Leaving Bragg

I am a creature of habit. I sat in the same seat in each classroom during grad school for 3 years. I always took the same spot on the Barre at ballet class for even more years. Work was very much the same for me. While my first position as a new grad was not a good fit and didn’t last long, I then spent over 10 years with the next company, the majority of that time at the same clinic. First as a staff PT, then working into pseudo-assistant manager responsibilities, and eventually into being a treating manager. When I finally stepped back from managing, realizing it wasn’t a position I could continue to thrive in, I took what I knew would be a short-term position transitioning to a different clinic/umbrella, but the same overhead company.

As the days towards my wedding grew closer, the discussions between my now husband and I deepened regarding a move from PA to NC. We decided to make our honeymoon a recon trip to look at homes. It was a natural break time where we both decided to leave our tenured positions and move into contract work to allow flexibility of timing for moving. This worked out perfectly, as shortly after making this move he showed me the listing for a GS (Government Service) PT position at Fort Bragg. It gave us the in to move to NC. Granted it took a long time (6 months from interview until I finally stepped foot into Womack for my first day), but it was an exciting opportunity. PT’s working in Military Medicine are seen as physician extenders in a lot of ways. We truly get to use our education and experience at the highest level. I could order my own labs/imaging, place referrals to other providers and manage our soldiers Orthopedic issues. Even better- I wouldn’t have to remember which insurances covered which, or juggle attendance issues due to co-pays and work schedules (or so I thought?).

While I loved those aspects of the job, it is also the most grueling and difficult position I have worked to date. I absolutely found so much JOY in serving our soldiers and providing the best care I could to them. However, I started to see how many of them deserved more than the short and spaced out snippets of time my schedule could allow. I desperately tried to give them everything and all of me. And I was holding on OK for a while. Long days. Long commutes. Bringing work home. But I had a schedule that worked. Four 10-hr days. And then time to recover and a day for life things. It wasn’t all bad, though, I was able to take advantage of some amazing opportunities as well- Sky Diving with the Golden Knights team and take a UH-60 night training ride!

Flight crew prepping for the night training run.

But that changed. During COVID, there was a push to change how the clinics operated and hours served. I lost my 4-10’s. While I was able to still get an alternate schedule, my day off went from Fridays (every week) to every other Monday. I was getting up an hour earlier, but only getting home 30 min earlier (at best- often at the same time). I was working more hours, away from home more, and felt like I was beating my head against a wall trying to be the best provider I could be and be the one who would listen in a world of over-worked providers who didn’t have time.

And then the vaccine mandate pushed through. As I mentioned in “My Why”, I believe God used this to give me a push in a direction I always thought about but never saw as a reality. The decision to not get the vaccine and submit for an exception (which by the way I have NEVER heard back from now nearly 2 years after submitting- not one word), meant I lived in fear every day that I would get notice and risk suspension/termination. I knew I didn’t want to go back to conventional treatment mills, but I also realized that with or without the vaccine, I wouldn’t survive Bragg long enough to retire from there. Not and keep my sanity, my joy (and my family) intact. I dug my heels in and continued to provide the best I could every day there, but also started making the move for my “Backup” and/or “Next Step” plan. I took my Pilates training courses (and fell in love more than I thought I ever could with the beauty of it all). I formed my business and started looking for a part time home. I started seeing the occasional patient here/there from the gym or my neighbors in a barely stocked room, thanks to a couple Chiro’s who finally took a chance on me!

The gradual evolution of an empty shell, barely stocked treatment room into an inviting treatment space at R&R!

After reaching my 5 years at Bragg, I began to realize I couldn’t do both much longer. For R&R it was time to give it my all. But leaving Bragg proved so much more challenging than I thought. The emotions of leaving my soldiers, my work family, a network of amazing humans I respected and genuinely care for were difficult. Of all the positions I mentioned before, this was by far the HARDEST to leave. It was by far the most challenging. Despite all the frustrations, there is a sense of duty, honor and service in what I did there. I have never donned the uniform. I have never signed the line to give my life. But I served those who have and that means something. And I respect their sacrifice (be it the nuisances of moving/PCS, schedules, etc or the ultimate sacrifice of service) MORE than I ever thought I could. Even as a Civilian, I took an Oath to uphold and defend our constitution and serve our nation on my first day— and that oath has not left me. I don’t think it ever will.

To my soldiers: Thank you for entrusting me with your care. Thank you for your service. For those who have deployed or sustained injuries via combat (visible and non-visible)— know I care, and I truly feel most of the providers at Womack care. I heard you and I will continue to hear you.

To my Womack Family: Many of you knew ahead of time and I could not have made the decision without your support (even when you 1/2 tried to talk me out of it… you know who you are!). I have felt so loved and supported through this process. But know I miss you all. I miss the laughter and the bond we all shared. No family will ever replace you.

So much love for this family and such an honor to have served here with the US Army, at the Home of the Airborne.