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my 16 yr old son will be a Jr in HS this September. His wants to get his Eagle by May 2018 so he can sign up for a split training, Go to BCT next summer between jr & sr yr & then graduate HS & then AIT.
He wants to be a 68W. He wants to help save soldiers lives but he does not want to be in a clinic. He's always wanted to be a solider but recently focused on being a medic. What MOS do you suggest
He originally wanted to be 11B. But the more he thought about it the more he said he wanted to be a medic. But he had concerns. He is a very very...linear boy. But he is also very religious. He said he thought he would be good at being a medic but he had concerns about "Fighting against Gods will" He felt that if someone might die in combat its gods will. I explained that sometimes Gods will is that they live - and he uses the soldiers and medics as his hands. From that point on he wanted to be a medic. Now he isnt overbearing in his beliefs - he just believes in an active and present God. He wants to serve.
Also as a 16 yr old boy he finds himself wondering what sort of man he is. He wants to be tested. Thus the desire to be in combat I think. His grandfather was a combat vetern from vietnam and I think that drives his thinking. I know this will change as he matures - he is only 16...and 16 year old boys think they are immortal.
But if he wants to be 68W - I want to get him the paramedic test materials now and help him start studying. Its sort of how I roll... My eldest was nagged constantly to practice for asvab and DLAB etc and ended up getting top scores. I know once they enlist its out of my hands...so I just want them as prepared as possible for life. (I know...Im a total helicopter mom but its the only way I know to prepare to let go is prepare them for the flight).
He wants to be a 68W. He wants to help save soldiers lives but he does not want to be in a clinic. He's always wanted to be a solider but recently focused on being a medic. What MOS do you suggest
He originally wanted to be 11B. But the more he thought about it the more he said he wanted to be a medic. But he had concerns. He is a very very...linear boy. But he is also very religious. He said he thought he would be good at being a medic but he had concerns about "Fighting against Gods will" He felt that if someone might die in combat its gods will. I explained that sometimes Gods will is that they live - and he uses the soldiers and medics as his hands. From that point on he wanted to be a medic. Now he isnt overbearing in his beliefs - he just believes in an active and present God. He wants to serve.
Also as a 16 yr old boy he finds himself wondering what sort of man he is. He wants to be tested. Thus the desire to be in combat I think. His grandfather was a combat vetern from vietnam and I think that drives his thinking. I know this will change as he matures - he is only 16...and 16 year old boys think they are immortal.
But if he wants to be 68W - I want to get him the paramedic test materials now and help him start studying. Its sort of how I roll... My eldest was nagged constantly to practice for asvab and DLAB etc and ended up getting top scores. I know once they enlist its out of my hands...so I just want them as prepared as possible for life. (I know...Im a total helicopter mom but its the only way I know to prepare to let go is prepare them for the flight).
Posted in these groups: 
MOS
68W: Healthcare Specialist (Combat Medic)
What Would You Do
Combat Arms
Military Career
MOS 68W: Healthcare Specialist (Combat Medic) What Would You Do Combat Arms Military Career
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 95
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It's good that he has an idea of what he wants to do, but he can change his mind yet again by the time he's old enough to sign the dotted line himself or with your permission. I first wanted to be a fighter pilot, then infantry, then artillery/tanks before I finally went the musician route.
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Davida Dean
Interesting and similarity. If there is any rule which I would expect most would agree encourage him to do what he wants, as long if goes into the military is better than his old man. My son did follow the 11B route. Ended up as a intel NCO in combat. Today however is taking paramedic night classes for a volunteer fire department. Seems to be similar path. Best part has stayed in contact with family.
Good Luck
Interesting and similarity. If there is any rule which I would expect most would agree encourage him to do what he wants, as long if goes into the military is better than his old man. My son did follow the 11B route. Ended up as a intel NCO in combat. Today however is taking paramedic night classes for a volunteer fire department. Seems to be similar path. Best part has stayed in contact with family.
Good Luck
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I have two boys. One is 14 and one 11. Since the day they were born I have always dreamed of the day I attend their "Downing of the Green Beret" ceremony. I've always wanted them to follow in my footsteps and be part of an elite group of America's finest men. Now, I want them to join the Air Force and learn a skill. Also, I do not want them to serve for 20 plus years like I have done. If I could do it all over again, I would have joined the Air Force. He will leave a lot less broken.
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I totally understand. My entire family is Army, and law enforcement. My sister tells my son's to not be a cop. Be a firefighter. Everybody likes firefighters. My eldest was very focused on the Air Force. Unfortunately the Air Force recruiter dropped the ball and ended up acting very unprofessional. You were not impressed with him. My son also didn't like the fact that the Air Force will not commit to a specific job rather gives you a couple of job fields and then Air Force pics, what they have you do. My eldest son has no intention of being career military. He's focused on the tech industry. Hopefully this job will help him get access to the tech jobs that he wants in the next 5 years or so.
My middle son is a different story altogether. He's always wanted to be a soldier. There's nothing else he's ever wanted to be. I'm just glad he stopped thinking about the Marine Corps and is now thinking about the army. Ive tried to steer him towards the Coast Guard. In the end he will do what he wants to do.
My middle son is a different story altogether. He's always wanted to be a soldier. There's nothing else he's ever wanted to be. I'm just glad he stopped thinking about the Marine Corps and is now thinking about the army. Ive tried to steer him towards the Coast Guard. In the end he will do what he wants to do.
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I am also a 68w, got out of training about a year ago and the best advice I can give is to start him with training as a EMT. Trying to start paramedic school without that base of knowledge is like skipping algebra before taking calculus. You can do it, but it's extremely difficult. I'd recommend trying to get some rides along with EMTs/paramedics in your area as well as taking some anatomy classes in high school (preferably college courses) in the meantime. AIT (advanced individual training) for medics is ranked as one of the most difficult in the army. 1/3 of the soldiers fail out and have to choose another MOS. You have to pass the NREMT within 7 weeks of training and that's only half of it. That's where most people fail out and having a background as an emt will help tremendously. Once he knocks that out the rest is smooth sailing. As for what he does for the army he doesn't have a choice. Most medics as of right now do spend 6-12 months in a clinic but it's an incredible experience because your always practicing your job. Now if we were at war he would most likely become a line medic but hopefully that doesn't happen. If he wants deployment time tell him to sign up for RASP. One more thing, he needs to start working out a lot because the physical training is very difficult of your not prepared. Tell him to start running 3-5 mile runs a couple times a week as well as working out. Push ups and sit-ups are kinda important in the army
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SPC (Join to see)
Being in the Boy Scouts is awesome prior to enlisting because it proves that he has a good head on his shoulders. It also shows commitment and dedication which he will need dearly during all his training. I understand that it is difficult to get ride alongs but If that's not possible have him become EMT certified on the civilian side. Their are two benefits to that.
1. He will come into the army as a e4 (higher rank)
2. He will only have to do 8 of the 16 weeks everyone normally has to take due to prior experience. He would have to take a test to back that up but if he becomes an EMT just before going to basic he should be fine. As for the PT he should be fine as long as he keeps that up. I hope your other son does great when he starts training!
1. He will come into the army as a e4 (higher rank)
2. He will only have to do 8 of the 16 weeks everyone normally has to take due to prior experience. He would have to take a test to back that up but if he becomes an EMT just before going to basic he should be fine. As for the PT he should be fine as long as he keeps that up. I hope your other son does great when he starts training!
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SPC (Join to see) - He wants to join right out of HS so I might have to talk him into waiting and getting certified outside of Army. Hes 16 right now. I could see him doing RASP. would he go in as a 68W - do AIT and then request RASP? My eldest son is 35T but they also have him doing Airborne training.
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He has the request rasp before signing any papers and make sure in the paperwork that he has that in his contract. Also don't let him sign up until he gets a good signing bonus. Contracts change all the time and when he first try's to sign up the recruits may say he wouldn't get anything and if that's the case then wait. Check in every couple days until he gets at least 25000 for 4 years and a possible 4000 extra for RASP. I haven't heard of a 35 series getting an airborne contract but that's great for him and will help him get promoted faster. I'd love to talk to your son and give him some advice prior to he making any commitments.
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SPC (Join to see) - Id be open to that. we have 2 years. I cant connect to you because Im a civilian but I think you can connect to me. My eldest got a great signing bonus. 35T plus bonus plus airborne. He also got E2 rank because hes an Eagle Scout
We know the dance - first two times he tried to reserve 35T they said it was booked up - we waited till he got what he wanted.
We know the dance - first two times he tried to reserve 35T they said it was booked up - we waited till he got what he wanted.
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Well in some cases he can be a medic but it all had to do with his asvab test that will tell them (meps) what mos he is qualified for and he can also request but it all has to with what he is qualified for
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Yep - just went through that with son #1. Son#1 scored 96 on asvab and his line composite scores where all 130+ in every area. Ive had the boys doing practice asvab tests for last year. Son 1 also did pretty good on the DLAB and considered cryptolygist (sp?) but in end opted for tech job because he wants to go into tech field.
Son 2 has a gpa of 3.75 in a school where anything below 85% is failing. (same school son #1 went to). Classical education, Grammar, mathematics and logical and reasoning are taught. My father - vietnam vet and retired cop and pastor is the head master. Greek and Latin are also expected.
People ask why my boys dont go into college and be officers but they are the grandson of a warrant officer and heard "dont call me sir I work for a living" more than I care to admit.
Son 2 has a gpa of 3.75 in a school where anything below 85% is failing. (same school son #1 went to). Classical education, Grammar, mathematics and logical and reasoning are taught. My father - vietnam vet and retired cop and pastor is the head master. Greek and Latin are also expected.
People ask why my boys dont go into college and be officers but they are the grandson of a warrant officer and heard "dont call me sir I work for a living" more than I care to admit.
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SGT James (Jimmy) Crone
(Join to see) - good job mom glad to hear that your sons are awesome keep up with them in getting quality military jobs that will turn around to great civilian jobs. Thumbs up mom
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Now if i just can get #3 on the right path... that boy is wild with a W... think Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer all rolled into one. Competitive gymnast at 13 he is regional champ but at same time... his butt has to be dragged up stairs kicking and screaming to do homework and only when he thinks I might actually kill him does he calm down and do his work...getting it all right. Because he is SMART but just wants to have fun. Boy has a 96% gpa but hates school work. Also damn good with a rifle but sitting still is death. He trains 3 hours a day hard P.T. ...wont do math without me almost killing him. He also is the one who crashes his dirt bike the most, has had the most broken bones and scares the you know what out of me. He says if its not scary its not fun..
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SGT James (Jimmy) Crone
(Join to see) - he'll get together. I remember when i was 13 i had the most broken bones, had the best gpa in school better than the rest of my family and after all that joined the army as tanker, not a civilian job comparable. Can't do this in the civilian sector.
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He's going to a clinic one way or another if he's a medic. The only way around it is to be a special operator with a medic specialty. Unless he's planning to try to go Group he should face the reality of clinic duties.
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If he is very religious has he thought about 56M- Chaplains Assistant? That could be a way for him not in have his beliefs interfere with a military type job but still serve and help others. I know many Chaplains Assistants and they say it a very rewarding MOS.
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Good movie for you to preview and have him watch is THE SHACK, it is on most cable movie systems now as a rentable movie. Very well done movie about God and how he works. I think you will like it. It is also a book but I think the movie is better. Rare from Hollywood these days but this time they did good.
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PS The eagle project/rank is a good leadership route. Fortunate we had a neighbor that encouraged getting into Scouts and my son found both the Arrow and Eagle badges worth the time and effort. Miss those days. Being better than mom's success is important too. I just noticed Signing out!
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im proud of all my Eagles. As an eagle project coach I get to help more than just my sons obtain that rank. Its very rewarding.
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Well first I'm going to say there's nothing wrong with wanting to set your child up for success. You may think you're a helicopter mom, but I think you're just being a good mom. Now in regards to your original question "What MOS should my son choose", my answer is going to simply be an MOS that he can turn into a career when he gets out of the military. You say your son is interested in being a medic, has he considered being a Corpsman in the Navy? I don't know what the MOS is, but the Corpsman are the ones who take care of Marines so they have earned our respect. It's not often I'd recommend a branch different than my own, but here's their website info if you want to look up information.
https://www.navy.com/careers/healthcare/medical-support#ft-key-responsibilities
https://www.navy.com/careers/healthcare/medical-support#ft-key-responsibilities
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Thank you for that. He was thinking of being a marine back when his older brother was thinking Air Force. Then older brother joined Army - now he is looking at Army. I will tell him to check out both Navy and Army for Medic options!
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