Posted on Dec 6, 2018
If I join the Army as a 68W, will it be hard to go to Airborne School once I enlist? Should I wait until I get option 4 in my contract?
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Hello All, I am a 19 year old female attending college. I have decided not to sign up for the spring semester and join the army. I plan on finishing my degree later on in life.
Originally, I was going to join the reserves. However, my intent with joining is to learn as much as possible and get the most out of my time in the military. Active duty seems the way to go. I have done some research and decided 68w (combat medic) was the best fit for me. I have talked with a recruiter. He has a position open for this mos with a 4 year contract. Ideally though, I would get option 4 (airborne school) with my contract. My recruiter has told me this is tough to get and I should take this opportunity while I can.
My question is, will it be hard to go to airborne school once I enlist? Should I wait until I get option 4 in my contract?
I particular like the mos 68w because it seems as if it has a lot of variety and opportunities to advance your knowledge. Ex) Flight medic.
Thank you in advance for your answers. I am still learning. So if I got anything incorrect please let me know. Any other knowledge related to 68w would also be greatly appreciated.
Originally, I was going to join the reserves. However, my intent with joining is to learn as much as possible and get the most out of my time in the military. Active duty seems the way to go. I have done some research and decided 68w (combat medic) was the best fit for me. I have talked with a recruiter. He has a position open for this mos with a 4 year contract. Ideally though, I would get option 4 (airborne school) with my contract. My recruiter has told me this is tough to get and I should take this opportunity while I can.
My question is, will it be hard to go to airborne school once I enlist? Should I wait until I get option 4 in my contract?
I particular like the mos 68w because it seems as if it has a lot of variety and opportunities to advance your knowledge. Ex) Flight medic.
Thank you in advance for your answers. I am still learning. So if I got anything incorrect please let me know. Any other knowledge related to 68w would also be greatly appreciated.
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 18
It's so easy that they will send people to Airborne from AIT. If you aren't able to go then, it's still easy to request after a year or two at your first duty station
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SFC (Join to see)
Although, I've seen it take multiple years for NAPs in the 82nd to get school dates. It was rather surprising.
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SFC (Join to see)
SFC (Join to see) I've seen it too, but it was only during the surge years when they deployed so much they didn't have time. I actually have a medic in my unit now with combat deployments with the 82nd who never went to Airborne School because he was deployed so much
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Karyn,
I work at MEPS where you’ll process for you ASVAB, Medical, job interview, and then swear in. Once you are complete with your initial medical physical you will go have a short job interview. At that time you may request an airborne assignment. You will then be given permission to go back to the medical section where you’ll have one more short interview with a physician. You’ll have be able to clear your ears. Then you may go back to your service Liason who will add airborne to your military contract. Be sure to ask for a bonus. Once you have that added to your contract you can go to basic then AIT and from AIT you will go to airborne school at fort Benning.
I work at MEPS where you’ll process for you ASVAB, Medical, job interview, and then swear in. Once you are complete with your initial medical physical you will go have a short job interview. At that time you may request an airborne assignment. You will then be given permission to go back to the medical section where you’ll have one more short interview with a physician. You’ll have be able to clear your ears. Then you may go back to your service Liason who will add airborne to your military contract. Be sure to ask for a bonus. Once you have that added to your contract you can go to basic then AIT and from AIT you will go to airborne school at fort Benning.
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Being you are young, even if you don't get Airborne initially, you can always try and get it when you are at AIT. Definitely go flight medic if you want to get as much medical knowledge possible. Congrats on getting into the best MOS in the Army. Definitely keep up with your Physical fitness as you progress in your military career.
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Dont sign a contract until you get everything you want. Recruiters try to make it seem like all these jobs are hard to get, but spots open up every month.
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SFC (Join to see)
That is definitely a good way to lose the slot you want. School seats are a finite resource. As they fill up, they disappear. Holding out for something could add months, or even a year till you finally shop out.
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SFC (Join to see)
Slots most definitely do not open every month. Unless you’ve been a recruiter, you don’t know as much as you think you do.
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The Army is currently hurting for airborne 68W. So you might have a chance at getting it when you go to MEPS. The recruiter showed you what was available at that moment the job could be gone next time you go in his office. Also Airborne is usually offered as an incentive in AIT for those willing to go through Airborne pt. Even once you’re in it’s simply a school you have to apply for.
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If you are in the top of your class and have a high PT score, they will send you to Airborne school. Keep in mind, that even if you are 68W, you may not be doing a lot of medical work when you get to your duty station. I'm currently a 68W now. Becoming a flight medic is also extremely competitive.
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Karen D. First of all. I feel that I must tell you a few things about a female's going to any joint basic and AIT. 1. Almost all if not all females get hit on every day. 2. If you hook up with any one school it will get around. I have seen this before. The medic field is not that big, And you will run in to people that you went to school with. So be carefull. 3. Do not lend any money that you want back, All ways lock you stuff up. 4. I do not know if they still want the students to come up with new moto's every week. Screw that stupid shit take you time to study or just decompress. It is more important to learn what you are studying than to just memerize it for the test. 5. The instrutor's will tell you that you will learn it when you get to your unit. BULLSHIT no one wants to train you as well you my be deployed right after geting to your unit. Learn all you can when then are there. BUY YOUR OWN MEDICAL BOOKS when you get out of school.
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K D
Thank you for your response! I do plan on ignoring any attention I get from my male counterparts. I am joining the army in hopes of gaining as much knowledge and experience as possible. So that will not be an issue. I will look into buying my own medical books. Thanks again!
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Yes so take 68w I promise you they offer everyone here airborne and Rasp just need an 80%gpa in class and 80%apft score Also wish I would of known this before as well if you have the time take the Nremt now if you do this you fast track and come in as a specialist hope this helps
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Don't wrap your head around just getting your jump wings, the Army has a ton of cool schools that you can attend. Look at Mountain Warfare, Jungle (in Hawaii), Rough Terrain Medical Evac, etc. Good luck and let us know if we can help more.
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MSG (Join to see)
Thanks, I just got back from Meps today and I’m very disappointment of the way my recruiter work, lack of discipline and dedication. The reason way I’m saying that cause my families have been in the service since World War II and as the family tradition, I follow their paths. Yet, I signed up as the reservist , but I haven’t pick any MOS yet cause they said I have to wait for background check. Yet, the background comes back fast and they bring me
Up to Meps to pick my mos. while I was in the wait times, I have changed my mind and want to dedicate my self to a full time service soldier, I keep asking them if they can switch me to active but they keep saying no, at this point I don’t get why? I did enlist as reservist but I haven’t picked any jobs yet till now, and I told them the only way I go as reservist - settle for less if I have an airborne contract in mine, but they said as they are being honest there is no way I could have that as a reserve ? Very disappointed.
I’m not a high school kid that just graduateed, I have my civilian career and strong finance, yet joining the service is just because I want to follow the tradition of the family and also respond to the call of duty of my life. Is there any way or suggestion on how I can switch to active before I am going back to Meps again to pick my job or have the airborne contract in my reserve contact? Please let me
Know ! I’m very appreciated
Thanks, I just got back from Meps today and I’m very disappointment of the way my recruiter work, lack of discipline and dedication. The reason way I’m saying that cause my families have been in the service since World War II and as the family tradition, I follow their paths. Yet, I signed up as the reservist , but I haven’t pick any MOS yet cause they said I have to wait for background check. Yet, the background comes back fast and they bring me
Up to Meps to pick my mos. while I was in the wait times, I have changed my mind and want to dedicate my self to a full time service soldier, I keep asking them if they can switch me to active but they keep saying no, at this point I don’t get why? I did enlist as reservist but I haven’t picked any jobs yet till now, and I told them the only way I go as reservist - settle for less if I have an airborne contract in mine, but they said as they are being honest there is no way I could have that as a reserve ? Very disappointed.
I’m not a high school kid that just graduateed, I have my civilian career and strong finance, yet joining the service is just because I want to follow the tradition of the family and also respond to the call of duty of my life. Is there any way or suggestion on how I can switch to active before I am going back to Meps again to pick my job or have the airborne contract in my reserve contact? Please let me
Know ! I’m very appreciated
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MSG (Join to see)
(Join to see) you're recruiter is just looking for numbers. You can still go active from the reserves. Nothing is set until you sign and swear in thougj
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You should also speak to someone about how to finish college on the Army’s dime through ROTC. Explore every option
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