Posted on Dec 6, 2022
Does anyone have any information about being part of a MTSB?
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Just joined USAR as 66s and was told I would be part of the 7301st Medical Training Support Battalion at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. Interested to learn more if anyone has information?
Reserves
Posted 2 y ago
Responses: 3
MAJ Byron Oyler
1LT (Join to see) - This guy along with SFC (Join to see) are pretty solid with their information. Topics I have no business commenting on I like to read their responses and learn.
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MSG (Join to see)
1LT (Join to see) sure, I can. If the 7301st runs similar to 7305th, you'd be assigned to the Hospital Section. Their mission is to OC/T the appropriate sections that would fall under their realm. Until you attend OC/T Academy, you won't serve as an OC/T, but could assist with missions/tasks. That's the basic answer. If you want more Intel, send me an email in army.mil. I'm the only Thomas P Livingston in the address book
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MSG (Join to see)
1LT (Join to see) byt, if you don't have access to Army email yet, send me a DM here with a good email for you and I'll send info
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1LT (Join to see)
I do not have access to my Army email yet I will send you a DM with my civilian email. Thank you, sir!
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I cannot answer to that but if you have not completed the Army's critical care course make sure you are on top of your critical care game. The course changes with instructors but generally remains more difficult than anything I have seen in the civilian world and with ICU RNs being so territorial and judgemental you could easily get behind the social curve. It is much easier to get the sierra identifier from civilian work experience than through the active duty process and it is noticeable when these RNs come on duty. Not trying to be mean or on a high horse here, just looking out for a younger RN.
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1LT (Join to see)
Thank you, sir. I appreciate your insight and advice. I am new to the military world- so any additional advice or insight would be appreciated as I know I have much to learn. I am coming in with almost 8 years of critical care experience from the civilian side. However, I am open to any suggestions in order to assure that I am a valuable candidate. Thank you for your time.
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MAJ Byron Oyler
One problem we have in nursing is on paper all ICUs are equal when in reality that is rather far from the case. I have been exposed to ICUs from around the world, seen one where they do not take care of DKA and another (BAMC at FT SAM Houston) that does CRRT and ECMO. I am currently in a free standing ER and while the level one trauma center is more impressive on your resume, in a FSER you are the ER RN, RT, and sometimes ICU RN where as at a level one you generally have tons of resources. No one from HR comes and evaluates your ICU experience when handing out the Sierra identifier but should you get stationed at BAMC, your peers will expect you to perform at their level. Again I am not trying to discourage you but unlike some of our peers, I do not believe in eating our young and my honesty here could save you some tears down the line. I have my CCRN, CEN, and paramedic and am always looking to better myself. Feeling pretty good with my 18ga in the hand yesterday (MD required before conversion) with a HR 246 and no peripheral BP. I am also working my way towards US IVs as at a FSER, you are the vascular access team and even most docs here only do central lines. It was part of my game to improve. I always ask myself, would the best RN I know want me taking care of their family?
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1LT (Join to see)
Sir, thank you again for taking the time out of your day to respond to me further. I appreciate it. I definitely do not take what you are saying in a negative way either. I see the value in your experience and the information that you are presenting me with. It also makes complete sense when you say that on paper all ICUs are equal- however in reality they are not. I think asking yourself that question and presenting it to me is great advice! I try to always better myself as well, so I will certainly take what you have told me and carry it with me. Your last sentence is a great way to reflect on the care you are providing as a nurse. Thank you again!
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If you haven't already, you can start with the normal info sources (unit page, Facebook, MilSuite, etc).
Quick Google search turned up the following:
MRTC homepage (2nd higher HQ of the 7301st ... overview of mission/units/etc) - https://www.usar.army.mil/Commands/Functional/ARMEDCOM/MRTC/)
LinkedIn profile of 7301st XO - https://www.linkedin.com/in/rory-l-irwin/ ... reach out and introduce yourself and see if they can send you a 'welcome packet' or other information
Facebook page of 1st MTB (higher headquarters) - https://www.facebook.com/1stMedicalTrainingBrigadeCenturions/
It looks like they have a section on MilSuite (if this isn't is, then it should be 'adjacent' to any unit information) - https://www.milsuite.mil/book/docs/DOC-499651
Etc.
Google is your friend. ;)
Quick Google search turned up the following:
MRTC homepage (2nd higher HQ of the 7301st ... overview of mission/units/etc) - https://www.usar.army.mil/Commands/Functional/ARMEDCOM/MRTC/)
LinkedIn profile of 7301st XO - https://www.linkedin.com/in/rory-l-irwin/ ... reach out and introduce yourself and see if they can send you a 'welcome packet' or other information
Facebook page of 1st MTB (higher headquarters) - https://www.facebook.com/1stMedicalTrainingBrigadeCenturions/
It looks like they have a section on MilSuite (if this isn't is, then it should be 'adjacent' to any unit information) - https://www.milsuite.mil/book/docs/DOC-499651
Etc.
Google is your friend. ;)
Medical Readiness and Training Command
Official site of the U.S. Army Reserve, the federal military reserve forces of the United States.
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COL Randall C.
1LT (Join to see) - Ah, wasn't aware of your 'second class' status as being CAC-less (at least, that's how I felt when I was without my CAC). BTW, if you've been entered into the DEERs system and are near a RAPIDS office*, you should be able to make an appointment and get a CAC without issue (you can always call and verify that you're in the system).
Regarding reaching out to the XO - absolutely. You can tell him exactly what you just stated. Your recruiter identified the 3701st as the unit you'd be assigned to and you're just waiting for your orders to be published. It's possible they already heard about you, but likely not. However, you just want to do an informal intro and see if they have additional information they can share with you - welcome packet, hook you up with a sponsor (hardly ever done in the reserve component, but you can ask), if they have an online presence somewhere, etc.
Since you're new to the reserve component, one piece of advice I'll share with you is to purchase a CAC reader for home. MANY of the sites you'll need to access for personnel information, training, etc. (such as MilSuite) are CAC-protected, so if you don't have one at home, then you'll be limited to when you go to your drill (not a position you want to be in). You can easily get one for less than $15* (used to be less than $10 ... inflation... blah).
You can wait on getting one until you're at the unit. Now days, many units issue one as an expendable item (military term for "you don't have to give it back") and it's possible you're unit will do so.
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* RAPIDs locator - https://idco.dmdc.osd.mil/idco/locator
* Military CAC - https://militarycac.com/purchase.htm
Regarding reaching out to the XO - absolutely. You can tell him exactly what you just stated. Your recruiter identified the 3701st as the unit you'd be assigned to and you're just waiting for your orders to be published. It's possible they already heard about you, but likely not. However, you just want to do an informal intro and see if they have additional information they can share with you - welcome packet, hook you up with a sponsor (hardly ever done in the reserve component, but you can ask), if they have an online presence somewhere, etc.
Since you're new to the reserve component, one piece of advice I'll share with you is to purchase a CAC reader for home. MANY of the sites you'll need to access for personnel information, training, etc. (such as MilSuite) are CAC-protected, so if you don't have one at home, then you'll be limited to when you go to your drill (not a position you want to be in). You can easily get one for less than $15* (used to be less than $10 ... inflation... blah).
You can wait on getting one until you're at the unit. Now days, many units issue one as an expendable item (military term for "you don't have to give it back") and it's possible you're unit will do so.
----------------------------------------------------
* RAPIDs locator - https://idco.dmdc.osd.mil/idco/locator
* Military CAC - https://militarycac.com/purchase.htm
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1LT (Join to see)
Sir- I just wanted to thank you again for your time and advice, it has been invaluable! I appreciate any insight I can get, as this is my first experience overall with the military. There are so many things to learn- from the language, to how things work. So I have been really taking in all the information I can get. I am going to reach out to the XO and see if I can get any more information from them. I will also heed your advice on purchasing a CAC reader once I get my card. Once again, thank you!
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COL Randall C.
1LT (Join to see) - My apologies for using "greenspeak" above.
A few items.
DEERS - Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System.
... What is it? A database of information on uniformed services members (sponsors), U.S.-sponsored foreign military, DoD and uniformed services civilians, other personnel as directed by the DoD, and their family members.
... Why do you care? DEERS is used for basically every benefit in the military and it feeds many, many different systems The top two items for you are your ID and Medical.
RAPIDS - Real-Time Automated Personnel Identification System.
... What is it? The DoD system used to issue the definitive credential within the military. RAPIDS uses information stored in DEERS when providing these credentials. Used together, these two systems are commonly referred to as a DEERS/RAPIDS system or DEERS/RAPIDS infrastructure.
... Why do you care? You need to go to a RAPIDS office in order to get your CAC and to update certain items within DEERS (i.e, get dependents updated so they can get added onto TRICARE .. etc)
Two other bits of advice since you're coming in (I feel like dusting off my "welcome to the unit" speech I would give new Soldiers).
----- TRS - TRICARE Reserve Select - Quite frankly, TRS is one of the best benefits that a reserve component servicemember can get (unless you're some of the unlucky few that aren't eligible for it). TRS is a health insurance plan very much like a PPO. If you're married, it costs $581/year and you have a catastrophic cap of $1,217 - That means except in some extreme circumstances, the most you'll pay out of pocket is a bit less than $1,800 a year. That's MAX in a year. Quite frankly, the majority of health care plans out there that you get through you employer cost more than that with the premiums and you'll have a large deductible on top of it. Something to absolutely check out.
----- TSP contributions. Since you're new to the military, you'll automatically be put into the Blended Retirement System. I used to have to explain 401k and such to new Soldiers, but the military makes it easy and forces you to contribute anymore. They recently made changes that default you to 5% contributions - You don't want to change this as it will fully take advantage of the matching contributions from DoD (they give a 1% automatically and do a matching of up to 4% when you contribute 5% -- for a total of 10%).
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* TRS - https://tricare.mil/Costs/HealthPlanCosts/TRS (these are FY22 costs .. FY23 going up a bit)
* TSP - https://myarmybenefits.us.army.mil/Benefit-Library/Federal-Benefits/Thrift-Savings-Plan-(TSP)?serv=125
A few items.
DEERS - Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System.
... What is it? A database of information on uniformed services members (sponsors), U.S.-sponsored foreign military, DoD and uniformed services civilians, other personnel as directed by the DoD, and their family members.
... Why do you care? DEERS is used for basically every benefit in the military and it feeds many, many different systems The top two items for you are your ID and Medical.
RAPIDS - Real-Time Automated Personnel Identification System.
... What is it? The DoD system used to issue the definitive credential within the military. RAPIDS uses information stored in DEERS when providing these credentials. Used together, these two systems are commonly referred to as a DEERS/RAPIDS system or DEERS/RAPIDS infrastructure.
... Why do you care? You need to go to a RAPIDS office in order to get your CAC and to update certain items within DEERS (i.e, get dependents updated so they can get added onto TRICARE .. etc)
Two other bits of advice since you're coming in (I feel like dusting off my "welcome to the unit" speech I would give new Soldiers).
----- TRS - TRICARE Reserve Select - Quite frankly, TRS is one of the best benefits that a reserve component servicemember can get (unless you're some of the unlucky few that aren't eligible for it). TRS is a health insurance plan very much like a PPO. If you're married, it costs $581/year and you have a catastrophic cap of $1,217 - That means except in some extreme circumstances, the most you'll pay out of pocket is a bit less than $1,800 a year. That's MAX in a year. Quite frankly, the majority of health care plans out there that you get through you employer cost more than that with the premiums and you'll have a large deductible on top of it. Something to absolutely check out.
----- TSP contributions. Since you're new to the military, you'll automatically be put into the Blended Retirement System. I used to have to explain 401k and such to new Soldiers, but the military makes it easy and forces you to contribute anymore. They recently made changes that default you to 5% contributions - You don't want to change this as it will fully take advantage of the matching contributions from DoD (they give a 1% automatically and do a matching of up to 4% when you contribute 5% -- for a total of 10%).
-------------------------------------------------------------
* TRS - https://tricare.mil/Costs/HealthPlanCosts/TRS (these are FY22 costs .. FY23 going up a bit)
* TSP - https://myarmybenefits.us.army.mil/Benefit-Library/Federal-Benefits/Thrift-Savings-Plan-(TSP)?serv=125
Copayments & Cost-Shares | TRICARE
TRICARE Compare Cost tool
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1LT (Join to see)
Sir, no apologies necessary. I find myself looking up every new acronym that I come across in this new journey I am on. I truly appreciate every bit of information that you have graciously provided me with- and the time that you have taken to do so! Thank you so much for the details, I feel I have gained some great insight from this conversation.
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