Physical therapy began in the military with the treatment of war wounded service men during World War I. Due to the demand for rehabilitative services, the Army Medical Department recognized the need for a formalized physical therapy education during the early 1920s and began training at Walter Reed General Hospital. The students were civilians and worked as civilians in military hospitals after graduation. In 1942, physical therapists were granted relative military rank and graduates could apply for commissions upon completion of the program. World War II increased the need for therapists and new programs were started at Fort Sam Houston, TX; Hot Springs, AK; Brigham City, UT; and White Sulphur Springs, WV.14
Following WWII, the need for therapists declined and the training of new therapists stopped. In 1947 physical therapists on active duty were assigned to the newly established Women’s Medical Specialist Corps (WMSC). The Army’s training program was reestablished in 1948 and trainees were commissioned as second lieutenants. The program moved to its current location at Fort Sam Houston, TX. In 1955, men were allowed into the Corps and the name was changed to the Army Medical Specialist Corps (AMSC). The program partnered with Baylor University in 1971 to become a master’s degree training program. As a result of the shortage of orthopedic surgeons after the Vietnam War and their demonstrated performance, Army physical therapists took on a new role as physician extenders. As a physician extender, physical therapists are credentialed to evaluate and treat patients with neuromusculoskeletal conditions without physician referral. Since then, Army physical therapists have been providing expert musculoskeletal care and rehabilitative services to all beneficiaries in multiple care settings.15
Today, graduates of the Army-Baylor Program receive their doctor of physical therapy degree. The Army-Baylor program primarily educates physical therapists for the Army but has a small number of seats for Air Force, Navy, and /or Public Health Service. Students in this program are on active duty with their respective branch of military service while in the program and are obligated to 51 months for Army students and 60 months for Air Force students following graduation as a payback for their education and training.
In addition to the US Army / Baylor University Entry Level Doctoral Program in Physical Therapy, the Army sponsors some post-graduate level education in select fields on a competitive basis. Graduates of post-graduate level training are obligated to serve additional time following graduation as a payback for their advanced education. Although there are currently no special incentive programs for officers assessed directly from the civilian sector, once on active duty they can compete for advanced training opportunities.