As healthcare professionals, a great amount of responsibility is placed upon us. The expectation to provide medical care at an exceptional level within our respective areas of specialization is forever present. The purpose of this essay is to take a practical look at the importance of maintaining the licenses (and related certifications) granted medical professionals in the military. We will explore the need for having the most up-to-date the practices to provide the best care. In addition, we will discuss the potential dangers of operating outside of the designated standard, as well as the possible incidents that could occur. As readiness is the Army's primary goal, we are each personally responsible for making sure that we are operating to our individual capacities as we play our parts in accomplishing the Army's mission. …show more content…
The United States military is currently engaged in multiple operations worldwide (to include homeland defense/counter-terror operations as well as various humanitarian operations). With that in mind, military medical professionals are required to adapt to constantly changing conditions. In addition, a certain amount of resilience and self-reliance is required. The standard of care in which we are able to provide our service members, as well as host nation personnel during outreach missions has to be above par. Failing to do so can (and often will be) harmful to not only individuals, but also the Army mission. We are often told when we enter a foreign environment that we are representatives of the United States and all it has to offer. As such, we must be prepared to hold ourselves to a higher