Military Medical Careers

Duties and Responsibilities:

Members of the U.S. military service train for and perform a variety of tasks in order to maintain the U.S. national defense. Service member work in occupations specific to the military, such as fighter pilots or infantrymen. Many others members work in occupations that are equivalent to civilian occupations, such as nurses, doctors, and lawyers.  Members serve in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, or in the Reserve components of these branches, and in the Air National Guard and Army National Guard. The military distinguishes between enlisted and officer careers. Enlisted personnel make up about 83 percent of the Armed Forces and carry out military operations. The remaining 17 percent are officers—leaders of the military who manage both activities and enlisted personnel.

Enlisted personnel typically do the following:

·         Participate in, or support, combat and other military operations, such as humanitarian or disaster relief

·         Operate, maintain, and repair equipment

·         Perform technical and support activities

·         Supervise junior enlisted personnel

Officers typically do the following:

·         Plan, organize, and lead troops and activities in military operations

·         Manage enlisted personnel

·         Operate and command aircraft, ships, or armored vehicles

·         Provide military personnel with professional services in medical, legal, engineering, and other fields

Average Salary:$9,847.80

Educational Requirements:

To join the military, applicants must meet age, education, aptitude, physical, and character requirements. These requirements vary by branch of service and for officers and enlisted members. Members are assigned an occupational specialty based on their aptitude, former training, and the needs of their branch of service. All service members must sign a contract and commit to a minimum term of service. The recruiter can schedule applicants to take the ASVAB without any obligation to join. Many high schools offer the exam as a way for students to explore the possibility of a military career. Selection for a certain job specialty is based on ASVAB test results, whether the candidate possesses the physical requirements for the job, and the needs of the service.