From 11B to 68W; thought, RP?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 14:32:47 -0400

I am soon to be reclassing to 68W from 11B. I am proud to once and always be an Infantryman, but as a Medic, I have better opportunities later in life, and better experience having multiple MOSs. But RP, What are YOUR thoughts on transitions like this?

Response by SFC David Davenport made Aug 11 at 2015 2:37 PM

SFC David Davenport — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 14:37:41 -0400

Do what makes you happy is about the best advice I can give you. There are so many opportunities in the Army that you just have to find what you like doing and that you are good at doing. If you want to be a medic then go for it and be the best medic in the Army.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 11 at 2015 3:35 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 15:35:37 -0400

Its your career. Do what you feel you have to do. As a former medic, I can say there is nothing greater than being called "Doc" and seeing the look of relief in someones eyes when you run up to treat their wounds telling them that you got them and they're gonna be good to go. I don't know what Infantry school was like, but I can tell you that 68W school is a tuff mudder (reclass status or not). Study study study.

Response by SSG Javier Antonsanti made Aug 11 at 2015 5:21 PM

SSG Javier Antonsanti — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 17:21:36 -0400

24 years ago, I made the same decision. I was stationed at Fort Ord, and reclass from 11B to what it was back then 91A. I will tell you this I never regretted it. I will get as many certifications as possible and even try for flight medic down the road.

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Aug 11 at 2015 5:36 PM

CSM Michael J. Uhlig — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 17:36:27 -0400

Sounds like you are going from one extreme to the other. I recommend you take a look for yourself to see if this is really what you want to do....if you can get a week to "intern", participate in the PT sessions (much different), see how the company CP is set up (much different), see how the NCOs/Leadership interact with the Soldiers (much different)....see if you will really like it and be able to function as a 68W....best of luck with whichever decision you make!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 11 at 2015 6:58 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 18:58:03 -0400

It's not much of a step up from 11B in terms of civilian job opportunities. A 68W is only EMT Basic with a National Registry certification. This means you will be skilled enough to drive an ambulance, but only after you apply for the state certification you are working in. In terms of the job, you will generally do what you did in the infantry, but now you will have an aid bag, until you make SSG.
If you are going to be a 68W, you either want to stay in to retire, in which case 11B has better promotion opportunities, or you want to move on to more advanced schooling. The closer you get to working in a clinical setting, the smaller scope of practice you have. You want to look into Flight Medic, 18D, SOCM, PA program, Nursing program, Army-Baylor PT program, or the USUHS program. Being a medic will give you the exposure to medicine you need to get the letters of recommendation into these programs.

I'm curious, how you are getting this reclass since you are in a balanced MOS and moving into an Overstrength MOS, and you have less than one year Time on Station?

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Aug 12 at 2015 12:08 AM

SFC Mark Merino — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 00:08:01 -0400

I went from being a grunt to aviation, only because there were no medical jobs. That infantry background is going to really help you stand out amongst tour peers IF...IF...IF you can survive the mental breakdown when you see how different things are. Watch your mouth. Repeat...watch it. You will not whip your unit into an infantry unit. You can bring a valuable skill set t the team, but if you try to reinvent the wheel you will be one miserable mother scratcher. Feel free to contact me if you want to avoid the 100 ways I screwed up making the transition.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 12 at 2015 1:04 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 01:04:27 -0400

Welcome to the MOS, as you know Infantry is the largest MOS in the Army, Medics are the second largest so allot of opportunities and allot of training you can attend that is offered to our 11B brothers, Ranger School, W1, W2, W4, Flight Medics, to name some choices. I will tell you as you continue through you career it is imperative that you mix TOE and MEDCOM TDA assignments, look at the 68W career map and do your best to check off all the assignments, look for a special duty at SSG and your senior boards should be a snap. Have fun at Fort Sam.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 12 at 2015 7:06 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 07:06:06 -0400

I went fron 19D to 68W. Had to basically start from the scratch, retake ASVAB. The difference I noticed is the mentality. My Cadre Staff Sergeant at Sam Huston was former 11b. I didn't like his high and mighty talk about his 11B, but he was pretty good on running medical lanes. Plus I was part of platoon that was 40 members strong of the prior service, with some of them transferring to the Army from Navy and Marines (one former Navy Sonar Operators, one former AAV driver, and one former infantryman).

Response by SSG Michael Hathaway made Aug 12 at 2015 7:15 AM

SSG Michael Hathaway — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 07:15:57 -0400

Your experience as an Infantryman will be helpful as a medic. If you get attached/assigned to an infantry platoon, you already know much of what the team/sqaud will be doing and you may be able to help out. I know when I was on the line with Sappers, they looked at me weird when I would help out with demo ranges and stuff because I guess for them having a medic doing stuff non-medical was just not heard of. Medics have that stigma of being stuck in the FLA asleep most of the time on ranges and such, it is an image I have tried very hard to dispell from each unit I am with. I went to AIT with someone who pretty much was doing the same as you, 11B to 68W, but in his case it was to honor the memory of the fallen medic who gave his life to save his. I applaud your choice of MOS and look forward to seeing you around.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 12 at 2015 7:43 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 07:43:00 -0400

One of the best medics I worked with was an 11b to 68w... But honestly it's all on you. If you have the motivation to do it, aptitude to do it, and the true desire to help joe more than anything else. You'll make a quality medic.

Response by Maj Chris Nelson made Aug 12 at 2015 8:52 AM

Maj Chris Nelson — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 08:52:10 -0400

I personally think that it is a fantastic move, IF it is something you are called to do. Being a medic is a totally different world then being Infantry. Yes...you may be the medic in an infantry unit, but as medic, you are no longer infantry.... Promotions are probably faster as Infantry.... last I knew, medic was pretty slow to promote. It will open doors for civilian employment...opportunity to be an EMT, and will give you additional experience if you choose to go nursing, PA, or get your MD.... Go for it and enjoy the ride!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 12 at 2015 1:44 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 13:44:15 -0400

Depending on the needs of Army you may end up doing the "same job". However, you are compensated a little bit better by having civilian certification and more transferable skills. As it is with the rest of the army your treatment as line medic will depend on your motivation. I've been in combat arms units my entire career and have loved every minute of it. Just pay attention to all your training and practice all your skills until it becomes second nature to you. Your skill as an Infantryman will definitely transfer over, PSGs love a medic who can keep up with their platoon and fit into the fold. Its a great decision in my honest opinion, but again stay on top of expanding your medical knowledge andstart know pick your medics brains and ask them for advice.

Response by SPC Anthony Weisenberger made Aug 21 at 2015 2:10 PM

SPC Anthony Weisenberger — Fri, 21 Aug 2015 14:10:19 -0400

Do it. You won't regret it. Best job in the Army.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 17 at 2016 6:30 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 17 Apr 2016 18:30:37 -0400

Watch out for medical units! At times it seems like High School.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 8 at 2016 1:05 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 08 Jun 2016 13:05:25 -0400

I hope you didn't do it.. You will regret it..

11B to 68W is what ended up happening to me. I requested a demotion from SFC to SSG to go back to infantry. That was a no-go.

Response by CSM Thomas McGarry made Jun 8 at 2016 1:10 PM

CSM Thomas McGarry — Wed, 08 Jun 2016 13:10:49 -0400

I did the same thing many years ago (11C to Medic and the LPN) good idea, however you need to realize you need to keep up all the requirements for 68 W such as EMT etc or you loose the MOS and I assume revert back to you prior MOS

Response by LTC James McElreath made Jan 15 at 2019 10:54 PM

LTC James McElreath — Tue, 15 Jan 2019 22:54:26 -0500

SPC Italimo,
The Army is doing their best to get you trained up in a job that will allow you to continue to serve. Your health coding had to be such that they want to take a chance that you can do the job! Not only that you are going to LPN school which may certify you on the civilian job side as well. Just get the reclass and run, how and where the Army sends you!

Response by LTC James McElreath made May 24 at 2020 8:02 PM

LTC James McElreath — Sun, 24 May 2020 20:02:56 -0400

Well I personally like the medical field due to there being fewer DA's in that part of the Army, but occasionally one slips in. Now from what I have read, you think a 91W places you in units where you will have upward mobility well this is not the case at all. I was on an E-6 list for over six years maxed on everything but war ribbons. I did not get promoted so I left active duty. Now, my experiences I would see people go before a board and after the waiting period they were promoted. I obviously had had enough and got out of service and went to college. I did continue in the service as an officer after ROTC. There are NCO's on here to pick their brain. But lastly, it is a decision you will have to live with, so weigh your thoughts out as to what will be best for you.