Biomedical Sciences Corps marks 50th anniversary

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. – Master Sgt. Shannon Brady, 21st Aerospace and Operational Physiology, fits a helmet on an altitude chamber training participant, Jan. 15, 2015. During the altitude training course, participants experience the effects of a low-pressure environment and the subtle effects of hypoxia or oxygen deprivation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Tiffany DeNault)

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Biomedical Sciences Corps marks 50th anniversary

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. – Airman 1st Class Mark McHugh, 21st Aerospace and Operational Physiology, instructs Soldiers from Fort Carson’s 10th Special Forces Group during altitude chamber training, Jan. 15, 2015. During the altitude training course, participants experience the effects of a low-pressure environment and the subtle effects of hypoxia or oxygen deprivation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Tiffany DeNault)

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Biomedical Sciences Corps marks 50th anniversary

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. – Members of 21st Aerospace and Operational Physiology instruct a high-altitude training class to Soldiers from Fort Carson’s 10th Special Forces Group in the altitude chamber, Jan. 15, 2015. During the altitude training course, participants experience the effects of a low-pressure environment and the subtle effects of hypoxia or oxygen deprivation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Tiffany DeNault)

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Biomedical Sciences Corps marks 50th anniversary

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. – Gordan Dixon, an optometry patient, gets his eyes checked by Maj. Chad Willis, 21st Aerospace Medical Squadron chief of aerospace optometry at the optometry clinic, Jan. 16, 2015. The optometry clinic ensures active-duty personnel are visually qualified for worldwide assignment and for the performance of their Air Force job. The optometry clinic is now in the temporary facility next to building 959, the main clinic. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Tiffany DeNault)

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Biomedical Sciences Corps marks 50th anniversary

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. – Gordan Dixon, an optometry patient, gets his eyes checked by Maj. Chad Willis, 21st Aerospace Medical Squadron chief of aerospace optometry at the optometry clinic, Jan. 16, 2015. The optometry clinic ensures active-duty personnel are visually qualified for worldwide assignment and for the performance of their Air Force jobs. The optometry clinic is now in the temporary facility next to building 959, the main clinic. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Tiffany DeNault)

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Biomedical Sciences Corps marks 50th anniversary

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. – Maj. Chad Willis, 21st Aerospace Medical Squadron chief of aerospace optometry, looks into the back of Gordan Dixon’s eye, a patient at the optometry clinic, Jan. 16, 2015. The optometry clinic ensures active-duty personnel are visually qualified for worldwide assignment and for the performance of their Air Force job. The optometry clinic is now in the temporary facility next to building 959, the main clinic. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Tiffany DeNault)

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Biomedical Sciences Corps marks 50th anniversary

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. – Staff Sgt. Shannon Ford, 21st Medical Support Squadron medical laboratory technician, watches for color changes during a test on fluids in the medical laboratory Jan. 21, 2015. The laboratory is part of the 21st Medical Group and comprised of more than 500 medical professionals who provide healthcare and mission-readiness support for more than 25,000 active duty, retired and family members. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Tiffany DeNault)

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Biomedical Sciences Corps marks 50th anniversary

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. – Staff Sgt. Clayton Proffer, 21st Medical Support Squadron medical laboratory technician, draws blood at the main clinic Jan. 21, 2015. The laboratory is part of the 21st Medical Group and comprised of more than 500 medical professionals who provide healthcare and mission-readiness support for more than 25,000 active duty, retired and family members. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Tiffany DeNault)

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Biomedical Sciences Corps marks 50th anniversary

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. – Staff Sgt. Shannon Ford, 21st Medical Support Squadron medical laboratory technician, prepares to run tests on fluids in the medical laboratory Jan. 21, 2015. The laboratory is part of the 21st Medical Group and comprised of more than 500 medical professionals who provide healthcare and mission-readiness support for more than 25,000 active duty, retired and family members. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Tiffany DeNault)

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Biomedical Sciences Corps marks 50th anniversary

Published Jan. 27, 2015
By Air Force News Service

WASHINGTON -- The Air Force recognized the achievements of the men and women who comprise the Biomedical Sciences Corps by designating Jan. 26-30 as BSC Appreciation Week. This year is noteworthy as it marks the 50th anniversary of the Biomedical Sciences Corps.

The BSC's roots date back to 1917, when the Sanitary Corps was established to combat infectious diseases. The Army Medical Administrative Corps followed three years later. In 1949, the Air Force Medical Service was officially established. The Air Force Medical Service continued to expand over the next two decades and in 1965, the Biomedical Sciences Corps was born. Over the past 50 years, the BSC continued to expand its range of personnel to include a wide variety of medically-trained professionals.

To date, the BSC's mission is to enhance Air Force combat capability and effectiveness by providing world-class customer service and scientific expertise, resulting in peak force performance, productivity, and quality healthcare to our beneficiary population. Comprised of 15 primary specialty codes, the BSC is the most diverse corps in the Air Force Medical Service. Capitalizing on their breadth of expertise, the BSC motto is: United in the Mission.

With 2,400 officers and 5,800 enlisted members in parallel career fields, BSC members can be found at 81 locations around the world and in multiple settings. The BSC encompasses physical therapy, optometry, podiatry, physician assistants, audiology, speech pathology, clinical psychology, clinical social work, occupational therapy, aerospace and operational physiology, dietetics, bioenvironmental engineers, public health, medical entomology, pharmacy, biomedical laboratory, healthcare facilities architects/engineers and health and medical physics.

In addition to specialty roles within medical treatment facilities, BSC officers are embedded within operational units, serve at every level of medical command, and lead on staffs of the major commands, Forward Operating Agencies, and Headquarters Air Force. Additionally, the Biomedical Sciences Corps is heavily invested in research and a host of other vital roles to meet the demands of the Air Force mission.