USAF TSOMPT Fellowship

November 2023

USAF Tactical Sports & Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy Fellowship
Program Mission: Produce neuromsuculoskeletal experts to serve as embedded Physical Therapists in USAF Special Warfare Units.

Graduation Rate: 84%

Synopsis: This is a 18-month in-residence Fellowship that focuses on Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy, Sports Physical Therapy, and Human Performance Optimization/Injury Prevention. The Fellowship is nationally accredited by the American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education (ABPTRFE) and the Accreditation Council on Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy Education (ACOMPTE). The Fellowship also adheres to the educational standards set forth by the International Federation of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists. Graduates are designated as Fellows of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapist (FAAOMPT). The Fellowship prepares Active-Duty Air Force physical therapists to become embedded in USAF Special Warfare units such as Special Tactics and Combat Rescue squadrons. The Fellowship began in 2016 and is the only training pipeline of its kind in both the military and civilian settings.

Training Objectives: The objectives of the USAF Tactical Sports and Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy Fellowship is to produce expert clinicians that are highly trained in primary care and orthopedic manual physical therapy, sports medicine, performance nutrition, injury prevention, and exercise testing & prescription to serve as embedded musculoskeletal experts in USAF Special Warfare units. Our focus is accomplished through three primary purposes. The first is to produce graduates with expertise in evidenced-based musculoskeletal primary care/orthopedic manual therapy for triaging, examining, diagnosing, and managing a variety of complex orthopedic and sports injuries with rapid return to duty. The second is to ensure advanced competency in human performance optimization through exercise testing and prescription, performance nutrition, and injury prevention. The third is to ensure graduates understand operational medicine in the various environments in which the Air Force operates as well as the basics of ground combat tactics, equipment, and procedures.
Location: USAF Academy, Colorado Springs, CO
Unique Training Opportunities for Fellows:

Olympic Training Center (Colorado Springs, CO)
Army/Air Force Special Operators and Tactical Athletes
Cover NCAA Division 1 Sports: Football, Lacrosse, Rugby, Wrestling
Work with NCAA Division 1 Strength & Conditioning coaches, Athletic Trainers, and Sports Dieticians

Application Information & Prerequisites

Active-Duty Air Force Physical Therapists Only: If interested in becoming an Active-Duty Air Force Physical Therapist, please contact an Air Force Health Professions recruiter in your area.
AFSC: 42B3
RANK: Capt-Lt Col
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Degree
Minimum 2 years orthopedic physical therapy experience.
Agree to incur a 36-month active-duty service commitment following completion of program.
Last three OPRs
Official Biography, standard USAF-style
Current SURF
Current CV
The following must be completed prior to starting the program - failure to do so may result in loss of training slot (List status of each in applicant letter): Board certification in either Orthopedic or Sports Physical Therapy OR completion of an accredited Orthopedic or Sports Physical Therapy residency program (non-waiverable).
USAF Physical Therapy Advanced Course
Level 1 training in Dry Needling
Rank appropriate PME

Faculty Contact Information:

Program Director
Brandon Morgan, Lt Col, USAF, BSC
719-333-7389
brandon.morgan@afacademy.af.edu

Deputy Program Director
Dr. Eric Wilson, GS-13, DAF, Lt Col(ret)
719-333-0567
jon.wilson@afacademy.af.edu

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