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Military doctor
Last reviewed: 03.07.2025
A military doctor is a person with a higher medical education who has a military rank.
Military doctors have a special neutral position, which was secured for them in 1864 by the Geneva Convention. According to the convention, military doctors are obliged to perform only medical duties, to provide assistance to victims of military actions or armed conflicts without exception.
In the army, military doctors are considered the most important figures. Without this category of soldiers, the army would not be able to exist. The doctor monitors the health of soldiers, provides them with the necessary medical care if necessary.
Duties of a military doctor
A military doctor must have command skills and be able to organize a medical service; the ability to solve problems of providing medical care, both in peacetime and in conditions of armed conflicts or military operations, is also important.
The doctor must monitor the health of military personnel and, if necessary, provide medical assistance or refer them to a specialist.
A doctor is obliged to provide assistance to everyone without exception.
Military doctor surgeon
A military surgeon provides treatment and is responsible for transporting the wounded from the sites of military conflicts.
Modern weapons are capable of causing a high percentage of serious injuries to humans, which leads to some difficulties in the treatment and transportation of victims during military operations.
A military surgeon differs from a civilian surgeon in the methods of treatment in military conflicts. The doctor provides multidisciplinary care, therefore, must be knowledgeable in all areas of surgery.
Modern equipment, which military field hospitals are equipped with, and new surgical technologies allow us to provide qualified assistance to victims and save lives.
New types of weapons are constantly appearing in the world, and military surgery research laboratories are studying the destructive effects of modern weapons and developing new surgical devices that can be used in military field conditions with minimal risk to the life of the victim.
Military doctor dentist
A military dentist organizes medical care and treatment for the wounded with injuries to the maxillofacial region.
During their training, cadets study dental diseases and injuries by observing patients in the clinic. However, future military dentists do not encounter combat injuries, which complicates practical training and mastering program issues.
Military sanitary doctor
A military sanitary doctor supervises the sanitary condition of the troops, preserves their health, eliminates external unfavorable factors, and also controls the quality of food products, which allows to increase the professional capacity of the country's army.
Military veterinarian
A military veterinarian ensures the health of animals in the troops, restores their fitness for service, and ensures control over the supply of meat and livestock products.
How to become a military doctor?
A military doctor is not an easy profession; to become a specialist in this field, you must, first of all, have endurance, military discipline, and extraordinary knowledge. Many military doctors are accustomed to military life from a young age; most graduate from military lyceums before entering a university.
After receiving a high school diploma, a person planning to become a military doctor must enroll in a medical university.
It takes time to prepare a qualified specialist - six years of study, and one or two years of internship. In addition, any doctor must regularly improve his or her qualifications, since medical science does not stand still, and one should be aware of new treatment methods.
The first four years of study can take place at any medical institute, but in the fifth year you should transfer to a military medical faculty (for example, to the St. Petersburg Military Medical Academy).
Military doctors study subjects important to the military in more depth (surgery, radiology, toxicology, field therapy), but the diploma is practically no different from that of a civilian doctor.
The internship of cadets of military medical universities takes place at the place of service; young doctors often have to undergo internship in military conditions, in remote garrisons.
Where do you study to become a military doctor?
A military doctor can complete the first four years of training at any medical university. In the fifth year, it is necessary to apply for transfer to an institute that has a faculty for training military doctors. The most famous are the Kirov St. Petersburg Military Medical Academy, the State Belarusian Medical University, and the Bogomolets National Medical University in Kyiv.
Training of military doctors
Future military doctors are trained at the Faculty of Military Medicine. In their fifth year, cadets study in more depth the subjects necessary for the work of military medical personnel. Young specialists learn to act and provide the necessary medical care in case of gunshot wounds, poisoning with toxic substances, radiation exposure, etc.
After studying the theory, the young military doctor is sent to practice in military units, where for several years, under the guidance of a scientific supervisor, he will learn to apply the knowledge he acquired at the institute in practice, in the conditions of real military service.
Ranks of military doctors
After graduating from the Military Medical Academy or University, a military doctor receives the rank of lieutenant of the medical service.
Military Doctor's Day
The military doctor celebrates his professional holiday together with other medical workers. Medical Worker's Day is celebrated on the third Sunday of June.
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Conscription of doctors for military service
A military doctor, after graduating from a medical academy, is sent to serve under a contract. After the contract expires, one can either extend the term of service or leave the armed forces.
Benefits for military doctors
After 10 years of service, a military doctor has the right to sign up for a waiting list to receive free housing.
Benefits are not provided if the doctor left the service after the end of the first contract, however, if the dismissal was due to layoffs or illness, benefits are retained.
Benefits are earned by military doctors throughout their entire service. After 20 years of service, a doctor has the right to monetary allowance after leaving the armed forces, medical care (including for family members), etc.
Certification of military doctors
A military doctor undergoes mandatory certification, which is an important form of material and moral incentives for personnel. Certification is carried out according to the national nomenclature, taking into account the requirements and characteristics of doctors.
The first certification is held at the military medical university, before receiving a diploma. Cadets who successfully pass the certification receive a diploma of higher complete education in the specialty and a master's degree.
Then, after a certain period of time, doctors undergo certification to assign a qualification category and to confirm the qualification category.
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Salary of a military doctor
In addition to salary, a military doctor receives salary supplements for length of service, for special conditions of military service, etc.
A military doctor is a difficult profession; he is responsible for the medical support of the Armed Forces, including medical and preventive work, anti-epidemiological measures, sanitary and hygienic control, medical supplies, etc.