ABOUT COMMISSIONING
Students without prior qualifying officer service experience must complete their service-specific orientation program. This typically occurs during June and July before matriculating into the School of Medicine.
During these service specific officer training schools, administrative records are initiated for students entering active duty. Students are provided opportunities to purchase any required uniforms and are instructed in their proper wear. Students also learn basic information about their Service's customs and courtesies, gain an understanding of their responsibilities as an officer, and begin to develop an ésprit de corps. Students who have not previously experienced life in a uniformed service typically find Officer Training Schools educational and challenging, which facilitates a smooth transition to military life.
Students report to the School of Medicine campus after completing their service-specific orientations. The University’s Brigade provides a general orientation in late July and early August. During this time, the administrative requirements for registering students with the university and with their respective services are completed.
Academic orientation occurs in August and provides students with a more detailed overview of the curriculum, along with an introduction to the many educational and supportive resources available to them. Upon completing orientation at the School of Medicine, students formally begin their medical education.
CONTACT INFORMATION
USU COMMISSIONING COORDINATOR
(301) 295-1361 or commissioningcoordinator@usuhs.edu
Army Company Commander
CPT John Garcia, AN, USA
(301) 295-9433 or john.garcia@usuhs.edu
Air Force Company Commander
Lt Col Melinda H. Boyd, USAF, BSC
(301) 295-3280 or melinda.boyd@usuhs.edu
Navy Company Commander
LCDR Jason Spruill, MSOT, MMS, MSC, USN
(301) 295-9434 or jason.spruill@usuhs.edu
USPHS Company Commander
CDR Devin Cooper-Robinson, MD, FACOG, USPHS
(301) 295-3965 or devin.cooper@usuhs.edu
Coast Guard Company Commander
CDR Swati Singh, MD, USPHS, USCG
(301) 295-1602 or swati.singh@usuhs.edu
COMMISSIONING REQUIREMENTS
For questions concerning commissioning requirements, contact commissioningcoordinator@usuhs.edu.
SECURITY
Security Pre‑Screening
All SOM applicants are required to complete a security pre‑screening during the initial interview process. Applicants will receive a DoD SAFE link to upload the required pre‑screening documents. Links to these documents are available on the SOM landing page under the Security section.
Applicants with Existing Clearances
Active‑duty, Guard, and Reserve service members who currently hold a security clearance will be required to complete a Security Disclosure Form. This form will be emailed directly to the applicant by the USU Security Office. Applicants must complete the form and provide either a digital or wet signature before submitting it to the USU Security Department for processing.
Security Investigation Process
Once an applicant commits to enroll at the Uniformed Services University School of Medicine and is unconditionally accepted by the Admissions Team, a security investigation is initiated through National Background Investigation Services (NBIS).
The applicant will receive two system‑generated emails from NBIS:
- One containing the User ID
- One containing the temporary password
The applicant will use these credentials to log into NBIS and complete the Standard Form 86 - Questionnaire for National Security (SF‑86). After submission, the SF‑86 will be paired with the applicant’s electronic fingerprints, which are also required, to begin processing the investigation.
Dual Citizenship
All USU students are required to be United States citizens and demonstrate allegiance to the United States. Applicants with dual citizenship must provide a signed statement indicating their willingness to renounce their non-U.S. citizenship.
As part of the admissions process, we require a written statement of your intent to renounce your dual citizenship if and when required to do so. Please note that each specific military branch will notify incoming students regarding the exact timeline and requirements for the renouncement process.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Medical Screening
When applicants are invited to interview, they must begin the physical clearance process with the Department of War Medical Review Board (DoDMERB). The Department of War uses this process to screen for conditions that may disqualify an individual from military commissioning. All USU applicants must secure a "DoDMERB Qualified" or "DoDMERB Waiver Granted" exam status in order to be eligible to attend the Uniformed Services School of Medicine.
The medical review is generally completed within 4–6 weeks, though the timeline may vary. Please monitor your DoDMERB account regularly and respond promptly to any requests for Additional Medical Information (AMI) or Additional Medical Services (AMS). All status updates will be posted directly to your account.
Additionally, regardless of your service preference, all applicants are required to meet the Army’s height and weight accession standards. If you do not meet these standards at the time of your DoDMERB physical, you will receive a notification with further instructions on how to proceed.
Disqualifying Conditions
Department of War Instruction (DoDI) 6130.03 Volume 1 outlines medical accession standards for military service and lists various potentially disqualifying conditions. While the conditions listed are technically disqualifying, applicants may still be eligible for a medical waiver.
Please note that DoDMERB classifies exams as either "Qualified" or "Awaiting Waiver Review." DoDMERB does not disqualify applicants; if a disqualifying condition is identified, the account status will update to "Awaiting Waiver Review."
If you are interested in pursuing a medical waiver, you must contact the USU Commissioning Coordinator. To initiate the process, notify the coordinator of your intent to pursue a waiver and verify which branch of service should process the request.
Age Requirements
Please be advised that commissioned officers must be at least 18 years of age at the time of matriculation and no older than 36 years of age as of June 30 of the year of matriculation.
If you will be older than 36 years of age by June 30 of your matriculation year, you must receive an age waiver. Our Admissions staff will coordinate and process this waiver request as required.
Fitness
Please be advised that all military members must maintain the weight and fitness standards of their respective service branches and participate in regular fitness testing throughout their time as a student and their military career. Every service member is responsible for ensuring they are physically fit and able to contribute to the mission.
Within the first week of reporting for officer training, trainees are required to take an initial Fitness Assessment. During that 6 week basic course, you will participate in a rigorous, full-body fitness program 5–6 days per week. Additionally, trainees must complete a 5K run and several obstacle courses involving climbing, low-crawling, and jumping.
Fitness regimens should begin prior to acceptance and should include running, biking, or other aerobic activities. Please find additional information regarding service-specific fitness standards below:
Army | Navy | Air Force | Public Health Service
RECEIVING ORDERS
After you have been unconditionally accepted, the Commissioning Coordinator will work with you and your branch of service to prepare for your commissioning, attendance at summer officer training, and to arrange your military relocation (PCS) to the Bethesda area. Once all required commissioning requirements have been met, incoming students will receive orders within 2 weeks of the start of officer training. Delays in processing could result in receiving your orders within days of the start of officer training.
OFFICER TRAINING
Officer training for each service takes place during the summer and lasts 5-6 weeks. It is recommended that you not make any plans during this time. Detailed instructions for officer training will be included in your orders such as: travel, arrival times and dates, items to bring, etc. Incoming students who are not required to attend officer training will report directly to USU per their orders.
CONTACT INFORMATION
ARMY
Army Direct Commission Course (DCC)
Fort Sill, Oklahoma
All civilian and enlisted incoming students
NAVY
Navy Officer Development School (ODS)
Newport, RI
All civilian and enlisted incoming students
AIR FORCE
Officer Training School (OTS)
Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base, AL
All civilian and enlisted incoming students
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
Officer Basic Course (OBC)
Rockville, MD
All incoming students who have not completed OBC without a greater than two year break in service.
SERVICE OBLIGATION
Students commit to serving at least seven years in the uniformed services after graduation and residency. Upon completion of the active duty service obligation, students who served on active duty for less than 10 years after graduation are placed on the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) roster (graduate medical education does not count toward the 10 years). While on the IRR roster, service members are in an inactive reserve status, with no weekends or annual active duty drill requirement; however, they are subject to recall by the President of the United States during times of emergency. The amount of time required on the IRR roster is as follows:
- Active duty service less than 8 years: 6 years on the IRR roster
- Active duty service of more than 8 years, but less than 9: 4 years on the IRR roster
- Active duty service of 9 years or more, but less than 10: 2 years on the IRR roster
- Active duty service of 10 years or more: no requirement to be listed on the IRR roster
Except as law or service policy otherwise prescribed, the IRR obligation is added after all other active duty obligations have been served, including time for USU, ROTC, or the service academies.
The obligation for those serving in the Public Health Service is ten years starting after residency, as the Public Health Service does not have an inactive ready reserve component. However, after having served not less than 7 years of active duty service in the Corps, Public Health Service Officers may request an inter-service transfer to U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force, or U.S. Coast Guard. If the inter-service transfer is approved, these officers may then request to be placed on the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) roster of the applicable military service. If a transfer to the IRR occurs, these officers may complete the remainder of their service obligation on the IRR roster as set forth below:
- Active duty service less than 8 years: 6 years on the IRR roster
- Active duty service of more than 8 years, but less than 9: 4 years on the IRR roster
- Active duty service of 9 years or more, but less than 10: 2 years on the IRR roster
RELEASE NEEDED FOR CURRENT ACTIVE DUTY MEMBERS
Active Duty
All current active duty and reserve service members must submit a Letter of Approval from their commanding officer at the time of application or shortly afterwards.
In addition to the submission of a Letter of Approval at the time of application, all current service members will be required to submit an approved conditional release or contingent resignation as it applies to their current status. This process should be initiated at the time of application or at the latest when an interview is offered.
Reserves
The following forms will need to be completed:
- An endorsement Letter of Release (in memo form) from your commanding officer (who has the authority to release you).
- Fill out DD368. The USU School of Medicine does not require recruiter information (sections 2 and 4), though your command may require it.
- For privacy protection, use your EDIPI for section 1C when completing the DD 368.
Once you have the signed endorsement memo and the DD368 (signed by your Recruiter or Commander), combine these documents and send them to your USU Admissions Counselor
National Guard
The following forms will need to be completed:
- An endorsement Letter of Release (in memo form) from your commanding officer at the time your application is submitted, sent to your USU Admissions Counselor.
- If a conditional offer to attend the USU School of Medicine (SOM) is extended, a completed DD 368 signed by the Adjutant General is required. Fill out DD368. The USU School of Medicine does not require you to fill out the recruiter information (sections 2 and 4). This is determined by your command.
- For privacy protection, use your EDIPI for section 1C when completing the DD 368.
The contact information for each branch of service is listed below.
ENLISTED ACTIVE DUTY
ARMY
Active Component Enlisted Separations Team
usarmy.knox.hrc.mbx.epmd-retirement-separations@mail.mil
NAVY
PERS-832
PERS832ADSEPS@navy.mil
AIR FORCE
HQ AFPC/DPMNP
afpc.dpmnp.physicianeducation@us.af.mil
210-565-2638
RESERVE ENLISTED MEMBERS
ARMY
AGR Separations Team
usarmy.knox.hrc.mbx.epmd-retirement-separations@mail.mil
NAVY
PERS-913
(901) 874-4713
AIR FORCE
HQ AFPC/DPMNP
afpc.dpmnp.physicianeducation@us.af.mil
210-565-2638
OFFICER ACTIVE DUTY
Obligation Currently Owed: Contingent Resignation (LOR)
ARMY
Army HRC- Separations and Retirements
(502) 613-6608
NAVY
PERS-834F
(901) 874-2085/2095 or PERS832ADSEPS@navy.mil
AIR FORCE
HQ AFPC/DPAM
matthew.kush@us.af.mil
End of obligated service prior to matriculation at USU: Letter of Intent (LOI)
ARMY
Army HRC- Separations and Retirements
(502) 613-6608
NAVY
PERS-451O
(901) 874-2085/2095 or resignations.fct@navy.mil
AIR FORCE
HQ AFPC/DPMNP
afpc.dpmnp.physicianeducation@us.af.mil
210-565-2638
RESERVE OFFICER
Contingent Resignation
ARMY
Army HRC- Separations and Retirements
(502) 613-6608
NAVY
PERS-834F
(833) 330-6622
AIR FORCE
HQ AFPC/DPMNP
afpc.dpmnp.physicianeducation@us.af.mil
210-565-2638