Author: COL James J. Jones, PhD, PA-C 11th Physician Associate Consultant to The U.S. Army Surgeon General

Abstract

Amidst an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape, rapid technological advancements, and the dynamic nature of multi-domain operations, the role of the Physician Associate (PA) in military medicine is undergoing a critical transformation. This article examines the competencies and strategic initiatives required for PAs to remain operationally relevant, clinically indispensable, and institutionally influential within joint and interagency environments. Informed by outcomes from the 2024 SAPA Annual CME Conference in San Antonio, Texas, field observations, academic symposia, and collaborative interagency engagements, this analysis delineates the evolving clinical, operational, academic, and leadership expectations of the next-generation PA. Furthermore, it proposes actionable strategies for aligning PA capabilities with Joint Force doctrine, whole-of-government partnerships, and global health platforms. By expanding their scope and enhancing integration across strategic echelons, Physician Associates will serve not only as force enablers but as key drivers of future combat readiness and medical superiority in large-scale operations and beyond.