What to expect in AIT for 68A (Biomedical Equipment Specialist) at Fort Sam?

Congrats on getting a great MOS. AIT has a changed a bit in just a couple of years since I've been there, but I'll pass what I know.

The first two courses are heavy on math and circuit theory. Your best bet here is to sit in your room after chow and study or get a study group going. Every 17 days you are in a new course so you'll have to do what we call brain dump. You will learn a lot of information over a short period of time, but it's amazing what sticks with you.

In course three is where you will go hands on with devices. They start off on easy stuff and before you know it you'll be in course eight working on x-ray equipment.

The command has changed since I've been through, but odds are you'll get opportunities to go out and have fun. It's like a college environment at times, but you still have 0430 PT and class starts at 0800 (0730, I think for course 1 and 2 mandatory study period).

I'm on the Reserve side so I can't speak to what it will be like at your duty location, but take advantage of any school your unit offers to send you to. It will be valuable whenever you decide to get out and join the civilian workforce.

Like SGT Lawson said course one and two are a lot of math and circuit theory. Most of the equations you deal with are physics based. You will need to remember a lot of formulas for doing specific calculations. Some of the calculations you will do will be calculating resistance for a series circuit and also for a parallel circuit. If you want to get a little head start get an electronics theory book and start studying. https://www.amazon.com/dp/ [login to see] /ref=sspa_dk_detail_6?psc=1&pd_rd_i= [login to see] &pd_rd_wg=u1La8&pd_rd_r=4Q6W9CTQA7SC957D1ARH&pd_rd_w=QlwsC Good luck in your course. Come in shape and able to pass a pt test, and come ready to study.

You'll need to study hard in AIT unless you are a natural like I was. Concentrate on your basic troubleshooting skills!
Your first duty station can vary widely depending on if you go to a fixed facility or a field unit. My advise is to learn from your peers, listen to everything, and work hard. Learn how to use your TMDE and trust it, but question your testing method. Follow the Literature by the letter. If you have questions, ask someone you trust. Don't take shortcuts. Treat every piece of equipment like the next patient to use it will be a family member.
Good luck & network
"Rotacapac"