Posted on Aug 20, 2015
Have you served alongside or received medical care by an officer from the US Public Health Service? Who is the US Public Health Service?
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US Public Health Service: little known but important
The PHS Commissioned Officers Foundation for the Advancement of Public Health commissioned this video highlighting the little known but important work of the...
Who is the US Public Health Service?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYGLqn0KdCo&index=5&list=PLSDzEhxgwQWXywrplSavjnodDqsrWRCBW (PHS, the little known service)
http://usphs.gov/docs/pdfs/uniform/Uniformed%20Service%20Rank%20Chart.pdf (Rank Chart)
The PHS is one of seven Uniformed Services of the United States and has been around for over 200 years. The origins of the PHS may be traced to the passage of an Act in 1798 signed by President John Adams that provided for the care and relief of sick and injured merchant seamen. The earliest Marine Hospitals created to care for the seamen were located along the East Coast, at the harbors of the major port cities, with Boston being the site of the first such facility, followed later by others including in the Baltimore vicinity at Curtis Bay. Later they were also established during the 1830s and 1840s along inland waterways, the Great Lakes, and the Gulf of Mexico. By the 1850s the Marine Hospitals were established along the Pacific Coasts as the country expanded westward. Funding for the Marine Hospital’s was provided by a mandatory tax of about 1% of the wages of all maritime sailors. The PHS Commissioned Officer Corps was formally established by congressional legislation in 1889, and signed by 22nd/24th President Grover Cleveland. At first open only to physicians, over the course of the 20th Century, the PHS expanded to include veterinarians, dentists, physician assistants, sanitary engineers, pharmacists, nurses, environmental health officers, scientists, physical therapists, and other types of health professionals. The PHS was called upon to assist the military in the Spanish-American War of 1898. All of the PHS Marine Hospitals were made available for the care of the sick and wounded of the Army and Navy. A PHS medical officer was on duty aboard the Revenue Cutter McCullough with the fleet of Commodore Dewy at the battle of Manila Bay.
During World War II, the President was given legislative authority for militarizing the PHS. Congress on November 11, 1943 authorized military benefits for the commissioned officers of the PHS and also gave the President the authority to declare the PHS to be a military service in times of war. The Public Health Service Act of July 1, 1944, which repealed the 1943 Act, contained the same provision for militarization of the PHS. On June 21, 1945, President Truman issued Executive order No. 9575 which declared "the commissioned corps of the Public Health Service to be a military service and a branch of the land and naval forces of the United States during the period of the present war, World War II." The Public Health Service Act of July 1, 1944 was later amended to state that the President might declare the PHS to be a military service not only in time of threatened or actual war, but also in "an emergency involving the national defense proclaimed by the President." In the absence of a declared war in Korea, the PHS reverted back to a Uniformed Service although many PHS officers deployed. The PHS also contributed support to military operations such as in Vietnam and the Persian Gulf. For example, the PHS organized surgical teams in Vietnam, consisting of both active duty officers and civilian personnel. PHS was also involved in efforts to control malaria and other infectious diseases in Vietnam. On July 6, 1988, the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Defense signed for the first time a Memorandum of Agreement which established a contingency planning relationship between the departments "for the mobilization and employment of US Public Health Service (PHS) Commissioned Corps Officers in DoD health care activities." The PHS has partnered, very successfully, with the Defense Health Agency of the Department of Defense to augment behavioral health and physical therapy resources for returning Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines. PHS officers traditionally can be found in large numbers assigned to the Indian Health Service (IHS), Bureau of Prisons (BOP), CDC, FDA, Coast Guard, NOAA, and a host of many other federal and state agencies.
In 2002 Vice Admiral Richard Carmona was sworn in as the 17th US Surgeon General (SG) of the United States Public Health Service. SG Carmona was a high school dropout who enlisted in the Army in 1967 and subsequently became a combat-decorated Vietnam veteran with the Army’s Special Forces. The years that followed, SG Carmona obtained his medical degree in 1979 and became a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. Prior to being sworn in as SG, he was the chairman of the State of Arizona Southern Regional Emergency Medical System, a professor of surgery, public health and family and community medicine at the University of Arizona, and the Pima County Sheriff's Department surgeon and deputy sheriff. During SG Carmona’s tenure he is credited with the transformation of the PHS and the initial partnerships with DoD which led to PHS officers deploying in harm’s way for mutual missions and providing more medical providers at military treatment facilities.
Although a small branch of service with 6746 commissioned officers, the PHS deployed nearly 900 officers providing a continuous presence from 2003 to 2014 for ongoing operations in both Afghanistan and Iraq working directly with the Ministries of Public Health to create national programs and services for both countries. PHS officers deployed to Afghanistan delivered and coordinated clinical and public health interventions designed to improve maternal and child health outcomes in a sustainable systems approach. The Afghanistan Health Initiative focused on the Rabia Balkhi Hospital to implement processes and systems designed to strengthen hospital management and leadership; to develop culturally appropriate training programs for physicians, midwives, and other health providers in the hospital; and to improve health outcomes for mothers and newborns. While other PHS officers deployed in support of combat units; one such officer was CAPT Maurice Sheehan (0-6) who deployed for 12-months in 2008 at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Fenty and partook in numerous operations working with Pashtoon refugees, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and the Department of State in the hotly contested Korengal Valley with 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team and then after a Relief in Place/Transfer of Authority (RIP/TOA) with the 1st Infantry Division, known as the “Big Red One”. During one such operation, CAPT Sheehan, while serving at Combat Outpost (COP) Seray in the Chowkay Valley, earned his Army Combat Medical Badge (CMB) as he came under heavy enemy fire while enroute to performing medical interventions on a wounded Afghanistan Army soldier. For his work and similar combat actions and interventions both in the Korengal at COP Vegas, he was subsequently meritoriously awarded the DoD Bronze Star.
PHS officers also deployed to backfill medical needs at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany and Tripler Army Medical Center in Hawaii to provide care to wounded warriors. PHS officers are currently assigned to the Pentagon, USNORTHCOM/NORAD, TRICARE, Secret Service, Department of Homeland Security, and Army and Air Force medical treatment facilities (MTFs) providing care to wounded warriors with traumatic brain injuries. PHS officers also provide direct health care services to service members of the US Coast Guard and the commissioned officers of NOAA.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9_bYzJoR2E&list=PLSDzEhxgwQWXywrplSavjnodDqsrWRCBW&index=2 (Womack Army Medical Center at Fort Bragg)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xft5Z2eNlLk&index=4&list=PLSDzEhxgwQWXywrplSavjnodDqsrWRCBW (Brooke Army Medical Center)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oruuk2ztoQ0&list=PLSDzEhxgwQWXywrplSavjnodDqsrWRCBW&index=3 (Naval Medical Center Portsmouth)
PHS officers are involved in health care delivery to underserved and vulnerable populations, disease control and prevention, biomedical research, food and drug regulation, mental health and drug abuse services, and response efforts for natural and man-made disasters as an essential component of the largest public health program in the world. The PHS were once again called upon in 2014 when President Barack Obama pledged the nation’s resources in the fight against the Ebola virus in West Africa. A team of specialized PHS officers deployed to Monrovia, Liberia, to manage and staff a 25-bed hospital (MMU) constructed by the DoD to treat health care workers stricken with the virus. The PHS was the only branch of service that provided direct patient care. More than 300 PHS officers deployed to Monrovia for the MMU mission, while an additional 300 PHS officers deployed to West Africa in support of Centers for Disease and Prevention Control (CDC) missions.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zDEt96R2F4&index=1&list=PLSDzEhxgwQWXywrplSavjnodDqsrWRCBW (MMU)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9DgryQAe84 (MMU walk through)
The PHS is well known throughout its history for their deployments during disasters. Some examples are when the PHS deployed to Ground Zero, more than 1000 PHS officers deployed to New York City. During hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma the PHS deployed more than 2000 officers to standup and manage field hospitals. In the aftermath of the Hattian earthquake the PHS deployed officers to provide medical care, and with the Gulf oil spill the PHS was there providing environmental expertise. During the 2014 unaccompanied minor children immigration crisis the PHS deployed and managed the initial medical triage and medical care, and provided case management services.
In addition to disaster response, the PHS has partnered with the US Navy on their health diplomacy missions. PHS officers have been part of the Navy's Pacific Partnership (in the Pacific basin) and Continuing Promise (in the Caribbean/west Atlantic) since 2007. Such missions are often carried out on either the USNS Mercy (T-AH-19) or USNS Comfort (T-AH-20), though other ships, such as the USS Bataan (LHD-5) have also been used.
Today, the PHS has and continues to serve this Nation in time of peace and war. Although a small Uniformed Service of 6746 commissioned officers, the PHS stands ready to meet the global and domestic health challenges of the 21st century through partnerships with DoD/NOAA/Coast Guard providing health care to service members of all branches of service, as Liaison Officers in foreign countries, providing research and health care to some of the most vulnerable populations, duty assignments within multiple federal and state agencies, and as the only Uniformed Service in the world that focuses exclusively on the public’s health through “Protecting, Promoting, and Advancing the Health and Safety of the Nation”.
1Lt Eric Rosa, COL Mikel Burroughs, LTC Stephen Ford, SSG Carlos Madden, SN Greg Wright, TSgt Hunter Logan, SGT Jeremiah Brookins, CPT Brian Maurelli, SFC Mark Merino, LTC Bink Romanick, LTC John Weaver
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYGLqn0KdCo&index=5&list=PLSDzEhxgwQWXywrplSavjnodDqsrWRCBW (PHS, the little known service)
http://usphs.gov/docs/pdfs/uniform/Uniformed%20Service%20Rank%20Chart.pdf (Rank Chart)
The PHS is one of seven Uniformed Services of the United States and has been around for over 200 years. The origins of the PHS may be traced to the passage of an Act in 1798 signed by President John Adams that provided for the care and relief of sick and injured merchant seamen. The earliest Marine Hospitals created to care for the seamen were located along the East Coast, at the harbors of the major port cities, with Boston being the site of the first such facility, followed later by others including in the Baltimore vicinity at Curtis Bay. Later they were also established during the 1830s and 1840s along inland waterways, the Great Lakes, and the Gulf of Mexico. By the 1850s the Marine Hospitals were established along the Pacific Coasts as the country expanded westward. Funding for the Marine Hospital’s was provided by a mandatory tax of about 1% of the wages of all maritime sailors. The PHS Commissioned Officer Corps was formally established by congressional legislation in 1889, and signed by 22nd/24th President Grover Cleveland. At first open only to physicians, over the course of the 20th Century, the PHS expanded to include veterinarians, dentists, physician assistants, sanitary engineers, pharmacists, nurses, environmental health officers, scientists, physical therapists, and other types of health professionals. The PHS was called upon to assist the military in the Spanish-American War of 1898. All of the PHS Marine Hospitals were made available for the care of the sick and wounded of the Army and Navy. A PHS medical officer was on duty aboard the Revenue Cutter McCullough with the fleet of Commodore Dewy at the battle of Manila Bay.
During World War II, the President was given legislative authority for militarizing the PHS. Congress on November 11, 1943 authorized military benefits for the commissioned officers of the PHS and also gave the President the authority to declare the PHS to be a military service in times of war. The Public Health Service Act of July 1, 1944, which repealed the 1943 Act, contained the same provision for militarization of the PHS. On June 21, 1945, President Truman issued Executive order No. 9575 which declared "the commissioned corps of the Public Health Service to be a military service and a branch of the land and naval forces of the United States during the period of the present war, World War II." The Public Health Service Act of July 1, 1944 was later amended to state that the President might declare the PHS to be a military service not only in time of threatened or actual war, but also in "an emergency involving the national defense proclaimed by the President." In the absence of a declared war in Korea, the PHS reverted back to a Uniformed Service although many PHS officers deployed. The PHS also contributed support to military operations such as in Vietnam and the Persian Gulf. For example, the PHS organized surgical teams in Vietnam, consisting of both active duty officers and civilian personnel. PHS was also involved in efforts to control malaria and other infectious diseases in Vietnam. On July 6, 1988, the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Defense signed for the first time a Memorandum of Agreement which established a contingency planning relationship between the departments "for the mobilization and employment of US Public Health Service (PHS) Commissioned Corps Officers in DoD health care activities." The PHS has partnered, very successfully, with the Defense Health Agency of the Department of Defense to augment behavioral health and physical therapy resources for returning Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines. PHS officers traditionally can be found in large numbers assigned to the Indian Health Service (IHS), Bureau of Prisons (BOP), CDC, FDA, Coast Guard, NOAA, and a host of many other federal and state agencies.
In 2002 Vice Admiral Richard Carmona was sworn in as the 17th US Surgeon General (SG) of the United States Public Health Service. SG Carmona was a high school dropout who enlisted in the Army in 1967 and subsequently became a combat-decorated Vietnam veteran with the Army’s Special Forces. The years that followed, SG Carmona obtained his medical degree in 1979 and became a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. Prior to being sworn in as SG, he was the chairman of the State of Arizona Southern Regional Emergency Medical System, a professor of surgery, public health and family and community medicine at the University of Arizona, and the Pima County Sheriff's Department surgeon and deputy sheriff. During SG Carmona’s tenure he is credited with the transformation of the PHS and the initial partnerships with DoD which led to PHS officers deploying in harm’s way for mutual missions and providing more medical providers at military treatment facilities.
Although a small branch of service with 6746 commissioned officers, the PHS deployed nearly 900 officers providing a continuous presence from 2003 to 2014 for ongoing operations in both Afghanistan and Iraq working directly with the Ministries of Public Health to create national programs and services for both countries. PHS officers deployed to Afghanistan delivered and coordinated clinical and public health interventions designed to improve maternal and child health outcomes in a sustainable systems approach. The Afghanistan Health Initiative focused on the Rabia Balkhi Hospital to implement processes and systems designed to strengthen hospital management and leadership; to develop culturally appropriate training programs for physicians, midwives, and other health providers in the hospital; and to improve health outcomes for mothers and newborns. While other PHS officers deployed in support of combat units; one such officer was CAPT Maurice Sheehan (0-6) who deployed for 12-months in 2008 at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Fenty and partook in numerous operations working with Pashtoon refugees, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and the Department of State in the hotly contested Korengal Valley with 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team and then after a Relief in Place/Transfer of Authority (RIP/TOA) with the 1st Infantry Division, known as the “Big Red One”. During one such operation, CAPT Sheehan, while serving at Combat Outpost (COP) Seray in the Chowkay Valley, earned his Army Combat Medical Badge (CMB) as he came under heavy enemy fire while enroute to performing medical interventions on a wounded Afghanistan Army soldier. For his work and similar combat actions and interventions both in the Korengal at COP Vegas, he was subsequently meritoriously awarded the DoD Bronze Star.
PHS officers also deployed to backfill medical needs at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany and Tripler Army Medical Center in Hawaii to provide care to wounded warriors. PHS officers are currently assigned to the Pentagon, USNORTHCOM/NORAD, TRICARE, Secret Service, Department of Homeland Security, and Army and Air Force medical treatment facilities (MTFs) providing care to wounded warriors with traumatic brain injuries. PHS officers also provide direct health care services to service members of the US Coast Guard and the commissioned officers of NOAA.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9_bYzJoR2E&list=PLSDzEhxgwQWXywrplSavjnodDqsrWRCBW&index=2 (Womack Army Medical Center at Fort Bragg)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xft5Z2eNlLk&index=4&list=PLSDzEhxgwQWXywrplSavjnodDqsrWRCBW (Brooke Army Medical Center)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oruuk2ztoQ0&list=PLSDzEhxgwQWXywrplSavjnodDqsrWRCBW&index=3 (Naval Medical Center Portsmouth)
PHS officers are involved in health care delivery to underserved and vulnerable populations, disease control and prevention, biomedical research, food and drug regulation, mental health and drug abuse services, and response efforts for natural and man-made disasters as an essential component of the largest public health program in the world. The PHS were once again called upon in 2014 when President Barack Obama pledged the nation’s resources in the fight against the Ebola virus in West Africa. A team of specialized PHS officers deployed to Monrovia, Liberia, to manage and staff a 25-bed hospital (MMU) constructed by the DoD to treat health care workers stricken with the virus. The PHS was the only branch of service that provided direct patient care. More than 300 PHS officers deployed to Monrovia for the MMU mission, while an additional 300 PHS officers deployed to West Africa in support of Centers for Disease and Prevention Control (CDC) missions.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zDEt96R2F4&index=1&list=PLSDzEhxgwQWXywrplSavjnodDqsrWRCBW (MMU)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9DgryQAe84 (MMU walk through)
The PHS is well known throughout its history for their deployments during disasters. Some examples are when the PHS deployed to Ground Zero, more than 1000 PHS officers deployed to New York City. During hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma the PHS deployed more than 2000 officers to standup and manage field hospitals. In the aftermath of the Hattian earthquake the PHS deployed officers to provide medical care, and with the Gulf oil spill the PHS was there providing environmental expertise. During the 2014 unaccompanied minor children immigration crisis the PHS deployed and managed the initial medical triage and medical care, and provided case management services.
In addition to disaster response, the PHS has partnered with the US Navy on their health diplomacy missions. PHS officers have been part of the Navy's Pacific Partnership (in the Pacific basin) and Continuing Promise (in the Caribbean/west Atlantic) since 2007. Such missions are often carried out on either the USNS Mercy (T-AH-19) or USNS Comfort (T-AH-20), though other ships, such as the USS Bataan (LHD-5) have also been used.
Today, the PHS has and continues to serve this Nation in time of peace and war. Although a small Uniformed Service of 6746 commissioned officers, the PHS stands ready to meet the global and domestic health challenges of the 21st century through partnerships with DoD/NOAA/Coast Guard providing health care to service members of all branches of service, as Liaison Officers in foreign countries, providing research and health care to some of the most vulnerable populations, duty assignments within multiple federal and state agencies, and as the only Uniformed Service in the world that focuses exclusively on the public’s health through “Protecting, Promoting, and Advancing the Health and Safety of the Nation”.
1Lt Eric Rosa, COL Mikel Burroughs, LTC Stephen Ford, SSG Carlos Madden, SN Greg Wright, TSgt Hunter Logan, SGT Jeremiah Brookins, CPT Brian Maurelli, SFC Mark Merino, LTC Bink Romanick, LTC John Weaver
Posted in these groups: 
Medicine
Leadership
Medicine Leadership
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 9
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A good friend of mine gave up his AF commission and accepted one with the Public Health Service. Did a lot of good with wounded warriors on Ft Carson in his new role.
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CDR Terry Boles
Indeed the MOU with DoD opened up a lot of new permanent billets at military treatment facilities (MTF). The PHS has long been assigned to the Coast Guard at bases and shipboard providing medical care, and the MTFs was a natural transition for PHS to provide medical care.
While I was Air Force, I worked along side 3 other Air Force officers and these same 3 officers transferred into the PHS and once again I worked them at different duty stations in PHS. Its a small world!
While I was Air Force, I worked along side 3 other Air Force officers and these same 3 officers transferred into the PHS and once again I worked them at different duty stations in PHS. Its a small world!
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The U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps was created to protect, promote, and advance the health and safety of our Nation. As America's uniformed service of public health professionals, the Commissioned Corps achieves its mission through rapid and effective response to public health needs, leadership and excellence in public health practices, and advancement of public health science.
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CDR Terry Boles
SCPO Donnie Bowerman
Indeed, the PHS has a long history in public health that spans decades. PHS as well as NOAA are the only two all professional services with requirements of specific eligible degrees for consideration to join the PHS or NOAA. As such, PHS and NOAA brings a wealth of expertise and experience to the table with any mission, and affords its officers to expand their capabilities beyond their initial skill set they were sought for.
My career in PHS is well beyond anything I could have experienced as an Air Force officer as the PHS offers career opportunities outside your normal assignments. My assignment to the FDA initially involved counter-terrorism ops, what physical therapist does that? PHS is a hidden gem and I believe that is why so many military members transfer into the PHS. At my facility we have numerous PHS officers from the Army, Air Force, and Navy; and within my clinic we have 4 physical therapists of which 3 of us served in the Navy.
Indeed, the PHS has a long history in public health that spans decades. PHS as well as NOAA are the only two all professional services with requirements of specific eligible degrees for consideration to join the PHS or NOAA. As such, PHS and NOAA brings a wealth of expertise and experience to the table with any mission, and affords its officers to expand their capabilities beyond their initial skill set they were sought for.
My career in PHS is well beyond anything I could have experienced as an Air Force officer as the PHS offers career opportunities outside your normal assignments. My assignment to the FDA initially involved counter-terrorism ops, what physical therapist does that? PHS is a hidden gem and I believe that is why so many military members transfer into the PHS. At my facility we have numerous PHS officers from the Army, Air Force, and Navy; and within my clinic we have 4 physical therapists of which 3 of us served in the Navy.
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SSgt Boyd Herrst
I can remember a couple PHS people that were physical therapists.. one at Scott Reg med cry and another at W-P Reg in Ohio.. both worked with me to get me back to a normal gait.. while at W-P I walked from the hospital to the exchange and back.. actually it was more a march.. Don, the PT at
W-P noted he could see marked improvement in my gait.. I tried to make it a almost daily thing.. it seems I was. Always too early or just missed the shuttle., So I took off walking.. At various times I wanted to go to the other side of the base where the NCO club was..
So I wore my uniform (with long sleeve shirt and tie). I stretched my plastic Hospital band enough so I could get it over the wrist bone and push under my sleeve cuff. I’d have a couple drinks.. I wasn’t on the anti-seizure med anymore..
after I left there I headed back to the hospital via the shuttle.. on one of the runs I recognized one of the. Orderlies from the ward next to the one I was on. I didn’t say anything..
she came and sat by me and asked where I’d been.. “oh.. just riding around! Almost time to get back for dinner I think” We got off and I cut fthrough the Trauma Hall .. and up a couple flights of steps then got the elevator.. I wanted to leave my jacket I my locker.. Since I was back, I may as well.. nah.. I went back to the basement to the Dining
rm. hmm ..grilled ham steak, sweet potato, broccoli n carrots.. apple crisp.. I ate and back upstairs .. there was a note from the PT guy. Saying he missed me on my walk to the bx.. i ‘ll see him tomorrow.. time to get changed back to those PJs.. I had that AF running outfit. I put that on and put that robe over it.. I went and watched TV.. So I done some walking and some riding.. The Captain and a Airman tech came in to get eve bps and temps, ask the usual personal question.. Just don’t ask where I been.. and the tech asked.. she said she thought she seen me going in the NCO club.. when she drove by.. it coulda been.! Well I didn’t say it wasn’t me.. She didn’t push it.. her and the Capt. Moved on and did the others.. Later she came by and said there was a band Friday eve.,
and would I like to go .. Sure, so Friday we went to the club and danced and had a good time.. I preferred the easy “belly rub belt buckle shining dancing”. She said don’t worry
‘Bout “Cinderella Liberty”. She’ll get me in.. it was a swell night ..
Had a great time and was as good or better than any physical therapy !
The Lt was in charge that night and we missed the Colonel that was the charge nurse..by the skin of our teeth! I asked her later if she got out alright.. Nobody else got nosy.. unfortunately we didn’t do it again.. I went back to GF ND a few weeks later.. and went on that TDRL.. it was a very good date and I had s great time. and I hope she did also..
W-P noted he could see marked improvement in my gait.. I tried to make it a almost daily thing.. it seems I was. Always too early or just missed the shuttle., So I took off walking.. At various times I wanted to go to the other side of the base where the NCO club was..
So I wore my uniform (with long sleeve shirt and tie). I stretched my plastic Hospital band enough so I could get it over the wrist bone and push under my sleeve cuff. I’d have a couple drinks.. I wasn’t on the anti-seizure med anymore..
after I left there I headed back to the hospital via the shuttle.. on one of the runs I recognized one of the. Orderlies from the ward next to the one I was on. I didn’t say anything..
she came and sat by me and asked where I’d been.. “oh.. just riding around! Almost time to get back for dinner I think” We got off and I cut fthrough the Trauma Hall .. and up a couple flights of steps then got the elevator.. I wanted to leave my jacket I my locker.. Since I was back, I may as well.. nah.. I went back to the basement to the Dining
rm. hmm ..grilled ham steak, sweet potato, broccoli n carrots.. apple crisp.. I ate and back upstairs .. there was a note from the PT guy. Saying he missed me on my walk to the bx.. i ‘ll see him tomorrow.. time to get changed back to those PJs.. I had that AF running outfit. I put that on and put that robe over it.. I went and watched TV.. So I done some walking and some riding.. The Captain and a Airman tech came in to get eve bps and temps, ask the usual personal question.. Just don’t ask where I been.. and the tech asked.. she said she thought she seen me going in the NCO club.. when she drove by.. it coulda been.! Well I didn’t say it wasn’t me.. She didn’t push it.. her and the Capt. Moved on and did the others.. Later she came by and said there was a band Friday eve.,
and would I like to go .. Sure, so Friday we went to the club and danced and had a good time.. I preferred the easy “belly rub belt buckle shining dancing”. She said don’t worry
‘Bout “Cinderella Liberty”. She’ll get me in.. it was a swell night ..
Had a great time and was as good or better than any physical therapy !
The Lt was in charge that night and we missed the Colonel that was the charge nurse..by the skin of our teeth! I asked her later if she got out alright.. Nobody else got nosy.. unfortunately we didn’t do it again.. I went back to GF ND a few weeks later.. and went on that TDRL.. it was a very good date and I had s great time. and I hope she did also..
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CDR Terry Boles
Well I am sure you have/had a great career. With any employer, military or otherwise there is always good and bad. PHS offers opportunities unlike any other branch of service, I served USN and USAF active duty as well, but it too has its share of pitfalls for the service member. It was an interesting journey though.
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Capt Daniel Goodman
I gather you were USPHS, though listing as Navy since USPHS isn't explicitly listed on the app or website here. I've seen others do the same, sometimes also listing as civilian, in ome instance, as the one who's listed tat way hadmt known how to list any other way, as you'd done, of course. I'd be most eager for further very detailed chat about the whole topic of USPHS generally, however, imobv dont want to overwhelm at first. So, to try to brief at least to start, which I thought that net way in this instance, I'd merely thought to askz which USPHS component were you, since I'm assuming you retired as O-5...were you Med? Dental? Pharm? HSO? Nursing? Engineering? Med admin? I've delved into the components of USPHS in some depth, as I'm hoping is evident, which was why I knew about the different branches...I'll wait for he moment, youre one of the few I've run into on here who've been UEPHS at your level, that's why I was wondering what component you were in it, of you might perhaps be able to explain further, many thanks.
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Capt Daniel Goodman
I just figured I'd also mention, one of my attendings during my rotations, before my residencies, had been a USPHS O-6, I spent a good deal of time with him, I found that unusual, I've only seen him and two others for what I'd trained for at that level...I gather he retired sevl yrs ago....
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