Identifying Senior Leadership Competencies for the Biomedical Sciences Corps

The recent announcement of the creation of a brigadier general billet for the Biomedical Sciences Corps has generated new interest in identifying AFSC-neutral leadership competencies and planning leadership development through an officer's career to prepare him or her for senior command. Twenty-six lieutenant colonels and colonels serving in a wide range of senior leadership positions in the Air Force Medical Service were interviewed and asked to identify groups of competencies created by the Joint Medical Executive Skills Institute that they felt were most important for senior BSC leadership based on their experiences. All eight groups are recommended by the Joint Medical Executive Skills Institute as being required for competency as a Medical Treatment Facility commander, TRICARE lead agent, or member of either's staff.