Occupational Therapist

U.S. Army Occupational Therapist (65A)

Restore Function. Build Readiness. Lead in Army Medicine.

For a complete understanding of this opportunity, and what will be required to be a successful applicant, read on.

Use your Occupational Therapy expertise to help Soldiers recover, maintain readiness, and return to the activities that matter most.

The U.S. Army is seeking qualified Occupational Therapists to serve as commissioned officers in the Army Medical Specialist Corps. As an Army Occupational Therapist, you will provide patient-centered care while supporting the health, resilience, and readiness of Soldiers, military Families, retirees, and other eligible beneficiaries.

This is an opportunity to combine clinical practice, professional growth, leadership development, and service in a mission-focused healthcare system.

If selected for the position it will require military service in the United States Army or Army Reserve.

Make an Impact

Army Occupational Therapists provide direct patient care, readiness training, wellness education, and injury-prevention support. You will work as part of a multidisciplinary healthcare team and may support patients managing physical injuries, illness, stress-related concerns, functional limitations, and return-to-duty challenges.

Depending on your assignment, you may:

• Develop individualized occupational therapy treatment plans.
• Help patients improve functional independence, physical performance, and quality of life.
• Support recovery and rehabilitation following injury, illness, surgery, or other health conditions.
• Provide wellness education, injury-prevention strategies, and readiness-focused training.
• Help Soldiers and units manage stress and build resilience.
• Collaborate with physicians, physical therapists, behavioral-health professionals, nurses, and other healthcare specialists.
• Mentor healthcare personnel and contribute to clinical quality-improvement initiatives.
• Participate in continuing education, professional military education, and leadership-development opportunities.

Serve Full Time or Part Time

Active Duty: Serve full time as an Army officer while gaining clinical, leadership, and operational experience in Army Medicine.

Army Reserve: Continue supporting your civilian career and community while serving part time in an Army Reserve role, based on available assignments and Army requirements.

Benefits and Professional Opportunities

Eligible Army Occupational Therapists may have access to benefits and opportunities that include:

• Sign-on bonus opportunities for qualified applicants
• Pay based on rank and years of service
• Monthly housing and food allowance
• Medical and Dental benefits for servicemember and their families
• 30 days of paid annual leave
• Retirement benefits
• Professional development and leadership training
• Educational loan repayment program
• Opportunities to serve and support operational and humanitarian missions across the globe

Minimum Qualifications

Applicants should generally:

• Hold a qualifying degree from an accredited Occupational Therapy program.
• Hold NBCOT certification and meet applicable state licensure requirements.
• Be medically and physically qualified for service.
• Be eligible for a security clearance.
• Be between the applicable age limits for the Occupational Therapist officer accession pathway; waivers may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Current public Army materials list the Occupational Therapist officer pathway as generally open to applicants ages 21 to 42, subject to qualification and accession requirements.

Interested in Learning More?

Learn more about becoming a U.S. Army Occupational Therapist at /medicine .

You may also contact Army Healthcare Recruiter Nate Fleshman at 8 to discuss qualifications, component options, current incentives, and available opportunities.