Medical Careers in Starfleet

[SpyOne]

Re:McCoy
It's possible that Starfleet, like the current US military, allows some people with experience to enter at a higher rank.
There recently was a story in the paper about a man who just joined the Navy and after being sworn in he was a full Commander because he is a cardiac surgeon with decades of experience.
So perhaps Leonard McCoy MD had enough experience that Starfleet let him join at a higher rank than normal.

Re:Troi's title.
This one gets a little weird, IMO.
It really seems like the title "Counselor" and the position "Ship's Counselor" might be seperate things. Or related, overlapping, but not the same.
The way "Counselor" is used to address Troi directly and when someone refers to her professionally it is always included ("Counselor Troi") suggests it is a title like Doctor.
Perhaps 300 years in the future they have decided that psychiatrists should have a separate title from other MDs.
... But that MDs and PhDs should all still be called "Doctor".
Okay, that makes no sense so it probably isn't right.

But nobody else is routinely addressed by their job title (except maybe "Captains"), so ... there should be a reason.

What I'm saying, I guess, is that the evidence suggests that "Counselor" is a title that Troi has earned, not just the name of her job. But how she earned it and what it means are things we have very little evidence for.

 

[Sgt_G]

I recall seeing something someplace that said medical doctors skip two grades and start as Lieutenant O-3 (Captain in Army/USAF), and nurses start as Lieutenant-JG O-2 (First Lieutenant in Army/USAF).

 

[fireproof78]

I recall seeing something someplace that said medical doctors skip two grades and start as Lieutenant O-3 (Captain in Army/USAF), and nurses start as Lieutenant-JG O-2 (First Lieutenant in Army/USAF).

I've heard similarly and it is usually based upon their degree earned/

 

[J.T.B.]

Back in the old days when the medical officer's rank was simply "surgeon," its status was set as equivalent to Navy lieutenant or army captain, and that is still generally the case for entry-level MDs. The O-1 and O-2 grades are usually used for medical students or officers in training programs. BSN-degree nurses will enter as ensign/2nd lieutenant unless they have considerable work experience.

As I understand it, there is no set formula in the US services entry of medical professionals with more experience, their CV is evaluated by a board of medical officers and they decide what rank to offer. Physicians who have completed residency start at O-4 minimum, though.

 

[cokekoalas]

I appreciate your insights into the ranks and entry levels for medical professionals in Starfleet. It's always intriguing to learn about the unique structure of organizations like these.

 

[Gavinmnt]

Thanks for shedding light on the ranks and entry levels for medical professionals. It's always fascinating to learn about the unique structure in organizations like these.