Overview

Physical therapists improve Soldier readiness by treating them in areas of physical fitness, physical training and injury prevention. As an officer in the Medical Specialist Corps, they play an important role in improving the overall quality of life for Soldiers and their families.

Job Duties

• Provide the military community with neuro–musculoskeletal evaluation, intervention and case management
  
• Conduct battlefield Unit Needs Assessments to determine unit mental health status and provide energy conservation assessments
  
• Supervise therapy technicians
  
• Serve as commander of companies, battalions, brigades and medical treatment facilities
  

Requirements

Active Duty

• Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences, anatomy and physiology, chemistry, physics, social sciences or statistics
  
• Minimum overall GPA requirement of 3.1 on a 4.0 scale
  
• Minimum cumulative score of 1000 on the GRE
  
• U.S. citizenship
  
• At least 100 volunteer observation hours in a physical therapy clinic
  
• Between 21 and 40 years of age (may request a waiver)
  
  

Army Reserve

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited occupational therapy program
  
• Between 21 and 42 years of age (may request a waiver)
  
• Current state license for physical therapy
  
• Permanent U.S. residency
  

Training

Job training for the Army Medical Specialist Corps will offer you the unique opportunity to teach, research and learn at various health education programs. You will work in U.S. Army medical centers, hospitals, clinics and field medical units to gain experience in a wide range of practice environments.

Helpful Skills

• Ability to make accurate, immediate decisions
  
• Perform under stress
  
• Apply critical technical and thinking skills
  
• Tremendous concentration
  

Learn more about the ASVAB and see what jobs you could qualify for.

Compensation

Active Duty

• Health Professional Specialty Pay
  
• Pay for continuing education, including master’s degrees and doctorate programs
  
• 30 days of paid vacation earned annually
  
• Noncontributory retirement benefits with 20 years of qualifying service
  
• No-cost or low-cost medical and dental care for you and your family
  
  

Army Reserve

• Paid continuing education
  
• Noncontributory retirement benefits at age 60 with 20 years of qualifying service
  
• Flexible, portable retirement savings and investment plan similar to a 401(k)
  

Education Benefits

The U.S. Army provides generous education loan-repayment programs, residency programs and continuing education opportunities to support your continued career growth and development.