HEIDELBERG, Germany (USAREUR Public Affairs) -- Europe Regional Medical
Command held a first-ever conference May 30 and 31 as a venue for networking and
education for all company-grade Medical Service Corps officers in the European theater.
The conference, sited at a Heidelberg Holiday Inn, offered information about career
opportunities in the Army medical service corps, a breakdown of the corps' various units,
and information on the military-to-civilian conversion of many Army medical jobs.
"Rarely do they get a chance to really learn about the medical service corps because
they're out in individual units," said Brig. Gen. David A. Rubenstein, ERMC
commanding general. "This is an opportunity to bring our company-grade officers
together to teach them about the medical service corps and for them to meet each other."
Several attendees said the conference's greatest perk was the interaction with other
officers.
"It's so important to get the chance to exchange experiences," said Capt. Christopher
Greene, ERMC chief of enlisted personnel. "Also, there's leadership from the medical
service corps here we'll gain experience from."
The 240 MSC officers heard from a representative from the U.S. Army Human
Resources Command -- a portion that fulfilled the retention aspect of ERMC's goals with
this conference, Rubenstein said.
"If we are talking with our young officers and synchronizing their desires with our
opportunities I believe more and more will stay in the Army," Rubenstein said.
While there is a yearly Army MSC conference in Europe, this was the first conference
held specifically for company-grade officers in Europe, according to ERMC officials.
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U.S. Army Photo by Phil Tegtmeier, ERMC PAO
Maj. Eric Maroyka, right, guides Medical Service Corps officers on a tour of the
outpatient pharmacy at the Heidelberg Community Hospital Friday (June 1). Maroyka is
the hospital's chief pharmacist. The MSC officers got a behind-the-scenes tour of the
hospital following their company-grade MSC Conference May 30 and 31
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