Military Medicine & Me

I love learning from stories of our nation's history, I also love to dress up; so when the opportunity for me to do something that includes both of these hobbies I sign up for it faster than a a prairie fire with a tailwind! One such opportunity was the 'Night in the Museum' event at the local museum. Like the movies with the same names, local historians, actors and history fanatics (such as myself) brought the museum's exhibits to life through research and role playing. For the event my sister and I were assigned to the military exhibit where I played the role of a World War II Army Nurse (1LT) and my sister played the role of a Sergeant in the USMC Reserves during the Korean War. Both of our uniforms were authentic and had been donated to the museum by the women who wore them while they served their country - it truly was an honor not only getting a glimpse into their lives but also getting to represent them!

 Though I am not a full-time, serious reenactor I have participated in several events for the last couple of years, taking on the roles such as a Civil War Infantry and Artillery Solider, Southern Bell or prairie women; but this role play character was uniquely special to me because of a recent decision I've made with my career. After lots of worrying and tons of prayer I have decided to apply for a direct commission into the military's Medical Specialist Corps as a 1st Lieutenant (1LT) and Physical Therapist to our nation's heroes. I know that this will surprise many of my family and friends, and it is completely okay if you disagree with it (my mom certainly did for a long time), I gawked at the idea myself when it was first presented to me; but I now believe that if God is not calling me to be part of the military, He is calling me to risk everything and apply to the program. I hope that I haven't surprised you too much (my family now chuckles at this idea as they can easily imagine me living up to the role of no-nonsense taking, somewhat bossy officer) and I would love to cover any questions or advice you have for me about the military and the program.

What got me thinking about applying to be a military physical therapist?

One of my classmates told me about the program and I told them that though it sounded like an amazing program I would never apply to it. (Isn't it funny how what we thought we would never do ends up being the very thing we do?) I knew that I wanted to work my way to earning a Doctorate of Physical Therapy, but I did not know what school I was going to apply to to reach this goal. I was still worrying and praying over this as well as how I was going to pay for it (becoming a doctor is expensive!) when I got a job with a local non-profit Health Education organization. During one of our spring cleaning days my supervisor wore a Army shirt and I casually ask if she had served in the military. Though the shirt was one of her husband's, this conversation ended with her giving me several contact numbers and emails of her friends that were military dietitians and physical therapist. To add onto this I had the unique opportunity to observe physical therapist at the nation's most renowned military physical therapy hospital - with lodging with a family who worked on the base so I had access through security and private behind the scenes tours. I then got a job at a outpatient physical therapy and sports medicine clinic (two categories that military therapist focus on) and nearly all of the therapist I now work with say that the military therapy program is full of opportunities they wished they had. I'm not sure if these were 'signs from God' but with all of these things falling into my lap it was hard ignore the possibility that this may be the type of career I need to pursue.

Exactly how does a direct commission into the military work?

Direct commissions in the military are officer positions given to a person with two main qualifications: a Bachelor's or higher degree and expertise and experience in the position that the officer is needed. Most of these types of officers are medical, but there are also direct commissions for legal or chaplaincy officers. The easiest way to explain the difference between a direct commission and a commission is I don't have to go through ROTC (though I do still need to master the physical training requirements of situps, pushups and two mile run). Now in the case of physical therapist in the military, they are given a direct commission as a 2LT while they are completing their graduate studies a under military faculty and a promotion to 1LT once they complete the work to earn the doctorate degree. One super nice aspect of this program is that tuition is paid for - granted 7 years of your life is committed to the military, three years of school and four years of service.

What could my responsibilities be?

Physical therapist have several different roles in the military, depending on the setting that they are assigned to. Therapist at base hospitals work as trainers helping with physical training to prevent injuries, injury diagnoser determining if a training injury is critical enough to be sent to a surgeon or can be fixed with a change of profile (the military physical task/training requirements of each serviceman) and strengthening exercises, and follow up motivator helping servicemen and women regain strength after a injury or surgery. A deployed therapist functions similarly, though the need to keep servicemen and women functioning at their best is higher, thus a therapist will function more like a athletic trainer focusing on injury prevention while still completing the mission. A therapist in a deployed setting is in charge of this type of care for 1,000-3,000 servicemen and women; which is nearly overwhelming to me, but the prospect of getting provided comfort and care to these heroes and their families back home overrides that fear.

Am I scared for the future?

Of course! The idea of being deployed if still quite new to me, and if I were selected for this position I would not only be responsible for thousands of servicemen and women but I would also be traveling to places that American presence is not always welcomed. As a medical officer I would be working in a protected base - but if things get worse in the middle east there is a possibility of increasing the need for medical officers traveling to the servicemen and women instead of the other way around. I can't imagine traveling in an area where people don't just dislike you but want to kill you; but I know if God is calling me to this He will protect me.

 The possibilities of this career are both exciting and scary. Right now all I can guarantee about my career path is that I'm not in the program (yet) but I'm running full steam ahead to what is out of my comfort zone and will be extremely difficult (and is the perfect circumstances for God to do something amazing with my life!) and the only thing that will stop me is if God chooses to close this door. Your questions and advice are welcomed and prayers are greatly appreciated.