Medics need to transition to combat arms and have OSUT training similar to the Infantry... change my mind?

I agree with the principle of integrating training more “forward in the battle space” so to speak, it wouldn’t work well in an IET setting.

1. The problem with 68W training as is (and this is an opinion), is that although it is intense, it doesn’t adequately set up medics to perform a lot of their medical functions. Unlike other branches, soldier medics don’t go through a clinical/ride time portion for their training, which is very key in civilian EMS training programs. Students do not get to integrate skills with clinical/emergency presentations. The training is, essentially, a rushed job in the end.

2. There is a significant body of skills and knowledge that the 68W in AIT doesn’t get but needs. Although I can’t expect 68Ws to all be paramedics, they do need to be familiar with how to use monitors, vents, and various other equipment, along with some knowledge of them that allows them to integrate better both in clinical and forward environments. TCCC is relatively easy all things considered, but operating in an FST may not be so straight forward. They are asked to far exceed what they were taught, and I think the army has realized they need more rounded medics.

3. A lot of 68Ws get stuck in more administrative roles that limit their medical exposure. It’s easy to say a unit will continue to train a new medic up, until all medics do is MEDPROS. This is why I think longer 68W AITs are needed with actual clinical rotations: units often fail to continue to develop their medics. This way they have a good basis of knowledge and skills at least.

I agree, but that would require splitting them back into two separate MOSs like they were before they were reintegrated into one MOS (91W) back in 2006. Until then, AMEDD C&S has their dirty stinkin' paws all over them claiming technical proficiency because a small portion of medics will work in clinics, hospitals, and CSH's.

Although it makes sense becoming a 68W requires a lot of time and focus do to amount of information and skills the SM needs to absorb and learn. Therefore I, with my limited medical knowledge but a former receiver of their service , prefer those trainees to learn the required medical knowledge and skills once they mastere them integrate them in the tactical game. My humble opinion.