What is the best route to pursue a future career in radiology, doing 2 years at community college or getting trained in the military?

2019-12-30T22:48:11-05:00

I’ll make this short I just graduated college with communications degree I’m 25 and I want to enter the medical field. Radiology is what I want to get into. I’m looking at the Army or Air Force specially the national guard or reserves because I heard that’s the best route to take in this mos. I know speciality training is a year compared to community college which takes 2 years to get ur associates for radiology school. My question is do you think this is the best route compares to doing 2 years at community college do get the same training. Get my training done in the army or airforce which is paid compared to civilian putting out more debt on my shoulders sounds convincing. Will hospitals hire someone who has only military Training as an X-ray tech? Like I said I’m trying to pick the best route for my future any help would be appreciated.

Response by Tony C. made Dec 30 at 2019 10:49 PM

2019-12-30T22:49:29-05:00

Sorry for all the grammar errors in advance this was written on the go.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 30 at 2019 11:51 PM

2019-12-30T23:51:55-05:00

In the army 68p have to do additional training/school before getting certifications . Joining the army just to get qualified for a job is a bad idea because it will be a complete life style change

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 31 at 2019 5:27 AM

2019-12-31T05:27:37-05:00

I would check for radiology programs in your state and then check to see what benefits your state offers for national guard members. Many states offer free or significantly reduced tuition for guard members. You could get your degree paid for or at a significantly reduced cost and also make money each month from drill. If it were me I would get the associates degree to make sure you meet licensure and certificate/employment requirements for the state and employer you want to work for. Not all military training/certificates are always recognized as the required ones for employment by certain facilities.

Response by TSgt Scott C. Brammer made Dec 31 at 2019 9:31 AM

2019-12-31T09:31:48-05:00

As far as training to be a radiologic technologist goes you will get a lot better training in the military than in the civilian sector. It is very possible for a person to graduate from a civilian radiology program and still not know anything. This will never happen in the military. When you get out of school in the Air Force you are ready to "go to work". You notice I said the Air Force. Unless something has changed that I don't know about, the army's radiology program is "not accredited" and you will not be able to get registered. In order to get licensed you have to go through what they call a (2 year AMA approved program) in radiologic technology and that is exactly what you get in the Air Force. When the 2 years is over, you will be able to sit for the examination and be registered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) and be certified to work in the United States and when you get out you can just go out and get a job. You are going to have to do this on active duty because the guard / reserves won't give you the entire training program for certification. Also, the training is free so you don't have to pay for college. I do know what I am talking about here because this is what I did. Good Luck!!

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Dec 31 at 2019 10:39 AM

2019-12-31T10:39:23-05:00

Lord I am so tired of folks thinking they can just join up, get schooling on our dime and be set for life. Yes there are programs in various service/branches for school assistance. All contracts run a total of 8 yrs except the NG, split between active and Reserve service. This is a lifestyle, you will swear to defend the Constitution and go where you are told and do what you are ordered when ordered. You could but maybe won't be sitting on your ass, sending out resumes to civie world, but instead dodging indirect fire and watching folks damn near die while you are taking xrays. Can't buy into serving the Nation and putting other folks lives and well being ahead of yours constantly- then stay home.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 1 at 2020 9:45 AM

2020-01-01T09:45:42-05:00

Community college is a guarantee to get licensed. I would just make sure that if you do it in the military the school is ARRT approved or you cannot sit for the national exam for license. I would recommend you do get you get you associates in Radiology then join the Gaurd. You will go through basic and will get to skip AIT cause you already have a skill. So in a nutshell two years of scholl and a few weeks of basic and you will be set. Otherwise you may get your recruiter to get you in some sort of GI Bill program

Response by SGT Robert Contreras made Jul 21 at 2022 12:00 AM

2022-07-21T00:00:49-04:00

Hey, brother. I may be a little late, but going the military route is definitely the best way of becoming a radiologic technologist. I have brand new Soldiers straight out of high school that are getting awarded an Associates Degree in Radiologic Sciences right out of AIT. Fastest way to become a rad tech and earn an associates without ever having to attend a civilian college.

Response by SGT Daniel Martin made Jan 14 at 2023 11:00 AM

2023-01-14T11:00:16-05:00

Nothing at all wrong with getting trained in the military. Don’t listen to any negative bs. Military radiology tech school is as good of training as any probably better.