I joined the US Navy!....where too now?

How I joined the Navy!. 

In 2015, I began what I can only describe as  a professional midlife crisis. A wandering mind of grasses much greener and a few degrees of what ifs?  A combination of some local economic changes were occurring which began the tug of war of professional uncertainty that was waging in my mind. Was it time for a change and new direction which I seemed to be asking myself? 

Coincidentally, I had been part of the process of
educating future Navy physicians for several years and had always enjoyed being surrounded by the next generation of Navy Medical Officers. My relationship with the Navy was the most likely the starting point where my thoughts drifted into the reality of joining the military on active duty. 

At the young age of 48, I had no idea what an uphill climb being commissioned as an active duty medical officer I would face. Being fit and very active, it never crossed my mind I could be “too old”. My first effort was to call the medical recruiting office and start speaking to the medical recruiters. There was not a lot of good news at first. For every “No" I received, I would regroup and move up the chain of command looking for a better resolution. As I finally reached the specialty leader of the US Navy, it became clear to me that age was not my enemy but rather my specialty was fully manned and no new commissions were being made. I was very disappointed to finally hear this news. 

Failure has always been one of my best teachers. This news strengthened my resolve even more. I wanted to serve my country as a medical officer in the United State Military. After speaking to a few colleagues, I turned to the US Air Force. Once again the recruiters were contacted and the adventure was off and rolling. Age was not a serious problem for the Air Force. Frankly, I was still having “issues” with anyone considering me "old". Like any big government institution, I had to adapt to the speed the Air Force moved. The recruiter was great and the new career seemed to be moving in the right direction. Academic transcripts, board certifications, CPR cards and personal references were all forwarded to the Air Force. I was even excited to head to MEPS (military entrance processing station) for a physical exam and drug testing. I was excited as the chance of the change was setting into possible reality. In February of 2016, there was a little bump in the road. The recruiter called and said the Air Force was now 100% manned for my specialty. 

Though I was disappointed, I was told not to worry. We would change gears and move forward with me as a flight surgeon. The next step was off to Los Angeles for a flight physical. It was no surprise when I was informed I did not have the best vision. My thoughts were I would never being flying a plane anyway right??. I don't think my statement was nearly as funny to the staff as it was to me. Shortly after my flight physical, I was informed a new set rules had been handed down through the Air Force. All new flight surgeons had to come from a primary care specialty. Once again, more bad news and I was dead in the military water. 

When I was moving through my military debate, I had not really considered the Reserves. I had wanted a full time career so the reserves had never entered my thoughts. With active duty military no longer being an option, It was time to rethink about the Reserves. Once more, I was back to speaking to a medical recruiter but now for the Navy Reserves. I knew several physicians and nurses in the Reserves who all had positive comments about the Reserves. 

Round three of the recruiting process began with me having the full expectation that all the documents I had previousl sent to the Air Force would easily be transferred over to the Navy. I was incorrect in this assumption. A new branch and new process was what I would appreciate to be the paradigm. Documents, physicals and references all had to be submitted new to the Navy Reserves. I would interview with the chairmen of my specialty department as well with a future Admiral. This Reserve stuff was serious! 

The process was at times challenging and frustrating. There were many times I thought the process was way to difficult while working full time. I could only imagine what the Navy Reserves would be like when the recruitment process was so time consuming. Despite these misgivings, I continued the process and somehow some way was commissioned as a Lieutenant Commander in the United States Navy in the summer of 2016 with my right hand raised and large American Flag waving overheard. Two days later, with the incredible help of a dear friend, I was wearing my uniform at Navy Medical Center San Diego attending a symposium. I was in the Navy now!