Public Health
ELIGIBILITY
• Must possess a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) with a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree emphasizing public health, epidemiology, communicable diseases, or occupational health from a college recognized by the Surgeon General, HQ United States Air Force (USAF). In unique cases, HQ USAF/SG may waive the requirement for a DVM or BSN if the applicant has a MPH degree with emphasis in environmental health, occupational medicine and epidemiology.
• Be a United States citizen.
• Be in good physical condition.
• Be of high moral character.
• Be able to meet current age requirements for commissioning.
ASSIGNMENT
Public Health Officers are assigned to selected Air National Guard medical squadrons. They use epidemiology based methods to provide Air National Guard members with information to make informed health decisions. Public Health Officers apply preventive medicine and public health knowledge, techniques and skills to minimize the incidence - and impact on mission effectiveness - of communicable diseases occupational illnesses, foodborne diseases and other disease-nonbattle injuries.
PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS
Air National Guard medical units meet one weekend each month. In addition, members are required to perform, at a minimum, 15 days of paid active duty each year designated as annual training. However, Commanders have some scheduling flexibility, especially for medical students. Your monthly, and annual training may be performed in various time combinations, and at various locations, including Air Force medical installations throughout the United States. Medical students in this program are not subject to mobilization.
TRAINING
All newly commissioned medical officers are required to attend the Air Force Commissioned Officers Training Course (COT) at Gunter Air Force Station in Montgomery, Alabama for 4 weeks and 3 days. This course is designed to teach you about the military and what it means to be an officer in the United States Air Force, and a leader in today's Air National Guard. All Public Health Officers must attend the Air Force Public Health Officer Basic Course at Brooks Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. This is a 13-week graduate course dealing with public health issues and Air Force policy and procedures.
MILITARY GRADE
Your military rank is determined by a combination of your education, training and experience.
MILITARY PAY
A combination of your rank and length of any prior military service will determine your pay.
