I am 33, fit, have an emt certification and want to go active duty. Thoughts on going 68w or 11b?

2020-06-08T17:04:25-04:00

The field appeals to me, the hard work, braving tough situations, the thrill, the camaraderie, the fight. I have worked in sales and music for ten years and feel unfulfilled. I have also always wanted to join and serve but for various reasons didn’t. I am fit, enjoy skydiving, motorcycles, martial arts, sports, hiking etc. Being a combat medic sounds appealing to me if I’m attached to infantry units or out in the field but being in a hospital does not sounds appealing at all although I completely respect and admire medics. I was contemplating doing my first three years as infantry and then deciding whether I want to go 68w at the end of my first enlistment. Would love any thoughts or advice on the subject. Thanks in advance. Also just a side note, I’m not interested in reserves and I’m too old to go to college and become an officer before joining. Lastly, I’m interested in airborne as well.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Jun 8 at 2020 5:17 PM

2020-06-08T17:17:11-04:00

Go for it brother.

Response by CPL Douglas Chrysler made Jun 8 at 2020 5:17 PM

2020-06-08T17:17:57-04:00

I recall 30 year old prior service guys in basic, and they made it. One in particular was a corpsman and went to the then medic school at Ft Sam. So, why not.

Response by SGT Eric Davis made Jun 8 at 2020 5:18 PM

2020-06-08T17:18:08-04:00

Pick the job you really want 1st to do in your 1st contract then when you re-enlist if you want to reclass then that’s when you put it in your contract to reclass. You go with the job you really want.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 8 at 2020 5:20 PM

2020-06-08T17:20:51-04:00

Join as a medic and get jump school in your contract. You’ll get plenty of time with the infantry...

Response by CW2 Michael Bodnar made Jun 8 at 2020 5:24 PM

2020-06-08T17:24:39-04:00

My advice to you is doing something that will get you employment opportunities when you're time is up. You have the certifications for EMT, pursue the 68W and it will open many doors up for you not to mention that additional training/certifications you can get while you're on active duty.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 8 at 2020 5:27 PM

2020-06-08T17:27:41-04:00

You'll be an asset in the field Mr. Anderson, I always respected the Medic in the field, and what they bring to help others. "Their knowledge to save lives"

I have deep respect for the two field medics on the DMZ Korea 1973 that came out of Vietnam, they saved lives for us 11Bravo's.

It brought moral to us in the 82nd ABN while in the field too, we took real care of our medics, and always knew that they were there for us.

You can't see the Medic in the picture, but he's there with us in the jungles of Panama, and we as paratroopers knew it.
Yes, he was a Medic, but he was 11Bush to us ground pounder brothers.

One other thought to leave you with Mr. Anderson, someone's life is needing you in the combat field. "All the way, and then some, Airborne"

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 8 at 2020 5:28 PM

2020-06-08T17:28:38-04:00

It is not my intention to discourage you but to try and provide a bit of reality check. You will almost assuredly do some tine in a hospital. It is common for medics to do a rotation of duty assisting sick call hours an a bse. During a field exercise you may end up manning a field aid station. Hell, you could easily spend the day leaning against your medical transport vehicle during weapon qualification because of the requirement to have a medic immediately available (common for pistol ranges).

You won't get much of any choice on what unit you are assigned to.. whole needs of the army thing.

It seems like you want the fighter lifestyle. I suggest going 11B with some sort of airborne or air assault option and later trying for ranger school.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 8 at 2020 6:13 PM

2020-06-08T18:13:45-04:00

Go 18X and request 18D as your top pick - best of both worlds and avoids hospital time

Response by SGT Philip Roncari made Jun 8 at 2020 7:27 PM

2020-06-08T19:27:30-04:00

It seems you have all the proper boxes checked beforehand,you already do much of what the Army likes it’s people to do , jump out of perfectly good aircraft,risk your life at high speeds,engage in hand to hand contact sports,hike (ugh) my only advice would be really look into Medic aspect there is room for growth after you leave the Service,my only qualification for this advice is the three years I spent as a Grunt ,good luck.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 8 at 2020 8:19 PM

2020-06-08T20:19:23-04:00

I loved my time as a medic and I spent most of my time in the Infantry. As a medic you’ll be able to go to Airborne and Ranger school as well

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Jun 8 at 2020 9:12 PM

2020-06-08T21:12:14-04:00

I say go for the job you want on the first enlistment, you can reclass at your first re-enlistment. No one else has pointed out that promotion in the Infantry and most Combat Arms is quicker than MOS's like a 68W, so if you are thinking about making a career of it, it's something to consider. I also believe that Infantry is a bonused MOS right now. I must have liked it, I volunteered Infantry enlisted, commissioned about 3 years later and volunteered Infantry again.

I will point out that I ended up as an Engineer.

Whichever MOS you chose, I would advise getting Airborne on your Contract. It does kind of limit your choice of follow on assignments, but it gets you a head if you are looking at further high speed units. I wouldn't worry about a 18x or 40x contract, you can apply for RASP at Airborne or you unit and anyone can try SF selection.

Response by CDR Terry Boles made Jun 9 at 2020 12:38 AM

2020-06-09T00:38:31-04:00

I do not know the age restrictions, but worth looking into Air Force Pararescue, PJs. Meets your dream job description you posted.

Response by SPC Erich Guenther made Jun 9 at 2020 1:09 AM

2020-06-09T01:09:57-04:00

Heavily advise you to spend a weekend drill as a civilian for both 11B and 68W. 11 series was 50% great and 50% it sucks for me. Percentages vary among each individual. Also remember there are three different flavors of Army. Regular Army, Airborne Corps Army, and Special Forces. Each treats its soldiers differently. In your bvb 30s you would have more age group peers in Special Forces and have more responsibility than Regular Army or Airborne Corps. Tougher to qualify and get into Special Forces though but if you can get there, then go for it. Again though, know what your getting into via first hand experience....spend time with a local guard unit for a weekend, ask soldiers there. Do not just enlist based on answers to questions you post on internet. It is your life and you get better decisions if you invest the time with research. Also remember once you sign that contract your really stuck for a number of years....make sure you have an alternate exit plan if you end up not liking the Army. You can always reset as a civilian and restart at 40ish. Very doable in today's economy but you need that framework of a plan in place before you enlist to have it as an option after you enlist (get Army GI Bill or College assistance as part of your package).

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 9 at 2020 8:18 AM

2020-06-09T08:18:40-04:00

you're older id suggest going 18X instead of 11B or 68W

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 9 at 2020 5:05 PM

2020-06-09T17:05:27-04:00

As others have said, go for it. If you don't you will always regret it. Also, since you have experience (EMT Cert) you can join as a Specialist (E-4). Make sure you get that in your enlistment contract.

The only pitfall to your preferences is that there is no guarantee as to where you will be initially assigned, and you likely won't stay there for too long either. You could be assigned to a Troop Medical Clinic (TMC), a post hospital, or even as a Flight Medic in an Aviation unit. I have no idea of the percentages that go to Infantry units or any other assignment, but with the Army, nothing is guaranteed unless it's in writing. GOOD LUCK!

Response by SGT Christopher Hayden made Jun 9 at 2020 11:39 PM

2020-06-09T23:39:10-04:00

Since you're already pretty old when it comes to the service, I'd recommend just joining as a 68W. You want to get as many "good" years in as you can, and since you don't see yourself staying as an 11B, may as well just become a Medic right away and try to get assigned to an Infantry unit instead.

Response by SGT Darrell Fales made Jul 28 at 2020 12:35 PM

2020-07-28T12:35:50-04:00

See I was the opposite of Chief Bodnar, I went in as an EMT and wanted to learn more "skills" and doing that, I ended w/ 4 MOS's, Artillery, Medic, Combat Engineer and retired as Civil Affiairs, LOVED CA, wish I was CA all 21 years. I work now as a Paramedic and I teach at a college, F/T job is 10 days month, few mandatories here and there, I'm on SWAT as well. So I went the opposite direction. When it is all said and done, I'll have 5 pensions and I'm only 45 at the moment. Best of Luck!