Let me be the 4th person to say "Yes, it really helps" and add that it helps even more if you are applying to USUHS. At USUHS, the officers (doctors) seemed to be impressed with my leadership experiences... although I was only a reserve Army officer for 5 years, I did really well in Engineer officer basic course, and graduated from Sapper Leader Course (had some great stories to tell there

) and subsequently was accepted to USUHS. Although I ended up choosing DUCOM (the med school formerly known as MCP-Hahnemann), I know that my prior military experience really helped me stand out, both to get an interview, and thereafter.
-ttac
21B