Any Military out there? I have a question........

[Palacsinta]

I just got a phone call from my foster daughter who is in the military and who works at a VA hospital. She and the rest of the staff received a notice today that .....(briefly, and I am paraphrasing, and trying to remember accurately)..... stated that the medical staff positions were going to be filled by civilians in order that the military staff be ready for "Implementation". She was upset and so am I. Does this mean what I think it means?????? I calmed her down and said such changes take a long time and to just do her job and we'll figure it out. I was blathering..........what the HELL does this mean?????

[Maat]

1. Wow.

I don't know the answer, but you both are in my prayers.

[Palacsinta]

2. Thanks so much!

We might need 'em!

[wakeme2008]

3. they are short field people in Iraq and other places

While this is not good, how long will it take. Month if not years. IMHO.

[Palacsinta]

5. Thanks......hope so!

I think it will take a long while, too. HOW are they going to fill those positions? How could the VA afford it?

[atreides1]

Doesn't take that long

My wife is active duty USAF, and the base that we're stationed at just started putting rent-a-cops on the gates and in the visitors center.

This was done to free up the Security Forces(SP's) to be deployed, it's been at least 2 months and we very seldom see an SP on the gate
anymore.

It won't take that long, remember unemployment even hit those with medical specialties, so the bodies for the jobs are out there, and it won't take too long to fill positions.

[BikeWriter]

13. Rent-a-cops on the gates? That's a sad commentary on our...

base security, my Friend. :(

[wakeme2008]

16. I do not know where you live

But in the Tampa/St. Pete area, the help wanted ads on Sunday are half nurses and half everybody else.....

[Not_So_Right_Wing]

4. What do you think it means...?

My Guess would be that, like the food services, they are trying to gear the military personnel numbers to more suitable MOS's. Meaning that each Branch is only allowed to have so many personal and the more they have doing clerical work the less they have in combat MOS's. Thats my guess.


edited for spelling.

[Palacsinta]

That's good, right?

or not? I thought it would mean that eventually she would be deployed to Iraq.

[Not_So_Right_Wing]

11. It depends on her MOS

I doubt they need more clerks or what have you. But if she is in a medical MOS they are probably trying to lessen the burden on those who have been deployed multiple times.
I wouldn't read to much into this, it could simply be some reorganizing that would most likely take a few years to fully implement.

[Palacsinta]

15. Yes, medical MOS

Ok.....reorganization.........makes sense.

[BikeWriter]

10. "personal" numbers? Perhaps you meant personnel?

[Not_So_Right_Wing]

12. Perhaps I did.

[atreides1]

6. Yes it's what you think it means

They need medical personnel for the continuence of their war, and by the way I have a bad feeling that this change over won't take that long.

I'm not on active duty anymore but the military like a leopard can't change its spots either.

I am truly sorry, and hope for the best for your daughter, and for you.

[Palacsinta]

9. Thanks, I appreciate it.

nt

[ltfranklin]

7. Just a guess...

...but my best guess (and take it for what it's worth) is that they're either getting ready to rotate active medical staff on the ground in Afganistan or Iraq, or that there's some future action in the planning stages. I hope it's neither, but these days, who can tell. The fact that it'll take months, probably, to fill the stateside staff positions probably means that whatever's going to happen, it's pretty early yet in the process.

You're best bet is to find some of the early staff replacements and see if they're there for the long run or short term...if it's short term, it probably means the rotation, because after rotation, I would think the returning people would be moved into the VA.

[Palacsinta]

17. Good idea.

Thanks.....I hate being thrown by not knowing military jargon. I want to give her the best advice.

[Pacifist Patriot]

8. Okay, deep breath...

Does your foster daughter work at a VA hospital or a military hospital? Most VA personnel are already civilian but military personnel do intern at VA hospitals. Implementation by itself doesn't mean anything. implementation to what or for what?

I just got off the phone with a gentleman who used to be active duty Army and a long-time civilian with Forscom in the Manpower division. I read him your post and he didn't quite understand it. The way you've written it, it could mean anything. May just be shifting personnel to military hospitals, no need to assume deployment to Iraq. That could be it, but implementation would be an odd way to phrase it.

[Palacsinta]

14. I'm so stupid! I don't know for sure!

She calls it a VA hospital........It's off base if that helps?. Yes, she definitely said "Implementation". Ok.........so she could be reassigned to a military hospital? I will not assume deployment!!

Thanks!