What kind of opportunities are there for MSC AMEDD officers in Civil Affairs?

2016-07-15T16:44:19-04:00

What kind of opportunities are there for MSC AMEDD officers in Civil Affairs? I know that they exist but I don,t know what they do? Specifically in the reserves.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 15 at 2016 4:52 PM

2016-07-15T16:52:15-04:00

You will need to reclassify to 38A or you can look at being a 38G if you have the civilian skill set that will qualify for 38G

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 15 at 2016 5:33 PM

2016-07-15T17:33:55-04:00

There are a few. You do not necessarily need to reclass to be involved as AMEDD officer in CA in the Reserves. However, you would have to find a position at a battalion or higher. You would not be a CA officer and as soon as you promoted you could be set to a completely different command/organization outside of CA. The only sure way to stay involved in CA is to reclass.
The best types of CA personnel are those with valuable and useful skill sets from previous MOS's or civilian skills. A medical background is certainly one that is an asset to the CA mission.
Your best bet is to find the CA unit closest to where you will be living and go from there. But don't let geography stop you, IDT travel is also an option to get to a unit.
Let me know if you have questions.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 15 at 2016 5:38 PM

2016-07-15T17:38:18-04:00

Tactical CA BNs have two AMEDD positions on their UMR.
A 60C Major and a 64B Major. Their purpose is Preventative Medicine in a general support setting, usually in disaster response and less often in regional stability missions.
Many units choose to carry other medical officers as excess as they do fit in nicely with our mission set, but they are over strength.
There is a way to reclass to 38A if you can secure a release from AMEDD, but it is a rare thing to be successful at this, in my many years of experience.

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 15 at 2016 8:37 PM

2016-07-15T20:37:43-04:00

Sir, are you a 72D/E? If so, the CA opportunity that might interest you the most is the 38G public health functional specialist. As mentioned previously in this thread, if AMEDD grants a release, you'll not be able to go back to your AMEDD AOC.

I've posted a link to the ASPPH article that includes the POC for the new 38G (PH) specialty. http://www.aspph.org/army-reserve-seeking-public-health-professionals-for-civil-affairs-missions/

As a former unit administrator, I had the experience of working with AMEDD officers who took the CAQC for the intent of branch transferring. Some made the branch transfer, others were not released. Consider what experiences / career sustainment/enhancement you're seeking. If you're looking for 72D educational sustainment, then branch transferring might not be the best, but if you're looking for mission experience, 38G may likely be the path you seek.

V/R

SGT P.

ASPPH | Army Reserve Seeking Public Health Professionals for Civil Affairs Missions

Public health protects and improves the health of individuals, families, communities, and populations, locally and globally.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 16 at 2016 2:01 PM

2016-07-16T14:01:55-04:00

LT,
Traditionally, MSC Officers working in CA work on planning and executing MEDRETE missions. However, SOF has redefined many of their missions over the last few years. MSC Officers advise the CA Commander on all operations as appropriate to the mission. They dive in to the METT-TC and look for ways to become a force multiplier to the overall mission.

If you have the opportunity to become a MEDO in a CA BN/BDE, by all means, do it. You will learn a lot about the greater impact of the mission as an MSC officer.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 16 at 2016 5:07 PM

2016-07-16T17:07:58-04:00

anything from taking care of your sms, to doing hug me missions, imms, setting up corrective surgical proceedures to the local populace, water, waste, you name it, providing needed medical and profolactic treatment, setting up hospitals, clinics training emt's , the last time i checked 97% of ca assets are reserves, when i went to 38b qual

Response by BG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 19 at 2016 7:31 AM

2016-07-19T07:31:23-04:00

There is a myth out there that it is too hard to transfer out of AMEDD (or JAG) into CA and it is simply not true. I have had 100% success rate in doing this, even getting a nurse into CA (OK, that one surprised me too). There is a procedure for doing so and it involves a release from AMEDD transfer to another branch on our MTOE (AG, LG, MI, SG) and then going to CA CCC (if req'd) and CAQC.
To answer your original question, AMED officers are part of the CA toolbox to apply to any civilian problem set encountered by the military. We have 72Ds at the tactical level all the way up to 70H (medical planners) at Brigade and CACOM levels. Getting 70H is a three week school and well worth while. Anyone is welcome to contact me on EE if they want more info or a position in one of my units. [login to see]

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 5 at 2016 8:54 PM

2016-12-05T20:54:36-05:00

65D opportunities in CA

Response by LTC James McElreath made Jun 21 at 2018 8:03 PM

2018-06-21T20:03:14-04:00

I am one of the MSC's that went to the CAQC and would not subject anyone to attend the course. The training is great, for sure. The CA Bn I was affiliated with (Bn staff) were despicable people. There is no position you might fill as a MS officer, let alone they could transfer you to their AOC! As a MS officer you can not hold another AOC.