What advice would you give someone going to be a medical OC at Ft Polk?

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 16 Jan 2016 11:25:42 -0500

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 16 at 2016 2:21 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 16 Jan 2016 14:21:00 -0500

I just finished my assignment as a Medical OC at NTC. After two years I would say that yes sharing lessons learned and trends would be your greatest tool. However you must continue to be famaliar with current doctrine and help educate. But its a great duty enjoy.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 16 at 2016 4:55 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 16 Jan 2016 16:55:43 -0500

Be THE subject matter expert, otherwise it will seem petty and hypocritical for you to make corrections to the units passing through your training exercise.

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 17 at 2016 6:27 AM

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 17 Jan 2016 06:27:56 -0500

If you're married, tell you wife that you'll be in the field about 18 days out of the month. Get some skeeter repellant.

Response by SGT S Sharpless made Jan 17 at 2016 11:15 AM

SGT S Sharpless — Sun, 17 Jan 2016 11:15:48 -0500

Don't go.

Response by SSG Red Hoffman made Jan 17 at 2016 11:37 AM

SSG Red Hoffman — Sun, 17 Jan 2016 11:37:22 -0500

If your question is concerning being a medical OC, I can be of no help. If it concerns being at Ft. Polk, I would say ask for a different assignment. I was there in the mid 80s and considered it the worst duty location I have ever been assigned. Fast forward 20 years later when my youngest daughter was assigned there. I spent 6 months with her and her husband and the place did not improve one bit. They DO have a WalMart in Leesville now...but...still a bad duty location. Just an FYI. Good luck.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 17 at 2016 1:46 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 17 Jan 2016 13:46:06 -0500

Well first experience means nothing if you don't know doctrine. But common sense training combined with good instructor skills is priceless.

Response by SSG Steven McLain made Jan 18 at 2016 4:21 PM

SSG Steven McLain — Mon, 18 Jan 2016 16:21:12 -0500

Honestly, I've never heard too many good things about Ft.Polk from anyone that I knew that was stationed there. However, being an OC has always been a position that will get you promoted. So I would say that is something positive about it.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 18 at 2016 4:41 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 18 Jan 2016 16:41:10 -0500

With this question in mind, is there anything I should look into ahead of time to be on my game when I get there?

Response by 1SG Paul DeStout made Jan 19 at 2016 12:05 PM

1SG Paul DeStout — Tue, 19 Jan 2016 12:05:31 -0500

Be open to new ideas. There is several ways to get to the same place. Learn from each rotation and apply as needed. Never say "This is how it's done in war." Every combat zone is different, and we all know every deployment we were on we did thing a little different. It's better to say "This is doctrine." Also have doctrine with you if you can.

Response by MSG(P) Roger Billings made Jan 21 at 2016 8:48 AM

MSG(P) Roger Billings — Thu, 21 Jan 2016 08:48:03 -0500

Make sure. You look at units by there make up ie: CSH from dental from supplies and watch combat medics different. Did med oc from 94 to 08 saw a lot