Information for RSPEC Students (Updated 15 JAN 2009):

The Uniformed Services University (USU) looks forward to your attendance at the Radiological Systems Performance Evaluation Course (RSPEC) in Bethesda, MD. You will receive instruction from leaders at USU and the National Naval Medical Center (NNMC). You can learn more about your training site by visiting http://www.usuhs.mil/ and http://www.bethesda.med.navy.mil/. Here is some helpful information.

FLYING: You may find Washington Reagan National Airport most convenient: http://www.metwashairports.com/national/ . This airport is serviced directly by METRO http://www.wmata.com/, the local mass transportation system. From Reagan, take the Blue Line to METRO Center Station, or the Yellow Line to Gallery Place/Chinatown Station. Transfer to the Red Line and exit at Medical Center METRO Station, circled in red on the attached map of NNMC. Two other airports also serve our area: Dulles International Airport http://www.metwashairports.com/Dulles/ and Baltimore Washington International Airport http://www.bwiairport.com/.

DRIVING: To reach NNMC from points south, take I-95 North through Richmond (or I-295 around Richmond). Continue north to Springfield (Northern Virginia). In Springfield, take Exit 170B ("Tysons Corner") to merge on the Capital Beltway (I-495). Continue on I-495, cross the American Legion Bridge (over the Potomac River) into Maryland. Continue to the I-270 and I-495 split. Keep to the right side and remain on I-495. Use Exit 34 (Bethesda-Route 355-Wisconsin Avenue-Rockville Pike). Get in the left lane and go south on Route 355. The 20 story NNMC Tower will be on your left side. Stay in the left lane and turn on Southwood Road to a 24-hour manned gate. Wood Road North is closed on Saturday and Sunday. Students stationed north of Washington, D.C. will drive south to I-495 and use Exit 34 as noted above. See the attached NNMC map for details.

LODGING: Convenient lodging (5-15 minute walk to class) is available at NNMC. You have two options. One is the NNMC Gateway Inn Suites at $37.00 per night. Call (301) 295-5855 to make a reservation; no DSN number is available. You will need orders to make a reservation. Check-in at Comfort Hall, BLDG 60. Rooms include wireless internet, cable t.v., separate bathroom, microwave, refrigerator, and either one queen or two twin beds. The other option is the Bethesda Navy Lodge at $80.00 per night. Call (301) 654-1795 to make a reservation.

MEALS: For breakfast and lunch, NNMC has a galley (very reasonably priced) and other options (McDonald's, Taco Bell, Subway, and the "Main Street Cafe"). Downtown Bethesda offers dozens of places to eat dinner. Simply drive or walk less than one mile south on Wisconsin Avenue, or take the Medical Center METRO Station to the Bethesda METRO Station. Visit http://www.bethesda.org/ for more information on Bethesda.

UNIFORMS: Enlisted members may wear utilities (clean, pressed camouflage or dungarees), or seasonal Summer Whites or Winter Blues. Officers wear Service Khaki for the entire year. Bring seasonal weather uniform items as desired: raincoat, sweater, jacket, and coat.

CALCULATORS: Students are encouraged to bring a calculator to solve laboratory, homework and test problems.

DOSIMETRY ISSUE: Make certain you know your current calendar quarter and year radiation exposure information. You will also need to provide a mailing address to receive the results of your radiation monitoring as an RSPEC student.

RSPEC: Meet at the front of Building 53 by 0700. Building 53 is located on Taylor Road and is circled in blue on the NNMC map posted to this webpage.

Your successful completion of RSPEC will allow you to apply to the Navy and Marine Corps Public Health Center, formerly the Navy Environmental Health Center (NEHC), to be designated as a qualified Basic X-ray (Level I) Surveyor per NEHC Technical Manual (TM) 6470.03-1. Here is some information for those who would like to "read ahead" (not required) before your arrival.

1) NEHC TM 6470.03-1 will be used as a reference. We will focus on Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 13, 14, and 15; and Appendix A, B, C, D, G, and H. You will receive applicable portions of the Manual in class. The Manual is posted at http://www-nehc.med.navy.mil/

2) You will receive at no cost The Essential Physics of Medical Imaging (2nd Edition, 2002) by Jerrold T. Bushberg. Your command's library may have a copy to use until you depart for RSPEC. Lectures will consider the following material:

Chapter 1: Introduction to Medical Imaging

Chapter 2: Radiation and the Atom

Chapter 3: Interaction of Radiation with Matter

Chapter 5: X-ray Production, X-ray Tubes, and Generators

Chapter 7: Film Processing

Chapter 9: Fluoroscopy

Chapter 10: Image Quality (pages 255-283)

Chapter 11: Digital Radiography (pages 293-304; 307-316)

You will receive a Student Notebook with copies of all lectures (including a CD copy). The textbook, NEHC TM 6470.03-1, and the Student Notebook will help you with homework assignments (not graded) to prepare for a graded final test and practical. Contact me if you need more information. The staff looks forward to meeting you soon.

- Captain J.J. King, Medical Service Corps, U.S. Navy