What is the role of physicians in Civil Affairs?

Nawap Klein — Thu, 29 Nov 2018 23:26:23 -0500

I am currently a medical student. After medical school, I plan to become board-certified in Family Medicine, Emergency Medicine, or Internal Medicine. I am very interested in Civil Affairs, and I hoped to join a CA unit through the reserves.

Do Civil Affairs units have any use for physicians? What might a physician do in a civil affairs unit? What MOS would this fall under?

I have heard that physicians in civil affairs units can help with training local doctors, helping develop new health systems abroad, etc. How true is this?

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Nov 29 at 2018 11:52 PM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Thu, 29 Nov 2018 23:52:56 -0500

https://www.usphs.gov/student/

I'm gonna suggest some stuff, incl what I just sent you the link for, as I've been down the road you want...I'm disabled now, I was doctoral-level allied health, I should've been med, I tried allo and osteo, it'd help to know which you are...that being said, trust me, what you're envisioning, while I entirely follow your logic, isn't what actually happens...trust me, I know...one guy in the program I was in got an allied-health active-duty residency as an alternate, just before we finished, he actually got picked up...one of my attendings was a USPHS O-6, full Captain, I wanted very, very badly to go his route, I nearly got it, as I said, then everything went totally sideways, long story, not relevant, just explaining...trust me, before you go off dreaming up such totally pie-in-the-sky notions, believe me, I wanted what you want worse then breathing, tell me what year you are, your GPA, whether you're allo or osteo, and I'll help you plan it right...what you're describing isn't reality, it's not how it's done, honest...I trained at multiple VA hospitals, I saw a good deal of the world you want, I couldn't get it...there are numerous other alternatives, things I can show you that you quite simply won't know about, I assure you, honest...so, read what I'm gonna send you, and elaborate as I'd said...I'm not telling you to not do it, I'm telling you what reality is, versus fantasy, OK? So trust me, elaborate as I'd said, I have an interest in such career/educ stuff...I did seven years of residency, of which I finished six, before I got too ill to finish...I got within months of my surgical board eligibility...I trained in 10 different teaching hospitals in three different states, I treated some 10000 patients in residency, and assisted with some 200-300 OR cases, not just what I was doing, a whole slew of other fields...have you published? If so, what journals? Have you looked at any other svcs at all thus far? What explicit, detailed research interests do you have? Do you have even a vestige of a clue what active duty existence is actually like? I'm speaking of additional duties, professional military education (PME), do you also want a Ph.D.? If so, what field? You must've looked at USUHS, the svc program, I'll send you the link, have you looked at their Ph.D. program, as well as their online certificate program in preventive med that only active duty, Guard, and Reserve can do? There are a virtual plethora of topics to the Pandora's Box you're looking at, so trust me, it's just that civil affairs, while I entirely understand your reasoning, isn't likely to fit into day-to-day svc reality, honest...now, that being said, if you want straight clinical, USPHS has an agreement with the other svcs to use USPHS psych-related personnel, if you might have an inclination to go that way...also, look at the USPHS Jr and Sr COSTEP, and, honestly, if I were you, I'd get the Ph.D. before you went in, IF you're inclined that way, as you're not gonna have a chance for several tours if you go in without it...would you also want flight surgeon at all? You have to understand, all svc clinical personnel intermingle, the days of you being involved with your own svc for clinical stuff is long gone...leave civil affairs aside for now, look at what I show you, elaborate as I said, then I'll try to explain more...if you're gonna do it, then for God's sake, plan it right, and do it the right way...I had totally idiotic pie-in-the-sky notions about the type of bioengineering research I'd wanted, I completely bollixed everything up...now, you're more than halfway there, so benefit from my exposure, and, so far as possible, let me try to help you the right way. OK? I'd be most eager to hear more...believe me, I wanted it, worse than you ever possibly could, and got really, really close...I can explain many clinical realities to you, I just need to know more...if you're on rotations, tell me which ones thus far, what types of facilities, office based, clinic, hospital, OR, be specific, trust me, I've been MORE than around this block, I trained under God only knows how many MDs and DOs, so trust me, been there, done that (BTDT), as I'd said, OK?

Student Opportunities at USPHS Commissioned Corps

USPHS Commissioned Corps: internships, financial assistance, loan repayments, externships, other student opportunies.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Nov 29 at 2018 11:54 PM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Thu, 29 Nov 2018 23:54:22 -0500

And believer me, I have family who do what you want, and are where you wanna be, aside from all those I trained under as well, I assure you, four in my family...as I said, a really, really long, tired, tiring, wearying story, honest....

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Nov 29 at 2018 11:54 PM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Thu, 29 Nov 2018 23:54:51 -0500

http://www.amsus.org

You'll wanna join this....

AMSUS

AMSUS, The Society of Federal Health Professionals, is a non-profit member-based educational and professional development association serving the Department of Defense, Veterans Affairs, Health and Human Services, and Homeland Security, federal health professionals and their families, our industry partners and advocates for advancing health for all- particularly through interagency collaboration. AMSUS supports the federal health professional...

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Nov 29 at 2018 11:55 PM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Thu, 29 Nov 2018 23:55:41 -0500

http://www.coausphs.org/

This is the USPHS professional group site....

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Nov 29 at 2018 11:56 PM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Thu, 29 Nov 2018 23:56:41 -0500

https://www.usuhs.edu/pmb/gh-distance-learning

This is deluged with applicants, plus, it's only for active duty, Guard, or Reserve....

Uniformed Services University

The mission of the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences is to educate, train, and comprehensively prepare uniformed services health professionals, scientists, and leaders to support the Military and Public Health Systems, the National Security and National Defense Strategies of the United States, and the readiness of our Uniformed Services.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Nov 29 at 2018 11:59 PM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Thu, 29 Nov 2018 23:59:41 -0500

https://www.usuhs.edu/graded/doctoral

You don't have to be active duty for the infectious disease, mol and cell bio, and neuroscience programs, I checked, they have civilian tracks...now you CAN apply as active duty, I'm just saying you CAN also apply as civilian as well for those...they have numerous others also, as you'll see, as well as a full nursing doctoral program....

Uniformed Services University

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Nov 30 at 2018 12:00 AM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Fri, 30 Nov 2018 00:00:19 -0500

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_Force_Institute_of_Technology

Read about this....

Air Force Institute of Technology - Wikipedia

The Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) is a graduate school and provider of professional and continuing education for the United States Armed Forces and is part of the United States Air Force. It is located in Ohio at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, near Dayton. AFIT is a component of the Air University and Air Education and Training Command.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Nov 30 at 2018 12:02 AM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Fri, 30 Nov 2018 00:02:06 -0500

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naval_Postgraduate_School

Being as I totally bollixed everything up when I started, I couldn't get this, despite having a recommend...however, I did notice they have some grad-level ops-research type coursework on healthcare, I did see that as I'd looked through it awhile back....

Naval Postgraduate School - Wikipedia

The Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) is a graduate school operated by the United States Navy. Located in Monterey, California, it grants master's degrees, engineer's degrees and doctoral degrees. Established in 1909, the school also offers research fellowship opportunities at the postdoctoral level through the National Academies' National Research Council research associateship program.[3]

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Nov 30 at 2018 12:02 AM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Fri, 30 Nov 2018 00:02:36 -0500

I showed you both of those, as all warrants and commissioned in all svcs can apply to those schools, aside from USUHS.....

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Nov 30 at 2018 12:03 AM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Fri, 30 Nov 2018 00:03:05 -0500

Though you'd likely need sevl tours to have a chance of getting to go to either of them....

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Nov 30 at 2018 12:03 AM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Fri, 30 Nov 2018 00:03:27 -0500

http://www.ausa.org

Look at this....

Association of the United States Army

Voice for the Army – Support for the Soldier

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Nov 30 at 2018 12:04 AM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Fri, 30 Nov 2018 00:04:03 -0500

http://www.usni.org

Their Proceedings should be required reading for all svc mbrs, the material is that good, I assure you....

U.S. Naval Institute

Provide an independent forum for those who dare to read, think, speak, and write to advance the professional, literary, and scientific understanding of sea power and other issues critical to global security.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Nov 30 at 2018 12:04 AM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Fri, 30 Nov 2018 00:04:16 -0500

http://www.afa.org

And this also.....

Home

Description

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Nov 30 at 2018 12:06 AM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Fri, 30 Nov 2018 00:06:15 -0500

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Army_Medical_Research_Institute_of_Infectious_Diseases

Read this...you wanna see reality, not fantasy? Ask to do a rotation with them...I don't know if they'd let you as a civilian, you might have to be on scholarship, however, I merely point it out to at least look through....

United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases - Wikipedia

The United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID; pronounced: you-SAM-rid) is the U.S Army's main institution and facility for defensive research into countermeasures against biological warfare. It is located on Fort Detrick, Maryland and is a subordinate lab of the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command (USAMRMC), headquartered on the same installation.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Nov 30 at 2018 12:07 AM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Fri, 30 Nov 2018 00:07:21 -0500

https://usphs.gov/aboutus/dod-hhs/job-opportunities.aspx

Read this....

DoD-HHS Job Opportunities (3 YEAR OBLIGATION)

Current Army Job Opportunities

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Nov 30 at 2018 12:07 AM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Fri, 30 Nov 2018 00:07:55 -0500

https://www.usphs.gov/aboutus/dod-hhs.aspx

And this....

Military mental health services at USPHS Commissioned Corps

Military behavioral health, mental health services. USPHS Commissioned Corps

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Nov 30 at 2018 12:13 AM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Fri, 30 Nov 2018 00:13:08 -0500

http://www.sgaus.org

I merely point this out, as they have a senior physician as part of their group...this is the professional group for the state defense forces (SDFs), not all states have them, however, the one good thing about them is, they let one see if one can adapt to svc life before going Federal...now, understand, they're real militaries, just under sevl states, they supplement the Natl Guard, our dentist, as my sugestion, joined the NY Guard (NYG), liked it, then transferred to Federal going ARNG, as he had a friend who'd wanted him, he just wasn't sure if it'd be for him...I explain all that as most generally don't know the SDFs exist, that's my only reason for explaining about them to you, OK? Also, what was your bachelors in, did you do any grad stuff, MPH, whatever, before you went allo or osteo, what were your GPAs there, as well, it'd help to know that, if you can go into it at all, if you'd rather not, I entirely understand, of course...also, in an SDF, you're not ordinarily deployed out of state, and, if a Federal svc picks you up, my understanding is you can normally be released, just as was the case with our dentist, whom I've known for about 30 yrs now....

SGAUS – State Guard Association of the United States

State Guard Association of the United States

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Nov 30 at 2018 12:14 AM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Fri, 30 Nov 2018 00:14:21 -0500

http://www.aangfs.com/

Read this....

Alliance of Air National Guard Flight Surgeons | AANGFS

Hot News: For Information on the 2018 Gulfport Flight Surgeon Meeting and thanks to Col Yank for theAANGFS 2018 Meeting Summaryand AANGFS 2018 Keynote Speaker Highlights

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Nov 30 at 2018 12:14 AM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Fri, 30 Nov 2018 00:14:55 -0500

http://sousaffs.org/default.php

And this....

SoUSAFFS Society of United States Air Force Flight Surgeons

Thank you for visiting the Society of United States Air Force Flight Surgeons (SoUSAFFS) web page. We are the Aerospace Medical Association (AsMA) constituent organization who represents all Air Force flight surgeons (FS): active duty, Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve, and retired. The society exists to advocate for USAF FS at the national and international level and to advance education, cross-talk, mentoring, and networking among all...

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Nov 30 at 2018 12:16 AM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Fri, 30 Nov 2018 00:16:34 -0500

http://www.susnfs.org/

This too...also, if you go USPHS as a flight surgeon, you can also get assigned to USCG, which uses USPHS for all clinical stuff other than having their own PAs, for the most part, I've gathered...you can also go with the NOAA Commissioned Corps, which has its own aviation component....

Society of US Naval Flight Surgeons

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Nov 30 at 2018 12:16 AM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Fri, 30 Nov 2018 00:16:46 -0500

http://www.omao.noaa.gov

Read about this....

Office of Marine and Aviation Operations |

Learn about the NOAA Diving Program, which trains, certifies, and equips personnel to safely support underwater missions

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Nov 30 at 2018 12:17 AM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Fri, 30 Nov 2018 00:17:54 -0500

https://dcp.psc.gov/osg/physician/availablejobpositions-uscoastguard.aspx

Read this....

Physician Professional Advisory Committee

USPHS USPHS Physician PAC last reviewed 5/14/2017

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Nov 30 at 2018 12:18 AM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Fri, 30 Nov 2018 00:18:17 -0500

https://www.usphs.gov/profession/physician/bios.aspx

And this....

Meet Our USPHS Commissioned Corps Physicians

Read bios and quotes from USPHS Commissioned Corps Physicians.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Nov 30 at 2018 12:18 AM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Fri, 30 Nov 2018 00:18:53 -0500

https://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/reserves-and-coast-guard-flight-surgeon.722331/

This too...I told you, I've been around this a long, long time....

Reserves and Coast Guard Flight Surgeon

New to the forum, just finished up my 4th year of med school and am heading to intership in a civilian residency program this July. I have no prior...

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Nov 30 at 2018 12:21 AM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Fri, 30 Nov 2018 00:21:01 -0500

http://wow.uscgaux.info/content.php?unit=H-DEPT&category=auxiliary-health-services

If you wanna see what USCG clinical life is like, if you wanna joing USCG Aux, they actually let clinicians treat patients...I'd love to do it, I just don't know, with the whole total perm disability thing for me, if it'd be allowed, however, once again, I mention it only as most generally don't know about it, for the most part....

U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary - Human Resources

Public and Members Website for the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary's Human Resources

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Nov 30 at 2018 12:22 AM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Fri, 30 Nov 2018 00:22:28 -0500

And you've gotta stop thinking in terms of MOS only, OK? You've gotta think in terms of USAF AFSCs, as well as Navy rates, in terms of specific fields...remember, it's not about what you want, it's about who wants you, OK?

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Nov 30 at 2018 12:24 AM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Fri, 30 Nov 2018 00:24:10 -0500

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USNS_Comfort_(T-AH-20)

Doing a tour on one of these, I assure you, is just about as close as you're gonna get to the kind of civil affairs stuff you want...there are obviously equivalents in the other svcs, certainly, however, I assure you, this is, honestly, one of the closest ways you're gonna find, honest....

USNS Comfort (T-AH-20) - Wikipedia

USNS Comfort (T-AH-20) is the third United States Navy ship to bear the name Comfort, and the second Mercy-class hospital ship to join the U.S. Navy's fleet. The USNS prefix identifies Comfort as a non-commissioned ship owned by the U.S. Navy and operationally crewed by civilians from the Military Sealift Command (MSC). A uniformed naval hospital staff and naval support staff is embarked when Comfort is deployed, said staffs consisting...

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Nov 30 at 2018 12:26 AM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Fri, 30 Nov 2018 00:26:27 -0500

Now, here's the thing: I know I've deluged you with a lot...however, as I said, benefit from years of aggravation on my part, and trust that what I'm showing you is reality, not, as I'd said, pie-in-the-sky fantasy...go through it all, elaborate as I'd said, so far as you'd care to, and I'll gladly point you to more, if I think of anything else worthwhile, I'll send that also meanwhile, OK?

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Nov 30 at 2018 12:27 AM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Fri, 30 Nov 2018 00:27:07 -0500

https://www.cc.nih.gov/

You might wanna try rotating here, if you can....

NIH Clinical Center - America's Research Hospital | Building 10

NIH Clinical Center - America's Research Hospital Building 10

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Nov 30 at 2018 12:29 AM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Fri, 30 Nov 2018 00:29:39 -0500

And I took everything you're taking, other than OB/GYN, peds, and some more anesthesiology...I assisted with ortho, derm, plastic, vascular, GI, cardiac, and trauma, I also observed a good deal of dental oral and maxillofacial, as well as some neurosurgery...I nearly published in wound care, I got real close, and also assisted with interaoperative testing of ultrasonic wound debridement (UWD) hardware, while in residency, as well, I assure you....

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Nov 30 at 2018 12:31 AM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Fri, 30 Nov 2018 00:31:44 -0500

Plus, I've read very extensively on bioengineering, biomathematics, and mathematical biophysics, as well as neural networks, and also computational genomics, among other areas, and was originally trained as an electrical engineer (EE), physicist, and mathematician, I also worked 11 yrs. before my disability as an EE, so, whatever research interests you have, I can assure you, I can follow any explanation you'd care to give, no matter how technical, honest.....

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Nov 30 at 2018 1:16 AM

LTC Jason Mackay — Fri, 30 Nov 2018 01:16:38 -0500

Nawap Klein Civil Affairs does the coordinating and interaction with the people and local authorities. The medical portion of a MEDCAP is done by medical staff from an available unit. There is not an organic capability within a CA unit. LTC Paul Labrador any further insight? I have seen regular Army BCTs do MEDCAPS with their assets, other assets like from the CSH, and variations there of. It depends on how 'busy' people are and what specialties are available.

Here is an article on a MEDCAP from 3rd SF Group. The Battalion Surgeon was the provider. https://www.jsomonline.org/Publications/2007139Malsby.pdf

Two different paths here
1. If you want to be a CA officer, you'll have to earn a commission (USMA, OCS, ROTC) in another Army branch, then Apply for selection as a CA Officer when you become eligible. CA is a Special Operations career field and not a direct accession branch. mOS is 38A. https://www.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs/browse-career-and-job-categories/intelligence-and-combat-support/civil-affairs-officer.html

2. If you want to be an Army Physician there are multiple MOSs that correspond with different medical specialties. Find a medical recruiter (specifically a medical recruiter) and apply for a direct commission as a Medical Doctor. Multiple MOSs. https://www.goarmy.com/amedd/physician/jobs-careers.html

2007139Malsby.pdf

MÇæaÛ13À`Ø*ÌsÄÖ`0[ÍÅÃøX¶sÆ¶aØdl'æEcëØÌ ãb!ØJ,3ÒJÃ6`VÙbXÅÅØxÌAsxúìôZvh'OÿhüúñqÚ|í&í+Î5|1n?&wdÒ þXÿãÝB&ÝÕÙsjòÉ/ºpjþUÓ.L·a=ã wÁÌOgÎº{GOÊÍ+ã}Åû¿ß#8!øË'?ùË'T5JÇëê¿þôôlÙ9+æ5k9·|ÞüÉó[æßÿýÅ/ºøa39/à`ùá\öùa;2µ#tUñ\è~§]ÀÙÉUÛñÓm):º#læQLýTsäJÒ¡øûÄL µQã=zE· g|ËúàäjôÚ»NUäJBùÉvàJQ*+Qls çÄÑÏáxÇ{ûÔç%gyëÉ'Ë eÎÆ+èêÝ(öIÑT(ðPD(,9XûâI_ òÞçÝÍSÒ[U]YUWÔH#ÆrÌHZfñF]íR1èqôaµ+ÃË.O}]rüûðzª,9åÓ ¡}o(&!2%ÄìøÃòRiiz'$UÓÙîÄu'å»SÅîµÞþÝqçt?ÿ@ÌÔVÂ(?ZçðT¡Îpsà¿ÍWEKÄ(*$Á+]bT+a[Ë.9B...

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 30 at 2018 9:13 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 30 Nov 2018 21:13:40 -0500

We have a few AMEDD officers in tactical CA battalions. A 60A (Preventative Medicine), 64A (Veterinarian) are positions available. These officers are busy when we get a Humanitarian Assistance or Disaster Response mission.
Most of the time if we need medical officers to support our missions, they are attached to us for the duration of the mission itself.

As to you latter question, those kinds of tasks happen, primarily in support of State Department sponsored HCA (Humanitarian Civic Action) missions. They are most common in Africa. A recent example was during the Ebola outbreak in 2014.
MEDCAPS and VETCAPS are actually pretty rare now and have fallen out of favor, as we find training and professional development partnerships are more sustainable and foster the kind of cooperation that is typically the long-term goal of CAO.