Posted on Dec 22, 2018
What are the day-to-day life, advancement and general happiness like in 19K, 15U/T or 68C?
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Afternoon all,
As the title says I'm coming up on reenlistment and have no intention on staying my current MOS. I've already started working with my retention NCO. I have a few options and just looking for some personal experience from the people here. When I enlisted initially I was an 11B. Got out, and upon coming back in I was reclassed to 74D. I'd like something that is more involved and I'll actually be doing something other than extra duties.
19K interests me because tanks...obviously.
I've always been fascinated with aviation in general and would love to work on helicopters with a chance of being able to fly.
I intend on going to get my BSN when I get out and I've almost completed my AS. I figured 68C would give my a headstart but I'd still need to do a transfer program to RN upon getting out.
Sorry for being long winded, but I'm looking for some information on day to day life, advancement and general happiness in the field of these MOSs. Thank you all.
As the title says I'm coming up on reenlistment and have no intention on staying my current MOS. I've already started working with my retention NCO. I have a few options and just looking for some personal experience from the people here. When I enlisted initially I was an 11B. Got out, and upon coming back in I was reclassed to 74D. I'd like something that is more involved and I'll actually be doing something other than extra duties.
19K interests me because tanks...obviously.
I've always been fascinated with aviation in general and would love to work on helicopters with a chance of being able to fly.
I intend on going to get my BSN when I get out and I've almost completed my AS. I figured 68C would give my a headstart but I'd still need to do a transfer program to RN upon getting out.
Sorry for being long winded, but I'm looking for some information on day to day life, advancement and general happiness in the field of these MOSs. Thank you all.
19K: Armor Crew Member
15T: UH-60 Helicopter Repairer
15U: CH-47 Helicopter Repairer
68C: Practical/Vocational Nursing
Posted 7 y ago
Responses: 11
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I absolutely loved working at the bedside as a 68C. I reclassed from aviation and wish I would have done so sooner.
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LTC (Join to see)
SFC, I too had the privilege to care for fellow soldiers and the enlisted nurses are just as important as the ANC. We are the ones who dealt with the heavy stuff in combat and at the troop clinic.
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SSG (Join to see)
CPT (Join to see) - I worked at WRNMMC with multiple new grad RN 2LT's. You will spend about 3 months splitting your time between the floor orientation with an experienced RN and TTP classes focusing on your floor (Med/Surge, Tele, ICU, OB, etc.). As far as the dynamic between RN/LPN, for the most part, 68C's work under the supervision of an RN. Once the LPN has gained the trust of the RN, that level of supervision reduces. I had my own patients, did my own admissions, discharge teaching, etc. But the RN had to sign off on my charting, as well as completing any tasks such as IVP, central line dressing changes, etc that are outside the scope of practice for an LPN. Hope that answers your question. Feel free to drop me a line if you have any additional questions.
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CPT (Join to see)
SSG (Join to see) -
Thank you for the response SGT Sigl. Even though I was a 68E for 6 years, I was never assigned to a clinic. How is it working with civilians in the hospital setting?
Thank you for the response SGT Sigl. Even though I was a 68E for 6 years, I was never assigned to a clinic. How is it working with civilians in the hospital setting?
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SSG (Join to see)
CPT (Join to see) it can be challenging, just like any situation, it depends on the people and personalities. You always have your leadership to run interference and mediate issues as well.
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Take out student loans or use your GI Bill and get the BSN now, Then come back in as an officer and a nurse. If your goal is BSN anyway, why waste your time with anything else
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Never met a tanker that didn't love their job and I worked with a lot of tankers. It is a rough job - as most combat arms jobs are, but you already know that - but it is fun and the promotion points are obtainable lol. If you are looking at making a career out of the military you could do worse than 19K.
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SPC(P) (Join to see)
The few that I've talked to have said the same as you just did SGT. They all love their jobs. Thanks for the response!
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I really enjoyed my time as a 19Kilo. I don't know of a more awesome piece of mechanized weaponry that stays on the ground!!!
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SPC(P) (Join to see)
I couldn't agree more! It's honestly the top of my list right now SSG. Id rather do something in the military I'd never have a chance to do civilian side. Especially since I'm using TA and getting my degree now, plus the GI Bill once I get out. Thanks for the response SSG!
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Go get your BSN. Have you looked into doing ROTC or the Army Enlisted Commissioning Program (AECP)? Both are good options. I know the ROTC timeframe is mostly closed for this upcoming year, I’m pretty sure the Division Hip Pocket Scholarship is still available though (not a lot of people try for them or know about them, so they are a little easier to get). And AECP pays for nursing school and I know the time frame is closed on this one.
Don’t become a 68C if your end goal is BSN. Go straight to your BSN.
Don’t become a 68C if your end goal is BSN. Go straight to your BSN.
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SPC(P) (Join to see)
I had thought about comissioning. But if I'm going to go get my RN I would stay civilian and continue to pursue higher education. I worked for a few years as a paramedic and have a lot of connections in the greater Boston area hospitals so I'd prefer to make more money instead of commissioning. Also I don't really have any desire to be an officer.
Thanks for the input though. It is something good to keep in mind. I appreciate it.
Thanks for the input though. It is something good to keep in mind. I appreciate it.
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SPC (Join to see)
SPC(P) (Join to see) so yes you’ll make more money as a civilian but the military does offer a lot of programs that you can’t get easily in the civilian side. Also they military has tons of advanced degree programs for nurses, so they pay and you just incur an ADSO.
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I can't speak for the lifestyle, but I can tell you that I haven't seen 68C class seats for the last month, so I wouldn't put too much stock in it. Also, CMF 15 and CMF 68 are restricted to non promotable E4 and below. If you're a prior service E4 you are probably promotable by now and not qualified to request those.
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SPC(P) (Join to see)
I didn't realize that those were only open to non promotables. That's good to know about class seats also SFC. Thank you. I'll speak to my retention NCO when I get back from HBL.
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SFC (Join to see)
SPC(P) (Join to see) if you complete two college classes (English and Humanities) 68V is open to promotable E4 and non promotable E5. It would put you in a hospital where you could work on your college for your RN and even apply for the Nursing AECP if you wanted to be an RN in the Army. Or you could just knock out your associates degree and prereqs for nursing prior to ETS.
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SPC(P) (Join to see)
I hadn't considered that. I do have classes in both of those areas completed already. I'm definitely going to have to look into that. Thank you SFC. Something else to consider. That also may set me up a bit better when/if I ETS.
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Aviation is the best career field in the Army in my opinion. It’s not easy though. Regardless of whether you’re Active, Guard, or Reserve, the days can be long and you might feel like they expect you to cram 50lbs of crap into a 5lb bag.
It does open doors for you to walk into a $25-$30/hr job. The UTARNG is currently in search of 15T and 15R for their technician workforce.
It does open doors for you to walk into a $25-$30/hr job. The UTARNG is currently in search of 15T and 15R for their technician workforce.
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SPC(P) (Join to see)
I will definitely keep those job opportunities in mind, I may end up back in UT when I get out. My favorite place I've ever lived.
I have heard of the long days and high expectations in aviation though. Understandable though.
I have heard of the long days and high expectations in aviation though. Understandable though.
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SSG (Join to see)
SPC(P) (Join to see) it can definitely be stressful at times, but it can be a lot of fun and very rewarding.
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I entered MTC at Ft. Sam Houston for 91A10 and earned the 91B20 before completing AIT. After I returned from being in country, I attended MFSS and earned the 91C20 MOS. Now a days your designator would be 68C. I for one enjoyed my time doing florr and field work. Even did a lot of sick calls. But have never regretted that MOS choice.
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I'm a little late to the party, but I can help shed some light on 19k. I did two years back in 2003-2005. They had a two year option for combat units during the war.
I saw you said you were 11B, which is Infantry I think? I will tell you that 19k is very similar to 11B, except on road marches, you throw you duffle bags on the tank and roll out, lol. I've had Infantry say that when shit gets bad, it's nice to hear a tank rolling in and realizing that it's on your team. Haha.
On the bad side, Tank PMCS (Maintenance,etc.) Is pure hell, especially in Iraq lol. My back still isn't right from doing track back then. Also, because you are a "Combat Unit", you end up doing a lot of stuff that infantry has to do, if your superiors need it done.
But man! When you're not in the motor pool or selected to do some grunt work, it's a hell of a lot of fun!
I saw you said you were 11B, which is Infantry I think? I will tell you that 19k is very similar to 11B, except on road marches, you throw you duffle bags on the tank and roll out, lol. I've had Infantry say that when shit gets bad, it's nice to hear a tank rolling in and realizing that it's on your team. Haha.
On the bad side, Tank PMCS (Maintenance,etc.) Is pure hell, especially in Iraq lol. My back still isn't right from doing track back then. Also, because you are a "Combat Unit", you end up doing a lot of stuff that infantry has to do, if your superiors need it done.
But man! When you're not in the motor pool or selected to do some grunt work, it's a hell of a lot of fun!
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