education
The Best Education You Can Get in the Navy
I’ve done a lot of courses and educational programs during my 17.5 years in the Navy. Here are the best ones I’ve done and why they are so good:
- Advanced Medical Department Officer Course (AMDOC) – This is tops on the list because it is the most useful and educational course with the widest applicability. Everyone should attend AMDOC as early as they can in their Naval career. This is where you’ll learn about BUMED, the Defense Health Agency (DHA), fitness reports, managing your career, and a whole host of other useful topics. While it was always hard to get into the course, it has recently become easier since they shortened it from 2 weeks down to 1 week, doubling the number of courses. You can find info on the course here.
- Naval War College Fleet Seminar Program – This is how I did my Joint Professional Military Education I (which incidentally is one of the best AQDs you can get). I tried to do the on-line Air Force version that everyone said was easier, but I’ve never been less motivated to do anything in my life. When I did the Fleet Seminar Program it was a lot easier because I had a class I had to show up to and classmates I had projects we were working on. It was also a lot more interesting to have discussions with folks of all backgrounds than doing it by myself on-line. You can read about it on their website.
- Naval Postgraduate School Executive MBA Program – This allows you to get a defense focused MBA in 2 years. The commitment is 3 years from the time you finish or quit, and it doesn’t interfere with your medical special pays. It is accredited as a standard MBA program, so you get all the usual MBA content you’d expect (finance, accounting, etc.), but there is a defense focus. This means that you take a class on funding the DoD and 2 semesters about how to purchase weapons programs. The weapons acquisition class was the least fun part of the degree for me, but I was warned ahead of time so I knew it was coming. I combined this non-medical MBA with the Certified Physician Executive courses to learn medical related leadership principles in addition to standard business principles. The work isn’t hard, but it is time consuming and about 10-20 hours per week. Overall, I’d highly recommend this program as you get a quality MBA for only the cost of books.
- Interagency Institute for Federal Health Care Executives (IFFHCE) – This is a very senior level course that is filled with O6 and the equivalent personnel from all branches and governmental agencies. When I attended I was a senior O5 and was the among the most junior in the class. You get exposed to all sorts of very influential speakers who are experts on their high-level strategic topics. It is tough to get into this class, but if you can go I’d highly recommend it.
- MHS Medical Executive Skills Capstone Course – This is similar to the IFFHCE (#4 above). It is senior and strategic. The course topics overlap, but both are excellent.
- MedXellence – This is a course run by the Uniformed Services University that they take on the road. You can often find that the course is coming to your area and sign up when it is local. This course is senior and more operational/tactical than the last 2 courses. It is for those interested in the business aspects of Navy Medicine, like clinic managers, department heads, OICs, Directors, etc. It is similar to an advanced clinic management course.
- Naval Justice School Senior Officer Legal Course – This course is for anyone who has Executive Medicine in their future. You will learn about legal challenges that senior leaders face in a case-based and enjoyable format. I was able to get into the course pretty easily as an O5. You don’t have to be slated to be an XO.
- Lean Six Sigma – If you are at a medium-large command, you should have someone somewhere that is the command’s Lean Six Sigma black belt. You may even have an entire office dedicated to it. I’ve done the green belt certification and taken the black belt course but never completed the full black belt certification. If you want an introduction to process improvement, start taking LSS classes available to you at your command.
- Medical Management of Chemical and Biological Casualties Course – I took this course a long time ago when I was a GMO, but it was great then and probably is still great. You get to go to the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID). This is probably of even greater relevance lately due to all of the Ebola outbreaks.
- TRICARE Financial Management Executive’s Program (TFMEP) – This is another road show similar to MedXellence. You can find the course info here. I’d highly recommend this to anyone who is looking to rise to the senior levels of leadership at any MTF.
- Joint Senior Medical Leader Course (JSMLC)
- Joint Medical Operations Course – I did these last 2 courses back-to-back at DHA before I was deployed as a Joint Task Force Surgeon. They were a good introduction to the world of joint operations, but not among my favorites, which is why they are at the bottom of the list. If you want to be introduced to the world of joint publications and find out if “joint” really means “Army” have at it!
I’m sure there are other great courses available in the Navy, but these are the ones I’ve done that I found useful. If you have others you’d suggest, post them in the comments section.
Naval Postgraduate School Executive MBA Program Announcement
Here’s the article about the Naval Postgraduate School Executive MBA that I did:
Distance Learning Degree, Certificate Opportunities Announced
From Chief of Naval Personnel Public Affairs
WASHINGTON (NNS) — Navy announced Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) distance learning defense-focused master’s degree program opportunities for fiscal year 2019, including the Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) and graduate certificates, in NAVADMIN 275/18, Nov. 15.
These distance learning programs enable students to earn certificates or degrees at locations across the nation and around the globe.
NPS distance learning programs are part-time programs, normally lasting 12 to 24 months for officers, Department of Defense (DoD) civilians and some DoD contractor personnel who are unable to attend NPS residential graduate programs.
Distance learning master’s degree programs consist of one or two classes per quarter, for eight or nine quarters.
The EMBA is a 24-month, part-time online graduate program focused on financial resource management. This fully funded program targets middle to senior-grade active-duty officers, lieutenant commander (select) and above (lieutenant by waiver).
Admission to the EMBA program is available to applicants in any geographic location. The application deadline for the spring 2019 program is Dec. 7, 2018, with online instruction beginning April 2019.
Naval officers completing the EMBA are awarded the 3100P subspecialty code (NOTE – Medical Corps officers can’t hold this subspecialty code because there are no billets that require it). Officers interested in the EMBA program can visit the NPS EMBA home page at www.nps.edu/emba for detailed eligibility requirements.
All officers who enroll in a NPS distance learning master’s degree will incur a 2 to 3-year service obligation upon course completion/withdrawal, and all who enroll in a NPS certificate program will incur a 1-year service obligation upon course completion/withdrawal.
Copies of transcripts and participation agreements are required to support the application process for all degree programs.
Distance learning graduate certificates consist of a series of four graduate level courses delivered over four quarters, designed to provide enhanced knowledge and skills in specific subject areas. Graduate certificates are also available to qualified enlisted personnel. DoD contractor personnel applications will be considered for admission on a space-available basis.
A complete list of distance learning programs can be found at http://www.nps.edu/web/DL/. Each program’s webpage has the prerequisites and eligibility requirements for enrollment.
NPS is dedicated to providing relevant, high quality education to empower the next generation of leadership in the DoD, using a variety of delivery methods to expand learning beyond the traditional classroom.
For more information on NPS’s distance learning opportunities, read NAVADMIN 275/18.
2 National Capital Consortium Program Director Positions – Prev Med and IM-CC
Here is the relevant info for two Program Director (PD) positions in the National Capital Consortium/Washington DC area. If you are Internal Medicine-Critical Care or Preventive Medicine, check them out:
Announcement Letter for PD Search IM Critial Care Medicine Fellowship
IM Critical Care ACGME Program Director Requirements
October 2018 USU Faculty Development Newsletter
In this newsletter you’ll find info on their paperless promotion/appointment system and other good info if you are faculty or interested in becoming faculty:
USUHS Commandant Position - O5/O6 -Summer 2019
USUHS is seeking a Commandant for their School of Medicine. O5/O6 Medical Corps officers eligible to PCS no later than June 2019 will be considered. Further info is here:
USU School of Medicine Commandant Nomination
Interested candidates should submit packages per the attached call for nominations to CDR Melissa Austin at BUMED (e-mail address in the global) no later than 1 NOV 2018 to allow for routing through BUMED channels.
Sleep and Orthopedic Program Director Positions – SAUSHEC, San Antonio, TX
If you are interested in these positions, the POC is CDR Melissa Austin at BUMED (e-mail address is in the global). They want the selectee for both positions to arrive by JAN 2019.
Here are the PDFs that were uploaded for each:
FY19 Navy Medicine Leadership Course Catalog
Here is the updated catalog of courses you can (and should) take:
Ft. Belvoir Director for Education, Training, and Research – O5/O6
This is a Board of Directors level position at Fort Belvoir Community Hospital in the National Capital Region. They are seeking an O-5/O-6 to serve as their Director for Education, Training, and Research. Requested report date is May 2019, and candidates should be in the window for PCS orders.
Here is a document with further details:
Despite what it says in the document above, all applications have to go through the Medical Corps Chief’s Office at BUMED. Submit applications there via your Specialty Leader NLT 5 October 2018.
FY19 Enlisted to Medical Degree Prep Program
Here’s the NAVADMIN for this program. Make sure you share it with any qualified enlisted personnel you know:
UNCLASSIFIED
ROUTINE
R 141817Z SEP 18
FM CNO WASHINGTON DC
TO NAVADMIN
INFO CNO WASHINGTON DC
BT
UNCLAS
NAVADMIN 229/18
PASS TO OFFICE CODES:
FM CNO WASHINGTON DC//N1//
INFO CNO WASHINGTON DC//N1//
MSGID/GENADMIN/CNO WASHINGTON DC/N1/SEP//
SUBJ/ FISCAL YEAR 2019 ENLISTED TO MEDICAL DEGREE PREPARATORY PROGRAM
ANNOUNCEMENT //
REF/A/DOC/BUMED/7MAY15//
AMPN/ REF A IS BUMEDINST 1500.31, UNIFORMED SERVICES UNIVERSITY OF THE HEALTH
SCIENCES ENLISTED TO MEDICAL DEGREE PREPARATORY PROGRAM.//
RMKS/1. This NAVADMIN solicits applications and provides guidance for the
Fiscal Year 2019 (FY-19) Enlisted to Medical Degree Preparatory Program
(EMDP2).
2. The EMDP2 is a two-year undergraduate education program open to enlisted
personnel of all ratings who meet eligibility requirements according to
reference (a). The EMDP2 is a partnership between the Uniformed Services
University of the Health Sciences (USUHS) and the Military Services to
provide an opportunity for highly-motivated, academically promising enlisted
service members. The EMDP2 consists of intensive coursework preparation and
mentoring to prepare students for application to medical school. Upon
completion of the program, successful students will be competitive for
acceptance to U.S. medical schools.
3. Selectees are assigned to the USUHS in Bethesda, MD for a two- year
period. Individuals selected for the EMDP2 program will remain on active
duty while completing course work and receive pay, allowances, benefits, and
privileges of their current pay grade.
Selectees will receive Permanent Change of Station orders to USUHS for the
entire length of the course. All school expenses (i.e., books, tuitions,
labs, etc.) will be paid by USUHS for the entire length of the course.
4. Deadline for submission of applications for FY-19 enrollment is
1 November 2018. Application packages must be postmarked on or before the
deadline date. No additional documents or packages will be accepted after
this date. The selection board will convene in December 2018. All
application requirements are specified in reference (a) which can be found at
https://www.usuhs.edu/emdp2, http://www.med.navy.mil/ or
http://www.public.navy.mil.
5. The application is a reflection of the applicant, strict adherence to the
package submission requirements will be a primary factor for selection.
Applicants must review their package in its entirety before submitting. A
minimum score of good on the latest physical fitness assessment, and a
minimum score of 1200 with 600 in each category is required for qualifying
Scholastic Assessment Test
(SAT) or American College Test (ACT) scores.
6. This NAVADMIN does not modify any previous guidance contained in
reference (a) regarding selective reenlistment bonus.
7. Applicants assigned to a nuclear training command or who hold a nuclear
Navy enlisted classification (335x, 336x, 338x, or 339x) and are applying for
the FY-19 EMDP2 selection board must obtain conditional release from nuclear
field duty prior to submitting an application for consideration for the FY-19
board according to NAVADMIN 070/13. To obtain a conditional release,
applicants must submit an Enlisted Personnel Action Request (NAVPERS 1306/7)
to the Nuclear Propulsion Program Manager (OPNAV N133) via the detailer at
Enlisted Nuclear/Submarine Assignment (PERS-403). The
FY-19 EMDP2 selection board will only consider nuclear enlisted candidates
who have a conditional release included in their EMDP2 application.
8. Applications should be mailed to:
Bureau of Medicine and Surgery (BUMED-MC00C5)
Office of the Hospital Corps
7700 Arlington Blvd, Suite 5134
Falls Church, VA 22042-5134
9. Point of contact is HMCS Joseph Rawson, Office of the Hospital Corps,
Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, at (703) 681-4334 or via e-mail at
joseph.d.rawson.mil(at)mail.mil.
10. Released by Vice Admiral R. P. Burke, N1.//
BT
#0001
NNNN
UNCLASSIFIED//
Mount Sinai’s Icahn School of Medicine Establishes Institutional Partnership With U.S. Navy, Streamlining Pathway for Servicemembers
The program allows provisional acceptance unencumbered by the traditional science requirements and MCAT. To be considered for admission, applicants must be on active duty with the Department of the Navy, which includes the Marines, and hold a bachelor’s degree recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Candidates admitted into the ISMMS/Department of Navy program are offered provisional acceptance to ISMMS and then may defer their acceptance to continue their military service.
“Military veterans bring maturity, intellect, discipline, resourcefulness, and problem-solving skills that we value tremendously at the Icahn School of Medicine, where a variety of voices is critical to medical education and to the health of our patients,” says David Muller, MD, Dean for Medical Education and Marietta and Charles C. Morchand Chair in Medical Education.
According to Dr. Muller, the Navy pathway provides a mechanism for recruiting servicemen and women while integrating a layer of flexibility to ease the transition from their undergraduate careers. The partnership is a product of the Icahn School of Medicine’s popular FlexMed program, which allows college sophomores to apply for early assurance of acceptance.
1st Lt Chris Bellaire will be the first student to matriculate at the Icahn School of Medicine through the Navy pathway. As an officer transitioning from active duty in the Marine Corps, Lieutenant Bellaire says he feels that medicine is a natural progression of a career spent in service to others. While stationed in Hawaii, Lieutenant Bellaire explored his interest in medicine by volunteering at a local hospital. Later, in 2017, while deployed in Southeast Asia, he saw first-hand the health care consequences of poverty, disease, and conflict. “My commitment to medicine and global health really took off after that experience,” he says. The Icahn School of Medicine’s emphasis on cultivating young doctors with different backgrounds and different voices appealed to him. “When I first read about the Institutional Partnership program, I thought, wow, Mount Sinai has a very inclusive idea of what it means to be a med school student. And I really gravitated to that.”
More information about the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, is available online.
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