Coast Guard Officer Career Development

Health Services
The Health Services program supports Coast Guard missions by providing quality health care to maintain a fit, healthy active duty corps and meets dependents' and retirees' health care needs to the maximum extent permitted by law and resources.

Health Services is a unique field because most of its officers come to the Coast Guard from the United States Public Health Services (USPHS).

The Health Services program is made up of three categories of officers:

• USPHS Officers (OBC 90-99)—These are the doctors, dentists, physician assistants, pharmacists and environmental or occupational health specialists who wear the Coast Guard uniform. USPHS officers are not promoted from the ADPL.
• Medical Administration Officers (OBC 19)—These can be CWOs or regular officers in medical administration billets.
• Physician Assistants (PA) (OBC 18)—These are CWOs or temporary or regular officers who have completed the prescribed medical training and are certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants.

Advanced Education and Specialization Opportunities
Educational opportunities are available for chief warrant officers to earn a Bachelor’s or Master’s in Medical Administration while regular officers can complete a Masters in Medical Administration through the advanced education program. The PA program, available to all enlisted personnel, consists of two years under the Inter-Service PA program of the U.S. Air Force. Graduates receive a BS degree from the University of Nebraska and a commission as a Coast Guard ensign.

The Coast Guard Officer Career Guidebook contains a detailed list of Advanced Education Opportunities.