forward surgical team deployments

olderthandirt2 · Sep 30, 2008

Does anyone know what the typical length of deployment is for a nurse on an FST? Is it the usual 12 months or does it mirror the shorter MD and CRNA deployments? I wanted to know if the team goes and returns together or are the RNs there for the year+.

What branch are you in? I believe each branch has their own special deployment lengths (army--12 months, air force--4 months, navy--not sure)---these are estimations!

cindy

military girl · Oct 3, 2008

I think it depends on whether you are PROFIS or not. For the army, if you are a PROFIS doctor, nurse, surgeon, ortho it's 6 months.

If you are on a FST then you will probably stay the entire 12 months. I could be wrong. I think that since FSTs are highly mobile, it would be hard to bring someone in mid tour. Are you a nurse or a doctor?

1LTJSMITH · Oct 3, 2008

Thanks for the reply. I am an OR Nurse. I was offered a commission and trying to decide what job to take. I would prefer FST but hate to leave the kids for a year +. Trying to gather info.

Jarnaes · Oct 4, 2008

I'm currently assigned to a FST. We do not have any PROFIS personnel. When you are on a FST you belong to FORSCOM and your deployment is at least 12 months. One of the FST's currently in Iraq has to do the full 15 month tour and that totally sucks.

The nursing staff at a CSH is for the most part PROFIS so they only deploy for 6 months. The CSH also have a few organic FORSOM nurses who will stay the entire tour of 12 months.

If you have any questions please PM me.

1LTJSMITH · Oct 4, 2008

Thanks Jarnaes.I would rather. Do FST but the 12-15 mos is not cool.If you are a CSH OR nurse, do they deploy you in the states or will you go overseas? I would like to go out of the country,it's just 12+ mos.If you volunteer can you go for a shorter length? Are you in a unit in California?

just_cause, BSN, RN · Oct 4, 2008

Army deployments are typically about 12 months. The 15 month deployment era was short lived and have been reduced back to 12 months...

Now also realize the 12 month deployment includes the short time period of movement, staging in Kuwait, moving to your forward position, a relief in place, your approx 10-10.5 months forward where you get a 17 days of leave (approx; 14 days + travel) then your time period where you are relieved in place, movement to Kuwait and finally movement back.

So please don't let that fear of 15 month deter you. I have done both the year and the 15 month deployment - neither are fun, but definitely do-able!

1LTJSMITH · Oct 4, 2008

Thanks Just_cause, that's a great breakdown.The 12-15 just seems like a long time for the family to deal with.I feel bad subjecting rthem to that.

Jarnaes · Oct 4, 2008

jsmith94401, I'm in Ft. Lewis, WA.

In active duty lingo, the term "deployment" refers to a trip to a foreign country. Both reserves and active duty can volunteer for deployments.

1LTJSMITH · Oct 4, 2008

Jarnaes,do you know if voluntary deployments come in different length of time? Just curious if there are periods up to 6 mos.I would like to balance service and family. My kids are on the young side.

just_cause, BSN, RN · Oct 4, 2008

Jarneas - to caveat that....

a deployment refers to your home station unit moving and deploying in order to conduct a mission that is in a foreign country.

a 'tour' is used to describe you being PCS'd to a foreign country such as korea or germany.

When you are attached as a volunteer you deploy along with their time standards and typically partake in a portion of their train up process. Volunteers don't have the option of 'contributing' to x number of months - they are a volunteer to that unit and it's mission.

1LTJSMITH · Oct 4, 2008

Thanks just_cause. That's helpful.