Army 68W Airborne VS Air Force PJ VS Navy FMF Corpsman

[Nick647]

Okay,

Its been awhile since I have been on here and I am glad to be back. I am starting my firefighting and ems career in MD. Anyways, I am thinking about the military in a year or so depending how everything goes. I am looking at Army HC Specialist/Medic as an airborne. Also, Air Force PJ because I love what they do but I also hear how easy it can be to get disqualified from the training or get rejected at first. I can get into the fitness part which is an ongoing commitment but on the other hand, I had an operation as a baby and I was wondering with the USAF and their highstandards in the first place would be a disqualification to enlist. I also take interest in Navy FMF Corpsman-IE: Going greenside and going to medical school and get in with a Marine Unit. So basically in the end, I am having A. tough time choosing and B. figuring out which one would fit me best. My gut says USAF PJ considering their motto is "That others may live" and thats something to definetely live by. Thanks for reading.

 

[LucidResq]

I've never been in the military, but I have good friends in every branch minus USCG and bonded with a USAF recruiter (a former IDMT) who was actually honest with me, while I was poking around with the idea of enlisting.

You don't really get to choose your job when you enlist. You can enlist wanting to be a PJ or corpsman or what not, but the chances of that actually happening may be pretty slim. They will put you where they need you and what they think you might be good at based on ASVAB and other factors...

When I asked if having my EMT, medical experience, and 60 relevant college credit hours under my belt with a high GPA would help me get in to some sort of medical job, I was told it would be considered but there was still a significant chance I'd end up doing something unrelated.

Cases in point, an EMT/CNA friend of mine was promised a medical job and nursing school by the Navy and enlisted. She ended up doing some kind of electrical work. Another friend was a firefighter and EMT when he enlisted in the Army and ended up as an Infantry Squad Leader.

Of course, I am not an expert in the military by any means, and I'm not knocking it either. I just think you should make sure that you're ok with enlisting and ending up doing something completely unrelated to EMS or health care, because it may very well happen. Just some food for thought.

I might be wrong on this but a better way to look at this may be which branch may better accommodate your goals and preferences rather than comparing jobs across branches. One branch may be better than another for what you want to do, but I wouldn't be the one to tell you anything about that.

 

[Nick647]

Thanks for response. Yes, I am well aware of not getting a job of my top picking. Thats the military and how it goes regardless of what you want, so thanks for the response. I have looked specifically through all of them. All have their ups and downs.

 

[citizensoldierny]

Nick,
If your looking at the Army and want Medic you'll get medic. Otherwise don't sign the contract, simple as that. Same goes for the Airborne option if you want it make sure it is in your contract. If you don't get it in writing in the Army it never happened. You'll hear this from day one. As for becoming a medic I imagine it won't be an issue as it's the second largest MOS in the Army.

 

[Nick647]

Nick,
If your looking at the Army and want Medic you'll get medic. Otherwise don't sign the contract, simple as that. Same goes for the Airborne option if you want it make sure it is in your contract. If you don't get it in writing in the Army it never happened. You'll hear this from day one. As for becoming a medic I imagine it won't be an issue as it's the second largest MOS in the Army.

Cool man, thanks. Are you a National Guard Soldier? Is 68W your MOS? If so, may I PM you and ask you some questions?

 

[Combat_Medic]

I'm an army medic right now (68w) and I think I have the best job in the army. Also a buddy of mine (11b infantry) was a navy corpsman for four years with the Fleet Marines. I talked to both the Navy and Army before joining up. Army and Navy you get to pick your job before you enlist. The only reason I didn't go with the Navy is that they told me it would be 8 months to ship me to training. I was out of work so I needed to leave sooner than that. If you have anymore questions drop me a line.

 

[NorCal]

As for the Air Force, you select a job or "AFSC" and you'll get that job. There is no bait n switch. HOWEVER, with PJ for example, you have to go to medic school, scuba school, airborne school, survival and evasion school, and various other courses. If you fail one of these schools, you fail the entire program and you cannot be a PJ. You run the risk of being reclassified into another career field if you cannot pass, which I assume holds true of any branch.

Keep in mind that to be a PJ, from what I was told, was over 18 months of school.

 

[Combat_Medic]

Yea it the same in 68w medic AIT. We had a few in our class that couldn't make it. Most of them were re classed to 88m truck driver.

 

[citizensoldierny]

Nick,
I was National Guard when I made screen name but I'm in the Army Reserve due to the fact that Guard did not have any open 68W slots I wanted any wheres near my home at the time. Previous MOS' were aviation maintenance 15t, 15U and Field Artillery 13B. Feel free to PM me if you have any ?'s you don't want to put in public.

 

[Phlipper]

You don't really get to choose your job when you enlist. You can enlist wanting to be a PJ or corpsman or what not, but the chances of that actually happening may be pretty slim. They will put you where they need you and what they think you might be good at based on ASVAB and other factors...

Cases in point, an EMT/CNA friend of mine was promised a medical job and nursing school by the Navy and enlisted. She ended up doing some kind of electrical work. Another friend was a firefighter and EMT when he enlisted in the Army and ended up as an Infantry Squad Leader.

Of course, I am not an expert in the military by any means, and I'm not knocking it either. I just think you should make sure that you're ok with enlisting and ending up doing something completely unrelated to EMS or health care, because it may very well happen. Just some food for thought.

Not true. If you have a contract with the Army then that is the job you will train for. That's what you'll be. You can even get an Airborne contract that will guarantee you get a jump school slot at Benning after AIT (doesn't mean you'll go to Bragg afterward, though). You can even get an 18X slot guaranteeing you a shot at Special Forces Assessment and Selection.

As long as YOU do your part the Army will hold up it's end. Unless YOU flunk out of your MOS school (AIT). Then you can be reclassed "in accordance with the needs of the Army". I had a guy in my squad that came in on an Opthomalogist Asst. contract and he wound up a grunt because he didn't pass his MOS school.

Do what I did ... join the Infantry so if you flunk out there's nothing worse you can be put in. Well ... maybe Artillery.

 

[ohnoyoudidnt]

Not true. If you have a contract with the Army then that is the job you will train for. That's what you'll be. You can even get an Airborne contract that will guarantee you get a jump school slot at Benning after AIT (doesn't mean you'll go to Bragg afterward, though). You can even get an 18X slot guaranteeing you a shot at Special Forces Assessment and Selection.

As long as YOU do your part the Army will hold up it's end. Unless YOU flunk out of your MOS school (AIT). Then you can be reclassed "in accordance with the needs of the Army". I had a guy in my squad that came in on an Opthomalogist Asst. contract and he wound up a grunt because he didn't pass his MOS school.

Do what I did ... join the Infantry so if you flunk out there's nothing worse you can be put in. Well ... maybe Artillery.

With that said be carefull with additional MOS options such as the 18x or 11b40 contracts. With the 18x if you drop out of airborne or fail selection (which about 99% do) you are open to getting reclassed.

 

[Afflixion]

as for 18 series or PJ you have to go through all phases of SERE (survival evasion resistance and escape) training, which unless you don't mind LITERALLY being starved, beaten, locked in a pitch black room, eating bugs and such you will not make it and you will be reclassified to needs of the army or airforce. The "pipeline" as it is affectionately called starts off with SFAS for both (Special Forces Selection and Screening) which is about a month long, followed by Airborne, followed by HALO/HAHO for PJ (High Altitude Low Opening, and High Altitude High Opening) and then dive school, followed by a language course, then for army SF you go to 'Q' course, then upon completion of that you get your green / red beret then you start your 8 to 18 months of MOS training. Oh yeah, If you fail any part of this process you go needs of the military. Army it is currently 11B (infantryman), 88M (truck driver) and 42A (administrative clerk)

An airborne medic is basic, AIT, Airborne school then chance of you getting to an ABN unit are about 30 percent if that, (provided you pass) then you will rarely jump (I know this for a fact, I got my wings on my chest lol)

I know close to nothing for Navy so I won't touch there.

You can always choose your MOS in any branch so long as you get it in your contract, if they don't want to give it to you you walk out the door and they will more than likely call you back in 2 days offering it too you.

My experience is went to ABN right after AIT, tried out for SFAS passed and then failed Q course, got picked up by Civil Affairs, deployed 3 times as a medic.

 

[citizensoldierny]

"Do what I did ... join the Infantry so if you flunk out there's nothing worse you can be put in. Well ... maybe Artillery. "

Hmm.... do I detect a hint of Jealousy

 

[NorCal]

"Do what I did ... join the Infantry so if you flunk out there's nothing worse you can be put in."

:lol::lol::lol:

Don't forget about supply sergeant, lol.

 

[citizensoldierny]

Norcal,
I'm not trying to say anything but take a look at the vehicle's most supply Sgt.'s drive, makes you wonder if the job doesn't have some benefits that I'm not aware of:unsure:

 

[NorCal]

Norcal,
I'm not trying to say anything but take a look at the vehicle's most supply Sgt.'s drive, makes you wonder if the job doesn't have some benefits that I'm not aware of:unsure:

Pawn shop anyone, lol.

 

[FrostbiteMedic]

I would have to give you my own *EXTREMELY BIASED* opinion here. I was guaranteed a slot for "superman school", which is pretty much pararescue basic training. You fail out of it and you will never be a pj. That being said, I was involved in a campfire accident (and yes, I was sober) a week before I was to ship for basic and ended up not being able to go into the military at the time.
If you want the hardest and fastest paced of the selection, go for PJ. Before doing this, realize that only 3% of those who go into Superman School end up as PJ's in the end.
If you want the next best thing, go Army (SF MEDIC) or Navy (Marine Force Recon Corpman).
If you want generalized combat medicine, then go as a 68W or Navy Corpman.


Just A thought.

 

[clibb]

I would have to give you my own *EXTREMELY BIASED* opinion here. I was guaranteed a slot for "superman school", which is pretty much pararescue basic training. You fail out of it and you will never be a pj. That being said, I was involved in a campfire accident (and yes, I was sober) a week before I was to ship for basic and ended up not being able to go into the military at the time.
If you want the hardest and fastest paced of the selection, go for PJ. Before doing this, realize that only 3% of those who go into Superman School end up as PJ's in the end.
If you want the next best thing, go Army (SF MEDIC) or Navy (Marine Force Recon Corpman).
If you want generalized combat medicine, then go as a 68W or Navy Corpman.


Just A thought.

... What about the Navy Seal medics? According to my friend who is in the Marine Reconnaissance, those guys are pretty good medics.

 

[Phlipper]

:lol::lol::lol:

Don't forget about supply sergeant, lol.

Damn ... forgot about Supply. OK, it can be worse than the Infantry.

If you want the next best thing, go Army (SF MEDIC) or Navy (Marine Force Recon Corpman).

Go SF. The worst that can happen is you flunk SFAS and you reclass Infantry ... or Supply.

 

[turbojohnj]

okay heres the best advice that i think your going to get.ive been in the military for 2 years now and im a 68w which is known as a combat medic ive deployed overseas and been through the whole entire hospital seen because im a previous state registered e.m.t and the best thing to possibly do for you would to go with the army as a 68w youll go through basic training thats like 10-12 weeks depends on inprocessing,then once graduated youll go off to fort sam houston which is in san antonio tx which i believe is 18 weeks long.and you will leave there completely trained up on both civilian practice along with military,and youll be nationaly certified as well...