How to become a Flight Surgeon?

[FlightDocDan]

@Rugger, I greatly appreciate the info, and it more than answers all of my questions I didn’t know to ask.

@Pianistwithwings; I'm a current Naval Flight Surgeon (DO) via HPSP...

I'm not sure if you are completely set on becoming a physician vs wanting to become a Flight Surgeon and stay in the Military... if your desire is the latter, also look into PA - Physician Assistant instead of MD/DO route.

If timing is a concern due to your age or whatever and becoming an physician isn't your biggest priority, Navy now allows PAs to become aeromedically designated (APA - Medical Service Corps Officer with Wings) and can function essentially the same as Naval Flight Surgeon (MD/DOs) with one exception of not able to participate in FNAEB/FFPB.

Unlike Physicain career path, you don't need resdiency training (3+ years post medical school) to be certified in a specialty to practice and your premedical pre-req for medical school application should mostly cover requirements for PA school... I'm not sure if HPSP will cover PA School but I believe HSCP will.

Just trying to expand your option for those looking to build quicker medical career especially if wanting to become a Flight Doc/APA. Also, since it seems like you are already aeronautically designated (NA/NFO), you can skip the flying portion of NAMI/Flight Surgeon Course and just attend the Aeromedical Part of training (about 2 months or so) to become a flight surgeon/APA with a possibility of applying for Aeromedical Dual-Designation Program and can concurrently function as NA/NFO while serving as a FS/APA.

Either case, best of luck!

 

[Pianistwithwings]

@Pianistwithwings; I'm a current Naval Flight Surgeon (DO) via HPSP...

I'm not sure if you are completely set on becoming a physician vs wanting to become a Flight Surgeon and stay in the Military... if your desire is the latter, also look into PA - Physician Assistant instead of MD/DO route.

If timing is a concern due to your age or whatever and becoming an physician isn't your biggest priority, Navy now allows PAs to become aeromedically designated (APA - Medical Service Corps Officer with Wings) and can function essentially the same as Naval Flight Surgeon (MD/DOs) with one exception of not able to participate in FNAEB/FFPB.

Unlike Physician career path, you don't need residency training (3+ years post medical school) to be certified in a specialty to practice and your premedical pre-req for medical school application should mostly cover requirements for PA school... I'm not sure if HPSP will cover PA School but I believe HSCP will.

Just trying to expand your option for those looking to build quicker medical career especially if wanting to become a Flight Doc/APA. Also, since it seems like you are already aeronautically designated (NA/NFO), you can skip the flying portion of NAMI/Flight Surgeon Course and just attend the Aeromedical Part of training (about 2 months or so) to become a flight surgeon/APA with a possibility of applying for Aeromedical Dual-Designation Program and can concurrently function as NA/NFO while serving as a FS/APA.

Either case, best of luck!

Thank you for the information! I will have to look into PA programs. Becoming dual designated would be ideal.

 

[Hair Warrior]

Any NAVET or medical corps recruiters out there? Friend is a former Navy doc, separated at O4 at the end of his service obligation, no longer in the IRR either. Currently a practicing doctor as a civilian. He is intrigued about Navy Reserve sign-on bonuses for docs and if he can come back at his last rank. I recall at DCOIC the sign-on bonuses for reserve nurses and docs were very high, but that was a long time ago.

 

[FormerRecruitingGuru]

Any NAVET or medical corps recruiters out there? Friend is a former Navy doc, separated at O4 at the end of his service obligation, no longer in the IRR either. Currently a practicing doctor as a civilian. He is intrigued about Navy Reserve sign-on bonuses for docs and if he can come back at his last rank. I recall at DCOIC the sign-on bonuses for reserve nurses and docs were very high, but that was a long time ago.

If you/your friend have LinkedIn, you can find plenty of them out there - including the medical ones. Even if they don't work/live nearby, you can always message them and they can redirect you to someone closer.

There's often NAVET bonuses and I usually see Medical on there, but similarly a NAVET recruiter would have the most recent numbers.