Senior Air Force medics provide testimony

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman J.G. Buzanowski
  • Air Force Print News
WASHINGTON (AFNEWS) --  Appearing before the Senate Appropriations Committee Subcommittee on Defense March 7, two Air Force leaders provided key testimony, informing the Senators on how the service takes care of its people.

Lt. Gen. (Dr.) James Roudebush, Air Force surgeon general, and Maj. Gen. Melissa Rank, assistant surgeon general for Air Force nursing services, were part of a panel with their sister service counterparts.

The committee questioned the panel on taking care of injured service members at home and deployed, rehabilitation efforts, and assisting service members' families. 

In addition to addressing these issues, General Roudebush lauded the air expeditionary force concept in maintaining levels of deployed medical Airmen. General Rank also answered questions about the current manning levels of the Air Force nurse corps and how the Department of Defense can better recruit and retain nursing professionals.

"Air Force medicine is not simply about support, not simply reacting to illness and injury, and Air Force medicine is definitely not a commodity," General Roudebush said in his opening statement. "Air Force medicine is a highly adaptive capability, a key part of Air Force expeditionary capabilities and culture. But when there are casualties, we are there with world-class care."

General Roudebush also talked about aeromedical evacuation teams and the successes of that program. Patients find themselves at a stateside hospital in an average of two to three days, he said.

"This is remarkable when compared to the 10-14 days required during the 1991 Persian Gulf War or the 45 days it took during the Vietnam Conflict," General Roudebush said.

The general also emphasized the Air Force's commitment to the joint fight. Medical experts from all branches of service work hand in hand in deployed environments and at home. What matters is providing the very best care possible to every injured or ill warfighter at every point in the care continuum, he said.

General Rank recounted to the Senators the stories of several officer and enlisted nurses who helped people at deployed locations. The Senators were interested in hearing about how the Air Force cares for its own, as well as caring for Airmen's families.

"Every Airmen completes a post-deployment health reassessment survey at some point during (his or her) 90-to 180-day post-deployment window," she explained. "We have promoted awareness and neutralized stigmas associated with seeking help by incorporating post-traumatic stress discussions. We also conduct return and reunion briefings to follow-ups with families and how they're holding up."

One of the other challenges the military nursing corps faces across all services is recruiting and retention. The Air Force Nurse Corps reported an inventory of 85 percent last year and, among other recruiting efforts, is promoting education and training among the enlisted force, encouraging some candidates to seek out nurse commissioning programs.

Overall, the generals reiterated to the committee that Air Force medics are dedicated to taking care of people wherever they need it.

"We are far from a position where we can rest on our laurels," General Roudebush said. "We will continue to work hard in the months and years ahead to perfect care for this fight and the next." 

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