AMEDD Promotions ... Why is Medical the Redheaded stepchild of the Army?

2015-10-16T21:50:09-04:00

So I signed onto the HRC Website yesterday (while at work) and saw that I was not on the list. I was mad until I realized there were no medical branches on it! I found a message on Facebook that AMEDD FY15 MAJ results are not out until 29 OCT... Why is Medical the Redheaded stepchild of the Army? I know when I was on deployment, the injured soldiers were glad I was there! (Soldiers and MWD!)

Response by 1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 16 at 2015 9:52 PM

2015-10-16T21:52:10-04:00

The Army doesn't list everyone at one time?

Response by 1SG Antwan Nicholson made Oct 17 at 2015 1:00 AM

2015-10-17T01:00:30-04:00

I've been retired for four years now. If my memory is correct, the AMEDD list is released the same time as the JAG and Chaplains list.

Don't take it personal. Your time will come.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 17 at 2015 4:35 AM

2015-10-17T04:35:48-04:00

Why do AMEDD and JAG and others have a separate promotion board? I'd say that a branch that gets its own special promotion boards isn’t treated that badly by the Army (say, when the rest of us compete against much larger and more diverse populations for promotions).

Response by MAJ Samuel Weber made Oct 17 at 2015 8:34 AM

2015-10-17T08:34:29-04:00

We are not step children (I'm Medical Service) but we are different from our ACC peers. Officers of the ACC don't get constructive credit for thier experience, since a great deal of AMEDD officer do get credit (Masters=1LT, PhD= CPT, etc) our board has to be separate. We have different considerations and complex formulas to "figure out" what our credited year group is. I see that you are a CRNA, did you get any constructive credit when you commissioned? Did you do ROTC or a direct appointment? They are releasing the Major selection relsults soon, the prepo date for the list is 19 October. Your O-6 commander should call you and let you know if you made it or not. Good luck.

Response by LTC Kevin B. made Oct 17 at 2015 9:21 AM

2015-10-17T09:21:45-04:00

The AMEDD runs their own selection boards. They have historically been given the freedom to manage their own promotions process, and they aren't unique. I wouldn't read anything more into it than that.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Oct 17 at 2015 3:10 PM

2015-10-17T15:10:49-04:00

The Killers will always take priority.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 17 at 2015 3:19 PM

2015-10-17T15:19:22-04:00

You compete against each other. Just like chaplains and lawyers. Speciality and own board. Some would argue you guys and gals get promoted more and faster than others.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 18 at 2015 2:02 AM

2015-10-18T02:02:45-04:00

As others have pointed out medical, JAG and chaplains have their own boards. Where I have felt like a stepchild is that in AMEDD the "gold caduceus" doctors get the best advancement opportunities. i realize they are harder to recruit and retain, and normally take the longest time to get credentialed, but it still bothered me. Since I got out, its been somewhat mitigated in that you don't don't have to be a doctor to command a medical facility including a hospital, anymore. They can be MSC, nurse, dentists, etc. You used to have to be a physician to command except for ambulance companies which are normally commanded by an MSC.

Response by MSG Alfred Aguilar made Oct 18 at 2015 3:09 AM

2015-10-18T03:09:26-04:00

Historically, The Army reserve is the Redheaded stepchild of the Army. It just so happens that 70% of AMEDD assists are in the reserve component.