I have tentative orders for my first duty station at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Do you have any tips, insights or info?

My suggestion from being a medic that works closely with civilian staff is to be very cautious of them. Treat them like they are all full bird colonels. Working in a hospital can mean some longer than normal work hours. My best advice is to drop a flight medic packet as soon as possible. You wont recieve any special training on paper but you have the opportunity to learn from PA's and doctors. Earn there respect and confidence and they will teach you everything they can. I've heard good and bad things from working in a hospital but my personal experience is from clinic tasking/ line unit. My 3 years in the army have left me with disappoint on the continued training for 68W. You may find a paramedic program that may or may not work with your work schedule off post through a local college. If you have that opportunity jump on it. I want to reiterate that the civilian nurses are not your friend. Any mistake you make will be blown up and out of proportion. Keep military baring at all times. It is very political in MEDAC. I've seen a few great medics get chewed up. The benefits is you will learn how to treat patients and families with compassion. You will see a great variety of things from dependa with congestion to pv2 snuffy sticking his hand in a winch.

Solid duty for a first assignment. Living conditions: you live in a hotel in silver spring and bus from there to work every day. Daily duty: acting as a CNA of sorts on an acute care floor, or in a clinic setting. You report to the RNs and 68Cs on the floor. You'll start IVs, draw labs, insert foleys, etc. Extra training: really can't speak to that but I'm sure you'll have opportunities. Good luck!

If you have had a combat tour you are good to go. If not your head needs on a swivel and you need to be situationally aware at all times. No walking and texting. Stand up straight and make eye contact with potential threats. It makes you appear confident and in control ... i.e. not an easy target. If you slouch and avoid eye contact you appear weak and easy prey. Do NOT carry a gun or any obvious weapon. A low profile "tactical pen" is excellent especially if someone teaches you how to use it.


https://www.amazon.com/Gerber-Impromptu-Tactical-Black-31-001880/dp/B01N76XPZG/B1