How does a medic become a Civil Affairs medic?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 18 Aug 2017 20:43:55 -0400

I'm young to the military, but if I've learned anything about myself, I've discovered my interest in pursuing a higher level of care in the healthcare field. I'm a reservist, but I'd like to join active duty to pursue a career in Civil Affairs as a medic. Would it be better to get a 38B contract (and if I make it through selection), volunteer for SOCM, or attempt to attach to a CA unit as a medic?

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 21 at 2017 3:23 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 21 Aug 2017 15:23:07 -0400

contact a SORB recruiter.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 24 at 2017 1:04 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 24 Aug 2017 13:04:51 -0400

Hi. my 1SG recently looked into this pretty closely. I am also a reservist and don't know how much different it would be on active duty, but Civil Affairs is about 90% or more reserve units. Having said that, there is no such thing as a Civil Affairs Medic. You are one or the other. If you are a 68W and you re-class to 38B, then the Army will pay for your annual refresher courses and you can continue to function in the capacity of your secondary MOS 68W in addition to your primary MOS as a 38B. You would be a Civil Affairs Soldier with a civil affairs mission. If you are a 38B like myself and try to go the other way, it's not likely to work because then your primary MOS is 68W and you will go where the army wants. In the Reserve (and in the active Army to an extent, if you are proactive and network well), you can try to switch units around to where you want, but eventually you are going to get promoted and assigned according to your 68W MOS with no guarantee that you will stay in the Civil Affairs or Special Operations community.

38Bs with medical skills are in demand. The Civil Affairs mission often calls for the skill and it's easier for the unit if they already have it in house. A recruiter would have more details. Just be aware that if you go to a unit with a different mission than your primary MOS, you will probably get promoted out of that unit according to where your primary MOS is needed.

Response by CPL Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 26 at 2017 3:28 PM

CPL Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 26 Aug 2017 15:28:00 -0400

SOAR bro

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 23 at 2017 8:37 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 23 Oct 2017 20:37:15 -0400

A buddy of mine actually reenlisted to reclass as 38B and also had W1 in his contract. Sadly he sustained an injury that got him medically dropped from the pipeline. Get in contact with SORC and they should get you on the right track. Good luck dude.

Response by MSG Biran Colwell made Jan 14 at 2018 2:43 PM

MSG Biran Colwell — Sun, 14 Jan 2018 14:43:16 -0500

Contact a Civil Affairs Co. or BN. and talk to them to see what your options are, then you can make a better decision of what you want to accomplish.

Response by MSG Biran Colwell made Jan 14 at 2018 2:45 PM

MSG Biran Colwell — Sun, 14 Jan 2018 14:45:54 -0500

Good Luck and hope you get the answer to help you pursue you career.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 16 at 2018 3:38 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 16 Apr 2018 15:38:10 -0400

Depends what you want. I'm a medic currently working on my CA packet right now. I can tell you that active duty civil affairs 38BW4 includes an entire pipeline, not just medicine. You will do airborne language sere and MOS training. That being said you will get SOCM and also SOCAMS which is W1 W4 respectively.
On the other hand, if you attach to a civil affairs unit as a medic and NOT a 38BW4 the best thing you will get is paramedic school through fayetteville tech community college.

Response by MSG Henry Cole made Sep 18 at 2018 2:55 AM

MSG Henry Cole — Tue, 18 Sep 2018 02:55:32 -0400

As of right now, there is a SOF Brigade and a Conventional Battalion for CA. If you go to Conventional route you can go in as a 68 and go to San Antonio to get your CA Medical identifier. If you go the SOF route you have to complete the CA course and become a 38 then take the W1 course to become a SOF Medical and lastly take the W4 course (CAMS). There are no medics in the 95th (the ones that are there are working out of there MOS and will not be rated by MEDCOM). That means they can be subject to being kicked out of the army for noncompliance