Happy Veteran's Day
This Veteran’s Day let us take a moment to reflect on military medicine and the call to service that many of our students and alumni have taken. Let’s not forget that Osteopathy was born in battle. Dr. Still himself was a surgeon in the Union Army during the Civil War, and it was after his military service that he developed the philosophy and path forward for Osteopathic medicine.1
Military service has been a longstanding tradition for UNECOM. Over the past two decades, over two-hundred of our graduating DOs had a military scholarship. This adds up to nearly 10% of students from each class. We currently have 29 students on military scholarships, 12 of which are in the Army, 9 are in the Air Force, and 8 are in the Navy. We have alumni serving as officers in all three services across the World.
Most of our military students commission into the military through the Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP). This program covers tuition, a monthly living stipend, and reimbursement for required books, equipment, and supplies. During the first or second year of medical school, students attend officer basic training which varies in length depending on the branch of service. They also get funding for two rotations at military hospitals during their fourth year. When military students graduate from medical school they are promoted to the rank of O-3 (Captain in the Army and Air Force, and Lieutenant in the Navy).
About the Authors:
MAJ Tyler Raymond DO, MPH, FAAFP is a family physician and graduate of UNE COM Class of 2011 who currently serves in the U.S. Army Reserves. After completing residency at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, he was a flight surgeon while on active duty. He is currently faculty for Madigan Army Medical Center Family Medicine Residency and Assistant Professor for the Uniformed Services University School of Medicine.
2LT Emily George, OMS-III was the 2020-21 President of the Association of Military Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons/Government Service Physicians. She is currently on her third-year rotations.
Photos courtesy of MAJ Tyler Raymond, DO '11