Author: Joel Schofer, MD, MBA, CPE
Free Copy of New Book on Military Healthcare During OEF and OIF
All active duty can get a free copy of a new book, published by the Borden Institute, which tells the story of how the US military transformed combat casualty care in Iraq and Afghanistan. Entitled Out of the Crucible, it is written by more than 100 contributing authors. Essentially, the book is a compilation of chapters, essays, figures and photographs that describe to the American public and policymakers the remarkable transformations in care devised by ingenious Military Health System (MHS) problem solvers during OEF/OIF. It also makes the case for why we need a strong and adaptable MHS, including education and research, to meet the challenges of the future.
How to order:
- Go to this order form.
- Out of the Crucible is listed by name.
- It will take 3 to 5 weeks to receive the book.
Board Exam and Maintenance of Certification Funding Information
I had previously posted the new instruction (BUMEDINST 1500.20A – 3 Nov 2017), but here is the message recently disseminated from the office that deals with this issue:
Good morning Sir or Ma’am,
This message is from the Medical Corps Funding Office at Navy Medicine Professional Development Center and is provided for your information. Please disseminate to your respective specialty communities for maximum awareness.
Attached is the recently signed funding instruction for professional credentials and certification examinations.
Our website provides further information about the funding process, including a checklist of required items and templates for submission:
Please direct all questions and funding request submissions to our group email address:
usn.bethesda.navmedprodevctrmd.list.nmpdccmefunding < at sign > mail.mil
Thank you very much. We look forward to receiving your request.
Call for Nominations – 2018 Military Health System Female Physician Leadership Course
Background: Previous reviews—to include a 2008 study chartered by Dr. Casscells (Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs – ASD/HA), demonstrated a relative paucity of senior, female physician leaders (O-6 & above) within the Military Health System (MHS). While the causes are complex and multi-factorial, decreased promotion at the more senior levels and lower retention rates were noted as contributory factors. Leadership programs aimed at deliberately developing women leaders have proven successful in other venues, as it is known that women often experience unique challenges and opportunities in this arena. As a result, the MHS is committed to the deliberate development and mentorship of emerging female physician leaders, and assisting them in acquiring the critical skills and networks needed to be successful both in the near term, and at more senior levels.
This resulted in the development of the MHS Female Physician Leadership Course which is a 2.5 day class which provides an interactive leadership development opportunity targeted at emerging and prospective mid-level female physician-leaders in the MHS.
Action: Disseminate the request for Navy Medicine nominations for the 2018 MHS Female Physician Leadership Course nominees to the Regions, operational commands and BUMED Codes. Eligible nominees are female Navy physicians at the O-4-select, O-4, or junior O-5 levels (less than 2 years TIG). Navy Reserve Physicians are also eligible. Complete nomination packets are due by 05 JAN 2018. A complete packet will include the nomination form, a 250 word or less letter of endorsement from the nominator and the nominee’s CV.
Deliverable: Completed course nominee packets to LCDR Jami Peterson by COB 05 JAN 2018. Please email the required documents as a single PDF labeled: Last nameFirst initial_Navy_FPLC_18 (example PetersonJ_Navy_FPLC_18)
Lead: LCDR Jami J. Peterson (her contact info is in the global address book)
Due date: January 05, 2018
Additional Information: Here are the course details.
Lots of Alternative Positions Available
The Detailers just sent out this list of positions that are available for next year, so if you’re interested in any of them contact your Detailer or Specialty Leader:
| Position | Command | Homeport | Rank (generally +/- one rank) | Traits | Fill date | Tour length |
| Student | Naval War College | Newport, Rhode Island | CDR | JPME1 completed | Summer 2018 | One year |
| Physician researcher | Naval Medical Research Center | Silver Springs, Maryland | All ranks | Research skills/interest | Summer 2018 | Three years |
| SMO | AS 39 Emory S Land | Guam | CAPT | Primary Care Skills | Summer 2018 | Two years |
| SMO | LHD 1 WASP | Sasebo, Japan | LCDR | Primary Care Skills | Spring 2018 | Two years |
| SMO | LHD 5 BATAAN | Norfolk, Virginia | LCDR | Primary Care Skills | Spring 2018 | Two years |
| SMO | LHD 8 MAKIN ISLAND | San Diego, California | LCDR | Primary Care Skills | Summer 2018 | Two years |
| SMO | LCC 19 B RIDGE | Yokosuka, Japan | LCDR | Primary Care Skills | Spring 2018 | Two years |
| Group Surgeon | NCG 1 | Port Hueneme, California | CAPT | Marine Corp Experience | Late Summer 2018 | Three years |
| Physician | Sec Nav Physical Exam Board | Washington D.C. | CDR | Physician | Summer 2018 | Three years |
| Executive Medicine/Surgical Detailer | Navy Personal Command | Millington (Memphis) Tennessee | CAPT | Physician | Summer 2018 | Two years |
End-of-the-Month Personal Finance Summary
Here are my personal finance articles and blog posts from October for those that like to read them:
8th Step to Financial Security – Save for Future College Expenses
CFPB Post on Tips for Service Members with Student Debt
It’s Easy to Get Rich in the Military
New Retirement System’s Retention Bonus Will Be Lowest Allowed by Law
Things I Learned from The Military Guide about the Blended Retirement System
Chief, Department of Medicine at Ft. Belvoir – O5/O6
Here is the announcement for this position:
All the details of the position and application procedure is in the PDF.
Retirement and Resignation Requests Will Be Submitted on NSIPS as of 1 JAN 2018
Here is a NAVADMIN that was just released about retirement and resignation requests being submitted on NSIPS. Since many Medical Officers are allergic to NAVADMINs, here are the highlights:
- This functionality allows members to initiate requests electronically via NSIPS self-service, route them through their chain of command for review and recommendation, and then electronically route the request to Navy Personnel Command for a decision.
- This improvement provides transparency for our service members on the status of their requests, an integrated waiver process when needed, and electronic notification of the final disposition of requests for both the member and the command.
- All officers submitting their voluntary resignation or retirement must utilize NSIPS for requests initiated on or after 1 January 2018.
- Service members must ensure their email addresses in NSIPS are correct to ensure timely delivery.
JAMA Article on Transforming the Military Health System
A recent JAMA article was published that discusses transforming the Military Health System (MHS). It can be read for free here:
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2663037
If you prefer PDF, here it is:
BUMED Special Pays Update – 14 NOV 2017
Here’s a BUMED special pays update I was forwarded by the MEC Chair at my command:
The DFAS payment delinquent issues have been communicated to the SG via Info Paper and elevated to the OASN (M&RA). We are asking that ASN(M&RA) work with the Service M&RAs to raise the issue to USD(P&R). We believe P&R can raise the issue with OSD(COMP), the reporting senior for DFAS.
As of 9 NOV 2017, there were 72 lists backlogged in the DFAS Defense Workload Operations System (DWOWS) dating back to 10 JUL 2017. Thirty of those lists have been at DFAS for more than 30 days, which have increased the payment delays to four months. Many of the lists are in a suspense status. For example, a list could contain three different special pays (IP, RB, BCP), the DFAS clerk could process entries for RB and IP to be paid and have not yet processes the entries for BCP. Further, some officers on the list may have had their pay processed while others are pending.
Additional personnel were hired at DFAS to help expedite processing the Medical Special Pays. The new staff did not understand the intricacies involved with medical special pays, thus the good faith effort has not decreased the amount of time to process requests, and has led to some incorrect payments.
Officers with questions should first contact their Command Special Pays Coordinator for assistance. If the Command Special Pays Coordinator needs further assistance with the officer’s question, they can e-mail or call the BUMED Special Pays Program office. BUMED Special Pays Program office can only provide the date of an officer’s special pay request was submitted it to DFAS. Once a request has reached DFAS, BUMED Special Pays Program office has no visibility of the request until after the pay has started. New pays are reflected on the LES as SAVED PAY.
BUMED Special Pays Program Manager is at DFAS Cleveland this week to address the backlog, expedite the processing of special pay requests, and determine a workable solution to process the FY-18 Special Pays. An update on the success of this trip will be provided in the next update.
The FY18 Medical Department Officers Special Pays NAVADMIN for active duty is expected to be release by mid December 2017. Officers will have 30 days from the release date of the NAVADMIN to submit requests for special pays effective 1 October 2017. Officers must meet the eligibility outlined in the FY-18 Special Pay Guidance. All remaining officers not already under a consolidated special pay contract must submit a special pays request to transition from legacy special pay to consolidated special pay by 28 January 2018.
Joel Schofer's Career Planning Blog 