How is the life as a 68d, and is it worth it? How is the pay and school, jobs?

PV2 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 25 Nov 2019 01:51:37 -0500

How is the life as a 68d, is it worth it? I’m still debating in choosing this MOS or 92L?

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Nov 25 at 2019 5:05 AM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Mon, 25 Nov 2019 05:05:20 -0500

That clearly depends on which you prefer, both are Soldiers. As for pay, they are the same. At the most senior enlisted levels there are more 68 series positions. So do you want to work in an OR or a lab?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 25 at 2019 9:39 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 25 Nov 2019 09:39:34 -0500

I have yet to meet an OR Tech that has regretted choosing 68D

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made Nov 25 at 2019 1:45 PM

MAJ Byron Oyler — Mon, 25 Nov 2019 13:45:18 -0500

68D, OR Tech has great civilian opportunities and I wish I had done it when I was still enlisted over 68W.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 25 at 2019 1:48 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 25 Nov 2019 13:48:56 -0500

The pay is exactly the same as any other MOS. They are both very low density MOSs so promotions are crap. You'll see your friends making E7 while you are still an E5.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 26 at 2019 1:06 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 Nov 2019 13:06:59 -0500

I'm a 68D and as long as you dont have any aversions to blood, guts, and love to help people this could be a great career military or civilian side.

Your AIT will be in two phases for about 22 weeks give or take when you start and if there any holidays in between. AIT is in the nursing hall with the LPNs. It's a really strick schedule. The company I was in we had PT every day M-F at 0500, you got an hour to do personal hygiene afterwards in the morning. Breakfast at 0700, and class starts at 0800-1700. If you're prior service you wont have to worry about going to chow as a company, but if you're IET then at first you'll have to have organized breakfast, lunch, and dinner. After you gain certain privileges you can go to dinner chow wherever as long as you get back on time for recall.....not to include fire guard, studying on your own, etc.

Phase 1 will be at fort sam, and phase 2 you'll get to pick (depending if you have good grades or not you get the first choice) I went to fort belvoir, VA and loved every minute of it.

It's extensive on anatomy, medical terminology, and just being aware you could risk someones life if you do the slightest wrong thing. So if you dont want to deal with that I'd consider a different outlook.

Response by CPL Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 27 at 2019 11:53 AM

CPL Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 27 Dec 2019 11:53:48 -0500

I was a 68 W (formerly 91W and 91B) I worked with 91D. The medical certification can be used as a civilian. The 92L Petroleum Lab Technician is great if you don't mind a little work in chemistry. It is based mainly on following strict federal guidelines. Now the 89B(previously 55B) is great, but does not have much of a future in the civilian sector unless you work directly in ammunitions. It does offer OSHA, and safety certification as well as HAZMAT qualification which 92L does as well both work with EPA regulations. So it all depends on what your future plans are once you complete military service. There is another option to look at with the 68D you can continue and look into Physician Assistant or Nursing. If you are really up for it go get your Doctorate and specialize in general surgery, you can travel with the military with all the medical MOS, the other two depends on where you are stationed. Good luck!! I hope this gives you some insight and helps you make a decision. Ammunitions you promote quickly, petroleum you don't, medical depends on your unit and your MOS, some promote faster and others you get slowed down. The board procedures are changing though looking more at education and experience for promotion rather than just military specific roles.

Response by SGT Aaron Reed made Jun 12 at 2020 12:44 PM

SGT Aaron Reed — Fri, 12 Jun 2020 12:44:52 -0400

I know this is an older post but I am curious if you ended up following the path of the 68D, and if so how you are feeling about it?

If you ever have any questions about it please feel free to reach out. I spent the vast majority of my Army career as a 68D and loved every second of it. It gave me great real-world training and experience that converted directly to good civilian employment. I have been able to use that platform, experienc and training to elevate my career over the past 23 years to a position in Hospital Administration.

Selecting 68D (91B/91D at the time) was one of the best decisions I made in my life!