What are AQDs and How Do You Get Them?

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Additional Qualification Designation Codes or AQDs are 3 letter codes that:

  1. Identify special skills required by a billet.
  2. Identify a qualification awarded to an officer for serving in a specially coded billet.

In other words, they are tools used by Navy Personnel Command (PERS) to assign officers to billets.

They also serve another purpose, though, because they feed the “Special Qualifications” section in the lower left of your Officer Summary Record (OSR), which is seen by promotion boards.  (This section is noted the the lower left circle on this fabricated OSR.)  This is why officers try to get as many AQDs as they can.  The more things are in your Special Qualifications section, the better it looks to a promotion board.  (That said, I have to tell you that some officers can get a little carried away with AQDs.  Get as many as you can that make sense for your specialty and career, but don’t chase AQDs because you think they’ll get you promoted.  AQDs, in general, don’t get you promoted.  Competitive EP fitreps do.)

The full list of AQDs can be found here, and the list of medical AQDs can be found here, but I think a very useful list to have would be a list of all the AQDs that any physician can get irrespective of their specialty.  That list is below, and if you qualify for any of them you’ll have to send your Detailer the proof that you qualify in order to get them added to your record.

What’s the bottom line?  To make sure you have all the AQDs you can get, you have to do 4 things:

  1. Review the chart below and see which general AQDs you qualify for.
  2. Review the AQDs for your specialty in this document.
  3. If you had a prior career before you became a Medical Corps officer of any kind, you’re stuck reviewing the complete list of AQDs and seeing if there are any you qualify for that weren’t covered by #1 or #2 above.
  4. For any AQDs you qualify for, you send your Detailer the 3 letter code, the year you qualified, and the proof that you qualify (usually scanned copies of fitreps, certificates, etc.).
CODE TITLE CRITERIA TO GET IT
BT1 Parachutist, Static-line Qualified Qualified IAW MILPERSMAN 1220-030.
BT2 Parachutist, Freefall Qualified Qualified IAW MILPERSMAN 1220-030.
BX2 Fleet Marine Force Warfare Officer Qualified IAW current fleet instructions and SECNAVINST 1412.10.
BX3 Expeditionary Warfare Successfully completed at least 18 months in an operational expeditionary warfare billet within the Navy Expeditionary Combat Command Force.
JS7 Joint Professional Military Education (JPME) Phase I Successfully completed JPME Phase I from schools defined by the Joint Staff:

(a) Naval War College for classes commencing March 1989 and beyond (to include the Distance Learning, Non- Resident curriculum), OR

(b) Other service colleges for classes commending August 1989 and beyond (to include the Distance Learning, Non- Resident curriculum), OR

(c) Selected Foreign War Colleges, OR

(d) Selected Fellowship programs.
JS8 JPME Phase II Successfully completed JPME Phase II from schools defined by the Joint Staff:

(a) Joint Forces Staff College, Joint & Combined Warfighting School, OR

(b) Senior Level Service War Colleges.
J1M Joint Staff Medical Successfully completed assignment to an Individual Augmentation (Interservice Interagency Coalition) for a minimum period of 6 months.
J2M Multinational HQ Medical Successfully completed assignment to an Individual Augmentation (Interservice Interagency Coalition) for a minimum period of 6 months.
J3M Combatant Commander Level Medical Successfully completed assignment to an Individual Augmentation (Interservice Interagency Coalition) for a minimum period of 6 months.
J4M Fleet/Division Staff Medical Successfully completed assignment to an Individual Augmentation (Interservice Interagency Coalition) for a minimum period of 6 months.
J5M Joint Task Force Medical Successfully completed assignment to an Individual Augmentation (Interservice Interagency Coalition) for a minimum period of 6 months.
J6M Other Medical Successfully completed assignment to an Individual Augmentation (Interservice Interagency Coalition) for a minimum period of 6 months.
LA7 Qualified Medical Department Officer who has qualified
as a Surface Warfare Medical Department Officer IAW OPNAVINST 1412.8.
U1M Joint Staff Medical Successfully completed assignment to an Individual Augmentation (Intra Service) for a minimum period of 6 months.
U2M Multinational HQ Medical Successfully completed assignment to an Individual Augmentation (Intra Service) for a minimum period of 6 months.
U3M Combatant Commander Level Medical Successfully completed assignment to an Individual Augmentation (Intra Service) for a minimum period of 6 months.
U4M Fleet/Division Staff Medical Successfully completed assignment to an Individual Augmentation (Intra Service) for a minimum period of 6 months.
U5M Joint Task Force Medical Successfully completed assignment to an Individual Augmentation (Intra Service) for a minimum period of 6 months.
U6M Other Medical Successfully completed assignment to an Individual Augmentation (Intra Service) for a minimum period of 6 months.
233 White House Fellowship Participant in White House Fellowship Program.
2C1 Continuous Process Improvement (CPI) Green Belt Certified Certified as a Green Belt per local command policy and recommended by the Commanding Officer via the local command’s Certified Black Belt/Master Black Belt. The command’s Certified Black Belt/Master Black Belt (NMSC CPI/LSS PMO for Navy Medicine Corps) will validate completion of the following requirements:

(a) Formal training (A-557-0003 or A-557-3100); AND

(b) The DON approved JQR standards have been met:

– Lead two LSS full DMAIC projects; OR

– Lead two KAIZENs/RIEs; OR

– Lead one full DMAIC project and one KAIZEN/RIE.
2C2 CPI Black Belt Certified Certified as a Black Belt per local command policy and recommended by the Commanding Officer via the local command’s Certified Black Belt/Master Black Belt. The command’s Certified Black Belt/Master Black Belt (NMSC CPI/LSS PMO for Navy Medicine Corps) will validate completion of the following requirements:

(a) Formal training (A-557-0009 or A-557-3005); AND

(b) The DON approved JQR standards have been met:

– Lead two LSS full DMAIC projects and one KAIZEN/RIE; AND

– Mentor two Green Belts through one full DMAIC project each or two KAIZENs/RIEs.
234 Legislative Fellowship Successfully completed at least 9 months in a Legislative Fellow assignment.
24F SECDEF Corporate Fellow Successfully participated in the Secretary of Defense Corporate Fellows program.
6AA Aviation Medical Examiner Medical Corps Officer from the Primary Care medical subspecialty codes who has successfully completed Aviation Medical Examiner training at the Naval Aerospace and Operational Medical Institute.
6AB General Flight Officer Medical Corps Officer who has successfully completed a formal flight surgeon training program and is a designated Naval Flight Surgeon.
6AC Naval Aviator (Naval Flight Officer (NFO))/ Aeromedical Officer Medical Corps Officer who is a designated Naval Flight Surgeon and NFO.
6AE Naval Aviator (Pilot)/ Aeromedical Officer Medical Corps Officer who is a designated Naval Flight Surgeon and Naval Aviator (Pilot).
6AG Aerospace Medicine (Preventive Medicine) Medical Corps Officer who has successfully completed:

a. formal Flight Surgeon Training program at NAMI;

b. a tour as a flight surgeon;

c. an approved Master’s degree program in public health;

and

d. an approved Aerospace Medicine residency program;

or

e. is eligible for the Aerospace Medicine specialty examination offered by the Board of Preventive Medicine.
6FA Marine Corps Medical Department Officer Successfully completed a deployment of 90 or more consecutive days with the Marine Corps.
6FC Fleet Marine Force Medical Logistics (a) Successfully completed the USMC Ground Supply Officer School, AND

(b) Holds AQD 6FA.
6FD Surface Experienced Medical Officer (a) Successfully completed an internship with sufficient primary care training to operate within the needs and operations of the fleet, AND

(b) Has successfully completed a tour of duty with the Surface Fleet.
6FE Senior Marine Corps Staff Officer Successfully completed a senior Marine Corps staff position.

NOTE: Brigade, Group, Wing, Division and Force Surgeons, Force Preventive Medicine Officers, and the Headquarters Director for medical programs qualify.
6OB Shipboard Assignment Successfully completed an assignment of 90 or more consecutive days aboard a ship (other than a hospital ship).
6OC Hospital Ship Assignment Successfully completed an assignment of 90 or more consecutive days aboard a hospital ship.
6OH Humanitarian Assistance/ Disaster Response (1) Served a minimum 90 days in one or more foreign or domestic HA/DR missions and demonstrated operational competence relevant to assigned position in the following HA/DR mission elements: mission leadership and planning (operations, manpower and logistics), international diplomacy, cultural awareness, host nation centered HA/DR health care, IT, communications and administration. AND

(2) Completed two of the following:

(a) Military Medical Humanitarian Assistance Course (MMHAC), (b) Combined Humanitarian Assistance Response Training (CHART),
 (c) Joint Humanitarian Operations Course (JHOC), (d) Joint Operations Medical Managers Course (JOMMC), 
(e) UM-CMCoord IMPACT Course, 
(f) NATO CIMIC Basic Course (NCBC), 
(g) Health Emergencies in Large Populations (H.E.L.P .),
 (h) Joint Planning Orientation Course (JPOC),
 (i) Joint Medical Planners Course (JMPC)
, (j) Joint, Interagency, and Multinational Planner’s Course (JIMPC),
 (k) JTF Senior Medical Leader Seminar,
 (l) Asia-Pacific Orientation Course (APOC),
 (m) SWMI Humanitarian Assistance Course,
 (n) CATF Surgeons Course,
(o) DMRTI Medical Stability Operations (MSO) Course, 
(p) Alternate course(s) deemed to have sufficient didactic content comparable with other qualifying courses by the Mission Commander, T-AH Commander, MTF Commanding Officer, CATF Surgeon, Navy Medical Mission Commander, or USMC Task Force/Group Surgeon or USMC Medical Element Commander.

NOTE: Verification that member has met the above prerequisites must be provided via endorsement by the Mission Commander, T-AH Commander, MTF Commanding Officer, CATF Surgeon, Navy Medical Mission Commander, USMC Task Force/Group Surgeon, or USMC Medical Element Commander.
6OR CATF Surgeon Any Medical Department Officer who has:

(a) Successfully completed CATF Surgeon course; OR

(b) Successfully completed a tour as CATF surgeon; OR

(c) Successfully completed:

1. Surface Warfare Medical Officer Indoctrination course or holds AQD 6OB or 6FA; AND

2. Medical Regulating course; AND

3. Landing Force Medical Staff Planning course; AND

4. Amphibious Indoctrination course.

 
6OU Fleet Hospital Assignment Successfully completed an assignment of 90 or more consecutive days at a deployed fleet hospital/EMF.
6OW Trauma Team Trained Officer Completed formal Navy Trauma training at NHSH-SD (NTCC USC-LAC Hospital) or equivalent Army or Air Force course.
6UD Diver Qualified in Saturation Diving IAW MILPERSMAN 1210-140.
6UM Submarine Qualified in Undersea Medicine IAW MILPERSMAN 1210-130.
6ZA Instructor Medical Department Officer awarded the academic faculty position of instructor by an accredited U.S. University consistent with the officer’s field of training.
6ZB Assistant Professor Medical Department Officer awarded the academic faculty position of instructor by an accredited U.S. University consistent with the officer’s field of training.
6ZC Associate Professor Medical Department Officer awarded the academic faculty position of instructor by an accredited U.S. University consistent with the officer’s field of training.
6ZD Professor Medical Department Officer awarded the academic faculty position of instructor by an accredited U.S. University consistent with the officer’s field of training.
6ZE Medical Ethicist Medical Department Officer who has successfully completed an officially approved program of training in Medical Ethics.
6ZF Researcher (a) Completed an IRB approved research project fully consistent with the guidelines as promulgated by HSETC; AND 
(b) Met the rigorous guidelines of their medical community for publication in a Peer-reviewed journal.
6ZG Residency Program Director Medical Department Officer who has met all the established criteria of the certifying agencies (i.e., Residency Review Committees for conducting an accredited training program for officers in training).
62D Faculty Development (a) Completed an ACGME approved residency, AND 
(b) Completed an accredited advanced residency in Faculty Development.
62L Clinical Epidemiology Established competence in biostatistics, epidemiology, and informatics. Preferably, a Masters in Public Health degree or comparable training/experience.
67A Executive Medicine Met all the competencies of the Joint Medical Executive Skills Program (JMESDP).
67B Expeditionary Medicine Completed the Expeditionary Medicine core operational training courses.
67H Ambulatory Care Administration (ACA) Officer A master’s degree and has successfully completed: (a) 18 months in an ACA officer related position; OR 
(b) 12 months in an ACA officer related position provided master’s degree obtained in concentration in ACA.
68H Health Promotion Coordinator Completed the Navy Environmental Health Center Health Promotion Director Course and one year experience as a coordinator.
68I Health Care Management Completed a Masters of Science in Health Care Management.
68J Public Health Emergency Officer (PHEO) (a) Completed an MPH degree or 4 years of public health experience as outlined by BUMEDINST 6200.17A;
 AND(b) Successfully completed the following distance learning courses:- FEMA IS-100.A, Introduction to Incident Command System

– FEMA IS-200.A, Incident Command System for Single Resource and Initial Action Incidents

– FEMA IS-700.A, National Incident Management System, An Introduction

– FEMA IS-800.B, National Response Framework, An Introduction; OR

(c) Completed the Defense Medical Training Institute tri-service PHEO training course. AND

(d) Successfully performed as a PHEO for 12 months.

NOTE: Per BUMEDINST 6200.17A, PHEOs must be clinicians, as defined as officers who can diagnose, treat, and prescribe treatment for illness and injury.
68K Alternate
Public Health Emergency Officer (APHEO) (a) Completed an MPH degree or 4 years of public health experience as outlined by BUMEDINST 6200.17A; 
AND(b) Successfully complete the following distance learning courses:- FEMA IS-100.A, Introduction to Incident Command System

– FEMA IS-200.A, Incident Command System for Single Resource and Initial Action Incidents

– FEMA IS-700.A, National Incident Management System, An Introduction

– FEMA IS-800.B, National Response Framework, An Introduction; OR

(c) Completed the Defense Medical Training Institute tri-service PHEO training course. AND

(d) Successfully performed as an APHEO for 12 months.
68L Clinical Informatics (1) Completed the corps appropriate certification exam or fellowship, OR

(2) Completed a certificate program or graduate degree in Informatics, or the AMIA 10X10, OR

(3) Worked >50% of their time in informatics for at least 12 months.

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5 thoughts on “What are AQDs and How Do You Get Them?”

    Global Health Specialist Program « Navy Medical Corps Career Blog said:
    March 15, 2017 at 18:54

    […] If you need a refresher on how to get an AQD, read What are AQDs and How Do You Get Them? […]

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    Outside the Box Opportunities « Navy Medical Corps Career Blog said:
    June 20, 2017 at 07:17

    […] AQDs […]

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    Sean Haight said:
    March 7, 2018 at 12:59

    Question regarding AQD Priorities:
    If one goes from Assistant Professor to Associate Professor does the Assistance professor fall off your ODC or do both show up?

    Thank you.

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      Joel Schofer, MD, MBA, CPE responded:
      March 7, 2018 at 19:10

      It all depends on how the Detailer does it. I deleted the lower rank and replaced it with the higher one. In the end, it really doesn’t matter much as long as the higher rank is there.

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    2020 State of the Blog, the Facebook Group, and The Book « Joel Schofer's Career Planning Blog said:
    January 1, 2020 at 02:00

    […] What are AQDs and How Do You Get Them? – 1,223 views […]

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