Mr. Wilkerson was impressed with the opportunities Army emergency physicians are given to lead so early in their careers. “Normally, as a resident and even as a young attending, you will see patients, but in terms of managing other physicians or the department, there are limits to what you can do. It may be 5 or 10 years before you work your way up to having leadership responsibilities,” he said. “But during this visit, it was clear to me that young physicians are put in charge of teams and field hospitals.

“Some of these emergency physicians come out of the Army having managed 20 people, including perhaps 4 physicians and 10 nurses – all at an age where you would never have had that opportunity at a typical hospital,” Mr. Wilkerson continued. “The significance of the work and the responsibility, combined with the diversity of the experience and potential travel – it’s a wonderful opportunity if you’re willing to commit yourself to the Army for a certain period of time.”

Many emergency physicians who enter the Army do so because of a desire to serve their country, and by virtue of their character, they are already leaders. Such emergency physicians may choose to enter the Army’s “command track,” where they are given the opportunity to lead a section or department.

“The leadership mantle is automatically placed in their hands, and it’s a phenomenal experience to not only lead a hospital but also to maintain your clinical skills,” said Col. Dingle.

And even if it’s a relatively short tour of 5 years, that emergency physician will return to the civilian community leader-developed and ready to contribute to his or her hospital back home. “The leadership skills they’ve gained from being officers in the Army make emergency physicians very marketable when they return home,” said Col. Dingle.

Leadership Skills Not Required

What if you’re not a born leader or the ultimate adventure seeker, but you are an emergency physician who thrives on research and academics? You too have an open invitation to consider what the U.S. Army has to offer.