- Joined
- Nov 12, 2009
- Messages
- 633
- Reaction score
- 284
SDN
As I get ready to retire in the next few minutes, I don't want to get into a Flame war with those on SDN. Posting this will be my last act on the way to IT to turn in this computer. Here is what I tell anyone who reads (and takes seriously) what some of the old curmudgeons on SDN post.
In the Army we have about 1200 HPSP medical students. It's my guess that it is about the same for the other two Services (Air Force and Navy). So, conservatively, you are looking at 3600 medical students in all three Services. On active duty the Army has approximately 4800-5000 physicians. Out of that conservative 4800 – 5000 military physicians, let's say that 1/3 know about SDN. Again a very conservative number. So, we are now looking at the 1600 physicians across all three Services that are on active duty, all have access to computers, and again, have been on SDN at some point either prior to, during or after medical school. How come there are only 5 or 10 who regularly post and usually in the negative? OK, I even plus that up to 25, which is way huge, the question remains the same….
Over the past 35 years working for the AMEDD, I have learned that hard work pays off. The cream rises to the top. And, life is what you make of it. I have seen some come in and from the very first day state that all they want is out (both in peacetime and war). I have seen others come in who are "going to make a change". Some do, some get beaten down and leave wishing they had expended their effort toward something else. Some come for a career, some simply for a paid education. Some want to be specialists, some want to be administrators. The military is the one true melting pot. Discrimination is not tolerated - at all levels. Sexual harassment is dealt with swiftly and judiciously. We have all colors, creeds and religions. There are those who willingly work their butt off, and others who do the bare minimum. Those of us who enjoy diversity seem to thrive in the military. If you dislike it, not so much. It's a job/career that is not for everyone. Much like some cannot be OB/GYN or Peds, while others cannot see being a surgeon.
The organization is huge, it has its own rules and it survives on those rules. Sometimes the rules go in your favor and sometimes not. It has its own systems. Some work well, others don't. Add in extra curriculars like wife, husband, significant other, divorce, kids, no kids and things can change and/or get complicated fast. Your tastes can change. One of the best pieces of advice I was given back in the 1970's came from the lying dingus of a recruiter I had. He told me to sign up for as little time as you can. There will always be a chance to sign up for more later if you want.
Take a step back, and think. If you were working for a large organization like GM or Northrup Grumman. You may walk into your dream job, and 7 years later hate your boss and what the job has become. It's all very personal. Those of us who have been around a while can remember the good ole days when the last conflict was so far in the rearview mirror it was a distant memory, money was free for the picking off Uncle Sam's money tree - take all you want. There was no chance of war. Yep life was good. Yet even then people complained basically about the same stuff they complain about now plus now we have the very real possibility of war...
The honest to God truth is that nobody really knows where military medicine is going. In the last 35 years I've seen many changes and we always persevere. When they closed Fitzsimmons, the sky was falling, and, Army medicine was doomed. Well, that didn’t happen.
The HPSP is a financial boon for medical school, and residency. The absolute worst is that there are not enough residency slots (of your personal choice) to go around and when the music stops you're standing instead of sitting. You do your internship, pay back the four years, and take a great CV to apply to the civilian match a little later. You still have little to no debt while those around you in that later residency will be eating peanut butter and Raman noodles. Flip side is that you will be four years behind some of those you graduate med school with. Is it worth taking a roll of the dice? Up to you.
I know that individual experiences vary (flame on if you will, I’ll not be here to read it), and some may not see the military through what will seem like the “rose colored glasses” that I wear. The military has provided me with a fulfilling career, and now, retirement. Others not so much, but I really believe that 90% of what you get out of your life is your personal perception of the world around you.
So, if you have taken the time to read all this, please take away that the military offers an education, and compensation. What you make of it is entirely up to you. However, I strongly suggest you sign up for a little as possible - you can always sign up for more later if it suits.
And now it is very honestly, seriously and heartfelt, that I thank you all for your service and wish you all the very best.
Art Covi
(former) US Army Program Manager
As I get ready to retire in the next few minutes, I don't want to get into a Flame war with those on SDN. Posting this will be my last act on the way to IT to turn in this computer. Here is what I tell anyone who reads (and takes seriously) what some of the old curmudgeons on SDN post.
In the Army we have about 1200 HPSP medical students. It's my guess that it is about the same for the other two Services (Air Force and Navy). So, conservatively, you are looking at 3600 medical students in all three Services. On active duty the Army has approximately 4800-5000 physicians. Out of that conservative 4800 – 5000 military physicians, let's say that 1/3 know about SDN. Again a very conservative number. So, we are now looking at the 1600 physicians across all three Services that are on active duty, all have access to computers, and again, have been on SDN at some point either prior to, during or after medical school. How come there are only 5 or 10 who regularly post and usually in the negative? OK, I even plus that up to 25, which is way huge, the question remains the same….
Over the past 35 years working for the AMEDD, I have learned that hard work pays off. The cream rises to the top. And, life is what you make of it. I have seen some come in and from the very first day state that all they want is out (both in peacetime and war). I have seen others come in who are "going to make a change". Some do, some get beaten down and leave wishing they had expended their effort toward something else. Some come for a career, some simply for a paid education. Some want to be specialists, some want to be administrators. The military is the one true melting pot. Discrimination is not tolerated - at all levels. Sexual harassment is dealt with swiftly and judiciously. We have all colors, creeds and religions. There are those who willingly work their butt off, and others who do the bare minimum. Those of us who enjoy diversity seem to thrive in the military. If you dislike it, not so much. It's a job/career that is not for everyone. Much like some cannot be OB/GYN or Peds, while others cannot see being a surgeon.
The organization is huge, it has its own rules and it survives on those rules. Sometimes the rules go in your favor and sometimes not. It has its own systems. Some work well, others don't. Add in extra curriculars like wife, husband, significant other, divorce, kids, no kids and things can change and/or get complicated fast. Your tastes can change. One of the best pieces of advice I was given back in the 1970's came from the lying dingus of a recruiter I had. He told me to sign up for as little time as you can. There will always be a chance to sign up for more later if you want.
Take a step back, and think. If you were working for a large organization like GM or Northrup Grumman. You may walk into your dream job, and 7 years later hate your boss and what the job has become. It's all very personal. Those of us who have been around a while can remember the good ole days when the last conflict was so far in the rearview mirror it was a distant memory, money was free for the picking off Uncle Sam's money tree - take all you want. There was no chance of war. Yep life was good. Yet even then people complained basically about the same stuff they complain about now plus now we have the very real possibility of war...
The honest to God truth is that nobody really knows where military medicine is going. In the last 35 years I've seen many changes and we always persevere. When they closed Fitzsimmons, the sky was falling, and, Army medicine was doomed. Well, that didn’t happen.
The HPSP is a financial boon for medical school, and residency. The absolute worst is that there are not enough residency slots (of your personal choice) to go around and when the music stops you're standing instead of sitting. You do your internship, pay back the four years, and take a great CV to apply to the civilian match a little later. You still have little to no debt while those around you in that later residency will be eating peanut butter and Raman noodles. Flip side is that you will be four years behind some of those you graduate med school with. Is it worth taking a roll of the dice? Up to you.
I know that individual experiences vary (flame on if you will, I’ll not be here to read it), and some may not see the military through what will seem like the “rose colored glasses” that I wear. The military has provided me with a fulfilling career, and now, retirement. Others not so much, but I really believe that 90% of what you get out of your life is your personal perception of the world around you.
So, if you have taken the time to read all this, please take away that the military offers an education, and compensation. What you make of it is entirely up to you. However, I strongly suggest you sign up for a little as possible - you can always sign up for more later if it suits.
And now it is very honestly, seriously and heartfelt, that I thank you all for your service and wish you all the very best.
Art Covi
(former) US Army Program Manager
