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Reservists prepared for "Enduring Freedom" role by Cindy Abole Public Relations Editor's note: The Department of Defense has advised that all references to active/reserve personnel be rank and first name only as a compliance to national security. As Americans reeled in disbelief and responded to the horror of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in New York, Washington, D.C. and Pennsylvania, another group of proud Americans was already looking past the tragedy and preparing for the roles they have trained and prepared for for months, even years. A handful of MUSC's own proudly serve as military reservists. Cassandra, Dr. Mike, Sharon, Dr. Connie and Kandace pose with America’s most recognized symbol of freedom, the U.S. flag. So far, about 20,000 National Guard and military reserve troops have been called to active duty to support the country's response in Operation Enduring Freedom and to provide continual support for homeland defense to all Americans.  On MUSC's campus alone, some 70 men and women stand poised and ready to respond as they await their call to service for their country. Some have already been called away to provide full-time military or medical support in days or weeks following the threats. Meanwhile, other MUSC staff continue to distinguish themselves in their full-time jobs as healers, educators, students and practitioners within the medical center and university. “Ours is a very different role,” said Connie, Ph.D., professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences,  comparing the active military and reserve support of today with Operation Desert Storm more than a decade ago.  “We were dealing in an entirely different situation—perhaps briefer, repeated conflicts over a longer period of time,” Connie said. “Today, our country and the coalition are fighting a different war and relying on more reserve troops to augment our active duty deployed overseas by helping to fill those gaps. Our biggest challenge is anticipating its duration and the availability of prolonged support, and other services to military personnel and their families.” A Navy Reserve captain, Connie is commanding officer of MUSC’s Navy Reserve unit, managing  professional reserve faculty, students and residents detached to Charleston, Columbia and Savannah. A clinical psychologist with the National Crime Victims Research and Treatment Center based at MUSC, Connie is trained to handle posttraumatic stress disorder and other battlefield trauma. She accepts her role, like most reservists, as a vocation and chance to serve her country.  Veteran nurses respond Like Connie, nurses Sharon and Kandace, are also all too familiar with the term, “call to service.” A nurse manager at MUSC since 1997, Sharon, works in the medical center's cardiac and cardiothoracic ICU units (CCU/CTICU).  She’s a veteran of 21 years of both active and reserve duty in the U.S. Air Force. She is currently a reserve nurse assigned to the Charleston Air Force Base. During the Gulf War, Sharon and her Aerovac unit were mobilized for seven-weeks following the start of Desert Storm. She worked as a flight nurse in Germany supporting the airlift of military casualties. “Having done this before, it seems a little easier this time around,” said Sharon, who learned that adopting a “can-do” attitude is key.  “I know what’s at stake and it’s a little less frightening.”  One thing she’s confident in is her genuine interest in nursing and service to others. “Each time I wear my uniform for reserve duty, it is a reminder to me of the things we, as Americans, have learned to cherish throughout our lifetime,” Sharon said. “That is our freedom, which we seem to have rediscovered as a nation recently. It is a privilege that should be valued daily.” Kandace, who is a nurse in Ambulatory Cardiology began to prepare immediately following the Sept. 11 events. A U.S. Navy commander of 18 years in both active duty and reserves Kandace has more to consider than her job of caring for recovering heart patients. Her focus lately has been to be a prepared single mother of two daughters, ages 14 and 11. “I wanted to make sure that my kids are safe, remain active in school and continue in their daily activities,” said Kandace, who has no local family in town, but instead chose to rely on a group of close, trusted friends and helpful neighbors to help care for the girls in her absence.  Kandace is officer-in-charge of a hospital support unit based in Raleigh, N.C. Since the crisis, she has guided her crew as they prepared personal documents, organize wills and other family pre-planning as they await news of mobilization in this military effort.  Kandace has crossed these same waters before since seeing active duty action towards the end of the Vietnam War and in the 1990s during the Haitian invasion. So far, her preparation has involved pre-planning activities with her friends, organizing work with her own priorities including relinquishing her duties as treasurer of the middle school band booster club. She and her daughters have discussed her situation openly. They talk about her potential role and absence and its subsequent effect on family life.  “Right now, I’m using this waiting time to tie up any loose ends,” Kandace said. “Although the operation and airstrikes are already underway, I have my uniforms packed and am ready to go. To me, it is always an honor to be asked to serve my country.” Today’s reserve force consist of a variety of specialists, some within their career field and some beyond. In the medical arena, Adams’ unit is composed of physicians, skilled nurse anesthetists, family nurse practitioners and others with specialized degrees and advanced training. “Our military nurses are as highly-trained and dedicated as our best pilots, soldiers and other specialists because they’re adaptable,” Kandace said. “Service in the military brings out the best in people. They know their jobs, they know the sacrifice and they’re ready to accept it willingly.” Physician inspired to public service Radiologist Mike's attraction to the Navy was second behind medicine. The Pittsburgh, Pa. native's love for fast jets an admiration towards America's role in the Gulf War even startled recruiters as Mike voluntarily joined as a walk-in recruit while completing a surgery internship in Pittsburgh more than 11 years ago.  With his sights still set skywards, Mike became certified as a flight surgeon and radiologist while completing tours in Okinawa, Japan and the U.S. Naval Academy before joining his current reserve attachment in New Orleans. In July 2000, he moved to Charleston to begin a mammography fellowship with the Department of Radiology. He is currently a general radiologist supporting the neuroradiology department.  “It has been difficult for Americans to handle the idea of terrorism at home,” said Mike, comparing the public’s reaction to war following Desert Storm and the terrorist bombings of the U.S.S. Cole and most recently, the Sept. 11 attacks. “It’s nice to see this newfound support on a national scale. There’s an admiration for public servants and the people in uniform.” Mike hopes the recent events have awakened the spirit of patriotism among Americans. He challenges people to take their anger and flag-flying sentiments a step further by finding ways to volunteer, enlist  or encourage others towards a role in public service. It is a decision that Mike is proud he made. Army reserve training/mentoring valued Army reservist Sgt. 1st Class Cassandra works as a critical care administrative specialist working in the business office supporting Critical Care Oncology and Emergency Services. Like her other professional colleagues in uniform, Cassandra has been busy handling and updating her personal files for her family—a task that's not too difficult for this single, weekend soldier. “I’m just taking things one day at a time,” said Cassandra, whose father and uncles also served in the Army. “I keep updated with my unit and remain in communications with them constantly.”  But Cassandra enjoys her monthly weekend service and two-week annual training, which usually coincides at a time when she's ready for a change from the busyness of purchase orders, requisitions and expediting other staff business in her full-time job. “I recognized the value of my training early on in my reserves work,” Cassandra said. “A young reserve recruit is constantly learning and that still requires a lot of direction and mentoring. I'm at a point in my career where I’m able to provide these skills to help others. It's evolved to be something more than just a weekend gig.” Cassandra hopes to continue her reserve career, aspiring in her goal to progress to the rank of command sergeant-major, the Army's senior enlisted rank.   Policy on students called to active military duty Provisions have been made by the university to serve the best interests of applicants for admission and for enrolled students who are called to active military duty.  As a result of the increased need for military personnel, the university can expect potentially as many as 100 currently enrolled students and another 20 to 30 applicants to be called away from their educational commitments.  In response, the deans and senior administration of the university have declared that any enrolled student called to active duty for the “Enduring Freedom” campaign will receive a full refund of all payments for academic charges for the semester. This refund will be returned to the payment source (payer) and will be for the amount related to the refund of academic charges and fees. Additionally, if a student is called to active duty, s/he may be granted military leave for the period of active duty plus one academic year upon presenting a copy of the military orders to his/her dean along with a request for leave. Readmission to the university will be processed by the office of student enrollment services without charge if it falls within the period of leave.  Students in lock-step curricula should consult with their dean regarding the appropriate semester to resume study. The admission officers of the six university colleges, in coordination with the office of student enrollment services, have also modified admission procedures that recognize the special circumstances of those applicants called away to military duty.  Upon receiving a copy of the military orders, the university will accommodate interruption of the applicant’s admission process, using a plan that adapts to the stage the applicant is in. For example, for those requesting an application, staff will recommend that the application not be filed until after discharge.  For admitted applicants who have accepted the university's offer, the university will hold all documents for two years, and will guarantee a place in the class for one year after discharge. You may go to the Web site to review the tenure plan. The standard responses may be altered based on special circumstances of the applicant. Editor’s note: The above is an abbreviated version of a plan concerning MUSC students and military leave status provided by the Office of Enrollment and the Provost and  Academic Affairs To access the full plan, refer to http://www.musc.edu/catalyst/co10-26policy.htm