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Flight Surgeon




The position was co-created by the United States Army and the Surgeon General in the early 1900s, World War I era, underneath the US Army. The original intent was for the military and the Surgeon General to understand why causing 90% of their pilots to crash planes due to disorientation and other physical matters associated with flying.

This position requires additional specialised training. It was created as a distinction from standard medical professionals in the armed forces because of the special, and often higher, minimum standards of fitness and physical requirements required by the extremely high responsibility positions of aviators and ancillary personnel. For example, some routine treatments, such as certain antihistamines, when administered to aviation personnel, are cause for temporary grounding (loss of flying privileges) until the therapy and its effects are completed.

Due to the advanced training and education required to serve as a flight surgeon, many military services award a Flight Surgeon Badge to those so qualified.