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my 16 yr old son will be a Jr in HS this September. His wants to get his Eagle by May 2018 so he can sign up for a split training, Go to BCT next summer between jr & sr yr & then graduate HS & then AIT.
He wants to be a 68W. He wants to help save soldiers lives but he does not want to be in a clinic. He's always wanted to be a solider but recently focused on being a medic. What MOS do you suggest
He originally wanted to be 11B. But the more he thought about it the more he said he wanted to be a medic. But he had concerns. He is a very very...linear boy. But he is also very religious. He said he thought he would be good at being a medic but he had concerns about "Fighting against Gods will" He felt that if someone might die in combat its gods will. I explained that sometimes Gods will is that they live - and he uses the soldiers and medics as his hands. From that point on he wanted to be a medic. Now he isnt overbearing in his beliefs - he just believes in an active and present God. He wants to serve.
Also as a 16 yr old boy he finds himself wondering what sort of man he is. He wants to be tested. Thus the desire to be in combat I think. His grandfather was a combat vetern from vietnam and I think that drives his thinking. I know this will change as he matures - he is only 16...and 16 year old boys think they are immortal.
But if he wants to be 68W - I want to get him the paramedic test materials now and help him start studying. Its sort of how I roll... My eldest was nagged constantly to practice for asvab and DLAB etc and ended up getting top scores. I know once they enlist its out of my hands...so I just want them as prepared as possible for life. (I know...Im a total helicopter mom but its the only way I know to prepare to let go is prepare them for the flight).
He wants to be a 68W. He wants to help save soldiers lives but he does not want to be in a clinic. He's always wanted to be a solider but recently focused on being a medic. What MOS do you suggest
He originally wanted to be 11B. But the more he thought about it the more he said he wanted to be a medic. But he had concerns. He is a very very...linear boy. But he is also very religious. He said he thought he would be good at being a medic but he had concerns about "Fighting against Gods will" He felt that if someone might die in combat its gods will. I explained that sometimes Gods will is that they live - and he uses the soldiers and medics as his hands. From that point on he wanted to be a medic. Now he isnt overbearing in his beliefs - he just believes in an active and present God. He wants to serve.
Also as a 16 yr old boy he finds himself wondering what sort of man he is. He wants to be tested. Thus the desire to be in combat I think. His grandfather was a combat vetern from vietnam and I think that drives his thinking. I know this will change as he matures - he is only 16...and 16 year old boys think they are immortal.
But if he wants to be 68W - I want to get him the paramedic test materials now and help him start studying. Its sort of how I roll... My eldest was nagged constantly to practice for asvab and DLAB etc and ended up getting top scores. I know once they enlist its out of my hands...so I just want them as prepared as possible for life. (I know...Im a total helicopter mom but its the only way I know to prepare to let go is prepare them for the flight).
Posted in these groups: 
MOS
68W: Healthcare Specialist (Combat Medic)
What Would You Do
Combat Arms
Military Career
MOS 68W: Healthcare Specialist (Combat Medic) What Would You Do Combat Arms Military Career
Edited 7 y ago
Posted 7 y ago
Responses: 95
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There's no MOS quite like 68W. You can be sent anywhere within the Army. Most guys go to combat units but it's very possible to be stationed within a hospital or clinic. You should let him know though that being stationed within a hospital or clinic isn't a bad thing. He'll learn much more about medicine in a hospital environment than he will with a combat unit and have more time for furthering his education.
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(Join to see)
Thank you for your advice. I think 68W works well with his temperament. Of course he has a year + to prepare. Right now we are launching boy #1
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SGT (Join to see)
It's not difficult to pass medic training. The hardest portion academically is the NREMT-B class and test halfway through. After that it's mostly just repeating the same skills over and over again until they're muscle memory. He won't be getting paramedic certification immediately. There are programs that allow for that however.
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SFC Richard Genzlinger Jr.
I would suggest an MOS that translates to a good civilian career. Something technical like Aviation jobs, specialized medical, computer or even languages. Do some research and also make sure he is getting the exact MOS before he signs anything and raises his hand at the MEPS.
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Sgt Michael Clifford
If he wants to get into a medical field I would suggest that as a HS student he volunteer at a local hospital emergency squad so that he can see for himself what the career is , like. It will also give him access to men and women who have probably gone through the decision making that he is confronting.
When he is ready either after HS or after college he will be all that more prepared to succeed in whatever he chooses. He should understand that whether he is in the field, in a hospital/clinic or a rehab facility taking care of our warriors and/or their dependents is a worthwhile vocation.
Whatever he chooses he should know that career choices are not terminal. I know a man who trained as a combat Marine officer and after several years in command of infantry troops is now a surgeon.
With regard to his thoughts about going against "God's Will". As human beings no one that I know of is qualified to know what God's Will is. I believe that "God's Will" is that we, as mere humans do everything within our power with our limited but God given skills to save and preserve life in every circumstance. If after we have done everything we can do the person succumbs then that is God's will.
As his mom, support him in whatever he chooses.
p.s. The military used to have an excellent DOD medical university to train, doctors, dentists, nurses etc. He should look into that possibility as well. If he can speak with current military medical personnel about his ideas. He should do it.
When he is ready either after HS or after college he will be all that more prepared to succeed in whatever he chooses. He should understand that whether he is in the field, in a hospital/clinic or a rehab facility taking care of our warriors and/or their dependents is a worthwhile vocation.
Whatever he chooses he should know that career choices are not terminal. I know a man who trained as a combat Marine officer and after several years in command of infantry troops is now a surgeon.
With regard to his thoughts about going against "God's Will". As human beings no one that I know of is qualified to know what God's Will is. I believe that "God's Will" is that we, as mere humans do everything within our power with our limited but God given skills to save and preserve life in every circumstance. If after we have done everything we can do the person succumbs then that is God's will.
As his mom, support him in whatever he chooses.
p.s. The military used to have an excellent DOD medical university to train, doctors, dentists, nurses etc. He should look into that possibility as well. If he can speak with current military medical personnel about his ideas. He should do it.
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I'd definitely recommend being a medic. There is a chance he gets put into the clinic, but he could also be put in a line unit. Either way, if he has a interest in the medical field this is a great MOS to choose. We get to learn a bit of everything. So he can branch out and find out what he really enjoys.
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SGT Todd Swartzman
Make sure he knows that upon reenlistment, he can negotiate for a posting he wants, if he ends up in a clinic or hospital on his first assignment. Heck, I negotiated being stationed in Europe as my first duty assignment, so it is possible to get what you want, especially if you catch Uncle Sam when he has a shortage of a given MOS.
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RP Members and Connection please assist Davida Dean, Family Member of one son already serving and another son getting ready to serve as requested in her post above. She would like you professional feedback, so she can share that with her 16 year old son. Thanks
Please respond to her question: https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/what-mos-should-my-son-choose
CAPT Michael MoranLTC John WilsonSGT (Join to see)CDR Kenneth KaiserSSG(P) (Join to see)PVT Zachary Becenti1SG (Join to see)(Join to see)GySgt Jeffrey HollidayTSgt John McIntoshMAJ Christopher DailyPO2 David KitchensSgt Samantha SabalboroSSG Eric Haines
Please respond to her question: https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/what-mos-should-my-son-choose
CAPT Michael MoranLTC John WilsonSGT (Join to see)CDR Kenneth KaiserSSG(P) (Join to see)PVT Zachary Becenti1SG (Join to see)(Join to see)GySgt Jeffrey HollidayTSgt John McIntoshMAJ Christopher DailyPO2 David KitchensSgt Samantha SabalboroSSG Eric Haines
What MOS should my son choose? | RallyPoint
my 16 yr old son will be a Jr in HS this September. His wants to get his Eagle by May 2018 so he can sign up for a split training, Go to BCT next summer between jr & sr yr & then graduate HS & then AIT. He wants to be a 68W. He wants to help save soldiers lives but he does not want to be in a clinic. He's always wanted to be a solider but recently focused on being a medic. What MOS do you suggest He originally wanted to be 11B. But the more he...
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SFC Charles Carmen
Also, (Join to see) , I am more than willing to discuss those pipelines with you, your son, or both of you. It is not an impossible path by any means; it is not an easy journey. The life of a Ranger Medic is complicated, rewarding, and provides a lot of personal development and several paths of professional development. The Ranger Medic goes through much more than just BCT and AIT to equip them to be the sole provider in austere environments, the Ranger, and a leader.
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SGM (Join to see)
Get Drone Pilot MOS if possible. It is the future and the civilian opportunities are endless.
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CSM Tony Blair
My son was about to enter the army, but it would make me proud if he followed his father. But knowing what I know now, not!!!!!!
I'll let him choose!!!
I'll let him choose!!!
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