By Douglas H Stutz, Naval Hospital Bremerton Public Affairs -- Navy Medicine detailers from Navy Personnel Command representing the Medical Corps, Medical Service Corps and Nurse Corps shared insight and information during a visit to Naval Hospital Bremerton (NHB) on March 1, 2018.
“We are fortunate to have the detailers here. This is an important opportunity to collaborate and understand what they do as placement leaders. Embrace this opportunity,” said Capt. Jeffrey Bitterman, NHB commanding officer.
Individual consultations and a command wide session gave staff members the opportunity to go over their individual career paths and receive clarification into the world of Navy detailers from their respective corps.
Medical Service Corps detailer, Cmdr. Chuck Wilhite shared that he used to think that detailers were the type that sat by themselves in a dark corner, angry at the world, intent on inflicting angst if called upon for orders.
Not so, stressed Wilhite, explaining that the detailer is the connection between Navy Personnel Command, Bureau of Navy Medicine and Surgery (BUMED) and others such as specialty leader(s). The detailer negotiates assignments by assigning the right person for the right job at the right time.
“We are your advocate. We talk to BUMED all the time. Some think we can just wave a magic wand, but there is more to it than that,” he said, noting that specialty leaders advise detailers and attend to the good of that specific specialty.
Along with advocating for the officer in the assignment process, detailer duties include negotiating and writing orders, and counseling constituents before and after promotion boards as part of an officer’s career progression.
Wilhite also explained how detailing rules placed an emphasis on global support assignments, operational commitments, and outside continental United State billets are filled first, and that there are some limitations on locations related to the exceptional family member program, legal hold or limited duty status.
In describing the actual process of negotiating orders, Wilhite remarked that orders can be modified or canceled at any time prior to execution.
The pros and cons of order extensions were also mentioned. Some of the pros include possibly increasing promotion chances, facilitating family needs, and promoting staff continuity. On the flip side, there are a few cons worth considering on any extension such as limiting the opportunity for others at a highly desirable locale, contributing to staff stagnation, and possibly decreasing promotion chances.
Cmdr. Anja Dabelic, Medical Corps detailer, discussed the importance of officer fitness reports (FITREP), emphasizing that the document is the single, most important personal management tool that impacts all personnel decision.
“The (FITREP) is the time to explain, not hide. You want to document your performance. Performance is everything. Selection boards select based on the written record and that written record is about the individual. There should be a short opening statement, white space, several bullets with the most important listed first, white space, and a closing statement with promotion recommendations,” Dabelic said, explaining on the FITREP narrative and format.
Medical Service Corps officer Lt. Cmdr. Vanita Williams came away with renewed insight on various aspect of a detailer’s job, along with appreciation on how to construct an FITREP to get the best out of it as possible.
“Now knowing the little things. What is being looked at and looked for. Very helpful,” Williams said.
After going over record reviews, promotion boards, and promotion board results, the command wide session was wrapped up by reminding attendees that ‘contrary to popular belief, detailers are on their side.’
“Communication is key. Work with us,” stated Dabelic.
“If you have a question, just ask,” added Capt. Iris Boehnke, Nurse Corps Assignments head. “We encourage you to step out and see what’s out there. If you are ready for something different, ask. Depending on the timing and opening, your specialty, there’s lots of cool billets, especially for lieutenants. Ask.”
The initial idea to invite the detailers was conceived in December, 2017, and was finalized after the start of the New Year. Lt. Cmdr. Greg Halol, NHB Human Resources Department head, deemed the visit a success.
“To have that one-on-one interaction to go over career enhancement, career development and career review, with the ability to pay attention to such details as the next assignment and discuss specialties is really valuable. The group session offered a lot of beneficial information, too,” commented Halol. “Being able to connect on a more personal level with a detailer so they get a grasp of who you are and what you want helps both. Say someone wants to be a main operating room nurse. Their detailer can help them achieve that goal.”
| Date Taken: |
03.01.2018 |
| Date Posted: |
03.09.2018 11:37 |
| Story ID: |
268793 |
| Location: |
BREMERTON, WASHINGTON, US |
| Web Views: |
379 |
| Downloads: |
0 |
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