Shipmates, I need your help with getting the information below to IDC's out in the fleet and subordinate commands. I appreciate if you would disseminate to as many commands as possible. This is a great opportunity for IDC's to utilize the credits earned from IDC School toward obtaining a Bachelors and a Masters degree that would enable them to work as a PA.
Mr. Jerral Behnke, retired SCPO IDC at Navy Medicine Manpower Personnel Training & Education Command Bethesda has been working with St. Francis University to develop a program that would give IDC's an opportunity to complete Bachelors and Masters degrees that would enable them to work as a PA. To complete a Bachelors program, the IDC program would provide most of the material, the individuals would need to take the extra courses online over a period of time to obtain the degree and then be able to apply for the Masters level program that would enable them to work as a PA. What Mr.
Behnke need is a response from or the number of interested IDC's that would apply for this program. If he does not receive a large enough number of interested IDC's, the school will not be able to develop the program. The drop dead date for Mr. Behnke to reply with numbers for the program is 10 Jan. I will see if he can extend the date to allow for ample amount of time to reply. He needs responses as soon as possible.
Please e-mail all responses to Mr. Behnke at this e-mail address: jfbehnke [at] nmetc [dot] med [dot] navy [dot] mil. He can also be contacted via phone at this number: 301-295-2146 DSN 295-2146.
IDC to PA
Back in 1979, the requirements for the NAVY PA PROGRAM mandated a Surface or Sub HM-IDC NEC. Prior to that any HM2 or above with 3 or more years of Active Service could apply. Later, after the PA- Warrant Officer Program was disestablished (I was a member of the LAST class with CWO2 PA graduates), any HM2 / DT2 or above could apply. (In the Army, you don't even have to be a Medic or have a health care background to apply).
I believe, without reservation, IDCs make a more complete PA, especially in the DOD setting. Some non-IDC PA's I have worked with are outstanding, even better than me. (okay - most are former lab and X-ray techs). I would like to know more about this program and offer any assistance in promoting and formulating a process to make this happen.
Anyone with more information, PLEASE contact me or pass on my contact information.
Charlie - Golf - ONE,
Richard W. Mondak, MPAS, PA-C
LT MSC USN (Ret)
Soldier Readiness Center
Fort Drum, NY 13602
(315) 772-1561
IDC to PA
This sounds exactly like something that could be very very useful. I have been planning on becoming a PA for a long time and this sounds like the perfect opportunity, as deployment and field exercises and PCS'ing and etc etc etc has prevented me from attending traditional classes. It's been a little over a month since the original post and I was wondering if there was any new information anyone had. I have been trying to email and call Jerral but no success yet. Please post or email me if anyone has any new info. Thanks!
IDC Bachelor/Masters Degree Program at St. Francis University
I sent Mr. Behnke an e-mail after I saw this posting expressing my interest in the program, but I have not heard anything else about it. Is there any new information regarding this? If anyone knows anything more please post it or send me a message via this site. Thank you.
Dale A. Lyons
HM1(SS/FMF)
Submarine IDC
New information
To All Concerned:
I called and spoke with Mr. Behnke this morning about the progress on this program. He informed me that the response from the IDC Community was good and that the next planning meeting is set for May 2007. They will be going over student transcripts and deciding what the parameters of the program will be and how the program will be offered. He also stated that the Navy will be putting up funding for the design and implementation of this new program and that the new data will be posted once the next set of meetings is concluded.
Dale A. Lyons
HM1(SS/FMF)
Submarine IDC
IDC Bachelor/Master's Degree Opportunities
I utilized the program available at The George Washington University for Navy Corpsmen and IDC's and completed the GWU Clinical Health Sciences Track a few years ago and am presently in the University of South Dakota Physician Assistant Studies Program - will earn my Master's in December 2007. The GWU program evaluated the Navy IDC program and allowed 60 credits in their program and there were two tracks - Health Care Administrator, or the Bachelor's Clinical Health Science Program which I chose and made me highly competative for entry into Physician Assistant programs.
If you are not already maxing out your GI bill account and planning on attending PA School upon leaving the Navy, ensure your account is in good standing since the $1,075 I am presently receiving under the GI Bill is a God-send! PA Program training is not cheap, most have gone to a Master's level now, but well worth the effort!
Howard A. Gorder, HMC(FMF) Retired. Physician Assistant Student - 2nd year, USD