So what does it take to be America's most desired bachelor?

Good looks?

An impressive resume?

Rock-hard abs?

Try all of the above, according to the casting director for ABC's "The Bachelor," which will feature Lt. Andy Baldwin, a Hawai'i-based Navy medical officer, in its upcoming season, starting this spring.

The reality show will be in production on O'ahu this week, with location scouts out around the island today and filming planned around Pearl Harbor later in the week, according to Baldwin.

"We think about who the ideal guy would be, what kind of job he'd have, what he'd look like," said Robyn Kass, who has worked in casting for other reality-based shows, including "Survivor" and "Big Brother." "We spend a lot of time finding someone who's great on paper but also great for the show."

The casting crew found the 29-year-old triathlete and medical doctor while inquiring about competitive athletes.

When Baldwin got the call on his cell from producers of "The Bachelor," he thought it was a joke.

"My first reaction was, 'Are you kidding?' " Baldwin said. "After thinking about it — and realizing that a very successful television network was going to scan the world for 25 potential life mates for me and give me the opportunity to meet them in some fun surroundings — I thought, 'Why not?' "

Baldwin, who's never been married, figured participating in the show would help him find the love of his life.

"I'm ready to fall in love with the woman of my dreams and eventually start a big family," he said. "I may be old-fashioned, but I believe in true love, and I know she's out there. And I know I'm going to find her."

There are several ways the casting crew finds its bachelors, Kass said.

They scour newspapers and magazines, get referrals from sources, and search through e-mails and voice mail messages to find that perfect — and single — guy.

"Every possible avenue you can think of," Kass said, "we use."

The crew was immediately taken by Baldwin's looks, smarts and personality.

"I dare any woman to find a fault in this guy," Kass said. "He's really a good guy. He's got it all — education, great career, amazing looks. He's hilarious, he's got a great personality, he's athletic, he volunteers ... He's an all-around guy."

The network announced Baldwin as the next bachelor during the season finale in November. That episode reached 9.9 million viewers.

The following morning, Kass had close to 5,000 e-mails and 2,500 phone messages from women eager to met him.

"It was crazy," Kass said, laughing.

But not surprising, she said, considering what Baldwin has to offer.

At 29, he's a medical officer for a special-operations dive unit stationed at Pearl Harbor.

Originally from Lancaster, Pa., Baldwin was valedictorian and an All-American swimmer in high school.

He attended Duke University on a full ROTC scholarship, graduating with honors in 1999 with a bachelor's degree in biology with a concentration in genetics.

Baldwin enrolled in the University of California-San Francisco School of Medicine. He later was a surgical intern at the Naval Hospital in San Diego.

He began competing in triathlons in 2000.

But Baldwin is more than just a hunky, athletic doctor.

He's also an active volunteer in the community.

He established a fund to raise money for pancreatic cancer research in memory of his uncle. And earlier this year, he served as group surgeon for a team of military personnel on a mission in Laos.

Oh, yeah, and he's single.

Sound too good to be true?

"If somebody told me about him, I might say that," admitted Kass, who's single herself. "But I've spent a lot of time with him and he's really down to earth, funny and genuine. From reading everything about him, you might think this guy's not for real. But he really is."

MEET THE BACHELOR

Name: Lt. Andy Baldwin, M.D.

Age: 29

Hometown: Lancaster, Pa.

Resides: Kane'ohe

Occupation: Undersea medical officer for a special operations dive unit with the Navy, stationed at Pearl Harbor

Education: Bachelor of science in biology with a concentration in genetics, Duke University, 1999; medical degree, University of California-San Francisco School of Medicine, 2003

Status: Single and looking

Ever been married? No

Ever been engaged? No

Kids? None

Zodiac sign: Aquarius

Height: 6 feet

Weight: 185 pounds

Pets? None, but his parents have a dog named Beau back in Pennsylvania.

Hobbies: Competing in triathlons, volunteering in the community, playing tennis, writing and surfing

Favorite restaurants in Hawai'i: Buzz's Original Steak House in Kailua and Dixie Grill in Pearl City

Last books read: "Sudoku for Dummies" and "The Power of Now" by Eckhart Tolle

On his play list now: Jack Johnson, Pepper, Tom Petty

Favorite place to hang out in Hawai'i: Stairway to Heaven, Ka'ena Point, Duke's Canoe Club in Waikiki

Childhood aspirations: To be a good husband, father and doctor

Pet peeves: Pessimists, smokers and laziness

Vices: Ice-cream sandwiches

What he looks for in a woman: Kindness, intelligence, beauty, open-mindedness, integrity, health, sense of humor and a desire to have a family

Reach Catherine E. Toth at ctoth@honoluluadvertiser.com.