PODIATRY CAREERS
Navy podiatrists attend to servicemembers and their families in much the same way a civilian podiatrist would. They work at top military medical facilities and are privy to advanced training and technology so progressive, the civilian world may not be aware of it yet.
The Navy offers podiatrists the ability to focus on their patients and practice without the financial and business complications of a private practice. Start-up costs, malpractice insurance, staffing, equipment and office management don’t exist for Navy podiatrists.
Navy podiatrists also:
- Earn excellent compensation in an established, thriving practice
- Experience manageable patient ratios for high-quality, one-on-one care
- Receive hands-on experience and Navy-funded advanced training
- Enjoy a flexible schedule that leaves more time for family and personal pursuits
Responsibilities
As a Navy Podiatrist, your skills will treat the feet, ankle and the lower extremity issues of servicemembers, their families, and those in need. Besides normal issues, you’ll treat bunion deformities, torn ligaments, and stress fractures.
You’ll partner with first-rate health-care providers, such as orthopedic surgeons and physical therapists, and have the opportunity to use your direct-access skills and practice as a critical part of a distinguished, professional medical team.
As a Navy Podiatrist, your skills will treat the feet, ankle and the lower extremity issues of servicemembers, their families, and those in need. Besides normal issues, you’ll treat bunion deformities, torn ligaments, and stress fractures.
You’ll partner with first-rate health-care providers, such as orthopedic surgeons and physical therapists, and have the opportunity to use your direct-access skills and practice as a critical part of a distinguished, professional medical team.
Work Environment
Navy Clinical Care Providers work at hospitals across the globe, from Hawaii to Japan, Germany to Guam, and Washington, D.C., to Washington State.
As a Navy Podiatrist, you could also find yourself working at one of the highly acclaimed National Naval Medical Centers in Bethesda, Md.; Portsmouth, Va.; and San Diego, Calif. You could also provide podiatric support aboard one of two dedicated hospital ships: the USNS Comfort and USNS Mercy.
Serving part-time as a Reservist, your duties will be carried out during your scheduled drilling and training periods. During monthly drilling, Podiatrists in the Navy Reserve typically work at a location close to their homes. This gives you the flexibility to expand your profession in the Navy without compromising your civilian practice at home.
For annual training, Podiatrists may serve anywhere in the world, whether at sea, in hospitals stateside, or on bases in countries around the world.
Take a moment to learn more about the general roles and responsibilities of Reservists.
Training & Advancement
Upon graduation from podiatric medical school, those pursuing a Podiatrist position are required to attend Officer Development School (ODS) in Newport, R.I. ODS is a five-week program that provides a comprehensive and intense introduction to the responsibilities of Navy Staff Corps Officers. Here they learn about the military structure of the U.S. Navy, its rich history of traditions and customs, leadership development and military etiquette.
Promotion opportunities are regularly available but competitive and based on performance.
Most of what you do in the Navy Reserve is considered training. The basic Navy Reserve commitment involves training a minimum of one weekend a month (referred to as drilling) and two weeks a year (referred to as Annual Training) – or the equivalent of that.
Podiatrists in the Navy Reserve serve in an Officer role. Before receiving the ongoing professional training that comes with this job, initial training requirements must first be met.
For current or former Navy Officers (NAVET): Prior experience satisfies the initial leadership training requirement – so you will not need to go through Officer Training again.
For current or former Officers of military branches other than the Navy (OSVET), as well as for Officer candidates without prior military experience: You will need to meet the initial leadership training requirement by attending the twelve-day Direct Commission Officer (DCO) School in Newport, R.I. This will count as your first Annual Training.
With flexible training options, Medical Service Corps Officers in the Navy Reserve can comfortably balance civilian and military schedules. You can maintain your own life and your own career – enriching both with the rewarding work you do for others.
The Medical Service Corps in the Navy Reserve offers you a truly diverse variety of operational venues. In some cases, you can even work in the same civilian location you work in now. What’s more, you will enjoy an unrivaled sense of pride and fulfillment known only to those who serve.
Education Opportunities
Graduate Students
In the Navy Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP) you can receive 100% tuition assistance while completing an eligible podiatry education program plus a monthly stipend in excess of $2,200 to help cover living expenses for up to 48 months.
In the Navy Health Services Collegiate Program (HSCP) you can receive up to $201,900 while finishing your residency. This amount includes a generous monthly salary and housing allowance ranging from $3,280 to $5,610 for up to 36 months.*
*Navy HSCP housing allowance based on graduate school location. Increased offer amounts available in areas with a higher cost of living.
Practicing Professionals
Through the Navy Health Professions Loan Repayment Program (HPLRP), you may be eligible to receive financial assistance to pay down the cost of your graduate education.*
*Offer depends on specialty, service requirement and availability.
Offers have many variables. To get details and find out which offer would benefit you most, request that a Navy Officer Recruiter contact you.
Practicing Professionals
As a Reservist in the Navy Medical Service Corps, you’ll receive your choice of any one of these three generous financial offers:*
- Up to $250,000 in graduate school loan repayment assistance
- Up to $50,000 per year in specialty pay
- An immediate one-time sign-on bonus of up to $10,000
*Offers cannot be combined and depend on specialty.
Qualifications & Requirements
To qualify for Active Duty employment consideration as a Podiatrist in the Navy Medical Service Corps, you must meet these basic requirements:
- Be a U.S. citizen currently practicing in the U.S.
- Doctor of podiatric medicine (DPM) degree from a college of podiatric medicine, accredited by the Council on Education of the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA)
- Current licensure in one of the 50 states or the District of Columbia
- Successful completion of surgical residency or an equivalent formal surgical training program
- Be willing to serve a minimum of three years of Active Duty
- Be between the ages of 18 and 41
- Be in good physical condition and pass a full medical examination
You may also be expected to meet certain preferred requirements:
- GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale (undergraduate and podiatric medical school)
- Completion of a two- to three-year postgraduate residency training program (APMA-approved) with an emphasis on surgical experience
- Hospital staffing with privileges and credentials in good standing
- Board-qualified and board-certified
General qualifications may vary depending upon whether you intend to serve Active Duty or Reserve Duty, and whether you are currently serving, have served before or have never served before.
To qualify for Active Duty employment consideration as a Podiatrist in the Navy Medical Service Corps, you must meet these basic requirements:
- Be a U.S. citizen currently practicing in the U.S.
- Doctor of podiatric medicine (DPM) degree from a college of podiatric medicine, accredited by the Council on Education of the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA)
- Current licensure in one of the 50 states or the District of Columbia
- Successful completion of surgical residency or an equivalent formal surgical training program
- Be willing to serve a minimum of three years of Active Duty
- Be between the ages of 18 and 41
- Be in good physical condition and pass a full medical examination
You may also be expected to meet certain preferred requirements:
- GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale (undergraduate and podiatric medical school)
- Completion of a two- to three-year postgraduate residency training program (APMA-approved) with an emphasis on surgical experience
- Hospital staffing with privileges and credentials in good standing
- Board-qualified and board-certified
General qualifications may vary depending upon whether you intend to serve Active Duty or Reserve Duty, and whether you are currently serving, have served before or have never served before.