Physical Therapy
Physical Therapy
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I've thought about going through a program with the Navy to become a Naval officer specializing in physical therapy but I just don't think I'd enjoy the Navy as much as the Marine Corps. Can anyone explain to me that process? And to those who have served in the Marine Corps and the Navy, can you explain the transition and which branch you preferred more? I definitely enjoy being in the Marine Corps so I really want to enjoy the Navy as much if I were to go that route
Enlisted-to-Officer
Physical Therapist
65B: Physical Therapy
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 15
Suspended Profile
CPL, keep in mind that as a medical professional in the Navy, you can be assigned to the FMF. The USMC does not have medical professionals. IF you get your DPT degree, and join the Navy Medical Service Corps, you can request FMF assignment. No reason you can't be stationed at Camp Pendelton or Lejuene, at the BMC doing PT there... Many medical types don't want FMF duty, because it's harder duty. So if your heart is pulling you become a PT, get your BS, get into a DPT program, and charge on...
Semper FI!
Semper FI!
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Sgt (Join to see), Great question. This scenario ALMOST happened to my wife... but almost. She was a PO2, (Cryptology). She was considering going Marine Corps. However, the Corps could not guarantee her continued growth in her field. So, she stayed Navy. Bottom line: Get it in writing! If you don't have an MOS-guarantee, you may find yourself in a pipeline that doesn't suit your talents & interests. She was able to secure a contract outlining continued growth in the Crypto/Intel fields... but, she had to stay in the Navy to do so.
At the end of the day, I'm a horrible recruiter for the Corps. I'm usually too honest. But, the leadership styles required of a Naval Officer v. a Marine Officer are basically the same: You'll be commanding our nation's finest (with a handful of sh**birds). You'll be expected to be technically & tactically proficient. And you'll likely love your job. You get to be a Marine for the rest of your life... even if you "turn blue."
In general, the Naval officers are very technically focused. I'd say Naval officers are very tight within their respective communities (aviation, subs, surface, medical, etc.) Marine officers are focused to 1.) either being a gun-slinger, or 2.) supporting the missions of the gun-slingers.
If you're looking at roads to commissioning, the Corps has plenty: Naval Academy, NROTC, OCS, PLC, and some that I probably forgot (or don't know) about. Hopefully, a Navy mustang will chime in to list the Navy's paths. Either way, figure out if you want to go Marine or Navy. All ahead full, to your commission!
At the end of the day, I'm a horrible recruiter for the Corps. I'm usually too honest. But, the leadership styles required of a Naval Officer v. a Marine Officer are basically the same: You'll be commanding our nation's finest (with a handful of sh**birds). You'll be expected to be technically & tactically proficient. And you'll likely love your job. You get to be a Marine for the rest of your life... even if you "turn blue."
In general, the Naval officers are very technically focused. I'd say Naval officers are very tight within their respective communities (aviation, subs, surface, medical, etc.) Marine officers are focused to 1.) either being a gun-slinger, or 2.) supporting the missions of the gun-slingers.
If you're looking at roads to commissioning, the Corps has plenty: Naval Academy, NROTC, OCS, PLC, and some that I probably forgot (or don't know) about. Hopefully, a Navy mustang will chime in to list the Navy's paths. Either way, figure out if you want to go Marine or Navy. All ahead full, to your commission!
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Cpl Sherman
I was prior Navy enlisted. Once I decided I wanted to become a PT I got off active duty, went reserves, and attended under grad studies. As stated elsewhere, GPA 3.7 or higher is a norm to even get a nod for invitation to a PT program. PT schools are very competitive accepting anywhere 1 out of 6-10 applicants. Once accepted you have a 3-year intense PT program, 8-hour school days everyday unlike normal college courses. My initial undergrad PT degree, BSPT, was 240 semester hours completed in 2-years. My DPT wasn't easy as well. So, IF the Navy is willing to pay for undergrad and/or PT school it's not a done deal until you get accepted. There is one military school (Army Baylor) in San Antonio, run by the Army with seats for all 4 branches that have PTs - Army, Navy, Air Force, Public Health Service....very few seats for each service and very competitive to get in and the best part is your still active duty at current rank while in school.
Now as to inter service transfer I too have done this. Upon graduating from PT school I went back on active duty with the Air Force. After serving nearly 17-years Navy enlisted I wanted something new and the opportunity to be stationed overseas, no more ship board duty ( some carriers have PTs) . I served over 5-years in the Air Force then did an inter-service transfer to the Public Health Service looking for bigger challenges. It took me 9-months to complete the transfer and it was a great move. The PHS offers so many more career choices than either the Navy or Air Force did. As a PHS officer and PT you can return to the Navy, Air Force or Army PT clinics and to the Coast Guard medical clinics to work if you so wish, any branch all the time your a PHS officer. As a PHS officer you can work in many more career areas inside and outside of medicine, such as Liasion Officer in Africa or Canada or USNorthcom/NORAD. You can be assigned to the Pentagon, we even had a PT that was assigned to the office of the Vice President, CIA, FDA, etc.
Long story short, simply is with a DPT degree you can open many military doors and many more when you retire. If you have your heart set on being a Marine then PT probably isn't for you.
Wish you the best!!
I was prior Navy enlisted. Once I decided I wanted to become a PT I got off active duty, went reserves, and attended under grad studies. As stated elsewhere, GPA 3.7 or higher is a norm to even get a nod for invitation to a PT program. PT schools are very competitive accepting anywhere 1 out of 6-10 applicants. Once accepted you have a 3-year intense PT program, 8-hour school days everyday unlike normal college courses. My initial undergrad PT degree, BSPT, was 240 semester hours completed in 2-years. My DPT wasn't easy as well. So, IF the Navy is willing to pay for undergrad and/or PT school it's not a done deal until you get accepted. There is one military school (Army Baylor) in San Antonio, run by the Army with seats for all 4 branches that have PTs - Army, Navy, Air Force, Public Health Service....very few seats for each service and very competitive to get in and the best part is your still active duty at current rank while in school.
Now as to inter service transfer I too have done this. Upon graduating from PT school I went back on active duty with the Air Force. After serving nearly 17-years Navy enlisted I wanted something new and the opportunity to be stationed overseas, no more ship board duty ( some carriers have PTs) . I served over 5-years in the Air Force then did an inter-service transfer to the Public Health Service looking for bigger challenges. It took me 9-months to complete the transfer and it was a great move. The PHS offers so many more career choices than either the Navy or Air Force did. As a PHS officer and PT you can return to the Navy, Air Force or Army PT clinics and to the Coast Guard medical clinics to work if you so wish, any branch all the time your a PHS officer. As a PHS officer you can work in many more career areas inside and outside of medicine, such as Liasion Officer in Africa or Canada or USNorthcom/NORAD. You can be assigned to the Pentagon, we even had a PT that was assigned to the office of the Vice President, CIA, FDA, etc.
Long story short, simply is with a DPT degree you can open many military doors and many more when you retire. If you have your heart set on being a Marine then PT probably isn't for you.
Wish you the best!!
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CDR Terry Boles
Correction: Army Baylor PT program you will be in active duty with current officer rank or as 2Lt with a required bachelors degree for admission. Upon graduation based on your choice of branch of service you will be promoted to 0-3, Army as 0-2 with shirt lapse of time to promotion to 0-3.
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1LT (Join to see)
I know this is an old post. but just out of curiosity, when you transferred to the USAF and commissioned. what rank did you enter as? Did they give you a higher rank because of your prior service or for having a doctorate degree?
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CDR Terry Boles
SSG Broadhead
As a new DPT grad you will commission as an 0-3. If you work out in town for any length of time before commissioning they will give you some time-in-grade as well.
Wish you the best....
As a new DPT grad you will commission as an 0-3. If you work out in town for any length of time before commissioning they will give you some time-in-grade as well.
Wish you the best....
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