A career as a military surgeon is a rewarding and challenging pathway that combines unique medical expertise and opportunity with service to one's country. In a new ACS practice management article, “Considerations for a Career in Military Surgery,” Capt. (Ret.) Richard Sharpe, MD, FACS, MC, USN, and Capt. (Ret.) Gordon Wisbach, MD, MBA, FACS, MC, USN, outline the opportunities and challenges of a surgical career in the military.
In addition, current military surgeons share their experiences, and the authors provide considerations for preparing for the transition to a civilian surgical career.
The article three sections, each containing several key topics covering a career in military surgery.
For example, the “Clinical Experience and Training” topic contains the following:
Clinical Experience and Training
Military surgeons often encounter a wide range of medical cases, including injuries related to combat, trauma, and emergency situations. This case diversity can provide a unique and challenging professional experience, allowing surgeons to develop a broad skill set. In addition, there are often opportunities provided for training in specialized areas such as trauma surgery or operative surgery in field environments. This can contribute to personal and professional growth as well as enhance one's overall medical skills.
- Jacob Glaser, MD, FACS, US Navy (Commander, Reserve): “I had deployed as a flight surgeon and spent some time on a hospital ship prior to completing training. I deployed as the chief of trauma for the casualty receiving hospital in Kandahar, Afghanistan—roughly equivalent in acuity to any level 1 trauma center but with far fewer resources and specialty care. Volumes were lower than in the early phases of the war, but, certainly, we stayed plenty busy with highly injured casualties. For me, this was the culmination of all that I had learned about combat casualty care across my training and was a testament to my fellowship training as well. All those who had trained me in the military coupled with the high acuity and volume [as well as the] systematic team approach to trauma I learned from Shock Trauma, I felt prepared me well for that role.”
Additional content areas include:
Opportunities
- Service and Family Tradition
- Global Experience and Adventure
- Leadership Opportunities and Team Collaboration
- Clinical Experience and Training
- Financial Incentives and Career Stability
- Research and Academic Opportunities
Challenges
- Deployment and Mobility
- Limited Resources and Clinical Practice
- Ethical Dilemmas and Physical Demands
- Limited Specialization and Civilian Career Transition
Preparation for a Civilian Career
- Clinical Skills and Expertise
- Resource Management
- Technology and Innovation
- International Medicine and Global Perspective
- Academic and Networking Opportunities
- Teamwork and Leadership
