Expert: Jason Grabill - 5/7/2007

Question
Dear Sgt Grabill,

I am currently a nurse in the Air Force Reserve and for several different reasons, I have been working with the Navy Nurse Recruiter to transfer services.  

When I was deployed overseas in support of OEF, I had the opportunity to meet, work with and take care of many outstanding Marines.  To a man (and woman!) they were all well-spoken, intelligent, upbeat and polite despite some serious injuries.  I felt like I was taking care of my little brothers and they took care of each other, even if they had just met that evening on the flightline.

I was moved by the support of senior Marine NCOs/Officers (and sometimes a Navy officer or two) who were ALWAYS present -- rain or shine,  late afternoon or dead of night -- when we off-loaded litters to personally greet the wounded troops and even let them borrow personal cell phones to call home.  (More than half of our patients were Army and no one from the Army ever showed up at the flight line.)  It was a great privilege to serve with those Marines and I would do so again ANY DAY.

Anyway, that's my sound-off to the Marine Corps!  As a Navy Nurse in the Reserves, would I be likely to work with Marines on a regular basis?  The unit I interviewed with is at a base clinic and most of their "deployments" involve back-filling AD medical staff at the hospital in Portsmouth.  If I am not a Marine, I would love to be assigned to a Marine Corps base.

Also, would it be likely for Reservists to deploy to a Navy ship?  I know every unit has their "typical" deployment package but you never know where you might be needed or what opportunity might present itself.  

Thank you very much for you time!

With my respect and a big OOOOH-RAH,
Jill


Answer
Jill:

  First, thank you for the kind words!   As you well know, Marines are renown for 'taking care of our own'.  You've gotten to see it first hand.

 The good news for you here, is that YES, if you request the FMF, you would be working with the Marines on a regular basis.  Reservists deploy alot, including aboard the USNS Comfort, the navy hospital ship.  You hit the nail on the head, "you never know where you might be needed.." and you *should* be able to request deployment to an FMF (Fleet Marine Forces) Navy medical command.  

 In short, keep after them to deploy you with the Marines.  

 Semper Fi!

 Jason