care to score well on your science and math. Apply to the EMDP2 that someone linked below. If you're accepted to that you will be stationed at USUHS to complete a post bachelor in medicine to prepare you for the MCAT exam. Then you apply to USUHS. If you are accepted you will have a surgical rotation during one of your summers. At the end of USUHS you will he able to apply to a residency. If surgical residency accepts you then you'll be a surgeon.

If you aren't accepted to USUHS you will be eligible to apply for the HPSP and apply to a different medical school program

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 22 at 2021 3:44 PM

2021-02-22T15:44:09-05:00

All very accurate advice from all respondents. I’d just add buckle up and prepare for a ling and challenging road. Work hard. Be responsible and disciplined and then work harder. You don’t have to be the smartest but you have to be the most determined. Best of luck to you.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Feb 22 at 2021 5:53 PM

2021-02-22T17:53:40-05:00

Thats going to take awhile. Ba, Med School, Internship, etc.

Response by LTC David Brown made Feb 22 at 2021 7:19 PM

2021-02-22T19:19:47-05:00

I worked with several surgeons that did what you want to do, a neuro surgeon, General surgeon and orthopedic surgeon. It is a daunting task but not impossible. Under graduate performance has to be stellar. One step at a time. The Neuro surgeon started as an OR tech. Hopefully your high school grades are stellar. Remember that you will probably be career military. 4 to 5 years under grad, then 3-4/years med school & internship then 5 years residence ( orthopedic) . If residency and med school are military funded pay back is one for one so you will owe 9 years when done with med school residency, that will put you around 18 + 4 under grad =22 years. Also a lot of people think they want to be a surgeon etc. They start doing rotations in med school and fall in love with something else, or realize the option they choose sucks. One surgeon I worked with, brilliant guy, told how his wife divorced him because his life style sucked, he was always in the OR all the time. She literally moved out of the house while he was at work. He came home about 9 pm to an almost empty house. A TV diner was in the freezer, a TV table and set of silverware and the guest room bed and TV were all that was in the house. A neuro surgeon I worked with I would be on late call and he would be operating and about 7:30pm or so his wife would call, she would be told he wasn’t going to make it. This was night after night he missed diner parties, date nights with his wife etc. . Really really think this through. I saw many people start out in a residency and bail on what they thought they wanted to do. Good luck on your dream! Maj (P) Chu has great advice also.

Response by SFC Melvin Brandenburg made Feb 23 at 2021 8:30 AM

2021-02-23T08:30:50-05:00

Start with becoming a surgeon, and then join the army.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Feb 23 at 2021 3:19 PM

2021-02-23T15:19:23-05:00

First get through basic and AIT. Once you’re doing good work in your MOS, figure out how tuition assistance works and start classes for a Bachelor of Science degree. Some colleges have premed curriculum, but you can get the general education stuff out of the way at a community college. Make sure the cre