Expert: Cynthia Bedell - 5/26/2010

Question
The answer you gave to someone . . . on Jan 20, 2008 stating that ... "No, you cannot get a direct commission to Lieutenant Colonel no matter how many degrees you have" is wrong!

See article below. I already know 2 doctors who received a direct commission to LTC.

http://news.soc.mil/releases/News%20Archive/2006/06%20MAY/060501-01.html

RELEASE NUMBER: 060501-01
DATE POSTED: MAY 1, 2006

Heart surgeon restarts career, accepts direct commission to Lt. Col.  

By Paul D. Prince
U.S. Army Special Operations Command

FORT BRAGG, N.C. (USASOC News Service, May 1, 2006) – Coronary Specialist, Dr. Jonathan P. Oline, had a change of heart and a change in career, putting his 17-year private practice on hold to follow his patriotic heart beat for service to his country in the U.S. Army.

The 48-year old, Langhorne, Pa., resident’s call to duty became reality when he accepted a direct commission to lieutenant colonel at the Headquarters of the U.S. Army Special Operations Command here.

The journey from suburban doctor to Army surgeon began a little more than 18 months ago in Cody, Wyo.  Oline’s visit to western Wyoming coincided with a Special Operations demonstration at the Rocky Mountain Weekend Honoring Special Operations Forces.

“I was impressed with the character of the individuals,” said Oline.

They say that “first impressions are lasting ones,” and such was the case here.  Oline first mentioned his interest in joining the Army to Chief Warrant Officer Byron C. Edmonds of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne).  Edmonds, one of the first SOF Soldiers to meet Oline, was also the first to see him as a new Army officer.  The 160th aviator served as the commissioning officer for Oline’s swearing in.

“I tried to talk him out of it, but he still wanted to do it,” said Edmonds with a chuckle.

Following the initial meeting, Oline maintained communication with Edmonds for approximately a year and a half, as they worked together toward getting Oline commissioned into the Army.  During this time, Edmonds invited Oline to Fort Campbell, Ky., where he was introduced to Col. Andrew N. Milani then the 160th Regimental Commander.

“It is rare for someone to enter into the military at an advanced age, but not rare for someone to progress to an advanced age while in the military,” said Milani, currently the USASOC Chief of Staff.

He explained there are Soldiers assigned to reserve units in the Special Operations Forces community, who are “advanced aged.”   These Solders can be advanced in age as much as in their 50’s and 60’s.  Some even have re-enlisted after lengthy breaks in their military service.

“I was impressed and struck by his patriotism.   I was struck by how someone that does heart surgery has a bigger heart than any one he’s worked on,” said Milani.

Oline remarked that his family has mixed emotions, but does support his decision to except the “call to duty.”  Supporting Oline during the ceremony was his son, Stefan, a 19-year-old freshman at the University of Delaware.  He participated in the ceremony by presenting a beret with a bright, new silver oak leaf to his father.

“I grew up very well financially and I think it is the best thing he could do in his position.   It doesn’t affect me as much, because I’m away from home at the university,” said Stefan.

Oline is not worried about his private practice in Pennsylvania.   “It is not about money, but doing right thing.   It is setting an example for my children,” said Oline.   He also assured all assembled that he had been preparing for the physical component of his commissioning.

“I was on the rowing team in college and I have been working out,” said Oline.

Edmonds lead Oline in the oath of commissioning and assisted him in completing the proper documents to further his progress toward a second career in the U.S. Army.

Oline is scheduled to attend basic officer training at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, in December.

-usasoc-

Answer
Dear Ed --

Thank you so much for taking my response out of context.  

Why don't you volunteer to be an expert?

Dr. Oline is a renowned heart surgery specialist and got his rank due to his expertise and education, not due to his education alone.

I specifically said -- Unless you have a medical degree, are a eligible to be a chaplain, or have a specialty law degree, you cannot get a direct commission to lieutenant colonel no matter how many degrees you have.  

Doctors, lawyers and chaplains can be exceptions, when they are experts in their field.  Those brnaches have a special recruiting command to ensure they get special treatment and accounting for their degrees and outside experience.  They must be already be experts in their field to earn a direct commission at that rank.  If your only basis for accelerated rank is education, you top out at major for a direct commission.

The response you are referring to was to someone with multiple non-medical degrees and no outside experience who was angry the Army would not offer them accelerated promotion to lieutenant colonel.  Unfortunately for them they either needed to earn expert status in or out of the Army to get to lieutenant colonel.  Another non-medical degree and no experience would not help them.

Have a nice life.