{"id":1740,"date":"2020-05-29T17:54:33","date_gmt":"2020-05-29T17:54:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lsom.uthscsa.edu\/psychiatry\/?page_id=1740"},"modified":"2026-06-11T16:20:31","modified_gmt":"2026-06-11T21:20:31","slug":"gprp-cafp","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/lsom.uthscsa.edu\/psychiatry\/education\/residency\/general-psychiatry\/gprp-cafp\/","title":{"rendered":"Combined Air Force and Civilian Program"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Home<\/a><\/span><\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”2\/3″][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

Overview<\/h2>\n

UT San Antonio psychiatry residency is highly unique as one of only two programs in the United States that is integrated with military psychiatry training.\u00a0 As such, the program offers a diverse, exceptional, multi-faceted educational experience, creating psychiatrists who can practice competently in a wide variety of systems ranging from civilian community practice to the VA Healthcare system and the active duty military environment.<\/p>\n

\"\"History<\/h2>\n

San Antonio has earned the moniker \u201cMilitary City USA\u201d and is considered a hub of military medicine. Beginning in the 1990s, an extensive restructuring of the Military Health System and the training of military physicians began. By 1997, the Air Force had partnered with UTHSA to create a combined Air Force and civilian psychiatry residency program. UTHSA assumed directorship, administrative, and accreditation responsibilities for the training of active duty Air Force residents, while the Air Force continued to fund the residents\u2019 training and provide additional clinical sites for both Air Force and civilian residents.<\/p>\n

Culture of the Program<\/h2>\n

UT San Antonio is one of the largest psychiatry residency programs in the United States. The program is comprised of 50% civilian and 50% active duty Air Force residents, and is completely combined in all aspects of training and education. Civilian and military residents work side by side at each of the core clinical sites. \u00a0The singular program is comprised of residents from both backgrounds, but all are UT San Antonio residents.<\/p>\n

\"\"Benefits of a Combined Program<\/h2>\n

For Military:<\/h3>\n

The program allows Air Force residents to receive outstanding psychiatry training, while ensuring military knowledge and acculturation are not neglected. From their experiences at military clinical sites, Air Force residents are fully prepared upon graduation from residency to be stationed anywhere in the world, supporting the operational mission of the US Air Force.\u00a0 From their experiences at community and VA clinical sites, they also become fully competent in the management of chronic and severe mental illnesses and substance use disorders\u2014conditions that are not as commonly seen within the military population.<\/p>\n

For Civilians:<\/h3>\n

The opportunity to care for active duty service members provides civilian residents with unique insight into military culture and \u201cmilitary life,\u201d as well as a more thorough understanding of the veteran population. With more than 2 million active duty\/reservist military personnel and over 18 million veterans currently residing in the United States, the likelihood is high that civilian graduates will work with military members\/veterans at some point during their career. Thus, expertise gained in treating this population during residency is truly invaluable. Additionally, it opens doors and creates job opportunities after residency in either the VA or DOD system.<\/p>\n

Unique Aspects for Military Residents<\/h2>\n

Air Force residents are on active duty status during residency and are expected to meet military standards for physical fitness, dress, appearance, and behavior. They receive military officer salary and benefits. In addition, other unique training opportunities and benefits are available to Air Force residents, including but not limited to:<\/p>\n

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