Posted on Mar 22, 2014
1px xxx
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For each branch/AOC/MOS, there are so many different varieties of jobs someone can hold. Being in the AMEDD, a part of the Army with so much diversity, I have seen this time and time again. I am currently a Battalion Medical Operations Officer for an infantry battalion. The battalion that I am in has a hard charging command group that is all prior Ranger Regiment guys. We get pushed hard and train hard with a fast op tempo. It is exhausting and was overwhelming at times I love my job and the people I work with. However, I cannot help but notice the other BN MEDOs or the PLs in the C-Med Company in the BSB with much less challenging jobs yet possibly getting the same/better evaluations due to senior rater profiles. I understand that the actual senior rater comments have a significant impact but I am sure many people take a quick glance at which box is checked.<div><br></div><div>Would you rather be "a big fish in a small pond" to stand out or we'll say "a stallion amongst stallions", working hard and developing a lot more professionally? No other medical service officer in my BDE wants to take my job, even though it has been time for me to leave due to the reputation my BN has for being the one that is in the field the most and is always working late/hard. I'm actually happy because I enjoy it.<div><br></div><div>In the next 1-2 years, I plan to go to RASP and on to Regiment. I feel like I will be in the same situation versus my peers in the big Army. So many of them are in units where the attitude is "it is 1600, why am I not off work yet? or I know we are in a field, but are we really going to work that weekend/DONSA?". Many of my peers will be leaving BCTs and heading to TDA positions (hospitals, clinics, ect...) where I may be in the field working around the clock potentially with Regiment. Thoughts or comments?</div></div>
Posted in these groups: Star PromotionsEms MedicalBilde2 OER1efa5058 NCOER
Edited 10 y ago
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Responses: 3
LTC Special Operations Response Team (Sort)
Edited 9 y ago
Great point and the fact of the matter alludes to the parallel discussions about development within various 'professional fields'. This is particularly acute divide among PAs. There are those who have the 9-5 clinical jobs that demand little for fitness and soldiers skills, provide weekends off and a calm low tempo. Then there are those combat arms, Ranger (RTB and Regiment), SF , 160th etc that take everything you have. When everyone else gets time for their morning PT to stay in shape, you have sick call. When everyone else is just focusing on calming their mild for their jump, dive etc, you are sweating the details of operational medical coverage... then every injury, every sick call issue comes to you. You are still expected to and must maintain the same standard of fitness, soldier skills while providing often round the clock medical care fitting in your own fitness, soldiering skills and professional development... in your 'free time' often when everyone else is done for the day. It can be thankless and is exhausting and exhilarating all at the same time. Dont expect any quarter to be given by HRC. In fact you need to be careful not to paint yourself into a corner because on paper you will begin to look less diverse than your peers because you will have no extra time to volunteer to sit on various committees and take on extra assignments in order to broaden your military leadership resume. You just have to embrace it as part of your mantle of professional leadership within your career field.
1SG First Sergeant
There is only a select group that can actually provide insight to this question since most of us have never worked as branch managers. That's probably why thre haven't been any repsonses to this question in 3 months. In the end, I hold to the belief that your current assignment as listed on your record brief (ORB/ERB) and the evaluations you receive help to determine your way forward.
1px xxx
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Good question can't wait to hear some of the responses.

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