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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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Which ever direction he chooses push him to volunteer for all the schools he can get accepted to that will get him assigned to the top units--Airborne, Ranger, Special Forces, Seals, Force Recon depending on the branch he enters. This way if he does have to go into combat he will be surrounded by the best available to come back from any mission he has to go on.
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Good advice - thanks. My eldest is a tech guy (35T) - but he is going in for Airborne training because they offered it. Hes actually terrified of heights but says - hey - good way to conquer my fears. As a scout master - even though I am terrified of heights I always do the ropes courses and zip lines with him... he did them in the past when he was young because I did them. Now he just does them. 3 years ago we did the warrior dash together (he was 15). He had to talk me down off of several of the taller walls - I could get up but not down. He was patient and never left me behind. We finished an hour behind my husband middle son...but I finished with him beside me the whole way.
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For what it's worth I watched my sons grow up during a time of foreign expeditions with little permanent return. I watched national guard units shipped overseas and tragedies that had no business occurring. I told them I would support them if they would go into the coast guard and protect our country that way.
No other service denigration intended or implied.
Just passing along what I told them.
No other service denigration intended or implied.
Just passing along what I told them.
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My father struggles with my sons joining the Army. He keeps crying and tearing up. My sister was sort of like "What the heck DAD...you didnt cry when I joined the army." But I think it being his grandson - first born grandson - leaving...it might be harder than a daughter/son. Cause he didnt get upset when my brother left either.
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PO3 John Wagner
(Join to see) - People change and grow. When I saw young men from my neighborhood, boys who had grown up with my sons. Who were in National Guard units, not regular army, come home dead. "Mission Accomplished"? My ass.
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SGT James (Jimmy) Crone
I thought marines didn't have medics the were provided by the navy and they are called corpsmen
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Ask him why he is joining and go from there. His MOS choice should fit his reason(s) for wanting to serve. Some join for tangibles and other for intangibles. He will get both regardless of his MOS, but can receive more of either depending on his choice. Some MOSs will provide him with a more marketable skill to build on after he separates. Some less so, but these may provide more leadership training. Unless he is in a position that will provide special pay (jump, hazardous duty etc) the pay will be the same. If it's all about pay, some MOS's promote faster. If his choice was about travel and adventure then certain MOSs will provide more of that. Hopefully he is not joining totally for the pay and benefits, because he may find the lifestyle is tougher than he bargained for, and be disappointed. Basically, find out what his career goals are and make the choice that will best prepare him. Every MOS in every branch is important for our defense, so as long as he gives 100% he will be a better person for having served. He'll get out of it what he puts into it.
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makes sense
my eldest is 35T because he wants a tech job
68W translates to medical job in civ life.
my eldest is 35T because he wants a tech job
68W translates to medical job in civ life.
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Medics, we hold them in high regard compared to other MOS' as you never know when you'll be looking up at one. You trust them to come for you when the worst happens. My brother is one, and from what I gather it can be difficult academically and it's physically demanding if you're attached to a combat unit. He can do it if it's what he really wants.
Still in High School, I recommend getting into JROTC, he should be focusing on maxing his PT scores before getting to BCT as it will only help him AIT when he's carrying litters and other Soldiers in full gear. If possible try and find a volunteer program and a hospital. Good luck.
Still in High School, I recommend getting into JROTC, he should be focusing on maxing his PT scores before getting to BCT as it will only help him AIT when he's carrying litters and other Soldiers in full gear. If possible try and find a volunteer program and a hospital. Good luck.
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I was a Chaplain's Assistant (56M) for 25 years in all three components of the Army; RA, USAR, and NG. I liked the MOS, but just any other MOS', it had its moments. Just an idea.
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I served in a number of MOS/s from 11B to 91A/B/C/G. If he wants a good transition to Civilian Occupation, the 68W would provide him a solid foundation. However that is as an Emergency Medical Technician. If this is the level he is interested in as a Military and Civilian Career, and if he feels comfortable in that, it is his decision. I would suggest that even as a 68W he at least take Correspondence Training in other paramedical areas to broaden his skill base as it helps with accelerated promotions as well as functional skill development. As I stated, I was experienced with 11B (Team Leader) and when injured, transitioned to Combat Medical Specialist 91A, then to Medical NCO and Patient Care Specialist, and finally to Behavioral Science Specialist (91G30). Each has its learning curve and burnout levels but they increase your functional capabilities and makes you more important to the TEAM concept in that even if you were just trained in the entry level, you would still acquire a skill set that would allow you to provide necessary health care in areas that there exists a void in the team. There is nothing wrong with carrying 3 MOS/s at the same time!
For the know: I had my Military Training and experience evaluated for College Credit at Liberty University and was granted 100 Semester Hours based on my Military experience alone. Most of the credit was in Nursing and Health Care Administration. Therefore seize the day with what you want as a career, and be flexible enough to train in augmentation skills that will translate into College Credits and Civilian Professional Licensure and Certifications.
For the know: I had my Military Training and experience evaluated for College Credit at Liberty University and was granted 100 Semester Hours based on my Military experience alone. Most of the credit was in Nursing and Health Care Administration. Therefore seize the day with what you want as a career, and be flexible enough to train in augmentation skills that will translate into College Credits and Civilian Professional Licensure and Certifications.
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Well no offense, but you should encourage him to go Naval Corpsman, and have the recruiters put on paper that he will go to a FMF unit and into a GRUNT platoon. Navy Corpsman are GODs with US Marines, especially the good ones. Nothing like having a platoon of infantry Marines as personal body guards. Semper FI
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