How long does it take to become a air force dermatologist?

Answer 1

Becoming an AIR FORCE dermatologist is similar in many ways to becoming a civilian dermatologist: typically 4 years medical school, 4 years residency training, and passing the Specialty Board exam for Dermatology. There are several paths into AF Derm: 1. If you are already a Board Certified Dermatologist, simply contact your local recruiter (http://www.airforce.com/careers/subcatg.php?catg_id=3&sub_catg_id=1) Make sure you speak to a Healthcare professions recruiter. They are the most knowledgeable and usually will have you talk with AF dermatologists and see a base hospital etc… 2. If you are a medical student, you can either apply to civilian programs for derm and then Join the AF when you are finished with residency or you can Join the AF during civilian residency and they will provide benefits/stipend during your residency for a minimal service commitment when you finish. 3. OR as a medical student you can apply to the AF military residency (Wilford Hall Med Ctr, Lackland AFB, Texas) http://airforcemedicine.afms.mil/idc/groups/public/documents/webcontent/knowledgejunction.hcst?functionalarea=AFPhysicianEducation&doctype=subpage&docname=CTB_047647 There is however, one caveat to doing a military residency…the Air Force does not accept students for dermatology directly from med school. So you will do a one year internship and then perform an operational tour (usually as a flight doc or a general medical officer (similar to basic FP)) for a year or two and then you will enter the program as a PGY-2 (2nd year resident) for the last three years of residency. You will enter the AF as a CAPT, 0-3 as long as you have completed med school. The AF residency is of similar competitiveness to the civilian programs but there are typically only about 4-5 slots a year. To join the AF you must meet their physical fitness standards, a medical screening, and background check. There are wiavers available for a number of medical conditions, etc. 4. If you are a college student, you can apply to med school and then follow the paths mentioned above, you can join the HPSP (healthcare professions scholarship program) and let the AF pay for your school, training, and put some cash in your pockets for living expenses…you might even get a fat bonus depending on the current recruiting campaigns $20,000?? OR you can apply to the Military medical school, USU formerly known as USUHS. The nations medical school founded by congress in the 70's, USU trains doctors for service in the Air Force, Army, Navy, and US public health service. USU is an active duty school similar to the undergraduate military academies (West Point, Annapolis…) except the students are officers not cadets, midshipmen. The students earn officers salary and benefits while attending school and occur a somewhat more substantial service commitment which is irrelevant to the majority of student who go one to serve careers in the military. USU grads form a substantial contingent of the leadership of our nation's military medicine. Hope this helps, good luck. ABOVE ALL, US AIR FORCE!