Complete Story
08/21/2026
Air Force EM Consultant Update
Lt Col Chris Pitotti, MD, USAF
Air Force EM Docs! Please know that I’m available via email or text, and I can set up some time to chat — if it’s career options, assignments, or care delivery — it’s what the job’s supposed to be. Here are a few hot items:
Readiness: Every 44E should be maintaining their CMRP, with an update expected in the next couple of months. Get to a CSTARS platform or work at a Level 1 or 2 to get your required annual hours and hopefully all the procedures. CSTARS has plenty of space, and your unit won’t have to pay, so let readiness know to schedule you for a 2-week TDY to Las Vegas, St Louis, or Baltimore (they all have great staff). It’s still a great experience (I visited Vegas 3 times). Your local SIM centers can purchase equipment, or you can attend CME that has these procedures covered, like JSSEM in San Antonio. MACHR hasn’t been fully utilized in the field, but if your commander approves, that program will grant a 4-day special pass to locums or to moonlight locally in a critical access or trauma facility to get your critical care touches and procedures. UTCs may see dramatic change in the next few years with a new Emergency Resuscitation Team being designed now (let me know if you want to help design)
Assignments: The new graduate cycle will begin with “wish lists” in December; you’ll get emails with instructions from AFPC and me to prep you. For those itching to PCS, contact me, and we’ll come up with a plan that will help you develop. OGME grads — don’t forget you can come back to Emergency Medicine at the end of your first tour. Staff must have assignments set by October now for a summer move. Several places have reduced hours due to nursing staffing. And no final decisions on closing any EDs have been made. Please let me know if you’d like to volunteer for Program Director, CSTARS staff, or a CCATT assignment in the next cycle.
Force Generation/Development: We’ve been successful in getting numerous fellowships on the HPERB. As AFMEDCOM grows, the need for physician leaders will increase. Please complete your PME at each rank so that you’re not limited in your career progression (e.g., 100%—promote). In-residence is a possibility, but rare. There’s additional training available for Medical Directors and opportunities for command, SGH, and Global Health Engagement positions that each come with a training pipeline. Completing residency and MOC doesn’t have to be the end of your training!
Chris Pitotti MD, Lt Col, USAF
