Serving Those Who Serve: Terminal Clinical Experience in Military Healthcare
My terminal clinical rotation at Tripler Army Medical Center represents a culmination of my DPT journey and a return to my military roots. This experience, spanning from May through August 2025, offers a unique opportunity to provide physical therapy services to active duty military personnel, their dependents, and veterans while leveraging my own background as a former service member.
Population Served
At Tripler Army Medical Center, I have the privilege of serving a distinctive patient population:
- Active duty service members from all military branches
- Military dependents, including spouses and children
- Veterans accessing care through the military health system
- Department of Defense civilian employees
This diverse population presents with unique needs shaped by military service, including combat-related injuries, training injuries, and the physical demands of military occupational specialties. The opportunity to serve those who serve our country adds an especially meaningful dimension to this clinical experience.
Clinical Settings and Growth Opportunities
My rotation encompasses both outpatient orthopedic and inpatient settings, providing comprehensive exposure to military healthcare delivery:
Outpatient Orthopedic Setting
- Conducting comprehensive evaluations for musculoskeletal conditions common in military populations
- Developing evidence-based plans of care tailored to military fitness requirements
- Co-treating with active duty physical therapists and PTAs
- Gaining insight into return-to-duty protocols and military-specific rehabilitation goals
- Understanding the unique documentation requirements within military healthcare systems
Inpatient Setting
- Developing skills in acute care physical therapy interventions
- Participating in interdisciplinary care teams for complex cases
- Gaining exposure to post-surgical rehabilitation protocols
- Learning discharge planning considerations within the military health system
- Building confidence in a clinical setting where I have limited prior experience
Leveraging Military Background
My previous experience as an active duty service member provides me with unique insights that enhance my clinical interactions:
- Understanding military culture, terminology, and chain of command
- Appreciating the physical demands of different military occupational specialties
- Recognizing the psychological aspects of injury recovery in military contexts
- Communicating effectively with military personnel at various ranks
- Appreciating the importance of functional outcomes that support return to duty
Professional Development and Career Exploration
This rotation serves as more than clinical experience—it's also career exploration for my post-graduation goals:
- Gaining firsthand insight into physical therapy practice within military and VA settings
- Building professional relationships with practitioners in my desired career path
- Understanding the hiring processes for VA and military contractor positions
- Observing the unique aspects of federal employment in healthcare
- Identifying potential specializations valuable in military healthcare settings
NPTE Preparation Integration
With the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) looming shortly after this rotation's conclusion, I'm strategically using this experience to:
- Apply theoretical knowledge in diverse clinical scenarios
- Identify and address knowledge gaps across practice settings
- Build clinical reasoning skills critical for exam success
- Develop time management strategies that will transfer to exam conditions
- Integrate feedback from experienced clinicians to refine my practice
Reflection on Early Experiences
Though my time at Tripler has just begun, I've already recognized the valuable learning opportunities ahead. The structured clinical environment, combined with the variety of patient cases and intervention approaches, provides the ideal terminal clinical experience. The opportunity to develop autonomy in patient evaluations, treatment planning, and intervention implementation under the guidance of experienced military physical therapists will be invaluable as I transition to independent practice.
I anticipate this rotation will solidify my clinical skills while providing unique insights into military healthcare systems—preparing me not only for the NPTE but also for potential career paths serving military populations. My goal is to leverage every learning opportunity at Tripler Army Medical Center to become the most effective physical therapist possible for the military community I hope to serve throughout my career.
