What advice do you have for a new 68W?

Brandon Sanger — Tue, 10 Jul 2018 18:49:20 -0400

Hello service men and women, I am about to join the Army as a 68W. I have a few questions as far as career paths, what to take advantage of, and how to best continue my education. If and when I am deployed, I want to take care of my unit. Any and all advice is appreciated. And thank you for your service.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 10 at 2018 6:58 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 10 Jul 2018 18:58:44 -0400

Take advantage of all the extra medical training and certifications possible, once you get to your unit(ACLS, PAL, PHTLS). Everything else will be learned through time. Do not sit on your heels and wait for something to be offered, ask your senior SPCs and NCOs. Getting Air Assault or Airborne won’t hurt either. Once you get to a time in your training where you can ask advice from your Drills ask them too.

Response by SSG Shawn Nelson made Jul 10 at 2018 7:00 PM

SSG Shawn Nelson — Tue, 10 Jul 2018 19:00:26 -0400

As a combat medic; it can be tough in Combat Arms; due to deployments and training in the field. The best advice I can give you is to stay on top of professional development courses for advancement; most are all online. As far as civilian education; there is a new policy guidance for tuition assistance. Now you how to have so many months of service first. So until you are eligible under the new policy for tuition assistance, remember to inform your squad leader about your civilian education goals during every counseling session.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 10 at 2018 7:01 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 10 Jul 2018 19:01:03 -0400

Welcome to the brotherhood. Set long term goals and work to them. The first thing you need to do is become a soldier first them worry about being a medic. You can’t be a medic without the title of soldier. Run even day and get ready to train and absorb a ton of information in a very short time frame. Set high standards and get yourself into leadership roles to stand out. Good luck

Response by SSG Shawn Nelson made Jul 10 at 2018 7:03 PM

SSG Shawn Nelson — Tue, 10 Jul 2018 19:03:37 -0400

Ohh and one last thing; after you qualify for tuition assistance; online courses are best when deployed; but you can also find out which colleges offer face to face as well.

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 10 at 2018 7:37 PM

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 10 Jul 2018 19:37:00 -0400

Honestly right now you should be focusing on making honors in Basic and AIT to give you an edge above your peers. Absorb everything your DS says like a sponge and love the sweat running down your face.

But I digress. What is your current level of education? Do you have any college? Do you have a decent SAT score?

Career paths all depend on qualifying with certain prerequisites. As a medica you can qualify for the commissioned career paths such as the Army Enlisted Commission Program for nursing, Physician Assistant, The Uniformed Services University School of Medicine to become an Army Doctor, the Army Public Health branch, Active Duty ROTC and OCS. These are all paths to commissioning. On the Enlisted side you can look into Special Forces Medic (only the mature need apply), Ranger Medic (if you get the opportunity, do it while your young), Security Forces Assistance Brigade (E-4 and above only), or flight medic school.

The opportunities depend on what suits your qualifications and/or your goals.

Generally, the Army will take care of itself. You need to take care of YOU! As the song says “The Army goes rolling along..” With that said, understand that you need to take every opportunity you see to go to college, gain occupational skills that your unit or duty station offers, use you tuition assistance and improve your qualifications for broader opportunities that will prepare you for life both in and AFTER the Army. Make the Army Education Center counselors your friend.

If I think of anything else I’ll add it later for you. Till then, good luck.

Response by SGT Victoria Belbusti made Jul 10 at 2018 11:32 PM

SGT Victoria Belbusti — Tue, 10 Jul 2018 23:32:47 -0400

Tutition assistance just changed. You can start going to college right after you graduate AIT.
You can go civil affairs, flight medic, become a PA, go to Med school or nursing school. It’s all on you with what you want to do with your career.

Response by Brandon Sanger made Jul 11 at 2018 8:57 AM

Brandon Sanger — Wed, 11 Jul 2018 08:57:39 -0400

Just for those who have asked I have a bachelors degree from a Bible college in my home town. It is not accredited but it is recognized by the Higher Education Department. There are select schools I can attend that will accept my credits but I don’t have the financial ability or time to take enough classes to validate my degree. I will say my education was spectacular and with it I got a 97 on my ASVAB. My recruiter and several former service men that I have spoken with believe I should get E4 with little trouble after AIT. After that, I plan on 1. Being a good soldier 2. Taking care of my guys 3. Furthering my ability to take care of my guys. I am prepared to do the work, study hard, and be the best I can be. Additional details: i am 27 and married. No kids yet. My wife is 22 and pursuing a bachelors. For some reason I was given the option to choose my first duty station. I will be stationed at Fort Hood. Thanks again for all the advice and tips. I can’t wait to serve proudly with the Army.

Response by SSG Dave Johnston made Jul 12 at 2018 2:22 AM

SSG Dave Johnston — Thu, 12 Jul 2018 02:22:49 -0400

There is an "online" USN "Independent Corpsman Manual". Download it to your "Dumb" phone, Tablet, Laptop, Desk/tower; add in a "Merck Manual" and simmer over discussions with your unit PA once you've completed BCT/AIT and are "Permanente Party" at your 1st duty assignment; ad a spoonful of sarcasm and enjoy |:)

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 20 at 2018 1:19 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 20 Jul 2018 13:19:35 -0400

If you currently do not have college you need to start as soon as you get to the unit. Our promotion points are ridiculous. Also they use medics for everything. As a specialist I was in charge of our BN medical readiness and chasing everyone down for imms and PHA's. I got us from 70% to 100% don't expect a reward for busting ass either. No one cares about medics besides the 11 bang bangs. Go to college and drop a nursing packet or PA school to become an officer. Also prepare yourself to work with civilian nurses. They will treat you like a child and try to control everything you do even though they have no title over you but best believe someone in MEDAC will negatively counsel you for not listening to civilians.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Aug 6 at 2018 8:19 AM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Mon, 06 Aug 2018 08:19:21 -0400

Mr. Sanger, you are better served now by working on you cardio and physical strength. Once in trainjng devite 100% to your training and learn. Once you arrive at your unit continue to learn your new duties. Once you have your assigned duties down pat you begin to look for opportunities to learn all aspects of the clinic and field duties. Then and only then should you be concerned with advanced training. Your NCOIC and the PA will best be able to align your goals with training whether that be through the Army or online/classroom with a University. Thanks you for considering the Army.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 5 at 2018 2:44 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 Sep 2018 02:44:46 -0400

68W is a great MOS - a lot of flexibility in terms of assignments active or reserve/guard and if medical is what you are looking to do it is a great place to get experience and branch off into other parts of the healthcare field. You chose well for MOSs.

You do need to have a career game plan in mind - dont simply sit there and just go to work and come home without a career end goal. Lots of programs available to advance education and such, but don’t let those opportunities languish.