Exploring medical jobs in the military reserves

I've always been drawn to healthcare and I'm considering medical roles within the military reserves. What kinds of medical positions are available and what training or credentials would I need? Would love to hear from anyone with experience in this area.

In the military reserves, you have a plethora of options when it comes to medical roles. The type of position you choose will largely rely on your interests, qualifications, and the amount of training you're ready to undertake. Here are some of the posts you can consider:

1. Combat Medic: They are the first responders on the field, providing first aid and trauma care to fellow soldiers. To be a Combat Medic, you need to complete Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training as part of the Military Occupational Specialty.

2. Medical Officer (MO): These are essentially doctors in the military and may include surgeons, physicians, psychiatrists, or any other medical specialist. Their role involves everything from primary care to surgery depending on their specialization. To be a Medical Officer, you must be a licensed physician and complete a military Officer Training Course.

3. Healthcare Specialist: This is a broad role that could involve anything from administrative work to lab tests, depending on your specialty. You will need a high school diploma to start, along with the required military training.

4. Nurse/ Nursing Officer: To become a nurse in the military reserves you need a bachelor's degree in nursing and an RN license. You'll also need to complete military training.

5. Psychologist/Psychiatrist: You can also serve as a mental health professional in the military reserves. To become a psychologist or psychiatrist, you typically need a Doctoral degree in Psychology or a Medical degree specializing in Psychiatry.

6. Dental Officer: As a Dental Officer, you'll be expected to provide dental care to military personnel. In general, you'll need a Doctor of Dental Surgery or Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry degree to become a Dental Officer.

7. Pharmacist: Pharmacists in the military provide crucial support in terms of medication distribution and management. A Doctorate in Pharmacy is required.

If you're still in the early stage of your career or are a student, you might want to investigate military scholarship programs. The Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP) and the Nurse Candidate Program (NCP) are two such initiatives intended to provide financial support to individuals seeking medical careers within the military.

This list is far from exhaustive, but these are some of the common positions within the medical field in the military reserves. Each position varies in terms of commitment, duration and nature of training, and possible deployment. I would recommend reaching out to a military recruiter who can provide concrete information tailored to your situation. Also consider speaking with people who have worked or are currently working in these positions for practical insights.