Massive Undertaking?

[HMPaul85]

I have been consulting every Senior Sailor in my FMF surroundings about my recent selection to be a “baby doc” aboard an FFG and I generally get the same response back from each of them...

“You’ll learn to appreciate sleep.”
“If you don’t know your stuff, it will show.”
“Hope you have a good IDC.”
“Hope you don’t get seasick.”
“You’ll get CAP-ed.”
“Oh, a FFG? A Forever F!&#ing Gone.”
“There is no job in the Navy where there is so much asked of a Junior Sailor than as a Baby Doc.”

Now I open it up to the net. I picked these orders on purpose and I feel it’s an amazing opportunity to really become good at what I do. I have had a taste of tactical medicine, signed up for surface medicine, and may learn some bedside medicine at my next duty station after much deliberation prior to re-enlistment.

I’ve heard opinions both ways. It can be good for a Sailor's career and it can hinder it.

It's up for discussion, the floor is open. What say you? This Shipboard forum is shockingly empty for being a Navy rate website.

FFG, blessing or curse?

[indy]

HMPaul,

As a prior FFG Baby Doc myself, I think I can give you some insight here: it may feel like a curse at times, but duty on a FFG is a blessing in disguise if you are willing to put in the work...

I know I've posted on this before on the site, feel free to search for the threads about shipboard life, but I'll give you generics.

As a baby doc on board a fig, you'll be involved in 99% of the evolutions that comprise shipboard life - flight quarters, sea & anchor detail, any training evolution, gun shoots, unreps, and whatever isn't a regular duty, you can usually get involved with everything else.

I was a member of the majority of the training teams, performed VBSS duty, qual'd as QMOW, Master Helm etc as well as all the regular shipboard HM stuff - the opportunities are there to learn as much as you can, take advantage of them, and it can result in favorable promotion possibilities. I never got CAP'd but my wife (another shipboard HM) did on her ship.

FFGs are known for getting underway a lot - more so if it's a Reserve Force ship, but in my opinion, thats the best time, especially if you've got immunizations to catch up on - you know you've got a captive audience :D

They do 'move' more than other ships, but that's part of the fun also...

If you really want to see what you are in for, try to get orders to the Baby Doc school (should be in CANTRAC under Surface Force Indoc school), before you report or soon after reporting. Also you can look up the SURFOR instruction 6000.1 series as it's the shipboard medical dept bible.

Basically, a shipboard HM is a jack of all trades - you do sickcall, prev med, minor surg, minor dental, small lab, and as much training as you can handle in respect to your crew. You can get a lot of crap from other rates, but they don't see what goes on behind the scenes and how much you actually do.

It can be a very rewarding tour, but like anything else, you get out of it what you put in. If you've got more questions, let me know - I'd be happy to share what I can.

[withoutsight7]

Man... All of that motivating talk on Indy's part makes me want to go and try out my 'sea legs'. Haha.:not:

[indy]

HM2,

If you can get the billet, I highly highly recommend it :D

[Da-Chief]

I totally agree with INDY on this..

It's just not shipboard either, "ALL" Operational billets are this way..

If your Gung-Ho out to get the mission done, want to be a part of the team, etc.. on any operational billets you will do fine..

If your one of those guys that say, "I'm a CORPSMAN, thats not my Job!" your in for a Long, Long, Long Road..

You will find that the negative ones usually give the negative answers.

It is true though, sometimes you have to keep a stiff upper lip, becuase you are junior, you will be working for a IDC, I hope to god you get a good one, your Dept will be a direct reflection of him and his work. That is where "YOU" step in..

Hope this helps..

D/C