What is the average day for someone in 68T, 12B, 68W, 64A, and 68X?

2019-04-24T19:14:06-04:00

I also have more questions about the MOS' overall, what would be the pros and cons? What was the training experience like and what challenges were you faced with when going through basic and AIT? Are there certain units that you would suggest are better with the MOS? I understand that I don't get to choose where I go, however, I am still curious. I thought about going into CBRN, however, I know that 74D MOS does not get used much chemical wise anymore due to not being in a chemical stance. I know it is directed towards technology. However, I do not want to join an MOS that is mainly an office job and sitting all day. I understand paper work is important when it is needed. If there are any other suggestions for a different MOS, I am open-minded to different opinions. I enjoy the sciences and medical field quite a bit because I do want to become a veterinarian as a career. I enjoy keeping my hands and mind busy, if I do not get enough stimulation I get bored quickly. Repetitious things that are done daily are not appealing to me unless it is small things to be done. Or something I need to memorize daily, I am okay doing because I need to remember and learn it continually. I am looking into the Army Reserves and going active after graduate school. Thank you for taking time to read this and I appreciate thorough responses!

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 24 at 2019 7:37 PM

2019-04-24T19:37:33-04:00

CPT Private RallyPoint Member @csm hayden SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL SSG Carlos Madden SSG(P) James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" CPT Chris Loomis MAJ Private RallyPoint Member talal

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 24 at 2019 7:47 PM

2019-04-24T19:47:12-04:00

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 24 at 2019 8:01 PM

2019-04-24T20:01:27-04:00

What would you like to do in the armed forces? That is the most important first step.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 24 at 2019 8:08 PM

2019-04-24T20:08:33-04:00

Basic training is the same for all MOSs. 68W is a tough job to describe because it is quite possibly the most open ended job in the army. You might be with MEDDAC working a 9-5 in the hospital. You might work in the clinic. You might work as a BSB (brigade support Battalion). Then with conventional units there are multiple roles. If you work in the BAS (battalion aid station) you will focus on medicine, working with the PA or Doc, and tearing up, jumping, and setting up the aid station. If you’re Evac you will be a mechanic more than anything else ensuring your vehicle works and can transport casualties (obviously treating en route as well). And finally you can be a line medic. Tbh line medics do whatever they’re with (Inf, artillery, engineer, cav) more than medicine. Being trained all depends on your unit (which is generally luck of the draw) some ensure their medics are highly trained and constantly expand their skill set. Others could care less and let our extremely perishable skill set detierate. If you have any more questions about 68W let me know, that’s just the low down on being a Big Army medic and my very short 2 years

Response by SGT Matthew S. made Apr 24 at 2019 9:27 PM

2019-04-24T21:27:40-04:00

Basic is pretty well the same for everyone, but the 'challenge' of AIT depends upon your MOS and location.

I was a Combat Engineer in mechanized units, which meant we had vehicles and our training & tactics were based around them. That also meant that, in garrison, we spent a large majority of our work time working on said vehicles.

Most of the work day was spent in the motor pool, along with a smaller portion in the Platoon office going over admin stuff. Usually one to two days a week, though, were designated as training time to be out somewhere aside from the motor pool learning and putting our skills to use.

If you are wanting to go in to the medical field, I would suggest an MOS along those lines. Other than the standard medical training, you won't get much - if any - as an Engineer. You'll learn quite a bit else and typically not be behind a desk, but not much in the way of medical.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 24 at 2019 10:20 PM

2019-04-24T22:20:06-04:00

Depends on the unit you go to - in a big way. In some units, you pull sick call in the morning and then may end up working in the motor pool or doing some sort of administrative or maintenance work (such as screening medical records or checking expiration dates on the IV bags in combat lifesaver kits). In other units, however, you may be working in a clinical environment all day other than doing PT, it could be not particularly different from civilian hospital work.

As far as AIT, in the early 90s, we could wear civilian clothes off duty and had alcohol privleges - which is utterly different from MOSes that go through OSUT. PT was at 0430, and it was legitimate PT, but other marching to the classrooms as a unit, it was very college-like. Really, most of the Army medical world is only vaguely aware that it's in the military. Fort Sam Houston's nicknames are Fort Country Club and Fort Sham.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 25 at 2019 10:06 AM

2019-04-25T10:06:57-04:00

12B is not where it’s at, unless you get a light sapper unit. It’s gay af. OSUT is bad also you’re at Ft Leonard Wood

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 25 at 2019 3:40 PM

2019-04-25T15:40:37-04:00

Question: have you already talked with a recruiter, taken the ASVAB and checked to see what job you qualify for based upon your scores? This is the first step in enlisting. First see if you qualify for any of the jobs you’ve listed because sometimes we may not be qualified based upon line scores and sometimes the MOS we want may not be available as well. Good luck to you...

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 27 at 2019 8:39 AM

2019-04-27T08:39:01-04:00

I'm a 12B. After basic you get to your unit. You wake up 0530 (on your own) you head to the company building for PT. It starts at 0630 so be there before 0620! Then after PT you have until 0900 for breakfast, you can play video games, eat or do whatever you want as long as your back 10 minutes before 0900! Then you will sit around or a good NCO will teach you something then at 1130 you leave for Lunch (same as breakfast) you get back 10 minutes prior to 1300! Then you repeat the same thing untill close out at 1700 then you go home. On Friday you probally get off at 1300 and you have Friday and Saturday off. Save as much money as you can!!!! Only hang out with good people!!! Also you'll have range days where you go shoot and feild days/weeks where you basically play war. And then if you're lucky you will get deployed.

Response by SPC William Weedman made May 2 at 2019 2:03 PM

2019-05-02T14:03:45-04:00

I served as a medic in the late 80s and ended up with duty in a brigade level treatment facility (when I wasn’t doing level 1 maintenance on a 2 1/2 ton truck that was older than me) We did sick call in the morning, including higher level stuff (lab & x-ray) not done in a BAS. Afternoons were “clinics” physicals, STDs (in was the 80s in Korea, a different time) the psych techs (the most laid back guys I ever met) were in an office and did assessments of patients for example Drill Sergeant & Sniper School candidates, they did have to see a psychologist but the techs did the preliminary work up. They could also be used as a gateway to mental health care which has much stigma as it does now which is a sad thing. Beyond that (from 30+ years ago) keep an open mind. You are considering Active Duty after schooling. Look into becoming an officer and having the military pay off your loans. True, officers especially lieutenants tend to be administrators but officer life is much better than enlisted life, this coming first hand from friends who accepted commissions after being enlisted.

Response by SFC David Bentley made May 5 at 2019 5:12 PM

2019-05-05T17:12:51-04:00

All of veterinary is a career dead end unless you want those skills for when you get out. Combat medic (68W) is a toss up between getting clinic duty imagine working in a hospital or doctors on duty. And being a field medic where you get to do cool things like sit in a ambulance all day at the range. Behavioral health is being a secretary for the provider.

Response by SSG William Bruno made May 10 at 2019 6:29 PM

2019-05-10T18:29:34-04:00

Hi started out as he 91F, psychiatric specialist. I chose this field because I was already working in it and I knew what I want to do. I found the work fascinating as long as I actually got to do the work

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made May 16 at 2019 3:50 PM

2019-05-16T15:50:48-04:00

I was a combat engineer. Basic and AIT was not very hard as long as you pay attention. My first unit I was in route clearance and it was a good time if you like driving and the occasional dismount. My second unit I was in a sapper platoon where all we did was build and destroy obstacles.

Response by SSG William Bruno made May 16 at 2019 6:40 PM

2019-05-16T18:40:52-04:00

Go for something in the field you actually want to work in. If you want to be a veterinary technician, go for that. You won’t be happy with anything else. Understand, however that as you advance in your career, you will do more paperwork and supervision and less hands on work. Vet techs are very important to the military mission. Every branch has them, so you can be selective about where you want to go.

Response by SGT Eugene Brooks made Jun 3 at 2019 3:46 PM

2019-06-03T15:46:05-04:00

My mos was 12B20 changed to 40 before I was discharged. An average day in combat demolitions would be a very boring day. Clean your weapons, shine your boots, work on the squad truck, do a bit of exercise, make a fool of yourself trying to make other think you know a lot more than you really do. return to the barracks for chow, maybe go into town or to the EM Club for a round of beer or three. that is/was an average day in the life of a Combat Engineer/Demolitions SP.Squad Leader.

Response by PV2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 26 at 2019 11:56 PM

2019-06-26T23:56:35-04:00

Honestly being a 68W is a lot of paperwork too, those SOAP notes dont write themselves. Even though they teach you how to give IV's and use Hextend, when to give blood, chest seals, crics, etc, a majority of your job is writing sick call slips, blisters, heat rash, crushed thumbs and fingers, just generally being a doctor in a way. If you care about your soldires they start to care about you. Training at fort sam was alright, the food is great, and the airwomen are hot. Texas is the best state in the world but I am biased.