Recruitment of Physicians for the Active Army, 1975-1980

The Army Medical Department method of procuring physicians is examined from several aspects: (1) an historical review of physician procurement during the 1940-1973 draft period with an expiration of draft dependent programs; (2) the Army procurement plan as a forecast of anticipated requirements and the need for volunteer physicians to offset the loss of the draft and draft-motivated programs; (3) the current Army procurement system and its supporting assets including the personnel counselor system and contract advertising capabilities; and, (4) comparison of physician procurement techniques used by military and civilian recruitment agencies. Several conclusions are drawn after examining the history of physician procurement, the current national situation regarding physician manpower, and the projected needs of the Army coupled with available assets that can be devoted to procurement. The Army is forced to compete for physicians. It has a relatively well-developed and supported procurement effort dedicated to scholarship and medical student programs, but not to the qualified volunteer physician. Army Medical Department conservatism and sensitivity to any criticism directed toward recruitment efforts has inhibited the use of available assets to include common commercial advertising techniques. Stress is placed on the potential for increased procurement performance if available assets are effectively used.