How do AMEDD USAR units function?

2021-03-29T12:06:38-04:00

I will be going into a medical unit once I finish my BSN as a 66H. I wanted to know how these units operate and function since there are very officer heavy. I am a platoon leader for a engineer battalion so we have the typical LT's as platoon leaders, enlisted in the ranks and of course the 1SG and CO. Does nurses and other medical officers get PL time or XO time?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 29 at 2021 1:41 PM

2021-03-29T13:41:35-04:00

In the medical setting on the reserve side, you'll either be assigned to an ARMEDCOM unit (MORU or MSU), or you will be assigned to a CSH or FH in one of the medical brigades. Each has a different mission. ARMEDCOM units typically mobilize stateside or to Germany for PROFIS missions or to any of the DRCs (Bliss, Hood, Aterbury). Feel free to drop me a line. Happy to help out. Good luck.

Response by Lt Col Timothy Cassidy-Curtis made Mar 29 at 2021 2:08 PM

2021-03-29T14:08:36-04:00

The reason that nurses and doctors have commissions is because of their academic achievement level and professional status. A Doctor must absolutely be in charge of patient care, and needs to be considered "in command" of that. A Nurse is a Doctor's principle assistant; a Nurse's requests, with regards to patient care, need to be considered as orders.

Doctors and nurses could be given leadership roles in certain circumstances. A hospital unit, for example, would be commanded by a Doctor. A nurse corps would be commanded by a nurse. However, for typical duties (i.e. S-1, S-2, S-3, etc.) this will not be likely. Unless it is a platoon of nurses, don't expect a nurse to be a Platoon Leader.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Mar 29 at 2021 2:38 PM

2021-03-29T14:38:03-04:00

Anytime you have Med/Med Spt units they will be rank Top heavy. There are no enlisted Drs, dentists, etc. , and most nurses are O's too.

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made Mar 29 at 2021 4:00 PM

2021-03-29T16:00:30-04:00

It all depends the organizational structure of your unit in regards to leadership positions. I have yet to see a medical unit that has platoon leaders, typically my experience is the lowest level leadership position is company or detachment commander. Nurses can and and do fill command billets and other positions in the hospital. Junior nurses (you) on active need to be taking care of patients but since you are looking at the reserves, the bulk of your experience will come from the civilian sector. Volunteer for those leadership positions in your unit but ensure at the same time in your civilian job you are getting good bedside experience as we have to many nurses that get a BSN, go into management, and people hurt because they make decisions not clinically sound.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 30 at 2021 6:35 PM

2021-03-30T18:35:42-04:00

MAJ Byron Oyler provided the most important detail to determine your role: the organizational structure or requirements. I have three medical units in my battalion and each has PLs, an XO, and clinical officers. There are AMEDD immaterial billets (O5A) within these organizations that allow officers such as yourself to command. Be mindful, however, that such instances may require completion of OES beyond BOLC, e.g., CCC.