http://www.floridaesgr.com Florida ESGR Mon, 23 Aug 2010 17:29:48 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 http://www.floridaesgr.com/blog/esgr-bosslift-first-flight-ever-for-local-employer/comment-page-1/#comment-19 Ben Baar Mon, 23 Aug 2010 17:29:48 +0000 http://www.floridaesgr.com/?p=317#comment-19 As a combat wounded veteran who has served both on active duty and in the guard and as VA employee; I would like to ask that the possibility of taking some VA employees on a BOSS Lift & Military Life Exposure Event be considered. In the few years that I have worked at the Miami VA I have noticed that there are many medical, administrative and managerial types who have no real knowledge or understanding of what military personnel actually do. While serving as the OIF OEF Transition Patient Advocate at the Miami VA I was regularly approached by medical professionals that have never served in the military with questions about what certain Military Occupational Skills (MOS) were and what they entailed. I think that this kind of exposure would definitely generate a better understanding for these folks and a greater appreciation of what military service really means. An added benefit would be that the care and motivation towards better care could vastly improve given the insight into the military world. I would also like to make the suggestion that a serious look at the possibility of having Guard and Reserve medical units (active duty as well) train at the VA. The Miami VA has over the last few years struggled with raising its numbers of unique’s (newer customers / veterans) passing thru its doors. Benefits: 1. Military personnel training at the VA would bring a sense of familiarity to veterans. Granted a possible response to this proposal would be that some veterans would not want to associate with anything “Military”. I would argue that this is not entirely true and for those veterans who would not be comfortable with this, they could simply ask to be seen by a civilian VA provider. 2. VA personnel who have not served in the military would be exposed to military personnel, military medicine, and military ethics broadening their understanding. 3. Military medical personnel training at the VA’s would have a direct impact on the total quality of care. The level of appreciation that military personnel have for those who have served is uniquely greater than that of someone who has not served. As a combat wounded veteran who has served both on active duty and in the guard and as VA employee; I would like to ask that the possibility of taking some VA employees on a BOSS Lift & Military Life Exposure Event be considered. In the few years that I have worked at the Miami VA I have noticed that there are many medical, administrative and managerial types who have no real knowledge or understanding of what military personnel actually do. While serving as the OIF OEF Transition Patient Advocate at the Miami VA I was regularly approached by medical professionals that have never served in the military with questions about what certain Military Occupational Skills (MOS) were and what they entailed. I think that this kind of exposure would definitely generate a better understanding for these folks and a greater appreciation of what military service really means. An added benefit would be that the care and motivation towards better care could vastly improve given the insight into the military world. I would also like to make the suggestion that a serious look at the possibility of having Guard and Reserve medical units (active duty as well) train at the VA. The Miami VA has over the last few years struggled with raising its numbers of unique’s (newer customers / veterans) passing thru its doors.
Benefits:
1. Military personnel training at the VA would bring a sense of familiarity to veterans. Granted a possible response to this proposal would be that some veterans would not want to associate with anything “Military”. I would argue that this is not entirely true and for those veterans who would not be comfortable with this, they could simply ask to be seen by a civilian VA provider.
2. VA personnel who have not served in the military would be exposed to military personnel, military medicine, and military ethics broadening their understanding.
3. Military medical personnel training at the VA’s would have a direct impact on the total quality of care. The level of appreciation that military personnel have for those who have served is uniquely greater than that of someone who has not served.

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