I want to reclass and my wife wants to enlist as a 68W. What is it like in this MOS the good and the bad?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 03 May 2021 17:40:11 -0400

Response by CPL Private RallyPoint Member made May 3 at 2021 5:48 PM

CPL Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 03 May 2021 17:48:25 -0400

Best MOS in the Army

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 3 at 2021 5:50 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 03 May 2021 17:50:17 -0400

Best MOS, IF you can pass the NREMT.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 3 at 2021 5:50 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 03 May 2021 17:50:51 -0400

SPC Private RallyPoint Member Below is one prior post. You can search on 68W for many other posts dealing with this MOS.

https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/68w-or-68r-which-would-be-better-for-the-future

68w or 68r?? Which would be better for the future? | RallyPoint

Going to meps soon but I’m a bit confused about which MOS to Pick. 68w, I’m already Emt certified so I’d enlist as an e4 under the acasp*** program. Or 68r which I find very interesting and could lead to a better future but I’d enlist as e3 with my college credits. Any constructive advice would be appreciated.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made May 3 at 2021 7:52 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 03 May 2021 19:52:49 -0400

Best of luck! Much like any career, it’s what you make of it.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made May 3 at 2021 10:22 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 03 May 2021 22:22:51 -0400

Doc is one of the most respected MOS' in the Army whether Active, Guard, or Reserve; despite all the jokes and ragging everyone wants Doc to be there when things go bad.

My brother was a 68W when he was in and for AIT the loss rate was 2/3 when he went through. In his time in he spent a lot of it with the Infantry but listening to him talk he also recommended getting some time with a MEDDET or other desk medical work just so you can learn the paperwork side of things and expand your knowledge.

Spending time with the Infantry sucked for him because not only did he carry the same load they did, he also had to carry his aid bag and other items necessary for his job. So the job is physically demanding. It also came with some well deserved pride, he trained with them and took care of them. To him and his fellow medics, they were their Soldiers just as much as their NCO's or the commanders.

You also have the opportunity to learn from multiple medical officers with varying experience and training, and this can open you up to new lines of thought or opportunities.

It's by no means easy, but if you can do it's worth it for a lot of them. At least from those I know and have talked with.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 3 at 2021 11:38 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 03 May 2021 23:38:33 -0400

The course is no joke. But like any skill, it's what you make it. You could be in a Line Company or you could be on a Med/Surg ward.

Response by SPC Brian Mason made May 4 at 2021 12:41 AM

SPC Brian Mason — Tue, 04 May 2021 00:41:13 -0400

68W is the BEST.
That was my first choice but like everyone must take the ASVAB and score at minimum for the MOS. I'm sure you can find them on the 68W page on goarmy.com
It's a good indicator of how someone will do in AIT and as a Medic. I exceeded the requirements but a few in my class at Ft. Sam had a waiver for it. Those people had a harder time of it than the rest of us. It's been so long I don't remember if anyone go recycled but that can and does happen.
AIT is like college but with PT M-F. Depending on what unit she gets assigned to then her experience will differ. Two Medics in the same unit and say HHC vs a hospital aren't going to have the same experience.
They'll have a standard loadout like any soldier but the Medic Aid Bag will be their essential part. For me:
Rotations of working in the Aid Station before and up to 1st formation time. Depending on the schedule for that day it could include operator maintenance on military ambulances, inventory of HHC Medic's medical supplies and ordering (logistics), help a senior NCO or PA with giving a 1st Responder class, lots of learning new skills and honing existing ones learned in AIT.
Field Exercises (FTX) providing medical support. Making sure everyone is hydrated, treat anyone for injury or illness. Lots of waiting in an FTX b/c when deployed you'd rather people NOT be hurt than us have to do our job. Qual at the range 2x a year and depending on unit and availability with an M4 and 9mm. One can point a 9mm a lot faster than an M4 at a threat.
Physically, most Medic platoons PT standards are higher than the Army base standards. Men and women are different of course but a 5' 5" 120lb woman trying to pick up a 200lb guy with full load off the ground......I have yet to see that happen. There are many carries that medics are taught from 1 to 4 person carry.
Being a Medic includes constant learning. She doesn't want to be the one to freeze or forget something. Improvisation is also a part of it.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 4 at 2021 1:17 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 04 May 2021 01:17:10 -0400

Goddam best MOS in the Army up until SSG and you get moved back to the aid station.

Response by SGT Rebecca Walker made May 4 at 2021 10:44 PM

SGT Rebecca Walker — Tue, 04 May 2021 22:44:04 -0400

It's a good MOS. She has to realize it may not be a medical position she gets in though. I was a "motor pool medic" for awhile. But then I also worked in a urgent care center, ER, different clinics in hospitals, and a medic for a combat unit. But I loved the job.

Response by SGT Erica Smith made May 5 at 2021 1:51 PM

SGT Erica Smith — Wed, 05 May 2021 13:51:01 -0400

It really depends. My husband and I (out now) are both medics. Everything from infantry line medic, aid station, platoon SGT, medical operations, instructor for AIT, MEPS, and clinics. Neither of us have ever been in a hospital but hear there are those who are lucky to get those. Bad, if you aren’t doing anything and you are with infantry, artillery, or engineers, you will be doing whatever they are doing. Their training or their duties, so get ready to do motor pool Mondays and whatnot. But other than that, it’s not the bad. The others make the training sound super hard, but it isn’t. It’s not made for you to fail. They want you to pass and will do everything in their power to ensure that happens. You passing is good numbers for them which is what they want. It’s a good MOS. Good luck to the both of you.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2021 11:05 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 10 May 2021 11:05:43 -0400

Honestly, don't think I could have pictured my career any other way.

I have done everything from been a driver of a tracked vehicle, to being on a sniper team, to being on a tank, to being in Mi-17s to working operations to special operations.

As most have stated....you become what you work with. When I was with the Infantry, I was expected to do EVERYTHING the Infantry does, until I have to do my job. When i was with tankers, I loaded on a tank. It is AWESOME being so diverse and having such massive experiences across one career field.

Promotion points are high. But 100% attainable; I made E5 in 2 years and E6 in 4 years. You can go ANYWHERE you want, can do any broadening assignment, and can get multiple different ASI's.

Response by SPC Heriberto Perez made May 10 at 2021 6:41 PM

SPC Heriberto Perez — Mon, 10 May 2021 18:41:20 -0400

Pros you have a good career when you ets con be ready and talk to each other about combat tours

Response by PFC Chester Southworth made May 19 at 2021 6:42 PM

PFC Chester Southworth — Wed, 19 May 2021 18:42:25 -0400

Pick other than 68W like LVN, eye tech, radiology specialist, or lab tech. Medical specialists make minimum wage, and license as EMT means ambulance wash and crap jobs for low to no pay. Not much promotion as 68W compared to all other medical MOS. In fact, 99% get stuck humping ammo for infantry on the front lines or tank ammo. 68W get no where! Private for life!

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made May 22 at 2021 10:45 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 22 May 2021 10:45:09 -0400

So, i went through both normal and expedited course for 68W. Ill say that now through reclassing, most retention nco's will not be able to send you to the full 4 month and 2 week course. I got sent to Camp Shelby, Mississippi for my most recent class and ill say i learned and retained more information there, since the course is 2 months and 1 week. For the shorter/expedited course, you need to make sure you understand what is going on and take every waking moment thats not in class discussion to practice hands on skills. Remember to study for the nremt, i remember taking it both times at both courses and feeling like i failed, no matter how much i prepared for it.

Both courses feel like they are crammed into smaller time frames, because they are. Normal civilian emt class times are about 1 year to complete, the army gives you a range of 2 to 4 months to complete. If i had the choice to either have gone to Fort Sam Houston or stay at Camp Shelby, i wouldnt go back to Fort Sam. The shorter courses at the national guard bases hold you to a higher standard and make you train in ways i know they didnt do at Ft Sam Houston. The shorter course i took made us not only treat in a bas and do dismounted patrolls, but we also learned how to treat in mout and convoy scenarios. Our iv drip rates could only go down to drops per second instead of minutes. Id like to say that Camp Shelby was a better training than Ft Sam Houston, since its made to test your ability to pick up and actually test your skills as a medic at a faster pace than the normal 4 month course.

Added bonus, the shorter course will not have drill sergeants, and the whole class is nothing but MOS-T personnel, so you dont have to deal with IET soldiers.

Response by MSG Brent Voelker made May 25 at 2021 5:48 PM

MSG Brent Voelker — Tue, 25 May 2021 17:48:57 -0400

So, 68W rewarding and multifaceted job.

POSs: civilian skill transferability Emergence Medical Tech; opens door to other medical MOSs; promotability as NOS is everywhere: aviation, FA, IN, AR, MI, SPT, MEB, MP, ENG everywhere; possibility be become Flight Medic small percentage; 10% work in hospitals as other department staff(emergency room, surg, lab, urology, gi, eye, other clinics) there is opportunities to learn medical supply system, physicals, operations, tactics finance and other things

NEGs: to get in and excel it is a smart persons world; believe 110 GT and ST required, no color vision issues, not for you if air / car sick, must keep up civilian as well as military MOS skills or loose MOS ( system in place to protect).; greater chance to be closer to the front line of troops ; most "field unit" offer less than normal chance to enhance career through civilian education; MUST continue to enhance medical skills - Paramedic, Instructor, drill sergeant or will career will die at E6. even though medical are by capita either 3 or 4 in population in the chances of E8 is low and E9 almost nonexistent. Always in demand to back up reserve and national guard deployment (good/bad).

as for you this will greatly increase your odds of forward action, also note aviation is well known for their cushy accommodation ever in combat theater (been there) soooo

As for the wife, EmT and paramedics don't make squat outside the military, so don't let that mystique fool you. If she was my daughter i would use some of your veteran status money and send her to a technical school nursing program true nurse CNA LPN

advice from a 27 year vet 7 combat tours (all as medic). married to 20 year vet wish ya luck brother

Response by SSG Ken Potts made Jun 5 at 2021 7:36 PM

SSG Ken Potts — Sat, 05 Jun 2021 19:36:14 -0400

It's not bad, it requires intelligence, and a strong constitution. You must keep educating yourself if you hope to advance past E - 4. Promotion points are always maxed for us. Also, stay in combat arms. MEDDAC will never get you anything but misery.