Just as in the civilian world, the Army has a variety of different types of medical officers. There are those who specialize, and were trained in certain areas. In a similar way to other specialties in the world, we want those who know a certain area working on us. We would not want a bicycle mechanic working on our 2016 Dodge Charger, and we wouldn’t want a Gynecologist performing a kidney transplant on one of our loved ones.
In today’s post, I am going to provide you with a detailed list of the many types of Army Medical Officers. If you are considering entering a Medical field in the United States Army, maybe this can help you decide the area you would like to focus on.
Where Army Medical Officers Come From
Attending Medical School can be very expensive. A great way to get Medical School completely paid for is by using the Health Professions Scholarship Program. What this program offers is a paid Medical School in return for a 4 year Officer enlistment in the military. Once accepted, the individual commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant and put on inactive reserve status while they complete Medical School. This is where the majority of Army Medical Officers come from.
A lesser number of Army Medical Officers attend the Uniformed Services University of Health Services in Maryland as active duty 2nd Lieutenants and have a 7 year obligation to the Army.
A slight few have gained their medical licenses and join the Army with a direct commission.
Army Medical Corps Officers are required to hold a board certification in at least 1 State. This is something that these new 2nd Lieutenants must accomplish as soon as possible.
Skill Codes
Each Medical Officer will be designated an MOS with their area of expertise, with the majority starting as a General Medical Officer which is essentially the same as a General Practitioner. That MOS is 62B and also covers Field Surgeon or Battalion Surgeon. After each MOS, that Medical Officer is designated a Skill Code. Skill Codes consist of:
9E: This is intern stage where the individual is gaining experience in the specialty they chose or were assigned. This is considered 1st year training.
9D: This is the Skill Code after the individual completes 1st year intern training.
9C: Completion of formal specialty training meeting all Medical Board requirements.
9B: Becoming certified by the American Board of Medical Specialties in a particular specialty or sub specialty.
9A: This is when a person by their own merit is considered an expert in their specialty.
Army Medical Corps Officers
These are the Officer MOS’s in the specialty areas of the Army Medical Corps. I already explained 62B which is a General Medical Officer. I will move from there.
62A: Emergency Physician. The Emergency Physician normally works within an emergency room atmosphere, and deals with serious trauma and injuries. You may also find the 62A working in Air Ambulance or Mobile ICU Centers.
61A: Nephrologist. This is a physician who specializes in kidney functions. You will find them in renal and dialysis centers.
61B: Oncologist/Hematologist. The Oncologist works with the study of cancer and with cancer patients. The Hematologist deals with blood borne diseases.
61C: Endocrinologist. This specialty essentially deals with glands and hormones. Their work deals with anything in the human body that is the result of gland operations.
61D: Rheumatologist. This specialty studies and treats issues with joints, and also is heavily involved with the immune system.
61E: Clinical Pharmacologist. This is essentially the one who studies drug interactions with the body.
61F: Internist. This is the physician who deals with diseases that affect internal organs.
61G: Infectious Disease. Just as the title says, this specialist works on controlling the spread of infectious diseases.
61H: Family Medicine. The main responsibility of the specialty is to provide personal care for individuals in family and community context. The emphasis is promoting good health and the prevention of disease.
61J: General Surgeon. This specialist deals with abdominal surgeries and diseases that involve skin, breasts and things such as that.
61K: Thoracic Surgeon. This surgeon performs his/her work behind the chest. This would mean the heart or lungs is their special area of expertise.
61L: Plastic Surgeon. This specialist performs restoration of body and facial areas.
61M: Orthopedic Surgeon. Orthopedics deal with the muscular part of the human body. This specialist treats people in these areas.
61N: Flight Surgeon. These are the primary Doctors for anyone who flies or is involved in flight operations.
61P: Physiatrist. This specialist deals with restoration of the physical body. The most common word for this is rehabilitation.
61Q: Radiation Oncologist. This is the specialist who uses radiation to treat cancer. So for anyone receiving chemotherapy, they would have a 61Q at the helm.
61R: Diagnostic Radiologist. This specialist seals with medical imaging such as X Rays, Ultrasounds and other imaging devices to view the interior of the human body.
61U: Pathologist. Pathology is the study of disease. Pathologists are always studying and learning the way diseases operate so treatments can be developed.
61W: Peripheral Vascular Surgeon. This specialist works with issues in the Vascular areas of the human body. Anything to do with the arteries would have a 61W involved.
61Z: Neurosurgeon. 61Zs work with any issues that are affecting the nervous system.
60A: Operational Medicine Officer. This specialist practices medicine in areas that are unconventional. You may have a 60A in the battlefield if they are needed.
60B: Nuclear Medicine Officer. The 60B is involved with any medicine using radioactive methods.
60D: Occupational Medicine Officer. The 60D is involved with work related medical issues.
60F: Pulmonary/Critical Care Officer. The 60F handles cases of lung diseases and other breathing disorders.
60G: Gastroenterologist. Anything to do with a person’s digestive system would have a 60G involved.
60H: Cardiologist. If the heart is having problems, a 60H would be involved.
60J: Obstetrician and Gynecologist. This deals with the female reproduction organs.
60K: Urologist. Anything dealing with urinary tracts or male reproduction would have a 60K involved.
60L: Dermatologist. This specialty covers diseases of the skin.
60M: Allergist. As it sounds, this specialty covers allergies and the treatment of them.
60N: Anesthesiologist. This is the specialist who understands the methods to put a person to sleep for surgery.
60P: Pediatrician. The care of infants and small children.
60Q: Pediatrics Sub Specialties. This covers sub specialties in Pediatrics.
60R: Child Neurologist. The 60R works with nervous systems in children.
60S: Ophthalmologist. Any diseases or problems with the eye would have a 60S involved.
60T: Otolaryngologist. These are otherwise known as ears, nose and throat Doctors.
60U: Child Psychiatrist. The 60U deals with the psychiatric makeup of children.
60V: Neurologist. The 60V helps find treatments and cures for issues affecting the nervous system.
60W: Psychiatrist. Deals with psychiatric issues in adults.
Final Thoughts
This pretty much cover all the areas a person can become a Medical Officer in the United States Army. If I missed any, please let me know in the comments area.
If any of you reading this are Medical Officers, please share what your expertise is and any other information you may want to share.
Thank you for visiting.
Chuck Holmes
Former Army Major (resigned)
Publisher, Part-Time-Commander.com
Email: mrchuckholmes@gmail.com
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