JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. –
Last week, January 23-27, was Biomedical Sciences Corps Appreciation Week in the United States Air Force.
The Biomedical Science Corps, founded on Jan. 28, 1965, spans multiple commands and staffs and includes numerous research and clinical positions. It had formerly been known as the Sanitary Corps and Allied Health Professions.
The BSC is now composed of 13 medical career fields including optometry, public health, physical therapy, bioenvironmental engineering, pharmacy and biomedical laboratory. With more than 2,400 officers, 5,800 enlisted members, and 1,000 civilians, it is one of the most diverse groups in the Air Force Medical Service.
“The uniqueness of the Biomedical Sciences Corps is that our impact is literally experienced across the entire mission,” said Lt. Col. Cliff Souder, 316th Medical Squadron operational medicine flight commander.
Together, both Joint Base Andrews and Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling in Washington, D.C., see a combined total of approximately 100,000 patients a year in BSC related fields.
“We see active duty, retirees [and] dependents,” said Lt. Col. Rohin Kasudia, 316th Medical Squadron diagnostics and therapeutics flight commander. “They can go to any pharmacy or lab to be seen.”
The BSC also prepares Airmen and other service members for deployments by assisting with their medical readiness. The BSC plays an integral role in implementing the Medic-X and tactical combat casualty care courses, supporting the Air Force’s vision for leaner deployments and capitalizing on the multi-capable Airmen concept.
“The beginning phases of preparing people to go downrange [and] all of the individual medical readiness functions [of] BSC are sort of like the bread and butter of how those things get done,” said Souder.
Throughout the week, there were multiple events to showcase appreciation for those in BSC fields. There was a breakfast and video call with Col. Brent Johnson, BSC chief, to talk about career development and mentoring. The week ended with a visit to the Capitol Building in Washington D.C. to showcase where the decisions are made for the BSC and a discussion on how to execute and grow as a force.