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Drawdown of our Military Forces

Written by BG Dennis Doyle on 18-Apr-2012 | 4 Comments

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In my travels as your Chief, one of the top concerns I hear is the ongoing drawdown of our military forces and its impact on career opportunities.

General Odierno, the Chief of Staff of the Army, along with our Army senior leaders are determining the way ahead for our Army and what our eventual end state will look like. For the Army Medical Department, at this time, there is no planned large scale drawdown of medical personnel being discussed. We still have our mission to not only support our Warriors down range; but also to care for our Soldiers returning from combat; along with their Families and our other beneficiaries.

For our MSC Soldiers, I firmly believe we will remain extremely competitive within the AMEDD and the Army (for evidence of that, note that MSCs were selected for 14/29 COL AMEDD commands, 4/7 LTC AMEDD commands and 3 Aviation Battalion commands in FY 13). We have many opportunities for a successful, challenging career.

So, what can you do to ensure you remain competitive for promotion?

Plan

Focus on the next 3-5 years. As a lieutenant, it is good to want to be the Chief of the Corps thirty years from now. However, it is important to focus on your current job and the one after that. Establish your goals and work to earn those assignments that will educate and provide you the experience to successfully serve at the next level.
For the company grades – learn about and be ready for your AOC designation panel. You have a vote in your future AOC; but you have to know the gates.
Have a plan for your advanced education – it will be critical for future promotions.
Learn your career path once you select your AOC and work with mentors and HRC to get the assignments you desire.

Perform

This one is easy – take the hard jobs and do them well. Diversify – our Army needs leaders who understand and can operate in the joint/interagency/coalition environment.

Folks, be a team player. Senior leaders see spotlight Rangers, we see those who are selfish vs. selfless. We want team players who care about the mission and the organization first!
Be professional – stay out of trouble. Bad paper, whether an OER, GOMOR, or UCMJ is a career ender. If it feels wrong, chances are it is.

Prepare

Know your board schedule; ensure your photo is up to date (and in your ASUs); ensure your ORB is correct ; go to your My Board file and review and “sign” off on it! Not doing so sends the board a message – and not a good one!

I truly believe the Medical Service Corps is and will remain the Corps of Opportunity. What other concerns do you have with the drawdown?

Serving to Heal,
Honored to Serve!

D3
17

Comments For This Post

LTC Jason Sepanic on 19-Jun-2012
MAJ Carter - The last time I checked, the reguirement to have Joint Service Credit to make GO in the AMEDD has been waived. In my opinion until this is changed, you will see few Joint opportunities. They are out there on the COCOM staffs, but you really have to work to get in them as those slots tend to be dominated by Air Force and Navy Officers. Additionally, you may serve on a "Joint" staff, but not get joint credit because those "slots" are reserved for branches that need that time for advancement.

MAJ Robert Carter on 08-Jun-2012
Sir,

The Goldwater-Nichols Department of Defense Reorganization Act of 1986 provides statutory requirements as set forth in Title 10 joint education and assignments. However, there are limited joint opportunities for AMEDD officers.

As the military continues the "draw down", do you anticipate increased emphasis on joint assignments for medical service officers?

From your perspective, are joint assignment valued by AMEDD promotion and CSL boards?

v/r

MAJ Robert Carter ILE 12-002 Huntsville, Alabama

CPT Hagen on 06-Jun-2012
Sir,

I'll keep this pretty short. As the Army draws down, is senior leadership considering reducing the number of DA Civilian and contractor jobs, in favor of retaining Soldiers and having them return to carrying out the missions that, as of late, have been conducted by civilians? In other words, it seems like the first place to begin a RIF is with civilians (not meant to be disrespectful, just a thought) versus Soldiers who volunteered. Thank you Sir,

V/r, CPT H

CPT Andrew Vroegindewey on 24-Apr-2012
Sir,

Working at the Medical Soldier Processing Center, Ft. Hood, Texas it is apparent to me that although the draw down is affecting MSCs from all COMPOs the military in every Functional Area is experiencing battle fatigue. Units are coming home after their fourth-plus deployment and many are looking to get out due to age, sustained injuries, medical conditions and sheer exhaustion. Not only should the current MSCs be guarded of their career and continue to seek additional duties/responsibilities but there are many lessons that can be learned from the leaving MSCs. I would hate for the wisdom that has sustained operations over the last decade be lost as we step forward into a new army and all new experiences.

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We still have our mission to not only support our Warriors down range; but also to care for our Soldiers returning from combat; along with their Families and our other beneficiaries. For our MSC Soldiers, I firmly believe we will remain extremely competitive within the AMEDD and the Army (for evidence of that, note that MSCs were selected for 14/29 COL AMEDD commands, 4/7 LTC AMEDD commands and 3 Aviation Battalion commands in FY 13). We have many opportunities for a successful, challenging career. So, what can you do to ensure you remain competitive for promotion? Plan Focus on the next 3-5 years. As a lieutenant, it is good to want to be the Chief of the Corps thirty years from now. However, it is important to focus on your current job and the one after that. Establish your goals and work to earn those assignments that will educate and provide you the experience to successfully serve at the next level. For the company grades – learn about and be ready for your AOC designation panel. You have a vote in your future AOC; but you have to know the gates. Have a plan for your advanced education – it will be critical for future promotions. Learn your career path once you select your AOC and work with mentors and HRC to get the assignments you desire. Perform This one is easy – take the hard jobs and do them well. Diversify – our Army needs leaders who understand and can operate in the joint/interagency/coalition environment. Folks, be a team player. Senior leaders see spotlight Rangers, we see those who are selfish vs. selfless. We want team players who care about the mission and the organization first! Be professional – stay out of trouble. Bad paper, whether an OER, GOMOR, or UCMJ is a career ender. If it feels wrong, chances are it is. Prepare Know your board schedule; ensure your photo is up to date (and in your ASUs); ensure your ORB is correct ; go to your My Board file and review and “sign” off on it! Not doing so sends the board a message – and not a good one! I truly believe the Medical Service Corps is and will remain the Corps of Opportunity. What other concerns do you have with the drawdown? Serving to Heal, Honored to Serve! D3 17 Comments For This Post LTC Jason Sepanic on 19-Jun-2012 MAJ Carter - The last time I checked, the reguirement to have Joint Service Credit to make GO in the AMEDD has been waived. In my opinion until this is changed, you will see few Joint opportunities. They are out there on the COCOM staffs, but you really have to work to get in them as those slots tend to be dominated by Air Force and Navy Officers. Additionally, you may serve on a "Joint" staff, but not get joint credit because those "slots" are reserved for branches that need that time for advancement. MAJ Robert Carter on 08-Jun-2012 Sir, The Goldwater-Nichols Department of Defense Reorganization Act of 1986 provides statutory requirements as set forth in Title 10 joint education and assignments. However, there are limited joint opportunities for AMEDD officers. As the military continues the "draw down", do you anticipate increased emphasis on joint assignments for medical service officers? From your perspective, are joint assignment valued by AMEDD promotion and CSL boards? v/r MAJ Robert Carter ILE 12-002 Huntsville, Alabama CPT Hagen on 06-Jun-2012 Sir, I'll keep this pretty short. As the Army draws down, is senior leadership considering reducing the number of DA Civilian and contractor jobs, in favor of retaining Soldiers and having them return to carrying out the missions that, as of late, have been conducted by civilians? In other words, it seems like the first place to begin a RIF is with civilians (not meant to be disrespectful, just a thought) versus Soldiers who volunteered. Thank you Sir, V/r, CPT H CPT Andrew Vroegindewey on 24-Apr-2012 Sir, Working at the Medical Soldier Processing Center, Ft. Hood, Texas it is apparent to me that although the draw down is affecting MSCs from all COMPOs the military in every Functional Area is experiencing battle fatigue. Units are coming home after their fourth-plus deployment and many are looking to get out due to age, sustained injuries, medical conditions and sheer exhaustion. Not only should the current MSCs be guarded of their career and continue to seek additional duties/responsibilities but there are many lessons that can be learned from the leaving MSCs. I would hate for the wisdom that has sustained operations over the last decade be lost as we step forward into a new army and all new experiences. + Add A Comment
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Drawdown of our Military Forces

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