The Army offers well-qualified officers, warrant officers, and enlisted Soldiers an incredible educational opportunity to become a PA through the IPAP located at the Army Medical Department (AMEDD) Center & School, Joint Base San Antonio - Fort Sam Houston, Texas. The Army trains approximately 200 Soldiers a year alongside candidates from the Air Force, Navy, Coast Guard, U.S. Army Reserve, and National Guard. Graduates earn a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree from the University of Nebraska and receive a commission as a 1LT in the Army Medical Specialist Corps. Officer students receive constructive credit for their commissioned service IAW DODI 6000.13.
Graduates must pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE) before they can provide world-class healthcare to our soldiers. Physician Assistants are important members of the AMEDD healthcare team and provide a broad range of medical services traditionally performed by physicians. They are the primary medical provider to Soldiers in battalion and division level units and provide garrison healthcare to Soldiers, family members, and other eligible beneficiaries. The Army PA has served the nation in all conflicts and peacekeeping missions since the Vietnam War.
Qualifications for Army PA
Active Duty
Bachelor’s degree, plus completion of an accredited physician assistant program acceptable to the Army Surgeon General
Certification by the National Commission for Certified Physician Assistants
Eligibility for board certification
Must be between 21 and 42 years of age
Students graduating within six months (with a qualifying degree from a U.S. – accredited school) may apply for active army service
Army Reserve
In addition to the above qualifications, permanent U.S. residency is required for Reserve duty officers.
Must be between 21 and 42 years of age.
Does the Military Have a PA School?
PA training in the army depends on the status of the student. There are different programs and financial aid for civilians, those who are active on duty, and many more. Here are some of the basic things to know about learning army PA service.
Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP) – Air Force and Navy
Eligibility is for civilian students attending a Master’s Physician Assistant program. This is a full-ride academic scholarship, plus a stipend to cover living expenses. The stipend is the same amount regardless of where you live (unlike military housing allowances, which are determined partially by where you live). It also covers books, fees, and some special equipment. You can get a one- or two-year scholarship and you have to be in an MPA program. You must have your letter of acceptance to an MPA program in order to apply. I know there are very few Bachelors’ PA programs out there anymore, but it’s worth noting that the Air Force at least says you need to be in an MPA program. The number of slots per year varies, so it may be more competitive one year than the next.
Health Services Collegiate Program (HSCP) – Navy
Civilian students attending a Master’s Physician Assistant program are eligible for this program. The program places you on active duty with full pay and allowances during the last two years of your MPA program. This includes full medical and dental.
Medical Service Corps In-Service Procurement Program (MSC IPP) – Navy
Current active-duty enlisted in the Navy, grade E5-E9 are eligible for this program. It is a program that provides a transition for current active duty enlisted sailors to pursue PA training, potentially including an early release from your current enlistment contract. The information that I found was a bit vague as to whether this is anything more than a mechanism to get into the IPAP, described below.
Interservice Physician Assistant Program (IPAP) – Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines
Current active duty enlisted personnel are eligible for this. For the Navy, at least, you only need 60 college credits, not a bachelor’s degree, and you will receive a B.S. and M.S. as part of the program. This is a program in which current active-duty personnel can stay on active duty, with full pay and benefits, and attend PA school entirely on the government’s dime. The didactic (classroom) phase of the school is hosted in San Antonio (Fort Sam Houston) and is accredited as an extension of the University of Nebraska, so your degree will say University of Nebraska Medical Center. Clinical rotations occur at military hospitals across the United States, depending on your branch of service. This is a BIG program, with three classes per year, each with 80 students. It is an extremely rigorous program that takes two years. Check out this article to learn more about the interservice PA program.
Length of Army PA Program
The army PA program lengths depend on the one you are doing. Choosing the program that is right for you is vital. All people should check if they meet the requirements needed to be in a particular program before enrolling.
Lending the Nation a Hand
Army PAs have played an immense role over the years in the military. The army will always be in need of PAs and anyone who wants to enroll is welcomed. It is vital to join the program with the right mentality. There is a lot of rigorous training that people are taken through before getting certified. Army PA programs are usually like boot camps and one will have to learn a lot in a short period of time. You are courageous to enter this program and it is possible to get the best out of it if you work hard and smart.
Army PA Resources
Any PA will tell you that to get to the top, you will need the relevant resources. Part of preparedness is to know what is coming. You can learn about the PA life and what you can expect life to be like in the army. It takes a lot of dedication and hard work. You should also expect a lot of fitness training while in the program. The Army PA program is a great opportunity to learn and get disciplined in many aspects of life. It will also give you a number of opportunities that you won’t easily find elsewhere.
