Attached Doctors

[navymedstudent]

I´m going to be starting medical school in the fall, on a Navy HPSP scholarship. I´m curious about my future options and would like to know more about the docs who attach to SEAL units. Specifically what kind of residencies they choose from (or if they´re GMOs), what kind of training they undergo, and what their day to day routine is in both peace and wartime. I´m aware that these doctors are generally dive docs, but I have no idea what is involved in becoming a dive Doc other than going through dive school on one of your ADTs. I´m aware that these doctors are not SEALs (though I´m sure many are former SEALs) and have no personal ambition to undergo SEAL training. Thank you in advance for any responses.

[mmaakuma]

I can't tell you specifics, but read the Warrior Elite. They mention doctors attached to BUD/S. There was at least one doctor there who was a former SEAL who went on to attend medical school. It gives you a very brief insight on what a doctor attached to BUD/S does.

What medical specialty are you looking at? That might determine on whether you get more shore vs. fleet assignments.

[ddssdv]

I can't tell you specifics, but read the Warrior Elite. They mention doctors attached to BUD/S. There was at least one doctor there who was a former SEAL who went on to attend medical school. It gives you a very brief insight on what a doctor attached to BUD/S does.

What medical specialty are you looking at? That might determine on whether you get more shore vs. fleet assignments.



Docs attached to the Teams are part of the Group Medical contigent and service the various commands. They are all DMO's (Diving Medical Officers) and recieve thier DMO training at NDSTC. Specialty training come at the NSC group level.

[mmaakuma]

Docs attached to the Teams are part of the Group Medical contigent and service the various commands. They are all DMO's (Diving Medical Officers) and recieve thier DMO training at NDSTC. Specialty training come at the NSC group level.
Thanks.

But by specialty, I'm talking more in line of MD residencies. A general internist would probably have different assignments than a critical response field such as anesthesiology.

[navymedstudent]

"What medical specialty are you looking at? That might determine on whether you get more shore vs. fleet assignments."

As I mentioned I haven´t even started medical school yet, and you don´t try to match into a specialty until after you´re almost done. Right now I think I´m interested in IM, Ortho, and EM, but no one really knows what they want (and what they´re capable of getting) until they´re done with at least their third year of medicial school.

"Docs attached to the Teams are part of the Group Medical contigent and service the various commands. They are all DMO's (Diving Medical Officers) and recieve thier DMO training at NDSTC. Specialty training come at the NSC group level."

I´m sorry, could you clarify the acrynoms NDSTC and NSC? Do I need to have gone to dive school before I attend NDSTC?

Thank you again for your help

[ddssdv]

Thanks.

But by specialty, I'm talking more in line of MD residencies. A general internist would probably have different assignments than a critical response field such as anesthesiology.


Your right. Usually though the field hospitals or hospital ships have internists on board doing thier residencies. So as far is getting in the **** or close by, it can very well happen for the internist.

[dive doc]

At the moment there is no “specific” residency required to work at or be attached to NSWC. Internal and emergency medicine are looked favourably upon. However, it is recommended that you do not base your selection of residency on this basis.

As DFC has already mentioned, the medical officers attached to NSWC are DMO’s. However, while attending DMO training, NSWC are not the only billets available. There are also assignments to both EOD and submarine duty. If there is a former SEAL in the class, he will normally be assigned the NSWC billet. There have been a handful of SEALs that have gone on to become docs and a couple have returned to provide medical support to SOCOM. There are also a number of PJs that have become physicians and in some cases have returned to provide medical support for the AF special tactics groups.

The medical support of special operations is currently undergoing a shift of emphasis throughout all branches including NSWC. Physicians attached to SOF in many cases used to be junior medical officers who had not completed their residencies. This has now changed in preference towards physicians who have completed their required residency, gained experience, and most (if not all) physicians who now support SOF are in this position.