How to Prepare for Important Navy Interviews
A reader recently asked me for help preparing for a big interview that I had done in the past (the interview to become a Specialty Leader). We both thought that interview prep would be a good blog post, so here is my advice after 10+ interviews for significant leadership positions:
- Be prepared for an in-depth and long interview. My interview for Specialty Leader was with VADM Bono when she was a two star and the Navy Medical Corps Chief. It thought that it was going to be 15-20 minutes with a max of 30 minutes because she was (is) so busy. She talked to me for an hour and 15 minutes and it was a very, very thorough and in-depth interview. Although I got the position, I probably should have been more mentally prepared for the possibility that it could have lasted over an hour.
- Always have a reasonable understanding about the current state of the position you are interviewing for. I ensure this by talking with the incumbent for at least 15 minutes about the position. Ask how it is going, what they liked or didn’t like about it, what has gone well and what hasn’t, etc. In addition, try to meet with their immediate supervisor to ask them a few questions about the position. I try to find out what they would like out of the position in the future, what they need more of, and what their strategic priorities are.
- Make sure you’ve read all of the core strategic documents. To me, these include the Navy Medicine Commander’s Guidance (Short Version and Long Version), the DHA Director’s Priorities and Vision, and your command’s mission/vision statements. There may be others, depending on what you’re interviewing for. For example, I like this article on Value Based Healthcare.
- If given the position, always have a plan for what you want to do in the future. Ideally, your plan needs to support the strategic documents in #3 above.
- Tell the truth and be honest to yourself. In other words, don’t try to be who you think they want. Be who you are. If you’re not what they want, it is probably better if you don’t get the job anyway.
- As soon as you are done with the interview, write down the questions they asked. Then you can use these questions to prepare for future interviews. The list of questions I’ve been asked in the last few years include:
- What do you see as the role of (insert whatever position you’re interviewing for)?
- What has prepared you for this position?
- How do you see yourself in this position supporting the Surgeon General’s strategic initiatives?
- What do you see as the role of the senior enlisted leader?
- Describe your leadership style.
- How would you handle a disagreement between you and the CO?
- How do you handle it when you make a decision and someone who works for you disagrees with you?
- How would you handle the multiple priorities associated with being a director, especially as it relates to GME?
- How do you see your role on the Executive Steering Committee/Command Evaluation Board?
- What are your top 3 priorities?
- What are some of the challenges you’ve faced and how have they impacted you as a leader?
- How do you think you and your direct boss/supervisor will work together?
- What part of the directorate is most interesting to you?
- Why did you apply for this job?
- What are your biggest leadership challenges?
- How do you handle disagreement or conflict?
- Tell me about your leadership style.
- As soon as the results of the interview are released, no matter whether you got the position or not, always ask a few of your interviewers for feedback so you can grow professionally. They’re usually happy to give both positive and negative feedback.
Doximity Physician Compensation Report
I recently came across the Doximity 2017 Physician Compensation Report, which you might find interesting. We all get out of the Navy, it is just a question of when.
Director of Surgical Services at NH Camp Pendleton
The Director for Surgical Services (DSS) maintains overall fiscal, operational and clinical oversight for all surgical specialties at Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton (NHCP). Oversight includes responsibility for over 260 personnel and a $17M budget. Areas of clinical responsibility include:
- Ambulatory Procedure Unit
- Anesthesiology
- General Surgery (including Bariatric)
- Main Operating Room (including Central/Sterile Processing and Recovery Room)
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Ophthalmology
- Oral Maxillofacial Surgery
- Orthopedics (including Podiatry)
- Otolaryngology (including Audiology and Speech Pathology)
- Pain Management
- Urology
The DSS is a core member of the NHCP Executive Steering Council requiring involvement in the governance of hospital operations, the Personnel Management Committee, the Equipment Program Review Committee and the Space Utilization Committee. Although the Director position requires full-time participation, there is an expectation that ongoing involvement in clinical activities will be maintained on a part-time basis. The position is open to Navy Medical Department officers of all Corps at the O5/O6 level with a professional surgical background. Individuals not already in the local commuting area will need to be available for a summer 2018 PCS move in anticipation of a 2-year assignment.
The preferred candidate will have the following attributes:
- A track record of broad superior performance in both clinical and leadership positions including military, civilian, and contract supervision/awareness
- Effective organizational, interpersonal, communication and collaborative skills
- Proven ability to function in operational and academic settings with the ability to support currency and academic imperatives through strategic planning
- Understanding of surgical quality initiatives and accreditation standards
- Business acumen, including fiscal stewardship and program accountability
- Superior military bearing, including no PFA failures in the past 3 years
Interested candidates should send an email to CAPT Thomas J. Nelson (e-mail address is in the global) no later than Friday, 29 December 2017 with the following attachments (templates available here):
- Letter of intent
- CV
- Bio
Interviews will be conducted in early January for assumption of the position in Early May.
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.
Joel Schofer's Career Planning Blog 