Dr. Augustas Beiša. Phhoto from Dr. Augustas Beiša personal archive
“There are not many physicians who actively practice as military medics and have their main workplace as military medical service. Meanwhile, we, members of the Army Reserve, work in hospital on a daily basis and have more hands-on experience,” notes Dr. Augustas Beiša, an abdominal surgeon at Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos. Inspired by his father’s example and having seen that the work of a physician and military service can be combined, Dr. Beiša is in his 8th year of active reserve military service in the medical corps.
What came first in your life – medicine or the military?
I would say medicine, because I grew up in a family of medical doctors: both my mother and father were physicians, and my grandmother was a nurse. But patriotism and love for our country have always been fostered in our family. Even my first childhood memories are related to the date significant in Lithuania’s history – 13 January 1991. That day, my father returned from work and sat down next to me. I was playing with modelling clay, and we made a Pensive Christ (Lith. Rūpintojėlis). Later that evening, my father went out to join people who were protecting our parliament. We have preserved the figurine made by my father and I that day, right up until today.
When I was a student, I looked for ways to join the armed forces. I had applied for voluntary military service several times. But maybe I was not enthusiastic enough or maybe the recruitment section was not much interested either. Everything changed in 2014, when Russia occupied Crimea. Encouraged by the events in Ukraine, I joined the Riflemen’s Union. Here I found the biggest concentration of bright, patriotic people together in one place. I was surprised to discover that people who gathered in the first meeting were physicists, chemists, entrepreneurs, musicians...
At a meeting with the armed forces in the Riflemen’s Union, I asked what the situation was with military medicine – whether it was relevant for our armed forces and whether they needed reserves? The next day I received a phone call from the Military Medical Corps – by coincidence, they had started preparing a reserve of military medics. This is how I, and a few other physicians, who were members of the Lithuanian Riflemen’s Union, became the founders of this reserve, together with Major Ragaišis who provided assistance and support.
Dr. Augustas Beiša with his family. Photo from Dr. Augustas Beiša personal archive
Please tell us, what are the duties of a serviceman in the military medical reserve?
Firstly, everyone in the Armed Forces, is a serviceman. We have to have knowledge of tactics, weaponry and meet the required physical standards. Only then, can you have a specific specialisation where everyone can do their job. Just as we work in teams in the hospital, the same is true in the army. I belong to a group which is assigned to a field hospital which is an equivalent to a level two hospital. When we all meet, we have to work within all procedures to ensure we know where things are, because the field hospital is fairly big.
We meet once or twice a month for exercises, most often on weekends. During the exercises, we focus on different topics: sometimes these are related to medicine, sometimes to weapons tactics, orienteering, etc. We also take part in major exercises with other units of the armed forces two or three times a year. There, we actually open the field hospital and practice all the necessary procedures. International exercises with our NATO partners are also organised, and then we would travel abroad to participate in the training.
What does your team of military medics look like? Is it true that in military service you face psychological and physical challenges?
The team is quite colourful. It includes physicians from various specialties, and nurses etc. On the medical side of things, you rarely face psychological challenges. We all work in health care establishments, and we know what to expect in one or another case.
Every soldier has a weapon assigned to them and you simulate a wide range of situations during exercises. If people find this absolutely unacceptable, they will find this uncomfortable. Sometimes the problem is lack of experience, and one has to appreciate that there are men and women who have never encountered weapons before in their life. But, after they join the military medical corps, they learn how to select a gun, assemble it and successfully use it.
On the subject of physical requirements, they are set according to age and are not unreasonable. They include running, push-ups, crunches and other exercises. A person who is used to some kind of physical load, can meet the requirements after preparing for two or three months. It is not only bodybuilders that can serve in the army.
Dr. Augustas Beiša with his family. Photo from Dr. Augustas Beiša personal archive
Do you have to deal with stereotypes related to serving in the army? If so, what are they?
I remember a military officer telling me a story of when a mother of a young boy once pointed at him saying to her son: “Look, if you do not study hard, this is what is waiting for you – you’re going to end up a serviceman! (here, he laughs)
I have not dealt with any stereotypes myself, but I have to admit that I had a different view of the armed forces before joining the corps. In the Lithuanian Armed Forces we are all friends, like-minded people, a team! Ranks have no relevance in these relationships. The same is true in the hospital – although we take specific roles, we are, nevertheless, a team. In fact, I had not imagined that you could have such a warm and friendly relationship in the army!
I guess the biggest stereotypes lie in our minds. We are often afraid of what we do not know. But when you become a member of a team, you see that everyone has one goal and teamwork is in primary place to reach that goal – there can be no divisions.
What do people most often ask when they find out that you are not only a doctor, but also take part in military service?
Sometimes colleagues, residents or students ask me to talk about my military medical service. They want to know how they can contribute, and what opportunities are available. I am glad that the number of people who think that military service is a matter of honour is increasing. Because I had not served in the army, I felt something was missing. In my view, every individual has a duty to pay tribute to their country. Freedom is not something you should take for granted. It must be fostered, protected and defended every day.
At the dawn of Lithuania’s independence, when voluntary military forces were established, my father was among the first to join. He was a physician and served in the Lithuanian Armed Forces for five years at a stretch. His example of an honourable, free citizen of the country, had a huge influence on me. I only fully realised this myself, after I started in the Military Medical Corps within the Lithuanian Armed Forces.
We have recently experienced a certain feeling of loss in society. We all want to do as much as we can for our country and any other country countering unjustified aggression and a threat to its security. For this reason, I invite everyone who wants to contribute to the Lithuanian Armed Forces, to join our team. In this way, we will be able to guarantee a bright future for us, our children and our grandchildren. When you are ready, when you are a part of a specific structure, you feel psychologically calm. You understand what you can do, what you have done and what you will be able to do in any situation.
Do you have any questions related to military medical service? Would you like to join the service in the Lithuanian Armed Forces? Contact Dr Augustas Beiša by email:
Dr. Augustas Beiša (on the left) during military exercise. Photo from Dr. Augustas Beiša personal archive