Is it possible to change my MOS from 68C to 68W?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 07 Aug 2022 23:28:48 -0400

I've finished basic in March, and just approved for 68C school in October. Long story, off topic why so long.
My question is... Is it possible to change my mos from 68C to 68W? And is there anything inaccurate or need to add in my reasons below for leaning 68W or 68C?

Reasons to change to 68W:
1. 68w seems to have more in field application than 68C.
2. 68W seems more like my future civilian career (trail building and wildland firefighting)
3. I can always do nursing (68C) when I'm older and more broken.
4. 68Ws have more schools available.
5. 68Ws have more ability to deploy more often as a reservist.
6. None of my role models are nurses. They're all paramedics or doctors.

Reasons to stay 68C:
1. More needed in disaster relief missions army and civilian side. (Not 100% sure about this)
2. More flexibility and choice in what they do, bc they are males (a minority) in a female dominated field.
3. Nurses get more free education ("the best in the army")
4. LPN Nurses get paid 30% more than EMTs.
5. More flexibility on civilian side bc travel nurses can work anywhere in the world. EMTs only certified in US.

Thanks for your time!

Mack

Response by SPC James Neidig made Aug 8 at 2022 2:22 AM

SPC James Neidig — Mon, 08 Aug 2022 02:22:23 -0400

First ,What Do You Really Want To Do ?
Second ,What Job Gives You The Most Option’s For A Long Term Carrier .
Third ,See First ! If You Are Not Happy Doing The Job, You Will Not Succeed

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 8 at 2022 9:03 AM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 08 Aug 2022 09:03:50 -0400

It's possible, but your reserve contract put you in a para/lin for 68C.
You would need to talk to your command about moving to a 68W para/lin first.

For deployments, yes plenty of 68Ws deploy, and there are plenty of 68Ws to compete with for that, it's tougher to find someone in the low density jobs like 68C.
Also, everything you did and plan to do sounds like 12 series MOSes, other than needing an EMT basic for firefighting, which they provide for you.

Response by CPO Nate S. made Aug 8 at 2022 1:09 PM

CPO Nate S. — Mon, 08 Aug 2022 13:09:42 -0400

Dear SGT Private RallyPoint Member,

I am retired (1996) US Navy Chief Hospital Corpsman. METC (Medical Enlisted Training Command) at Fort Sam has been making great strides in connecting with civilian schools to help AD, NG, Res and Veterans take their training and with a few more credit hours get their degree. But it takes work!

You are a US Army Sgt and I 'assume' have some leadership skills. This said ask yourself what would one of my soldiers say if they asked me the same question and laid out their case for both 68W and 68C. Oh, my background is as an HM-8404 (Fleet Marine Corpsman) and HM-8432 (Operational Preventive Medicine/Occupational Health/Public Health Specialist).

All this said, have you looked at the 'METC' Degree Bridge Programs site?

Here's the link: https://www.metc.mil/Academics/Degree-Bridge-Programs/

Ask yourself:

Where do I want to be in my post-military life (or) you military life if you want to become an Army NC Officer -

- 1 yr after leaving service (or) after graduating from 68W/68C
- 5 yrs after leaving service (or) after graduating from 68W/68C
- 20 yrs after leaving service (or) after graduating from 68W/68C

The engagement of the WWW has allowed enlist men and women to take courses online 24/7/365. In the 'old days' I obtained an Associates before retiring, then retired and went on to finish a bachelors and work on 2-Masters. But had I had it to do all over I would not have retired and completed my bachelor's and master's before retiring and then retired to work on a PhD in healthcare analytics.

So, while you have a nice checklist for each, again ask yourself at the end of the end of the day where do you really want to be?

BTW, many nurses I have known have gotten their EMT and Paramedic licenses. In fact, I know the medical director (a physician) locally and she is always looking for highly trained paramedics or nurses that she can hire. I bet with both 68W and 68C plus a BSN she'd hire you yesterday into her LifeFlight program!!! With the right attitude.

Just saying..................

Recommendations:

1. Look at the schools via the METC portal to get your BSN and go on to get your MSN.
2. Consider doing both 68W and 68C by being #1 in your class in whichever one you start with
3. Have a passion to be a "WARRIOR-HEALER"
4. Read the MoH Citations for men who were medics and corpsman and ask yourself what will make you the best and what are you willing to sacrifice to be the best 68W or 68C
5. Don't use language like "I can always do nursing (68C) when I'm older and more broken" it POs me! And suggest something else, besides, I am married to a nurse, so think before you write. Have pride in choosing to be a nurse or become something else!!!

If I have offended, you...suck it up...but if I have made you think then great. Frankly, I would not have responded except for reading the "I can always do nursing (68C) when I'm older and more broken".

Oh, between my wife and I we have > 80 years in healthcare both in and outside the military.

Finally, take a close look at the female nurses and medics shown here. Do you measure up???

Just saying.................................................

Respectfully,

Nate Szejniuk
HMC (SW/AW), USN (Ret)

PS I wrote the graphic for women's history month a few years ago and published it on Linked-In.

Degree Bridge Programs

The Official Website of the Medical Education & Training Campus

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made Aug 8 at 2022 11:27 PM

MAJ Byron Oyler — Mon, 08 Aug 2022 23:27:59 -0400

"None of my role models are nurses, they are all paramedics and doctors." I see my advice is not solicited.

Response by CPL T.A. Nelson made Aug 13 at 2022 7:45 PM

CPL T.A. Nelson — Sat, 13 Aug 2022 19:45:58 -0400

Taking the 68W and getting whatever EMT training you can will help in both military and civilian life. Changing your MOS may not get you out of you current duty but emergency care and nursing are a great combination...

Response by SSG Sofia Cardenas made Aug 31 at 2022 1:59 PM

SSG Sofia Cardenas — Wed, 31 Aug 2022 13:59:58 -0400

While keeping your C doesn’t mean you lose opportunities to deploy as a W. You are are more of an asset since you can deploy as either. You don’t have to work as a nurse in the civilian sector, but you do have the option to work in the ER. That will give you the the experience you’re looking for while maintaining your MOS. You can ask the command to place you in a W slot prior to any deployment, but it will be up to the command and depending on how many C are qualified to deploy. Something to think about.

Response by SFC David Reid, M.S, PHR, SHRM-CP, DTM made Aug 31 at 2022 2:21 PM

SFC David Reid, M.S, PHR, SHRM-CP, DTM — Wed, 31 Aug 2022 14:21:22 -0400

Seek out those who are the decision makers. Maybe they flip flop you if the MOS you seek is understregth. I won't contact the proponent that first approved your initial request.

Response by SSG Sofia Cardenas made Sep 4 at 2022 9:29 PM

SSG Sofia Cardenas — Sun, 04 Sep 2022 21:29:02 -0400

In my experience as a Unit Administrator I would look at the available/qualified W and C. If I have a shortage of qualified C I would not recommend a slot change. Good luck

Response by SFC David Reid, M.S, PHR, SHRM-CP, DTM made Sep 29 at 2022 1:22 AM

SFC David Reid, M.S, PHR, SHRM-CP, DTM — Thu, 29 Sep 2022 01:22:17 -0400

This will be influenced by the need of your MOS.