Navy Pharmacy and GMO

[Sir Rx 23]

I'm sorry if these questions have already been asked before. If so, please send me the link(s) to the page(s).

I have heard that MD's,/DO's in the Navy may have to complete a GMO tour, but I have not found anything on officers with other healthcare jobs. I was wondering if pharmacist may have to do or be allowed to voulenteer for a GMO or similar tour.

Is there any chance of seeing combat or being put with a Marine unit like I have heard about enlisted hospital corpsman?

Also, if a pharmacist was deployed aboard a ship (not sure of the technical military term), would they be allowed to voulenteer for VBSS training and duty like other sailors?

Personal experience is appreciated.

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[Dred Pirate]

I'm sorry if these questions have already been asked before. If so, please send me the link(s) to the page(s).

I have heard that MD's,/DO's in the Navy may have to complete a GMO tour, but I have not found anything on officers with other healthcare jobs. I was wondering if pharmacist may have to do or be allowed to voulenteer for a GMO or similar tour.

Is there any chance of seeing combat or being put with a Marine unit like I have heard about enlisted hospital corpsman?

Also, if a pharmacist was deployed aboard a ship (not sure of the technical military term), would they be allowed to voulenteer for VBSS training and duty like other sailors?

Personal experience is appreciated.

I only know from second hand stories - you can be stationed on ships ( the USS Mercy - a floating hospital, or aircraft carriers will have RPh's on board). I am guessing there is virtually no chance you will see direct combat - unless of coarse your station is attacked - meaning you won't be with the upfront offensive troops, only if you end up in a defensive situation. Obviously this would be a question for the recruiter

 

[Sir Rx 23]

I only know from second hand stories - you can be stationed on ships ( the USS Mercy - a floating hospital, or aircraft carriers will have RPh's on board). I am guessing there is virtually no chance you will see direct combat - unless of coarse your station is attacked - meaning you won't be with the upfront offensive troops, only if you end up in a defensive situation. Obviously this would be a question for the recruiter

Thanks! I know, I actually have a lot of questions for a recruiter, but I am a little tied up to talk to one for the time being. I guess a better way of asking my question would have been "Can Navy pharmacists participate in the 'tactical stuff' like working with divers, going through airborne training, etc. that I have heard of other medical professions being able to do?"

 

[Dred Pirate]

Thanks! I know, I actually have a lot of questions for a recruiter, but I am a little tied up to talk to one for the time being. I guess a better way of asking my question would have been "Can Navy pharmacists participate in the 'tactical stuff' like working with divers, going through airborne training, etc. that I have heard of other medical professions being able to do?"

I don't know the answer to that - I do know there are a few military rphs on this board that may be able to give you a LOT better info than myself

 

[CUninja]

In the USAF, GMO is an MD/DO thing.... for those who did not match to a civilian or a military residency. Yes, they can still work as MDs/DOs in the USAF without residency.

Don't know the other answers.

 

[BC_89]

I'm sorry if these questions have already been asked before. If so, please send me the link(s) to the page(s).

I have heard that MD's,/DO's in the Navy may have to complete a GMO tour, but I have not found anything on officers with other healthcare jobs. I was wondering if pharmacist may have to do or be allowed to voulenteer for a GMO or similar tour.

Is there any chance of seeing combat or being put with a Marine unit like I have heard about enlisted hospital corpsman?

Also, if a pharmacist was deployed aboard a ship (not sure of the technical military term), would they be allowed to voulenteer for VBSS training and duty like other sailors?

Personal experience is appreciated.

The commanding officer I used to work under at a joint military base was attached to a marine unit and deployed ( more like "immobilized" with hazard / separation pay). Got tax - free pay and never saw action.. Did his job and left. Other times on ship just did his job and from his words not required to go 'above-and-beyond' his license once he did his intern elsewhere. So required no...volunteer? Never asked him.

On the other hand, current officer I work under in the clinic (Army) was not asked, but for promotional points went ahead and took tdy (permissive leave) to go airborne as well as get his air assault badge. Required? Nope..useful? Not really. The investment is in the license and even though he's required to qualify on his M-9 / M-16 weaponry in order to be "deployable" he's more useful doing what he's licensed to do vs being a combat medic / pharm tech specialist attached to an infantry unit or doing a PA's job in an aviation unit when no other GMO is around. Deployed or not, they both do their job 99.8% of the time (other times just officer training / 'be all you can be' lol and make tricare lots of money on drugs). That's the impression they gave me.

 

[Sir Rx 23]

The commanding officer I used to work under at a joint military base was attached to a marine unit and deployed ( more like "immobilized" with hazard / separation pay). Got tax - free pay and never saw action.. Did his job and left. Other times on ship just did his job and from his words not required to go 'above-and-beyond' his license once he did his intern elsewhere. So required no...volunteer? Never asked him.

On the other hand, current officer I work under in the clinic (Army) was not asked, but for promotional points went ahead and took tdy (permissive leave) to go airborne as well as get his air assault badge. Required? Nope..useful? Not really. The investment is in the license and even though he's required to qualify on his M-9 / M-16 weaponry in order to be "deployable" he's more useful doing what he's licensed to do vs being a combat medic / pharm tech specialist attached to an infantry unit or doing a PA's job in an aviation unit when no other GMO is around. Deployed or not, they both do their job 99.8% of the time (other times just officer training / 'be all you can be' lol and make tricare lots of money on drugs). That's the impression they gave me.

So you are saying they will let you go through training like airborne and it will help you with promotions, just don't expect to ever actually use it?

 

[BC_89]

So you are saying they will let you go through training like airborne and it will help you with promotions, just don't expect to ever actually use it?

Exactly

 

[BC_89]

Exactly

Army it's called "chest-candy." See the qualifications on your uniform but never actually perform the task(s) ever again

 

[CUninja]

So you are saying they will let you go through training like airborne and it will help you with promotions, just don't expect to ever actually use it?

Not in the AF.