Thinking about an army career 68w

[Firemanfred55]

Hello all.

I'm currently a paramedic thinking about join the army to become a 68wf6.
I have a few questions about this position.

1. Can I maintain my Medic Lic?
2. I'm would join as noncombatan(for religious reasons ) how does that effct the MOS?
3. Can I come in as an E-4 becouse of my medic Lic?
4. Should I come in as a NCO? If so how?
5. What should be in writting on my contract?

Thanks for taking time out to help.

 

[usafmedic45]

1. Can I maintain my Medic Lic?

As long as you maintain the credentials required for the job (NREMT-B ), they aren't going to say anything about you having above and beyond the requirement so long as the time required to maintain it, they

3. Can I come in as an E-4 becouse of my medic Lic?

Probably not (an army "medic" is not a paramedic so they have no definite incentive to reward folks coming in with additional skills), but ask your recruiter and demand they put it in writing.

2. I'm would join as noncombatan(for religious reasons ) how does that effct the MOS?

You do realize there is no such thing as a true "non-combatant" role in modern warfare because no one we fight observes the Geneva Convention. If you're not willing to use weapons to defend yourself, you're not going to last long as a combat medic once the shooting starts. We are often the first folks to be picked off during firefights.

If you have a moral objection to bearing arms, the military is not for you.

5. What should be in writting on my contract?

Every last thing.

4. Should I come in as a NCO? If so how?

You're going to be better off if you start at the bottom just like anyone should. People who come in with a chip on their shoulder because they have more "knowledge", "skills", "experience" or whatever they want to describe why they think themselves superior to those with real military chops- especially when they come in with unearned or undeserved rank- those are the sort of folks who find themselves with few friends, little support and (in extreme cases) fragged.

This is not to mention that if you're going active duty, good luck trying to get a bunch of rank when you don't have that much to offer.

If you want my two cents, avoid the military. It doesn't sound like you'll like it very much.

 

[Firemanfred55]

As long as you maintain the credentials required for the job (NREMT-B ), they aren't going to say anything about you having above and beyond the requirement so long as the time required to maintain it, they



Probably not (an army "medic" is not a paramedic so they have no definite incentive to reward folks coming in with additional skills), but ask your recruiter and demand they put it in writing.



You do realize there is no such thing as a true "non-combatant" role in modern warfare because no one we fight observes the Geneva Convention. If you're not willing to use weapons to defend yourself, you're not going to last long as a combat medic once the shooting starts. We are often the first folks to be picked off during firefights.

If you have a moral objection to bearing arms, the military is not for you.



Every last thing.


You're going to be better off if you start at the bottom just like anyone should. People who come in with a chip on their shoulder because they have more "knowledge", "skills", "experience" or whatever they want to describe why they think themselves superior to those with real military chops- especially when they come in with unearned or undeserved rank- those are the sort of folks who find themselves with few friends, little support and (in extreme cases) fragged.

This is not to mention that if you're going active duty, good luck trying to get a bunch of rank when you don't have that much to offer.

If you want my two cents, avoid the military. It doesn't sound like you'll like it very much.

Thanks for your opinion/facts. Had know idea that I could be placed in a combat unit(sounds crazy) I was thing along the lines of hospital, clinic's, and M.A.S.H units then become a flight medic.
Thanks again.

 

[usafmedic45]

Yeah, what you're thinking and what the Army thinks are two separate issues. Being a "flight medic" in the Army means you're going to get shot at. I would not go into combat without a weapon these days.

Almost every unit in the Army these days in a combat unit with the rare exception that doesn't deploy or works only out of countries that are not actively hostile (think higher level MILINT units). Many military hospitals and clinics are combat units in the sense that they are in the line of fire. Google "John Pryor" if you need/want further evidence of this.

The long and the short of it: Don't go into the military unless you're willing to kill to defend yourself and your patients.

 

[WTEngel]

I have not been in the military, but have done quite a bit of research on becoming a 68w along with the f6 designation, as I was / am still considering joining.

I was told that I could go in as an E-4 because of my certification and experience. They also shorten your a school down to 8 weeks or so, from a total of 16. This is after basic combat training is complete.

You have to have held the 68w designation for at least one year before you are eligible to apply for flight medic school and add the f6 designation. You also have to be in a unit that has open slots for f6, and they have to essentially recommend you to go, after you've filled out the appropriate forms of course. I would be surprised if any units that have medics with f6 designations are non combatant. Also like USAF said, I think the chances of you joining as a non combatant and being allowed to go 68w are virtually zero. In fact the actual name of the 68w specialty is "Combat Medic". Doesn't exactly jive with non combatant status.

Anyway, just my .02

I think your chances of becoming a flight medic are better if you study hard, get the necessary certs and experience, and then begin making connections and applying. Especially if you don't want to engage in combat.

 

[usafmedic45]

I have not been in the military, but have done quite a bit of research on becoming a 68w along with the f6 designation, as I was / am still considering joining.

I was told that I could go in as an E-4 because of my certification and experience. They also shorten your a school down to 8 weeks or so, from a total of 16. This is after basic combat training is complete.

You have to have held the 68w designation for at least one year before you are eligible to apply for flight medic school and add the f6 designation. You also have to be in a unit that has open slots for f6, and they have to essentially recommend you to go, after you've filled out the appropriate forms of course. I would be surprised if any units that have medics with f6 designations are non combatant. Also like USAF said, I think the chances of you joining as a non combatant and being allowed to go 68w are virtually zero. In fact the actual name of the 68w specialty is "Combat Medic". Doesn't exactly jive with non combatant status.

Anyway, just my .02

I think your chances of becoming a flight medic are better if you study hard, get the necessary certs and experience, and then begin making connections and applying. Especially if you don't want to engage in combat.

You have to remember that flight medics are flying into hot LZs a significant chunk of the time. If you're looking not to get shot at or having to shoot at someone, it's seriously not something you want to pursue. It's not going to be the path from someone who doesn't want to engage in combat. Yes, there are a few slots for evacuation teams (burn care, etc) but don't hold your breath or bet your morals on those.

 

[WTEngel]

Yes, I totally agree. When I said study and apply for a flight position, I was referring to in the civilian world...

 

[Afflixion]

Sorry but I do have to make a few corrections to some posts. First of all you can come in as a specialist, that is if you speak to the right recruiter. Though medics or as they are now called "Healthcare Specialists" as the new 68W MOS designates it, can be placed in any type of unit and are considered under the Geneva Convention and International Laws of War as "noncombatants" I can assure you my time in the Infantry I carried a M4 carbine and M9 pistol, and was versed in their use, as well as numerous squad automated weapons.

As for the NonComissioned Officer portion, one can not enlist as a NCO. In order to become a NCO you have to hold the rank of Specialist for 6months and your duty MOS for 2 years. You must then goto a promotion board in which you are asked questions that an NCO should know by your Command Sergeant Major and the First Sergeants in your battalion, please note this is in your dress uniform and if anything is out of placed or you fail to report to the board properly you will be kicked out. After you pass the board you must then make the proper amount of promotion points, which are obtained through awards, Army Physical Fitness Test scores, marksmanship, civilian education, military education and training.

To reiterate what USAF said, I do not believe you are well suited for the military. If you were ever in a fire fight in my section and failed to return fire which resulted in a casualty I would make sure you spent some time in FT Leavenworth. I do not mean to disrespect you or your religious beliefs but you must be willing to return fire if you wish to join any branch of the military.

EDIT: Left out the F6 ASI, you must be a medic with 1 year experience as an E-4, E-5 (non promotable less than 1 year time in grade), pass a class 3 flight physical, have a passing APFT of 240 or higher, GT score of 110. Slots in a unit do not matter AT ALL, in the class they do but they will just start you later. After completion you will be transfered to a aviation unit which may (most likely) result in a Permanent Change of Station.

 

[Firemanfred55]

Thanks for your comments. When it comes to F6 landing in a hot zone, yes I expect to take fire that’s why they have gunners. I rely don’t have a problem working in a war zone; my only true concern is what you mentioned about the units fillings toward my beliefs. (Thinking about that before comments)
As far as spending time in jail for my religious beliefs that the army would be fully aware of (contract)not really worried about that.
I will look into John Pryor.

 

[Firemanfred55]

Thanks for your comments. When it comes to F6 landing in a hot zone, yes I expect to take fire that’s why they have gunners. I rely don’t have a problem working in a war zone; my only true concern is what you mentioned about the units fillings toward my beliefs. (Thinking about that before comments)
As far as spending time in jail for my religious beliefs that the army would be fully aware of (contract)not really worried about that.

 

[Firemanfred55]

http://www.adventistpeace.org/templates/System/details.asp?id=39491&PID=465440

look from my point of view(Non-combatant) just on example.

 

[Afflixion]

It would not before your beliefs...it would before negligent homicide, if your beliefs clouded your judgment to the point someone was killed because you failed to watch your sector and return fire. Part of your enlistment oath states you "...stand ready to defend the constitution of the United States against all enemies..." to go along with it the soldiers creed states you "...stand ready to deploy, engage and destroy the enemies of the United States in close combat..."

As I said each has their own belief system and I respect that but if you let your beliefs get in the way of the mission put before you, then the military is not for you, I do apologize if you wish to serve that badly. The military is very big on letting you express your religious freedoms but they always come back to "the mission comes first."

 

[Afflixion]

I understand that the medic was in times past and is still legally considered a non-combatant role, but not so much anymore. If you do wish to serve and maintain a true status as a noncombatant role your best bet would be a chaplain, they still do not carry weapons and do not engage the enemy. The chaplain is a very important person in just about every soldiers life.

 

[Firemanfred55]

I did a quick run down on Dr. John Pryor and I think your misunderstanding me.
Working in a war zone is not the problem, if I worked in a C.A.S.H unit and God forbid I shared the same fate, It would be an honor to give my life doing what I love and believe is right.(practicing medicine in a war zone not a problem.)

 

[Veneficus]

In fact the actual name of the 68w specialty is "Combat Medic". Doesn't exactly jive with non combatant status.

There are only two types of people in combat zones.

Combatants and victims.

I don't really want to be in combat, but being forced to choose I would pick the former.

 

[Afflixion]

The problem with working in a CASH is you do not really have any choice for your duty assignment when you first get out of basic and being a male you will more than likely go to a line unit. If you are truly that insistent try to get M6 put in your contract which is a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN/LVN) you stand almost no chance to goto the line and will be in a CSH (Combat Support Hospital) or MEDAC (Medical Activity) IE stateside hospital unit. The army is in desperate needs of M6's too so it shouldn't be all that difficult to do.

 

[Firemanfred55]

No apology necessary, just a conversation. As far as negligent homicide, it would be a hard fault case knowing that the army knew well in advance(contract) what my beliefs are.

 

[Firemanfred55]

Thanks I will look into the M6 AIT, o by the way can you have more than one AIT?

 

[HotelCo]

If your not willing to defend yourself, don't join the military. Plain and simple. You may be willing to die, but that doesn't mean someone else should just because you wouldn't return fire.

That's it. No wiggle room. Don't join if you're not willing to shoot someone.

 

[Afflixion]

M6 is an Additional Skill Identifier your MOS would be 68WM6. You can have any number of ASI and MOS, but you will only operate in one duty MOS and one ASI at a time.