View Full Version : SF Docs?
I’m interested in going active when my reserve obligation ends. I am NOT looking to be an SF soldier but I would like to be an asset for SF.
A little background information about me - I'm a US trained general and trauma surgeon in the USAR (61J). I joined after my 14 years of training/school was over without the Army paying for it. I joined because I enjoyed taking care of soldiers instead of civilians who feel entitled to health care. If anything I believe soldiers should be entitled to the best care. In addition, I have field medical training (TEMS/TCCC) and was an EMT for 3.5 years prior to becoming a trauma surgeon. I enjoy operating and field medicine. Once I was commissioned I went to basic ASAP and requested deployment to Afghanistan. I am currently with the 909th FST which is the busiest FST in theater and love it.
Eagle5US
11-07-2010, 09:36
Thank you for your service and for sharing your skills and knowledge with our troops.
In all honesty, you are right where you should be - on an FST. Whether or not you can get onto an FST that is supporting SOF is really the issue.
SF/SOF tends not to have Trauma SGNs out running around the wadi fixing folks while the dust kicks up around their feet. You guys cost to much to produce and the toys required for you to be effective (AS a Trauma Sgn) generally plug into something. The SF Medic / and PA act as your intermediary and bridge the patient's survivability from point of injury to your table where your skills kick into high gear.
Working with the 173rd you (no doubt) have seen some "high speed" medics that have done a fine job of patching and plugging until the patient reached you. Once you start seeing what an SF Medic does with his wounded, where someone who would have normally expired in 1-2 hours if not to your table, is now reaching your table alive after 18-30 hours...you will understand a bit more of the level of trauma resuscitation training and skill set that these men posses. And they do it with the most basic equipment - technology in the field is a hindrance and works against them.
If you want to try and scoot into the SOF Medical realm, I would suggest first clearing it through your MC Branch manager to be assigned "outside" (Trauma SGN's aren't exactly "plentiful" in the main Army either") and once they give you the thumbs up...contact the USASOC SGN's Office. A letter of intent and a CV can go a long way.
IF your branch shoots you down, there is also an "augmentee program" where a pool of specialists is maintained in a database and occasionally called on for short term fill. It is the Joint Medical Augmentation Unit (JMAU). This may be another option for you. If nothing else - to get your foot in the door temporarily for a future hard slot job in the Community.
Good luck -
HTH
Eagle
"MAJ K":D
Sorry for the delay in reply. We have been on blackout for 2 days. The XXXrd is about to leave and the YYYth is coming in. Some of the COBs are getting hit hard and keeping us busy
I like working in an FST and want to be as far forward as possible. I also have a lot of field medical training when I was on SWAT as the tactical surgeon. We also had 8 tac medics that we worked/trained with. I know some of the medics here and they are very good at what they do. Any other doc in the field wouldn't do anything more than one of our medics - unless that doc is a surgeon.
I'm with the APMC in Forest Park, GA and they assign us to units like the 909th FST for deployment. I'm not really organic to any unit. I plan on going active and want to belong to a unit that deploys frequently to places where I'll be kept busy. I would also like to teach our medics about ATLS and have them operate with me.
The Reaper
11-08-2010, 07:22
Any other doc in the field wouldn't do anything more than one of our medics - unless that doc is a surgeon.
If you believe that a 68W medic of any description is the equivalent of an 18D, you are seriously deluded.
You ned to stop stating your opinions as facts and do some research and reading.
SWATSurgeon here is a Trauma Surgeon, if you need that bona fide.
Also not a good idea to name units in the RIP/TOA, so I fixed that for you as well.
TR
Eagle5US
11-08-2010, 08:21
You Are as far forward as you are supposed to be, and as far forward as you should be in order to help the highest number of patients with your skill set.
I would also like to teach our medics about ATLS and have them operate with me.
This is akin to a pilot putting a crew chief on the stick...it is completely outside 68W scope of practice and creates a dangerous "A doctor showed me how to do this once so it's OK now for me to do it (or worse yet TEACH IT to someone else) situation. ESPECIALLY in theater.
SOF trained Enlisted medical personnel do have an intensive surgical block, to include general anesthesia, first assist, and primary surgical duties as part of their curriculum. Additionally, they routinely receive training in ATLS, auditing the official program.
I can tell you also, PHYSICIANS are not 18D's. Nor are 18D's PA's/Doctors. SF Medics have a unique skill set that traverses multiple medical disciplines and they must be self sufficient across all of them. You would be surprised at the capability, responsibility, and medical adeptness of these Soldiers.
Eagle
Sinister
11-08-2010, 09:19
Doc,
While SF Battalions and Groups have MD's assigned to them, the needs of the Army for experienced board-certfied trauma surgeons puts you right where you're supposed to be -- at a forward hospital.
As recommended, the Joint Medical Augmentation Unit would be a perfect location as well (forward trauma care).
Doc - highly recommend the JMAU. You can be as active as you want and they WILL push you very far forward. I've met some highly skilled and driven folks there. Those guys move around a LOT and are a key ingredient in some interesting programs.
Good advice so far. I'm just trying to find out as much as I can before going active. How does one get involved with JMAU? What about other branches like Navy? CA?
I already have emails out to recruiters asking about it as I dont have phone access.
RichL025
11-08-2010, 22:29
Doc,
While SF Battalions and Groups have MD's assigned to them, the needs of the Army for experienced board-certfied trauma surgeons puts you right where you're supposed to be -- at a forward hospital.
Speaking as a former 18D, and current surgery resident applying to Trauma / CC programs, I completely agree with this.
Speaking as a former 18D, and current surgery resident applying to Trauma / CC programs, I completely agree with this.
3nd
While it may be nice to think that the best of the best also includes choppers..
Joe Grunt bleeds the same color as the rest of us and deserves the best of the best when laying on a stretcher.
There is the notion that certain Army MOS's get more opportunity to bleed more than others, but when the SHTF,, we are all the same..
Doc you are the Special Force that saves our bacon,, and we are very happy for that..
If you really feel a need to set down your scalpel and pick up the gun to get close to the ACTION,, we need to have a long talk, because you would be wasting time and we would be losing a chopper..
:D
3nd
While it may be nice to think that the best of the best also includes choppers..
Joe Grunt bleeds the same color as the rest of us and deserves the best of the best when laying on a stretcher.
There is the notion that certain Army MOS's get more opportunity to bleed more than others, but when the SHTF,, we are all the same..
Doc you are the Special Force that saves our bacon,, and we are very happy for that..
If you really feel a need to set down your scalpel and pick up the gun to get close to the ACTION,, we need to have a long talk, because you would be wasting time and we would be losing a chopper..
:D
I don't need to be kicking down doors and I have enough NFA weapons at home but would like to get to other COB/FOBs that may need me. I dont like being stuck on one FOB for long time and I don't like it when people tell me I'm "too valuable." All I do here is work out 6 or 7 days a week and surf the www. I could see myself helping set up aid stations or hospitals as well as being at a FST - moving around from time to time. If SF or CA doesn't have a place for me that's ok too. I'm still going active next year.
BTW another soldier saved today. I'm one of 2 trauma surgeons attached to the 909th and if you ever get to request an FST to work with the 909th is highly recommended. They are great people to work with and very good at what they do.
I value all you opinions and hold US soldiers (SF or not) in the highest regard. Thanks for all your replies.
Mr Furious
11-09-2010, 17:57
CPTK, A close team mate and brother of mine is also an MD/trauma surgeon and is currently at 1st SFG. He was a former 18D and it was our trip with 5th SFG to Eritrea back in 96 were we took care of some HN folks that influenced him into wanting to do more. He went back to school after that trip and eventually became an MD. I will send you a PM and perhaps you two Doc’s can chat.
Doc,
Hopefully the advice in this thread doesn't contradict too much from what I said in response to your PM.
Seems to be right in line (less all the technical medical speak) from what I can see...
I can tell you also, PHYSICIANS are not 18D's. Nor are 18D's PA's/Doctors. SF Medics have a unique skill set that traverses multiple medical disciplines and they must be self sufficient across all of them. You would be surprised at the capability, responsibility, and medical adeptness of these Soldiers.I've been escorting MDs of all types to various "medical" locations for quite some time; medicine is the least of our worries and as Eagle stated:You guys cost to much to produce..The military higher ranks don't like us NOT bringing their investment back.:D:cool:
Good luck and stay safe!
CPTK -
You're an MD, not an 18D - accept it and either do your job or stay home. I wish DR (COL) Tsoulos was around to 'mentor' you on the concept.
Richard :munchin
Thanks for the information. I have made some good contacts that are interested in someone with my skills willing to deploy anywhere and anytime. When I get back to the states I should become active by June. Hopefully, I'll get deployed again shortly after.