Which is better in the long run, reclassifying to 68C or 68W?

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 06 Jul 2018 23:49:55 -0400

I am currently 11b I plan to reclass to a medical mos. My goal after the army is to get an advanced paramedics degree. I am currently debating between 68c and 68w. I know 68c=LPN and 68w=NREMT education wise. I have also heard 68c has a 60% AIT passing rate. I have also heard 68c learn more on the job than 68w. Which would be better in the long run?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 6 at 2018 11:51 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 06 Jul 2018 23:51:08 -0400

Go 68C then bridge to ADN (RN) then go for a RN to BSN and commission.....jist my two sense.

Response by SGT Crystal Neild made Jul 6 at 2018 11:55 PM

SGT Crystal Neild — Fri, 06 Jul 2018 23:55:45 -0400

68C. It’s an intense course. We only had 2 not pass the NCLEX in my class. Given your career goals it is the better option.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 7 at 2018 12:02 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 07 Jul 2018 00:02:48 -0400

68C, if you pass will at least give a career on the outside guaranteed because at the completion you have a license, not a certificate. That being said, if you want anything similar to the regular army pick 68W, 68C is a whole different Army that you will have to relearn.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 7 at 2018 11:43 AM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 07 Jul 2018 11:43:25 -0400

Go 68C. I was a 68W for 7 years and I can tell you that it really doesn’t set you up for much when you get out. If 1) you aren’t ridiculously motivated and 2) your unit doesn’t give you the time you need to actually advance/make yourself better (on your own, because your unit most likely will not offer much advanced training), you will ETS with nothing more than a few cool stories and a lack of a job related to your years of experience.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 7 at 2018 12:57 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 07 Jul 2018 12:57:30 -0400

68c has a really good pass rate, because you have a year to learn the material. 68W is taught in a short time and some people have a hard time grasping the info in a couple of months. I have been a 68w since 02 and a 68C since 08. I would agree with SSG Dryen go 68Cb work at getting you skills up learn pham (the A&P) you will have to take as an actual class later on but get your RN and in most states you will be allowed to take the written and hands-on paramedic exam without taking the class. I have friends that did it that way and work on their days off from the fire Dept as an RN in a hospital ER. Good luck in your choice and remember to study.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 7 at 2018 2:45 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 07 Jul 2018 14:45:54 -0400

I know you said you want to be a paramedic and I know most people recommend going the 68C route which I don't disagree with however I will point out another option which became available in the last few years. If you do go 68W you can submit a packet for 68WF2 which is flight paramedic. You get NREMT-P and your Flight Paramedic Certified exam out of the way, making you by all rights an advanced paramedic practitioner, at least in the eyes of the United States. You would still need to get experience and depending which post the Army sends you to after school you will not see any patients unless you work or volunteer on the civilian side in your free time. That is currently my situation. The bright side to this is you have lots of time to go to school to knock out prereqs for the Army's PA program or to go to nursing school and when you deploy you will definitely see at least a few patients.

Response by SSG Dave Johnston made Jul 8 at 2018 1:17 AM

SSG Dave Johnston — Sun, 08 Jul 2018 01:17:38 -0400

68C, or branch transfer to the USN and go FMF/IC

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 8 at 2018 10:53 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 08 Jul 2018 10:53:35 -0400

Definitely reclassify to 68c if the opportunity is available. It will give you a solid working career after the military. There is no real progression as a 68w beyond EMT-B as most ambulance company require EMT-P paramedic for applications and the pay for a 68C (LVN) after the military is much better.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 9 at 2018 3:15 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 09 Jul 2018 15:15:37 -0400

68W then either Flight Medic or -W2 Civil Affairs Medic will get you there.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 9 at 2018 3:18 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 09 Jul 2018 15:18:11 -0400

Correction : Civil Affairs Medic is a W4

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 9 at 2018 7:47 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 09 Jul 2018 19:47:20 -0400

Soldier, the 68C course is well above a 60% pass rate. You will learn more hands on practical skills but ultimately it will be up to you as paramedic and nursing are two different environments. Have you looked into the flight paramedic program; 68W F3. That should encompass all that you wish to achieve.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 9 at 2018 8:38 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 09 Jul 2018 20:38:47 -0400

If you want the glory go 68w. Its the best jib in the army

Response by SGT Victoria Belbusti made Jul 10 at 2018 6:23 AM

SGT Victoria Belbusti — Tue, 10 Jul 2018 06:23:20 -0400

Depends on what you want to do. 68C can give you a good base to get your RN. 68w can help you go towards paramedic. If you like the uptempo you could go 68W and go flight medic. Think about where you want to be when you get out of the military. Getting out as an EMT or LPN will not offer you as much pay as you could get being a flight medic/operational medic/ or an RN.

If you want to reclass to an MOS that can offer you better pay when you ETS look at 68N, 68P or 68K.

Response by SGT Victoria Belbusti made Jul 10 at 2018 7:15 AM

SGT Victoria Belbusti — Tue, 10 Jul 2018 07:15:42 -0400

I worked in civilian hospitals for years and LPNs or LVNs are not highly paid unless you work DOD. Civilian flight medics can make good money so do operational medics (working with SWAT or with the FBI). A paramedic’s scope is all encompassing. An LVN is quite limited.

Response by MSG Les Amaya made Jul 11 at 2018 8:36 AM

MSG Les Amaya — Wed, 11 Jul 2018 08:36:30 -0400

LPN

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 14 at 2018 7:18 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 14 Jul 2018 19:18:27 -0400

68C set me up for a great job in the civilian world and being able to serve in the Reserves. Don’t worry about the pass rate. Just study your arse off.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 16 at 2018 12:57 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 16 Jul 2018 00:57:47 -0400

If your not trying to become an RN, and really just want to be a paramedic then 68C is a waste of your time and the Army’s resources. Go 68W, it’s a lot of information in a short time, so go to your local aid station and ask the medics for one of their books. For your specific goal of paramedicI agree with SGT Steinnerd’s plan to flight medic. Pretty solid path. However, as someone that started as a medic and crossed over to An LPN and became a 68C Instructor I have to say ‘big picture’ 68C is the way to go. You get paid to go to a year of school and have a license, and your well on your way to becoming and RN. Those skills transfer well outside of the military and pay well, part of the reason the 68C series has a hard time keeping people, more money, and less hours and red tape as a civilian. Only you know what you want. If you want to make the Army your career then flight medic could be fun. However, also recognize in the military all roads eventually lead to a desk. You may love that excitement now as a flight medic, but when your pushing paper as an NCOIC and not flying anymore if you decide to get out, paramedic won’t pay as much as LPN, or lead to as many medical job opportunities. Hope this helps.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 18 at 2018 4:09 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 18 Jul 2018 04:09:13 -0400

68ww1 is an Advanced Tactical paramedic. The socom course is recognized by nremt as fulfilling all paramedic requirements. Meaning yo7 can just go test out.

Response by SFC Luis Anzules made Jul 18 at 2018 9:39 PM

SFC Luis Anzules — Wed, 18 Jul 2018 21:39:04 -0400

The 68c has more jobs opportunities in the civilian life and better chances to get promotions o yeah!!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 19 at 2018 7:51 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 19 Jul 2018 19:51:37 -0400

Full disclosure: I am civilian paramedic and a reservist 68W, so definitely biased.
1. Regardless of your job, you will probably learn aspects of the other. Our 68C when I was in Kabul basically worked as a medic and did very little nursing per say and had no prior emergency medicine experience, so he learned a lot from that. Likewise, I knew a lot about our monitors, pumps, , and vents - traditionally nursing roles in the hospital setting, and learned alot more pharmacology while I was overseas. Doesn't matter the job, you will learn alot outside of your initial education.

2. If paramedic is your civilian goal or you want to be an army flight medic, 68W makes more sense since you come out with your NREMT license, which will make you eligible to enter a paramedic program. Its much harder to go from 68C/LPN civilian side to become a paramedic if you don't have an active NREMT license, which requires you to take an EMT class in the first place - you cannot just simply challenge the exam for NREMT. Once you have your NREMT, you can pretty much work anywhere as an EMT and later a paramedic. Personally, I think if you are a trauma junkie or would rather work with acute patients that you have to stabilize, package, and bring to a provider alive, and work more independently of others, being an LPN will not be as fulfilling and you'll want something more exciting.

3. 68W is an easier MOS for promotions since you'll potentially have more slots open and you choice of assignments will be bigger. On the civilian side, you can work as a paramedic in the hospital, ambulance, community paramedicine, etc. A lot of choices nowadays. And on the education side - there are a lot of bridge programs out now from paramedic both to ADN and directly to BSN - and most workplaces love their RNs who were paramedics before since they tend to come in with alot more practical experience. A lot more medical schools and PA schools are looking at paramedics as potential students because you already have practical experience and generally speaking sound judgment, if that is something you are looking at in the future.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 20 at 2018 3:58 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 20 Jul 2018 15:58:23 -0400

If you are dedicated to being a paramedic then be a 68W and try to get flight medic thrown in. That is if you can pass a flight physical. I highly suggest the nursing route though. I worked civilian EMS before becoming a 68W and paramedics are lucky to get 17$ an hour most places unless on a fire department or a flight medic. It's a tough job to do for peanuts. You will see horrible things. If you go the 68C route then branch over to RN you could retire as an officer or ets and get a high paying career. But life as a RN is boring and filled with paperwork vs a paramedic gets the fresh GSW's and saves babies while also transferring grandma from nursing home to nursing home

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 6 at 2018 4:19 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 06 Aug 2018 16:19:48 -0400

68w would make more sense for you to get your advanced paramedic. Youd start with EMT out of AIT. But, after if you go flight paramedic in the Army you will get your paramedic. And from there can take another 6 week course to get your critical. 68C has a high fail rate aswell it just isnt discussed as much since it is such a new MOS and much smaller.
I have been a 68W for 3 years and worked in the ER on post. Some in our dept run with EMS side. So there is plenty of room for experience within that MOS.

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 17 at 2018 12:59 AM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 17 Sep 2018 00:59:53 -0400

How do you even know they’ll even allow you to reclass when it comes time for your reenlistment?

Response by SFC Michael D. made Jun 27 at 2019 5:57 PM

SFC Michael D. — Thu, 27 Jun 2019 17:57:07 -0400

Depends on if you want an LVN license or EMT. Paramedic if you go Flight Medic. Where do you want to work if you don’t stay in the Army or after you retire? Check civilian equivalents and see what pays the best outside and pick that one.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 30 at 2020 7:44 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 30 Apr 2020 19:44:32 -0400

As a 68W, AIT did not adequately prepare me for civilian emergency medicine. On the civilian side, there is a lot less trauma. It's more cardiac patients than anything. If your end goal is advanced paramedic, go 68C.

Dont worry about the 40% drop out rate. These courses are designed for you to pass. The 40% that fail either had medical issues, were dirtbags, or didnt have the motivation to study. As long as you put in the time to study, you are pretty much guaranteed to pass.

Response by SPC Ray Orvin made Apr 27 at 2021 3:35 PM

SPC Ray Orvin — Tue, 27 Apr 2021 15:35:48 -0400

depends on what you want to do when you get out. I was a 68W with an associated in EMS and NREMT-P. I also am a RN with a BSN. I will say they are both very tough. (Imagine Ranger school for your brain!) But I no longer work in EMS but I still stay certified and after doing mental health and a stent in med/surg Im about to start training for the OR. Nursing does open more doors. So its a choice you have to make.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 5 at 2021 1:13 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 May 2021 13:13:08 -0400

I was a 68W, then became a 68WM6 that became a 68C later. If you are planning on doing 20 years go 68W and get flight medic. If you want to do less then 10 years go 68C finish course and start online school. Then you can cross over to nursing.