Overview of the military orthopaedic surgery residency application and selection process

The military offers eight Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education-accredited orthopaedic surgery programs with 33 total positions. The Army has 19 orthopedic surgery residency positions and averaged 1.47 applicants per position from 2007 to 2011. Applicants most commonly become eligible for military orthopaedic surgery residency through attendance of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences or participation in the Health Professions Scholarship Program. The Military Operational Data System begins registration on July 1st of the preceding year and is used to match all applicants. The ranking and selection of applicants from medical school is based 50% upon objective criteria regarding the applicant's medical school performance and 50% on the applicant's potential for successful practice as an orthopaedic surgeon. Medical school performance data examined include medical school transcript, Dean's letter, and United States Medical Licensing Examination steps I and II/Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination of the United Sates I and II scores. Determination of an applicant's potential is based upon letters of recommendation, personal interviews, and most importantly the applicant's performance on military orthopaedic surgery clinical clerkships. Applicants who have completed an internship are similarly scored with points awarded for internship and operational tour performance.