The Defense Authorization Bill of 1991 authorized the secretary
of Defense to “appoint chiropractors as commissioned officers
in the armed forces to provide chiropractic care within the
Military Health System.” However, the bill did not require the
Defense secretary to appoint chiropractors who could administer
care on the front lines.
On February 13, 2008, a concurrent resolution passed the U.S.
House of Representatives urging the Defense secretary to “take
immediate steps to appoint doctors of chiropractic as commissioned
officers in the Armed Forces.” Still, this proclamation
doesn’t have the force of law. But it is hoped that continued
resolutions like this will result in legislation that leads to the
commissioning of chiropractors.
Megan Nye
5th Quarter Florida Campus student , U.S. Navy Reservist and hospital corpsman
After being deployed to Kuwait, Florida Campus
student Megan Nye knows that she is first and
foremost a Navy Reservist. “I continue to try to
balance both my military commitment with my
pursuit of a degree in chiropractic,” she said. “In
fact, I expect to be activated again soon.”
While deployed, Ms. Nye has seen her share of
active duty, usually while carrying 110 pounds of
equipment on her back. For her, it would be very
beneficial if chiropractors could be appointed
as commissioned officers. “A chiropractor in the
field could help alleviate much of the pain and
discomfort and make you better able to do your
job,” she said.
“What I’d love to be is a D.C. and an officer in
the medical corps,” she added. “With a degree in
chiropractic I could take an active role in helping
to integrate chiropractic care into the military.”