The Navy purchased a full page Ad in this week's AMA News. "Take Your Medical Career Places It's Never Been Before". The Ad promises, "Your career will know no boundaries. You'll see more, learn more, and experience responsibility faster than you ever thought possible. You'll work with the latest technology, get financial assistance, and do what you set out to do."

The photo is a full length view of the USNS Comfort at sail in an inland waterway.

I was never in the Navy, and am curious as to what those of you who are might think of what this Ad promises. Any of you worked on the Comfort or been on board. What is it like? What can be done on board?

I was onboard during the invasion. 95% of it is a lie. The remaining 5% exaggerated.

I can't speak for the Comfort. However, military medicine at its finest is in the operational setting. The emphasis is on completing and supporting the mission rather than bean counting and handing out entitlements. Everyone is motivated to achieve the same goal. It is very exciting and rewarding to work directly with the warfighters. Besides providing health care even a GMO has the ability to impact policy decisions in an operational setting.

The Navy knows that physicians who stay in and make a positive contribution are highly motivated people who are adventurous. This population actually seeks deployments. They are motivated more by a desire and willingness to serve rather than by money. The ad targets this audience.

I can't speak for the Comfort. However, military medicine at its finest is in the operational setting. The emphasis is on completing and supporting the mission rather than bean counting and handing out entitlements. Everyone is motivated to achieve the same goal. It is very exciting and rewarding to work directly with the warfighters. Besides providing health care even a GMO has the ability to impact policy decisions in an operational setting.

The Navy knows that physicians who stay in and make a positive contribution are highly motivated people who are adventurous. This population actually seeks deployments. They are motivated more by a desire and willingness to serve rather than by money. The ad targets this audience.


Code word for: Can't cut it in a truly competitive market

The Navy knows that physicians who stay in and make a positive contribution are highly motivated people who are adventurous. This population actually seeks deployments. They are motivated more by a desire and willingness to serve rather than by money. The ad targets this audience.
WAAAAY too general of a statement. The Navy isn't some unseen force out there that rewards those who have gone operational versus not. It's an organization that rewards connections/networks/friendships/favors...and such. When the system works it's just and fair. However the system working is the exception and not the rule. Usually those rewarded have "done time" with someone somewhere. That can be at a hospital or with the green machine.

The ad targets an audience of ignorant men/women who believe the TV shows and movies concerning military life. The military life, especially during deployments is summed up with Hurry up & wait!. Shipboard deployments are a very boring time for the majority of physicians. The smart ones use it as a time to become acquainted with the ship drivers and those operational guys who have a say or will have a say on the medical sides budget. You go on deployments to network so that your next deployment/duty station isn't as bad as the current one.