I'm a bit surprised from what I've read in this thread. I was under the impression that most Navy GMO's were 6mo on/6 mo off a ship for 2 years. It seems I'm mistaken. Further the selection for where you're going to be sounds extremely random.
If someone who knows wouldn't mind, could you point me to a good resource to learn more about GMO's (accessible to civilians)? Or give a summary of the GMO for someone who only has been informed by a recruiter.
The Reader's Digest explanation of the General Medical Officer (GMO)
A GMO is typically a physician who has completed one year of post graduate medical training (internship) and is assigned to work as an independant provider. They provide primary care for mostly active duty members, but will occasionally be called upon to see family members. More often than not these positions are with units that have a military unique function and are not inherently medical. While not deployed responsiblities include daily sick call, routine physicals, and making sure all members of the battalion are fit to deploy. (shots, tracking illness and injuries, etc.) When deployed, you are responsible for the preventative medicine needs of the unit as well as taking care of routine illnesses. You make recommendations for members as to fitness to remain or be sent home if they have a more serious injury or illness.
For the Navy there are 6 basic types of GMO.
1) Marine Corps - GMOs are typically assigned as Battalion Surgeons and are responsible for the running of the Battalion Aid Station. If deployed to a hot zone, you may have trauma responsibilties.
2) Flight Surgeon - A GMO "specialty" if you will. These members are sent for 6 months of additional training in aviation medicine. They are run through much of the basic flight course and learn to fly. After that, you are assigned to a squadron and go where they go.
3) Undersea/Dive Medicine - Another GMO "specialty. These members are sent for 6 months of dive training and become certified Navy Divers. Probably the most physically demanding option for Navy docs. There are no doctors assigned to submarines proper. UMOs are assigned to sub squadrons, special warfare (SEALs), dive units and sub tenders.
4) SeaBees - A small, often over looked group. Each SeaBee group has a GMO. They attend Field Medical Service School along with the Marine GMOs. Again, you go where they go.
5) Ships - The larger amphips and carriers all have docs assigned. These are suprisingly sought after. I have often heard docs don't want to join the Navy because they don't want to go on ships. The truth is that if you don't want to, you won't.
6) Clinic based GMOs. Almost all of these are gone. With the transition to an all board eligible force, these are the very low hanging fruit. Historically, if a GMO wanted/needed to do a second tour as a GMO, they would be assigned to a clinic. These days are essentially gone.
Where the spots are is based on where the units are. If you look at a map of Navy/Marine bases. That's where they will be. The larger the number of units, the more opportunities.
