Posted on Oct 23, 2017
As a prior-service 11B looking to reenlist, what are the ups, downs, career advancement opportunities for 74D, 68K, 68S, 68W, 15U?
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For a little more information on the situation, I know that I won't know what I am eligible for until I get to MEPs. I've been told that I may not even be able to reclass at all. I have just been keeping an eye on the in/out sheets and the current bonus MOS's as I am assuming those would be the ones that I'd most likely get a spot to reclass for. Mostly I am looking for a bit more information about these MOS's as I have seen that 15U and a handful of the 68 series MOS's are understrength. Also with 11B's being balanced right now I feel like I have a decent chance to reclass out of it. Thanks for anyone that responds.
15U: CH-47 Helicopter Repairer
68K: Medical Laboratory Specialist
68S: Preventive Medicine Specialist
74D: Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear Operations Specialist
68W: Healthcare Specialist (Combat Medic)
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 19
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I started as a 91W and ended as a 68W. It’s pretty easy to get to E5 as long as you do not mind being around a bunch of brass. If you choose medic, get an identifier at MEPS because you will never get an opportunity to do that afterwards. M6(LPN) is pretty popular identifier which is an additional 6 months of training after 68W school. And it gives you almost half of your credits towards your RN degree. As a 68W you get your EMT-B and CPR certification. Neither of which will qualify you for any decent civilian job. Also depending on your age and chain of command, you can get in the green to gold program to become a PA. Which is pretty close to being a doctor. I got out in ‘08 and there were 0 opportunities for me as a 68W with extensive trauma experience. The last part is 68 series requires you to have a high learning curve. My class started with just under 400 and graduated about 150 because soldiers failed out. If you do not pass the national EMT-B exam after 2 attempts, YOU WILL GET RECLASSIFIED.
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SPC(P) (Join to see)
Thanks for that information SGT, I never knew about being able to get an identifier before you ship. I've worked for the past 10ish years as a FF/EMT for a city department on the east coast. My CPR and my Advanced EMT is still current. If I end up getting into 68 series my end goal would be to get RN or do the green to gold so that is some very useful information. Thank you again SGT.
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As a 68W48, and former Readiness NCO, I am familiar with 68 series and 74D (CBRNE).
Most of these MOS’s cap out at either E5 or E6, except for 68W, which goes to 68W50 (MSG) or Chief Medical Operations NCO.
Most of these MOS’s cap out at either E5 or E6, except for 68W, which goes to 68W50 (MSG) or Chief Medical Operations NCO.
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68K points to E5 were always maxed out. If you are already past that point it's not too bad. But you are going to be working with a lot of females and civilians which I found to be a challenge to say the least.
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SPC(P) (Join to see)
Thank you SPC, that's good to know. Working around civilians alot is some very valuable information to have before I make my decision.
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SPC(P) (Join to see)
I have my eye on almost all of the 68 series. Also have been very interested in 68N just haven't looked into the MOS that much. Looks like they are understrength on the in/out sheets too. Hopefully the MEPs people allow me to reclass and give me some good options. How is the day to day life in that field of the 68 series vs the 68W MOS? Thanks for the input SGT.
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Since you are an EMT-I, you should go 68W. You should be able to skip the first 8 weeks of whiskey school. (Which is EMT-B school).
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74D has many “branches” in itself giving you a lot of different scopes which is highly advantagous after you leave the military if you choose to stay within the field esp with a HazMat background nowadays
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SGT Ej P.
you’re welcome, but just think about this, whenever a 74D is put in a non CM unit, they expect us to everybody else’ job plus our own which if you think about we are technically the most flexible Soldiers around, we get to learn more than we should and you can learn as much as you push yourself, your leaders will depend on you because they expect you to know whatever it is they have you doing and you will excel in it. In a non CM unit your best mentor will be your next higher like your BN CBRN and even BDE because we stick together
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TSgt (Join to see)
SGT Ej P. - That's the "rosy" picture of a 74D in a non-Chem unit. Usually, 74Ds do the NBC job, but are also tasked with any/everything else no one else wants to do (like USR Manager). Usually they end up in BN S-3 doing anything BUT NBC stuff.
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SPC(P) (Join to see)
SGT Ej P. - Thanks for all that addtional information SGT. I'm very interested in the CBRN series as I've done a bit of Hazmat work on the civilian side. A majority of the reddit information about the CBRN soldiers is when you get put in a non CM unit and the downsides to it. I'm aware that every assignment is what you make it and it's just another challenge to overcome. Thank you again for all the extra information SGT.
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As a former 68S, it’s a great MOS but once you hit E-6 advancement becomes extremely competitive.
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SPC(P) (Join to see)
Thanks for the response SSG, Seems like an interesting MOS just not much information about it outside of doing health inspections.
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SSG Guillaume Meyer
We’re involved with industrial hygiene, nuclear regulatory compliance, field sanitation, safety. We are in essence the Army version of the EPA, OSHA, County Health Department, Nuclear Regulatory commission and a few more
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SPC(P) (Join to see)
Thanks for the info SSG, that helps alot. Definitely something I'm seriously considering.
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Im sorry for the double post, I'm not really sure why it did it. Would be nice to be able to delete one.
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