There are three military Dermatology residencies (Army, Navy, Air Force). These are located in Washington DC (Army, Navy), San Diego (Navy), and San Antonio (Army, Air Force). You must have a strong academic record from medical school and strong LOR’s to be accepted into a military residency. In the past, competition was just as fierce as civilian residency programs. But with the recent wars (Iraq, Afghanistan), fewer medical students are joining the military, and it may be marginally easier to get into Dermatology residency.
The Army may select medical students to move straight thru training from medical school to internship to residency. Navy and Air Force typically ask medical students to complete an internship, and then a 2-to-3 year GMO or flight surgeon tour before applying for a Dermatology residency. GMOs and flight surgeons serve the military in primary care roles (sick call, URI’s, sports injuries, etc).
Be careful with military recruiters. Once you sign up for the military, the military controls your future in many ways. The recruiter cannot promise you a Dermatology residency slot. Do not join the military without talking to the WRAMC program director, Dr. Turiansky. He can honesty assess your academic qualifications and tell you if you have a chance to be accepted into a dermatology residency.
Also, there are currently several Army dermatologists deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan for 6 to 12 months serving in GMO positions (NOT as dermatologists).
Please note, this information was reported in 2010.
Dermatology Interest Group Association 