One of the hardest things for me during my sub-I at BAMC was learning the ranks of all the different services. I ended up making myself flashcards on day 2. You're literally all mixed together with enlisted people and officers from everywhere and anywhere. Also, the USUHS folks are from all the branches. Then you have your civilians. Most of the civilians were retired military. So... You may call someone Dr.___, but you might write them as LTC____. Bleh. It was a lot to get quickly. I made the flashcards after I referred to a Navy Chief Petty Officer (E-7) as "Sarge". He was quite friendly about the whole thing (he was a cool guy), but I felt like a tool. also the Navy calls their ranks, "rates". None of this is going to stop the world from spinning but... keep it in mind. And there are Marine Corps medics with the Navy called "Corpsmen" but the Navy medics are also "Corpsmen"... These are the things that I didn't learn at Army OBLC. So... If you meet someone who says, he's a "Corpsman", make no assumptions! Also there's more icing on the cake. Technically, the Navy Hospital Corpsmen have their own special rates. So... If you see an individual in the Navy who is an E-4 doing medical stuff, s/he could be a "Petty Officer", a "Hospital Corpsman" or whatever their job is like a "Culinary Specialist" (with another rate altogether)! So when people introduce themselves, LISTEN! I've also started to ask, "How do I write that?" so that there's no confusion later.
Also this is minor and silly. But I don't think you're supposed to say that you're rotating at, "Lackland AFB" or "Ft Sam". We were told not to refer it as "BAMC" anymore either. Because it's a joint command, you're supposed to call it either "SAMMC" (North or South) or "SAUSHEC". (there are signs which read "BRAC-a new beginning" EVERYWHERE)
One thing that I didn't like was that you're not supposed to wear scrubs in the parking lot... So if you've been in scrubs all day, that means that you have to change before you leave. So if you're dirty, you have to change into a non-work outfit to head home before you shower. That was really my only complaint about the whole ordeal.
Wait, that's a lie. Parking WAS HORRIBLE! I was able to get a rental car with three other people. However, there is so much friggin' construction going on... It ended up being more convenient to hop on the bus which dropped me off down the street from my building, than it was to walk to the car. Again, the heat is no joke. The bus schedules could be a bit more reliable. But I really enjoyed the 30min chats that I had while waiting for the bus with the Enlisted folks. (tangent- They were great and hilarious! Some of them should be on SNL!)
I thought the meal plan at SAMMC was the best that I've encountered so far! You have several options in and outside of the hospital where to use it. There was no way that I could have eaten my daily rations. I got plenty of good coffee 24/7. Interesting enough, I had more free good coffee at SAMMC than any other military base that I've worked. And it was the first time I encountered K-cups. Now I'm an addict.
And if you're interviewing check on what your interview uniform will be. Also I ended up buying a mess dress uniform to attend ONE EVENT! I could have not gone but I'm nose-y so I had to see what all the fuss was about. And since I'm a girl, I bought the skirt, then I changed my mind and bought the long dress... I should have worn the skirt it was a thousand degrees. but there are rules about length when the sun goes down etc. AND, after that event, I was able to attend another event (a wedding) in my mess uniform. So now, I've started packing all my uniforms for these ADTs. I totally use that 3rd bag when on orders!
Also, my biggie advice that I wish I knew before, is to interview with anything that you think you MIGHT be interested in while you're there. Now, I even interview with the transitional PD! It's so that they can know me AND I can know them. I still don't have a final preference list planned. FML. anyhow, I'm working on it.
I heard that 15% of civilian residents change their field.... I think that no one knows what the hell s/he want to do! So, I don't feel so bad about it!
Oh, and I will go ahead and tell my lil' secret. If you drink, you're going to end up drinking with other folks from other branches. Quite often you end up "coin checking" in a bar somewhere. It always happens... Some wise kid who is the son of ____ is going to drop a coin and think he's the only one that has one ready. i'm ALWAYS ready for this! I buy ~50 coins from my local base and have them in my purse at all times. If I haven't drank them all up, then I give them to the personnel that really helped me along during the rotation. and I've given some to the mean nurses that haven't helped as well... It's like a "swap" in girl scouting. I think it helps.
Also I had call nights. I guess it depends on what you're going into and what your residents are doing. They never "force" the issue, but I generally try to do whatever my intern is doing. They do say that "Everyday is an interview day." Lastly, "Never say what isn't in your job description, until you know what your job is." Be prepared to do it all. It's actually a GOOD part of the rotation. I really learned how to do ABGs at SAMMC. When I came back to my home school, I thought I was the coolest thing since slice bread!
Now I'm jealous that you have these great rotations lined up! I wish I did!
You're going to have a swell time! And since you're going to be a tourist, you MUST get yourself a tour of the Burn Center and the Center for the Intrepid. Prepare yourself to be AMAZED! And they have a kick ass sim center as well. although they could be a bit less stingy with the time allowed in it...
If SAMMC wasn't in Texas, it'd be #1 easily!
