What advice do have on being taken more seriously as an E-4 senior medic within a battalion where senior medics are E-6?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 13 Jun 2017 15:17:51 -0400

Response by SSgt Bruce McClelland made Jun 13 at 2017 3:19 PM

SSgt Bruce McClelland — Tue, 13 Jun 2017 15:19:40 -0400

Yep, get promoted to E-6, or even E-7. ;-)

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 13 at 2017 3:19 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 13 Jun 2017 15:19:42 -0400

My best advice is to study and learn everything you can. When it comes to the medical field your knowledge and competence is what sets you apart.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 13 at 2017 3:24 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 13 Jun 2017 15:24:19 -0400

Pretty sure Senior medics are an E5 slot, or at least it was when I was an E4 Senior medic.
The best way to be taken seriously is to know your craft inside and out as if you are a higher rank. Speak with the confidence of someone who knows what they're talking about and people will listen. If you don't have it already, start expanding your skill set with EMT-I, EMT-P, EMT-I, PHTLS, ACLS, PALS, etc.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 13 at 2017 3:24 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 13 Jun 2017 15:24:38 -0400

What type of battalion is it? Are you in a Heavy Calvary Squadron?

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Jun 13 at 2017 3:53 PM

MSG Brad Sand — Tue, 13 Jun 2017 15:53:34 -0400

Act more seriously. IF you are the senior medic be the senior medic. Soon enough...in the bigger picture...if you are the senior medic your rank will come in line.

Response by MSG Mark Million made Jun 13 at 2017 4:23 PM

MSG Mark Million — Tue, 13 Jun 2017 16:23:41 -0400

Just do you job well and give sound advice. Those who need your care will recognize your abilities and treat you in accordance to how you present yourself. If you appear confident and competent, you will quickly garner the respect you earn for yourself. Being a good medic isn't just about knowledge, it's about knowing people, knowing when something is wrong beyond the obvious and knowing how to fix problems or where and when to send those with problems for further care. Normally I would expect at some point a recommendation for CPL Stripes, though some commands are less inclined than others to issue those stripes. SGT will come soon enough, just work on getting correspondence course done and take some college courses if you can. Distinguish yourself from your peers. All of these things will earn you respect and cause you to be taken more seriously.

Response by SGT Victoria Belbusti made Jun 13 at 2017 11:22 PM

SGT Victoria Belbusti — Tue, 13 Jun 2017 23:22:34 -0400

I was in that same boat and I have a buddy who joined who had years of experience. Sometimes they just do not see you for anything but your rank. Continue to learn and expand your skills and don't back down.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 14 at 2017 2:38 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 14 Jun 2017 14:38:24 -0400

The short answer is to be capable and execute your mission. Your capability as a medic has little to do with the rank you wear. Your demonstrated capabilities will be what makes people take you seriously. Keep your motivation high, but don't confuse enthusiasm with capability. Seek every opportunity to train your junior medics. Work with your leadership to integrate casualties into every drill and exercise. Assign homework and self-study. Make sure your medics are squared away in their personal and professional lives through solid counseling. And while you are leading and developing others, you must also develop yourself. As the senior medic, you may not have the kind of direct mentorship you'd want. Seek out senior medics in other organizations and ask them for advice. Take time to pursue education when you can. I recommend starting some of the medical courses on ALMS such as the SOCM Prep Course and the 18D Prep Course (you can sign up through the ATRRS Self-Development Center). Once the ECM program launches, put in your packet as soon as you can. In the meanwhile, live your NCO creed and remember that the mission comes first, then your Soldiers, then your own needs.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 14 at 2017 11:05 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 14 Jun 2017 23:05:59 -0400

Be the subject matter expert.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 18 at 2017 11:02 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 18 Jun 2017 23:02:38 -0400

Be professional and know your stuff. If you don't know, don't pretend that you do.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 20 at 2017 11:40 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 20 Jun 2017 23:40:38 -0400

Learn as much as you can from your provider. So that you will be the best resource for your Command to come to you when there is a medical issue. This is not just a Band-Aid but readiness, and issues with malingering and profile rangers. Not that they haven't been doing this for a few days but those issues do come up. Education wise start working on Paramedic if that is your goal or nursing, RN. Those areas will also give you a leg up.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 21 at 2017 1:37 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 21 Jun 2017 01:37:22 -0400

Keep working hard, and get promoted. You can directly affect your situation on your own.

Response by MSG John Duchesneau made Mar 8 at 2018 10:34 PM

MSG John Duchesneau — Thu, 08 Mar 2018 22:34:14 -0500

I'm sure you have seen a few people in the Army who act and think higher than their pay grade. I suggest you be as knowledgeable and professional as possible and people will think more highly of you than the average specialist.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 9 at 2018 7:22 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 09 Mar 2018 07:22:00 -0500

Honestly to be a senior medic as a E-4 where most are E-6 is already an accomplishment and speaks loads about your skill level and competence. My advice is to keep doing your best and always look fo ways to further you skill level an knowledge.

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Mar 9 at 2018 9:50 AM

CW3 Kevin Storm — Fri, 09 Mar 2018 09:50:42 -0500

Knowledge, Knowledge, Knowledge . Have you earned and maintained your National Emergency Medical Technician Status? Have your earned the NEMT-Intermediate status, or Paramedic? That is what sets you apart. Earning that which they haven't knowing what they don't know. Passing that on to your Jr. subordinates.

Response by SPC David Willis made Mar 9 at 2018 9:57 AM

SPC David Willis — Fri, 09 Mar 2018 09:57:53 -0500

Not too familiar with how senior medics work, but if you were chosen for the slot don't change a thing. Clearly what you did was working.

Response by SSG Jessica Bautista made Mar 9 at 2018 11:35 AM

SSG Jessica Bautista — Fri, 09 Mar 2018 11:35:35 -0500

There's an "E-4 know-it-all" and a "knowledgeable SPC with leadership potential". Learn everything and don't let your head get too big.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Mar 9 at 2018 1:09 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Fri, 09 Mar 2018 13:09:12 -0500

Show your knowledge, prove you have the grip on it.