Base information

I'm in the NCP and I'm going to be graduating in August. I need to request my top 3 choices assignment. I was just wondering if anyone could tell me if there is a difference in working at a camp vs. a naval base. Would it increase my chances of being deployed?

Also, I have not heard too much about Bremerton. Has anyone been stationed there? I would just appreciate any information on this location.

I would like at some point to get experience on one of the hospital ships, but I was curious if I would have a better chance at a particular base?

Thank you for any advice on assignment.

Candice Kumpunen

Your bigger hospitals will be the found on the Navy facilities. The medical treatment centers on camps, which are Marine Corps bases, tend to be smaller and limit your experience. As a new grad, you are usually sent to one of the big 3. As far as deployments, just be ready and plan for them. When you recieve your orders and see which platform you are assigned to will give you an indication of how frequently you will be deployed.

You can check out this website and log in using your information.

https://www.dmdc.osd.mil/appj/sites/logout.do?role=user

It has information about the installation to include, but not limited to, housing, services, local area, activites, rental info and what units are stationed there.

Hope it is of some use. :)

Thank you both so much! That really helps!

Cookie-

When I was in the NCP I was told to pick one of the "Big Three," either San Diego, Bethesda, or Portsmouth. They generally prefer you to go to one of those places first in order to get the most experience. Then you get farmed out to the smaller places. As for deployment, BE READY. No assignment/ duty station pre-disposes you to deployment, aside from being stationed with a Marine unit. The OP tempo is up and will remain up for years to come, if you are concerned about being deployed, it is happening everywhere, so be prepared. Are you going to OIS in September?

LT Dan

Yes, most likely I will be going in September. I should find out for sure this week. I was surprised that there were the medium sized hospitals listed on the sheet the director gave me. I'm happy with any of them, really. I have the attitude that wherever they need me, I will love. If that means Iraq, then I'll be ready. Thank you for your help!

Cookie-

I did OIS in AUG-SEP '97 and the Mrs. did OIS in SEP-OCT '03. A lot of things ahd changed up there in those years. If you are not in shape now, you will be when you leave. They had the drill instructors from basic training rotating through when the Mrs. went there. I tis a bit more intense now then it was. In my opinion it is what it should be. If want specifics or just encouragement, let me know. Did you make your choices yet? Just wondering where you are headed. The Mrs. and I will be PCSing in July to Bethesda. Could always use another friend.

LT Dan

Thank you! I used to be in pretty good shape, it's just a matter of finding time to get some work out time in. I put Pensacola, San Diego, D.C. as my top three choices. I was very impressed with Pensacola mostly for the fact that they have a whole area of their website dedicated to the Navy Nurses and also that they were voted #1 for customer service in all the medium sized dod hospitals. That led me to believe that they really worked well as a team and took care of their nurses. I know my chances of going there are slim because they want me at the big hospitals. It really is hard to put my choices in order, because I would love to go to any of them. Bethesda would be an amazing experience. I should find out soon! I'm excited either way and thank you for you encouragement and advice.

Candice

Cookie-

Sounds good, good luck. Like I said, let us know where you end up. Fun thing, my wife's name is Candace, too.

LT Dan

Lt Dan,

I found out I will be going to Bethesda! My OIS is from Sept 18-Oct 20th. Do you know how soon after OIS I will report to the hospital?

I'm very excited, and even more so that I know someone who will be there. Is your wife also a nurse? I saw that you said she went to OIS as well. How hard is it to get assignments together?

Candice-

Good deal on Bethesda. We are coming back at the end of May to look for a house. As far as when you report to the hospital. You will be authorized 10 days advanced leave to take after OIS and some days of travel to get there, you will have to check with PSD to see how many that is. When I finished OIS I was getting stationed in San Diego and they gave me 9 days Proceed Time (days to get there). I couploed that with the 10 days advanced leave and didn't show for 19 days. In other words, if you don't want to you report right away, you have up to 10 days to take off before reporting. Keep in mind I referred to these as "advanced." That means you haven't actually earned any days off in OIS, so you will be going in the hole. You will have to "pay these back" before you start actually earning days off again. In the Navy you earn 2.5 days off per month, so you are looking at taking 4 months to pay those off, if you take all 10 days. Yes, my wife is a Navy Nurse as well and will be stationed at Bethesda, more than likely in the L&D area, that's all she knows and is cert'ed for. Getting assignments hasn't yet been a problem. With both of us being nurses the detailer just makes sure there is a job for both of us when he picks stations for us. However, the Navy's policy is they have up to 1 year to co-locate us, that means the potential to be separated until a job opens up. Honestly, I have rarely heard that happen in my 9+ years.

Well, that's all for now. Feel free to shoot me more questions, either here or my email address; [email protected]. Look forward to hearing from you and meeting you in person.

LT Dan