Posted on Mar 27, 2016
Does Anyone have advice on being assigned to a Combat Support Hospital?
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I'm going to PCS to a Combat Support Hospital in January of 2017. This will be my first experience in one. I know the force structure is vastly different than being in a BSB. I was looking for any advice on what to expect as a Sergeant First Class. Thanks in Advance
Posted in these groups: 
68W: Healthcare Specialist (Combat Medic)
68W: Healthcare Specialist (Combat Medic)
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 11
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I would try to get to S3. I know you are well versed on Point of Injury care to the BSB and the logistics behind it. The S3 will give you a better understanding of the regional medical command mission and medical activities on the CSH level and how it all ties together. This is information that you can use as a 1SG or Operations NCOIC. PSG is always good but they are right details, funeral detail is the norm. It's hard to build a team and train your Soldiers in this environment. I feel that you would get frustrated. Lastly, you need to sit down and look at your careers assignments and figure out what tools you need to be a 1SG/MSG. Do you need PSG time or Staff Time? If the answer is both then I would go S3. Regardless of where you end up, you will be a battlefield multiplier for the unit.
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SGM (Join to see)
+1 for OPS time. When I worked in BDE OPS at 30th MED, i learned an immense amount about Mission Command and how it would apply to being a 1SG. In my personal opinion, EVERYONE should work in the 3 before becoming a first sergeant.
My S3 SGM used to say that a Current Operations Sergeant has a greater sphere of influence that a unit first sergeant, and I can certainly see how that’s true. The analysis done by S3 on mission orders can make or break a Soldier’s quality of life at the company level.
My S3 SGM used to say that a Current Operations Sergeant has a greater sphere of influence that a unit first sergeant, and I can certainly see how that’s true. The analysis done by S3 on mission orders can make or break a Soldier’s quality of life at the company level.
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Can't tell you much about life as a SFC but I can tell you what to expect overall.
Most I've seen look to be detail bunnies. Medics shot aimless without a real purpose.
Training often falls to the side and most young medics I've encountered from a CSH are undertrained and unskilled.
Which is the main thing I would change if I was in a position to do so. The amount of training for medics (especially the duty station types that have never seen the line) and the overall value of of the training reenforced. Just recently on ft benning here I had to share a class with a grouping of CSH soldiers. Our MSTC site here is pretty high speed with the fancy items from Sam as training AIDS. From e3 to e6 out of the CSH they just didn't the class as if there was something to be gained.
Turn the coin over and it's time to apply skills we should all know and they failed. Most at least managed to pass the ft Sam standard... But in my eyes that's a failure.
Most I've seen look to be detail bunnies. Medics shot aimless without a real purpose.
Training often falls to the side and most young medics I've encountered from a CSH are undertrained and unskilled.
Which is the main thing I would change if I was in a position to do so. The amount of training for medics (especially the duty station types that have never seen the line) and the overall value of of the training reenforced. Just recently on ft benning here I had to share a class with a grouping of CSH soldiers. Our MSTC site here is pretty high speed with the fancy items from Sam as training AIDS. From e3 to e6 out of the CSH they just didn't the class as if there was something to be gained.
Turn the coin over and it's time to apply skills we should all know and they failed. Most at least managed to pass the ft Sam standard... But in my eyes that's a failure.
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SPC (Join to see)
Ya SFC we can definitely do a link up for that not only to talk about the CSH (I don't belong to the CSH just my various run ins with the soldiers of the CSH. I'm a member of the Martin Army Community Hospital)
That said I don't want to give you a bad impression though of your gaining unit! It's not all bad experiances I've had, the mentioned encounter could just have been a group of rotten apples, I've also had on the other hand some great experiances with the soldiers of that unit.
Coming off the line myself to a MEDDAC unit, I just hate seeing medics forget how important of a job we actually have, hate seeing incompetence in my fellow medics.
As far as the med school goes that is the end game goal for myself. Just took my MCATs with a 36 so gonna do it a couple times more to get a bit better of a score. I know it's not everything that goes into an application but I know I can personally do better. That was my first time taking the MCAT and shot myself in the foot over thinking problems.
That said I don't want to give you a bad impression though of your gaining unit! It's not all bad experiances I've had, the mentioned encounter could just have been a group of rotten apples, I've also had on the other hand some great experiances with the soldiers of that unit.
Coming off the line myself to a MEDDAC unit, I just hate seeing medics forget how important of a job we actually have, hate seeing incompetence in my fellow medics.
As far as the med school goes that is the end game goal for myself. Just took my MCATs with a 36 so gonna do it a couple times more to get a bit better of a score. I know it's not everything that goes into an application but I know I can personally do better. That was my first time taking the MCAT and shot myself in the foot over thinking problems.
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SP5 Caleb B
36? That's pretty great score, unless you are shooting for a Duke or John Hopkins? Seriously though, that's not too shabby. What schools are you looking into?
I decided to become an Occupational Therapist myself. Did my four years in active as a medic, now back to school to be an OT. I want to specialize more into TBI's and ortho. I applied to six schools, 2 accepted me (one doctor program and one masters degree) 3 programs put me on an alternate list, and one denial.
As far as a CSH goes, I don't know, but I will assume to be prepared for many undertrained soldiers, this seems to a general problem across the board.
I decided to become an Occupational Therapist myself. Did my four years in active as a medic, now back to school to be an OT. I want to specialize more into TBI's and ortho. I applied to six schools, 2 accepted me (one doctor program and one masters degree) 3 programs put me on an alternate list, and one denial.
As far as a CSH goes, I don't know, but I will assume to be prepared for many undertrained soldiers, this seems to a general problem across the board.
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SPC (Join to see)
SP5 Caleb B - Ya not complaining about the score. Fairly happy overall. I just hate to leave a job undone. I know through my own faults I coulda done better so I'm going back at it to prove that. Bit nutty I'm told but it'll eat at me if I don't.
As far as school options I've been dead set on applying to USHSU. That's been my primary goal. Unfortunately I've been deemed unfit to continue service so I just recently got the call I'll be asked to head on down the river.
I'm contemplating now DO schools or MD. Looking at OSU for DO. A very vain part of me wants to apply to Harvard med and JOhn Hopkins but I really don't see those happening. I'm currently reevaluating options and will probably go with something more reasonably priced yet still a quality education.
As far as school options I've been dead set on applying to USHSU. That's been my primary goal. Unfortunately I've been deemed unfit to continue service so I just recently got the call I'll be asked to head on down the river.
I'm contemplating now DO schools or MD. Looking at OSU for DO. A very vain part of me wants to apply to Harvard med and JOhn Hopkins but I really don't see those happening. I'm currently reevaluating options and will probably go with something more reasonably priced yet still a quality education.
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SP5 Caleb B
OSU? As in Ohio State? Go for it! I had interviewed with them and that was one of the universities that put me on a wait list.
I did get accepted into Virginia Commonwealth which is a great health sciences center as well, but with a newborn I needed a closer ot school to me. Funny thing is that school didn't do interviews and I got accepted and it's program was in the top 15 of all OT schools
I did get accepted into Virginia Commonwealth which is a great health sciences center as well, but with a newborn I needed a closer ot school to me. Funny thing is that school didn't do interviews and I got accepted and it's program was in the top 15 of all OT schools
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SFC I can't tell you about being in a CSH as a SNCO, but as a Soldier its definitely. As a Soldier in a CSH, it seemed like training was put to the side for the sake of certain requirements. Like every unit there are good and bad NCOs. It felt as most of my time spent in the CSH was inventories, messing with tents or other miscellaneous activities. It was very relaxed.
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SGT (Join to see)
LTC Paul Labrador - Sir I only describing my experience with a CSH. I assume its different deployed.
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