Do you ever regret your choice of job in the military (MOS, AFSC, etc)?

2LT Michael Beggs

Welcome to the PT world. I spent 17-years enlisted, not a medic either, but on the line side and those experiences have come in handy when seeing patients to get them back to the line. You will have more understanding what your patients day-to-day is like and how you can get them back to baseline.

Good luck in your career!!!

All the time, but that's why the Army has over 200 MOS's to possibly re-class into, lol

2LT I learned years ago that there is no do "overs". Live with what you have and make the best of it. Luck to you Sir.

I chose an MOS (31M) that I thought would help me after I got out. The recruiter was instrumental in my choice. As I learned AFTER AIT that it was a critical MOS and Vietnam had a great need for that MOS. What we did was set up VHF radio sites on hill tops to establish commo between line units and the rear. I would have rather had something different had I known what I knew after my first year or so. Something to do with helicopters or fixed wing aircraft.

Nope. I have done 3 different jobs and each got me where I am today. 16 years as a plane inspector, 12 in FM, and the last 5 in the clinic. I would not really do much over again. It all worked out well.

Yes, it was more of a running joke though...

No...
But If I had it to do again I would have Gone to 91-C (LPN) school in 76...
and PA school in 80

No! Being a Hospital Corpsman gave me great experience. I was able to see and do many things on a host of healthcare projects and process from managing a Pediatric Lead Poisoning Prevention Program in the Western Pacific to assuring the health needs from immunizations to malaria chemoprophylaxsis for > 3,000 operational personnel during our response in GWI. However, I have also learned that my diverse experience is also threatening to some, when is should NOT be!

What we learn in the military is as MSgt Randall suggested "Where else can someone have the keys to........." Some of the things I did early in my naval career as a Corpsman (medic) I know civilian nurses have not ever done. In terms of filling many of the healthcare disparity gaps that now exist in both the VA and in civilian HC at large, that waste of the potential of our military medics and corpsman exiting the service is a travesty.

Finally, I would say that you should start looking 2 years before you get or retire and get the the civilian certifications that will lead to a good post military career. If you are a medic/corpsman there are many that should be considered. Here are some national certifications that a medic/corpsman might consider before then get out:

National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
 CCMA
 CPT
 CMAA
 EKG
 CPhT
 CBCS
 CEHRS
 CPCT/A

National Environmental Health Association
 REHS/RS
 CCFS
 CP-FS
 HHS
 CIOWTS
 AARST-NRPP

Project Management
 PMP®
 CAPM®
 PgMP®
 PMI-ACP®
 PMI-PBA®
 PMI-RMP®
 PMI-SP

For those E6 and especially E7 - E9 project management is a huge need.

Another area for those with a serious interest in IT is the CISSP certification. Many in the IT security field would rather have former military with this certification for a number of reasons. For medics and corpsman having having the CISSP and perhaps PMP combined will make you very marketable in HC IT when communicated properly to such hiring managers.

As a 92g i loved my job. But as a mechanic i wish i would've Gone the mechanic route. I just spent 2 years in the local community college which gave me invaluable knowledge about automotive systems only to start out as a lube tech. If I had gone the diesel mechanic route in the army i would've got out ready to hit the ground running. While i love cooking the mountain town i live in doesn't want to hire and pay proper kitchen staff so my job will not translate into pay that will feed my family.

I wanted to be an MC (Mass Communication Specialist) nut it was overmanned. I just then said whatever I"m qualified to get, I'll take a look. At first I was a bit overwhelmed with the aspect of being a CTT but it wasn't all bad. I got to me a lot of interesting people who are my friends today.