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Military Optometrists

Military Career

General Information

Description

Optometrists perform comprehensive eye exams, during which they check patients’ eyes for common eye diseases, assess how their eyes work together as a team, and evaluate their eyes as an indicator of their overall health. They also provide vision correction through vision training, glasses, or contact lenses. They see service members of all ages and stages of vision development and degeneration, and refer patients with eye diseases to ophthalmologists.

Explore this career outside the Military

Work Environment

Optometrists work in clinics and hospitals.

Workplace at a Glance

What you can expect to experience while on the job

  • Responsibility
  • Exposure to job hazards
  • Physical activity
  • Decision making
  • Repetitiveness
  • Level of competition
  • Time pressure
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Military Outlook

Service Branches

Jobs in this career field may be available in other service branches. Call or email a particular branch for more info.

Military Status

  • Officer
    • Managerial/professional
    • College degree required

Military Workforce

Optometrists in the Military

360

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Salary

Salary Information

Median Military Salary This is the median, or the midpoint, of the salary range for this career.

$88,823

Military Salary Range Salary varies based on years of service, degree level, special pays, family status and location. Learn more about Military benefits.

$28,603 - $247,184

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Education

Most Common Education Levels

People in this career achieve this level of education.

  • Doctoral degree 95%
  • First professional degree 4%
  • High school 0%
  • Some college 0%
  • Master's degree 0%
  • Bachelor's degree 0%
  • Associate's degree 0%
  • Post baccalaureate 0%
  • Less than high school 0%
  • Post-doctoral training 0%
  • Post-master's certificate 0%
  • Post-secondary certificate 0%

Military training

Officers typically enter the Military after they have completed a four-year college degree; enlisted service members can transition to officer positions through a variety of pathways and earn a degree while serving. Job training for optometrists primarily consists of classroom instruction and on-the-job learning in various training environments. Like other officers working in healthcare, they complete a comprehensive training program covering responsibilities, orientation to military structure, healthcare and etiquette, traditions, and leadership development.

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Skills at a Glance

Skills helpful in this career

  • Verbal skills
  • Critical thinking & problem solving
  • Equipment operation & maintenance
  • Math & science skills
  • Technology design & control
  • Leadership

Related College Majors

Select major to see colleges that offer it

Knowledge

  • Medicine and Dentistry
  • Customer and Personal Service
  • Biology
  • Therapy and Counseling
  • Education and Training

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