I left the infantry to become a medic, but arrived to AIT and realized I hate it. Can I simply drop the course?

2017-11-30T22:15:50-05:00

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Nov 30 at 2017 10:20 PM

2017-11-30T22:20:56-05:00

SPC Private RallyPoint Member: Specialist, I don't really know if you can drop the course and go....And, Specialist Talbert I apologize for my not knowing.
What I Do know is that: I changed my MOS from 165th Signal Company to Special Services; while I was on Active Duty in the Army.
Hope this helps a little, Specialist. Have a terrific evening- Margaret

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 30 at 2017 10:32 PM

2017-11-30T22:32:30-05:00

I don't believe you can drop it, especially if you re-enlisted to reclass to medic. You can certainly ask your Cadre, but be prepared to get a "No." I know that if you fail out, you get reclassed to Needs of the Army

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 30 at 2017 10:45 PM

2017-11-30T22:45:16-05:00

No, you can't simply drop.

It would hurt your career to use any method to get out- specifically, by quitting or failing.

You should know from the first time around, TRADOC is not the Army. You made the switch for a reason, right? Keep that in mind, remember that class is not the same as doing the job, and look ahead.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 30 at 2017 10:47 PM

2017-11-30T22:47:12-05:00

No you cannot drop the course. Embrace it. Get the MOS and have it as your secondary. The course was paid for out of unit funds. You represent your unit and you should have the integrity to finish what you start. Yes. Suck it up butter cup. Then take your skills back to your unit and continue to sharpen all tools within your took box that make you and your unit a success.

Response by SPC Robert Coventry made Nov 30 at 2017 11:30 PM

2017-11-30T23:30:54-05:00

Never Quit or Fail, suck it up and carry on, you can always go back to 11 Bang Bang

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 1 at 2017 12:11 AM

2017-12-01T00:11:42-05:00

Remember AIT sucks...you're in a place that is still designed to condition IET soldiers to the Army. Medic is a great MOS once you have it and will give you incredibly valuable skills. You got this! Chin up!

Response by 1SG Dennis Hicks made Dec 1 at 2017 6:23 AM

2017-12-01T06:23:49-05:00

You have already heard this from far smarter folks than me but attempting to drop a re class school is not conducive to your career. Gaining additional skills or MOS's is the best way to make yourself marketable. Yes I said marketable, down the line you will need to stand out among your peers and this is a good way to do so and make rank as well as become more valuable to your unit. I started out an 11B but I also picked up a few additional MOS's that helped me get promoted over the years when there was a glut (To many Homesteaders) in one or more of them. Having an additional MOS specially a medical one and also holding an 11B MOS is the best of both worlds. On the flip side if you do drop the re class your unit will know and you can be marked a shit bird, be removed from any further OML's for other schools and officially or UN-officially. In the future I recommend doing thorough research before volunteering for any training just so that you are more aware of what it involves and what it can mean to your assignments and future in uniform. School slots are sought after and can dry up with budgetary constraints. Ask yourself this if you were a Commander or 1SG, would you waste any of the rare slots on a troop who quit during another school? Good luck on your graduation from Med reclass.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 1 at 2017 1:02 PM

2017-12-01T13:02:51-05:00

I will always place the mission first
I will never accept defeat
I will never quit
I will never leave a fallen comrade

These are our warrior ethos

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 1 at 2017 1:10 PM

2017-12-01T13:10:37-05:00

Honestly, being an Infantryman is all I’ve ever known. However, that is a choice you made, and look at the benefits from going a medic route. You could pursue work in the medical field, become a paramedic, get nationally registered. Unfortunately, medics might have a better career transition path after they ETS, and if that is something you are thinking about along down the road, grin it and bear it, that’s all I can say about that.

All dislikes of AIT aside, you’ll hold dual MOS, you can even help your friends cross-train in infantry tactics as well, I’m sure they would enjoy that.

Response by CPL Ralph Moschler made Dec 1 at 2017 5:17 PM

2017-12-01T17:17:19-05:00

THats one I can not answer , but make the best of it and go back to 11b when you can

Response by SGT Rodrigo Contreras made Dec 1 at 2017 6:12 PM

2017-12-01T18:12:15-05:00

For what it is worth, here are my $0.02: finish the course. Do the best you can and find a way to love the job. This is a skill set you can build off of for a civilian career after the Army. You still can be assigned to an Infantry unit afterwards and take care of Joes... everybody loves Doc.

Response by CSM Michael Chavaree made Dec 2 at 2017 7:46 AM

2017-12-02T07:46:22-05:00

Do you hate the idea of being a medic, or do you hate the AIT environment? What is the actual issue?

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 6 at 2017 10:09 PM

2017-12-06T22:09:03-05:00

I'd recommend following through, I don't think you have an option though. Expanding your career field and skill set is a valuable thing. I went from infantry to nursing.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 20 at 2017 7:25 PM

2017-12-20T19:25:05-05:00

Being a medic is definitely a transition from being an 11b. My first 5 years were as a medic with a light infantry battalion. I think I definitely drew the longer straw. Think of the skill set you will bring to a unit to not only help them medically but tactically as well. In such a changing army, tactical proficiency in medics and jr ncos is lacking. By completing your ait you will be a more effective warfighter and force multiplier! Chin up brother. Feel free to message me for any issues you have throughout ait. I have been a medic for quite awhile now and would be more than happy to assist with the transition.

Response by SGT Leroy Brown made Dec 25 at 2017 4:02 PM

2017-12-25T16:02:26-05:00

This happened to me when I reclassed to 25B. This may come across as wrong but, I’m out so I don’t care. My main problem was the women giving me orders. Not that I couldn’t take orders from them but, I’d have a fat female NCO tell me I’m not doing my push ups correctly. In my head I’m like WTF! Or they’d say “did you shave today soldier?” But she had more facial hair on her chin than I do! it was stuff like that, that made me wanna go back. However, you get used to it. It’s straight bs but, you’ll see the perks of being a pog man. No more 24 mile ruck marches, no being smoked because your team leaders having a bad day, just that 11 Bravo non sense. It’s an adjustment, know that! Stick with it and if you don’t like it, then return after your done or just get out. You’ll find your happy median. Also, in the pog world. They’re are not as bonded as the Infantry community. I’m sure about medics but, the commo world was all about ones self. Good Luck!

Response by SGT Bryant Toscano made Feb 22 at 2018 2:44 AM

2018-02-22T02:44:22-05:00

You fuckin finish the training, how important are medics. You know the importance of good medic

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Feb 22 at 2018 12:40 PM

2018-02-22T12:40:39-05:00

So you want t be a quitter? Assigned for the needs of the Army is not a good way to go. And opening days of AIT is way too early to be making such decisions.