Jason Perry
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A thread to discuss Bethesda National Naval Medical Center.
Bethesda National Naval Medical Center
- Thread starter Jason Perry
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We spent 2 months at NNMC and continue to go at least once a month for specialists appointments and soon for our MEB testing, so I will post a few bits of info here to get this thread going.
Overall impression of the hospital was great, of course we had our moments but funny enough those were mostly with the contract nurses so beware of them. Also, don't be afraid to ask questions and do as much homework on your condition as you can. The doctors are only human and the interns are on 30 day rotations which means you are your best advocate.
The MEB office is on the first floor just past the duty desk and the most of the staff there is very helpful. The process is so complicated that I think I was there every day asking another question. You can sign up for the DTAP class here as well. Also, in the same area is the office to request your medical records.
Another good thing is that the PEBLO Office is located on site (I will try to find location as no one but people in MEB office even know what a PEBLO is). There is also a VA rep there on site so if you are starting the DES process you can go sign all the VA paperwork to get that process started.
General Logistics:
Lodging:
Overall impression of the hospital was great, of course we had our moments but funny enough those were mostly with the contract nurses so beware of them. Also, don't be afraid to ask questions and do as much homework on your condition as you can. The doctors are only human and the interns are on 30 day rotations which means you are your best advocate.
The MEB office is on the first floor just past the duty desk and the most of the staff there is very helpful. The process is so complicated that I think I was there every day asking another question. You can sign up for the DTAP class here as well. Also, in the same area is the office to request your medical records.
Another good thing is that the PEBLO Office is located on site (I will try to find location as no one but people in MEB office even know what a PEBLO is). There is also a VA rep there on site so if you are starting the DES process you can go sign all the VA paperwork to get that process started.
General Logistics:
Lodging:
Housing is tight so if you know ahead of time you are going, request housing as soon as possible.
Navy Lodge- $75 a night (cheap for that area), nice rooms and they have a laundry and kitchenette
Fisher House-$10 a night, you have to fill out an application and hope for an opening. I wish we had stayed here the whole time but they didn't have an opening until the last week. There are two houses with full kitchens and laundry. There is a family and dining room where you can check email and meet other people. Also, local restaurants and groups often bring in dinner for free for guests. This is great for families. Staff is also very nice
Dorms: (I forget proper name) $32 a night-sort of in between option.
Off-site: there are also a lot of hotels in Bethesda but rates are over $150 a night depending on time of year.
Food: Navy Lodge- $75 a night (cheap for that area), nice rooms and they have a laundry and kitchenette
Fisher House-$10 a night, you have to fill out an application and hope for an opening. I wish we had stayed here the whole time but they didn't have an opening until the last week. There are two houses with full kitchens and laundry. There is a family and dining room where you can check email and meet other people. Also, local restaurants and groups often bring in dinner for free for guests. This is great for families. Staff is also very nice
Dorms: (I forget proper name) $32 a night-sort of in between option.
Off-site: there are also a lot of hotels in Bethesda but rates are over $150 a night depending on time of year.
NNMC: Hospital food (not good-cookies are the best thing) Subway, Dunkin Donuts, cafeteria (pizza, grill, salad bar, sandwiches), two cafes-coffee, sandwiches,snacks & mess hall- hours are random for each and on weekends only Subway and DD are open.
Base: McDonald's, Commissary
Bethesda: There are a ton of restaurants off of Rockville Pike going in either direction. They allowed us to bring in every meal, hopefully they didn't change that rule
Ok hope some of this helps, if anything else comes to mind I will post it.Base: McDonald's, Commissary
Bethesda: There are a ton of restaurants off of Rockville Pike going in either direction. They allowed us to bring in every meal, hopefully they didn't change that rule
Jason Perry
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The times are really variable. I had a very unusual case where a decision came back in about a week. However, the majority of my cases are taking several months. I don't really see any particular reason some decisions come faster than others. I speculate that it is mainly driven by the workload at the Navy Yard at the time, the workload on the individual board members, and the complexity of the case.
I can honestly say, i just went through the DTAP class at Bethesda, Gunny Phipps and Chief Parker are truly knowledgeable. I felt that i would get the most from them and i can honestly say that if i had done the MED and PEB process there it would have gone smoother. I don't know but i truly do hope that the board gives me an Unfit finding. Maybe my motivation for myself staying in the Navy is gone, but I will never tell anyone the Navy is bad or tell them that they would be better to get out. But i truly think the 2 working in the PEBLO office at Bethesda are the best.