Is there any possibility of being a military PT without going to Army-Baylor DPT Program?

[kellerac]

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I'm currently a first year PT student at (you guess it) a different school than the Army-Baylor DPT program. I'm wondering if there are any opportunities to practice physical therapy in the military (any branch) as a civilian PT.

Thanks.

 

[truthseeker]

When I was in PT school at a civilian program, we were recruited by the Air Force. I didn't sign up but if I had, I would be retired by now.

I think it is possible.

 

[scrawnyguy]

I think I'm just a bit confused by the wording. Are you at a civilian program now and want to be a military PT (a servicemember) or do you want to work for the military as a civilian? A good number of the PTs working at military clinics are actually civilians. Some are full government employees (GS system), while others are contractors.

 

[scrawnyguy]

This popped up in my Facebook feed today. It should give you an idea of some of the opportunities for civilian PTs who want to work in a military setting:

USAJOBS - Search

 

[tcpt]

I'm currently a first year PT student at (you guess it) a different school than the Army-Baylor DPT program. I'm wondering if there are any opportunities to practice physical therapy in the military (any branch) as a civilian PT.

Thanks.

Yes! many PTs work in military treatment facilities (MTFs) as contractors or government civilians.

 

[cjc374]

Yes! many PTs work in military treatment facilities (MTFs) as contractors or government civilians.

If you work for them as a government employee, do you get your loans paid off? Or do you have to enlist as an officer to get your loans paid off? I hope that’s not too confusing

 

[deleted480308]

If you work for them as a government employee, do you get your loans paid off? Or do you have to enlist as an officer to get your loans paid off? I hope that’s not too confusing

Every entity has different things, the VA has some loan repayment and you can work for them as a civilian. The civilian dept of the army also hires civilian support staff

 

[Minion2410]

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[tcpt]

If you work for them as a government employee, do you get your loans paid off? Or do you have to enlist as an officer to get your loans paid off? I hope that’s not too confusing

First, PTs do not "enlist" in the military. PTs are commissioned as officers, enlisted personnel are "enlisted." This distinction is important because if you walk into a recruiting station and announce, "I would like to ENLIST," a recruiter would be happy to oblige you 😉. Alternatively, if you stated that "I am a physical therapist and would like to discuss commissioning programs for qualified healthcare personnel, please get me to the right recruiter!" then you're in a very different office. Next, following PT school, those that have loans may be able to enter the military service and may be eligible to receive loan repayment options as a term of their service contract. This deal is made with a recruiter who handles the entry of qualified medical personnel (MDs, Nurses, PTs, etc) who already are licensed and practicing. Subsequent to their commissioning, these individuals are on active duty in the military. They may receive a lump sum repayment upon entry, or some other form of reimbursement that can be directed to pre-existing student loans from graduate school.

I do not believe that PTs who are employed as government civilians (GS) receive loan repayment options upon their hiring.