I've created this page to give everyone an idea about what a Surface Force Independent
Duty Corpsman (IDC) is, what the job entails and what it takes to get there.  I'm
halfway through school now so I'll be adding to this page as information comes in.  If
there are any IDCs out there that wish to contribute any information to this page,
please send me an
email.  If anyone has any questions, don't hesitate to ask.
IDC JOB DESCRIPTION

As an IDC, you'll serve as the Medical
Department Representative (MDR) aboard
surface ships, with units of the Fleet
Marine Force (FMF), and at various duty
stations around the globe, often times,
independent of a medical officer.  The IDC
performs patient care and associated
shipboard administrative and logistical
duties.  Diagnostic procedures, advanced
first aid, basic life support, nursing
procedures, minor surgery, basic clinical
laboratory procedures, and other route and
emergency health care is not beyond the
IDCs scope of practice.  Many duty station
require the IDC to conduct and direct
preventive medicine and industrial health
surveillance programs.   Also a teacher, the
IDC provides education to junior medical
and all nonmedical personnel.  When
assigned to shore duty, IDCs serve
primarily as non-physician health care
providers.  
COURSE OUTLINE

The following topics are covered at Surface
Force Independent Duty School, Naval
School of Health Sciences, San Diego:

  • Anatomy and Physiology
  • Physical Diagnosis
  • Clinical Pathology
  • Pharmacy
  • Chemical, Biological, and Nuclear
    Medicine
  • Preventive Medicine
  • Supply
  • Food and Water Sanitation
  • Substance Abuse
  • Personnel and Health Records
    Management
  • Patient Disposition
  • Pest Control
  • Naval and Shipboard Organization
  • Management of Medical and Surgical
    Emergency Dental Conditions
  • Industrial Hygiene
  • Senior Medical Department
    Representative Responsibilities
                            ACE RECOMMENDATIONS

While there is no civilian equivalent to an IDC, there are career plans established through
various universities nation wide.  IDCs typically pursue their education in clinical health
sciences, health care administration and physician assistant studies.  The American Council
on Education (ACE) has evaluated the Independent Duty Corpsman curriculum and
approved a total of 43 semester hours for the course.  The credits assigned are as follows:
Hours
1
4
4
3
3


Hours
5
5
15
3
LOWER DIVISION:

Course                                       
Basic Cardiac Life Support           
Intro. to Clinical Lab Procedures
   Anatomy and Physiology         
      Sanitation and Hygiene         
        Emergency Medical
Procedures          
UPPER DIVISION:
Course  
Pathophysiology
Physical Assessment
Clinical Patient Care Practice
Parmacotherapeutics              
This is not an official U.S. Navy Site

All information used was taken from the following sources:

Naval School of Health Sciences "Independent Duty Corpsman" Information Booklet
Navy Knowledge Online: "
Accomplishing the Mission As A.... 8425 Surface Force Independent Duty Corpsman"
Catalog of Navy Training Courses
                                      PREREQUISITES

1. A minimum of six years active duty and four years in rating. Member must be an E-5 and have
minimum two years in grade. Candidate must be physically qualified for transfer per MANMED
and MILPERSMAN. Course length and exposure to potential health hazard restrict pregnant
service members from eligibility.  Applicants must complete an operational screening per
MILPERSMAN article 1300-800 and found worldwide assignable for potential operational
assignments with the Fleet Marine Force, Forces Afloat, isolated units or units overseas. An
applicant for this program is acknowledging that, upon graduation, he/she will be available for a
utilization tour assignment to billet worldwide.

2.  All applicants who will be eligible for an advancement cycle during this training must have
completed appropriate NAVLEAD course prior to school convening; CIN P-500-0025 for E5,
CIN P-500-20 for E6 and CIN P-500-0021 for E7

3.  Must complete the following Navy E-Learning courses via www.nko.navy.mil:
CBRE Clinicians Course ID NMETC-CBRNE-CC-2.0
Preparing A Standard Naval Letter ID CNET11456
General Administration (GENADMIN) Naval Messages ID 002GN01
Directive Maintenance ID 002DM01
Memorandums ID 002MM01
Office Files ID 002OF01
Must also complete a SICKCALL SCREENER program (BUMEDINST 6550.9 series) or 60
hours documented clinical time in a sick call environment (An LOR from your GMO or IDC
will suffice).

4.  REQUIRED ENCLOSURES TO NAVPERS 1306/7: [1.] Copy of performance evaluations
for the past 3 years. Must include at least one evaluation prepared by applicant's current
command. [2.] Copy of service record pages 3/4 and 5. Page 3/4 should reflect the grade/score of
the required courses with a grade of "C" or better/score or not less than 3.0. [3.] Candidates shall
not have a record of conviction by any court-martial or non-judicial punishment (NJP) during
the 18 months preceding assignment to school. Waivers for NJP should be submitted to the HM
Enlisted Community Manager (PERS 4011D13). Any civilian criminal court convictions,
court-martial convictions or NJP between time of selection for school and date of class
convening could be disqualifying. PERS 4011D13 must be notified immediately and candidate
will be made available for orders if appropriate. [4.] Copy of individual's PRIMS report.
Candidates shall not have failed their most recent PFA or 2 of the last 4 PFA's preceding
assignment to school; must report for training within BCA standards. Any PFA failure between
time of selection for school and date of class convening could be disqualifying. The Enlisted
Community Ma
nager (PERS 4011D13) and Enlisted Detailer (PERS 407) must be notified immediately and
candidate will be made available for orders if appropriate.

5.  REQUIRED ENCLOSURES TO NAVPERS 1306/7 (continued): [7.] Current periodic
medical examination (SF-88/93) with required enclosures per MANMED. This shall include a Sea
Duty / Overseas screening. Any change in health status from the time of screening to transfer
date that jeopardizes deployability or world-wide assignability requires an additional evaluation
prior to transfer to training. [8.] A certified copy of a Certificate of Clearance, OPNAV Form
5220/20, a National Agency
Check (ENTNAC) is acceptable. If the applicant's service record contains no evidence of
previous security clearance or a certificate of clearance, a request for a National Agency Check
must be initiated per current regulations and attached. All required documents must be complete,
accurate and signed. After the word "SECRET" type/agency/date should be indicated.

6.  REQUIRED Enclosures to NAVPERS 1306/7, continued: [5.] An interview with and letter
of recommendation from an Independent Duty Corpsman is REQUIRED. If an IDC is not
available, contact the SFIDC Program Director at NSHS San Diego for assistance. Use the
Surface Force IDC School Candidate Screening and Interview form found on NKO at the NSHS
SD IDC site. [6.] Commanding Officers are responsible to verify all information. The
Commanding Officer's endorsement must address the applicant's technical or professional
competence, demonstrated or potential leadership ability, general attitudes and motivation, and
assessment of worldwide assignability.


        ALL THIS INFORMATION COMES FROM THE                         
CURRENT CANTRAC.  DO NOT CONSIDER THESE  "SET IN              
      STONE" PREREQUISITES."  IF YOU'RE THINKING ABOUT           
     PUTTING IN YOUR PACKAGE, MAKE SURE YOU CHECK THE     
                                               CURRENT CANTRAC.