Readers Respond: Do You Have Experience in MOS Field 68 - - Medical?

Responses: 122

By Rod Powers, About.com Guide

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I love my job as medic. I have worked in the Infantry, Armor, and Cavalry world since becoming a medic. Important thing to remember though, EMT-B is not a money-maker on the outsided. Although we as Medic in the army receive far more training and an expanded scope of practice(IV fluid, chest tubes, etc), none of it is relevant without further certification. No matter what your MOS is, it is important to take advantage of the Army's educational benefits while on active duty. This is important not only for your career in the Army, but for your second career after the Army. I am a Staff Seargent, have and associates and a bachelors degree all paid for by the Army. Best part? I haven't used a dime of my GI Bill. My wife is currently getting another bachelors and Masters with my GI Bill. Be Smart! The Army will use you as the need, so use them right back!
—Guest SSG H

Im a future soldier and so excited. My mos is 68W and i cant wait untill my ship date. I chose this mos because ive always wanted to be in the medical field and this sounds like something that i will be happy in. Im so excited to be doing something with my life and doing something that can help others. Im glad with my choice. Im 18 yrs old and i know this job is the one for me. I just hope i will be a great combat medic like most 68W out there. If anyone has any advice please feel free to email me amandaherrera203@yahoo.com
—Guest Amanda

working as phlebotomist and laboratory,doing PKU's, labour and delivery services, unit secretary.
—Guest dorcas

ive been in the army for about 3 years now, and when i decided to transfer i chose 68W it was easy best decision of my life. ive just got outta iraq as well, while working with a combatgroup and us 68W are more than appreciated out there.
—Guest Lt. Kevin Fortuno - US Army

I was weary on enlisting into the Army. I have completed by training and even got to go live in Hawaii for 6 months for my clinicals. I love my job and when I get out I will have a career to build upon. The Army trained me and payed me to go to school! Its a great job!!
—Guest Army Gal

i loved my job as a 68E. AIT was a breeze and I met alot of great ppl. 1st duty station was Vilseck, Germany and I loved every minute of it. Just make sure that you get certified for civilian life before you get out. Finding a job without one is very hard. Some states dont require it, but most do.
—Guest J-Dawg

If youre like me and you don't want to do 20 years, pick an mos that will help you in your career.
—Guest

I just enlisted as a combat medic and will be starting out as an E-4 due to my college degree.. Ive just been researching a lot i really wanted a 68k medical lab job but none were available so i took this... Im hoping to get into a good ASI after AIT that will help me academically in my endeavor to go to medical school in a couple of years... Ive read a few of these 68w responses that are negative... And a lot are positive so i hope my experience is positive.. But i dont plan on staying as a medic for long.. I plan on applying for the HPSP program in a couple years or OCS if that dont work out.. If you any suggestions or comments on Good ASI's or anything feel free to email me
—Guest Mh12

This is the greatest job in the world, and I hate the Army. I feel bad for the people working in hospitals or hiding out back stateside. I keep finding myself reenlisting when I swear I'm done. It's not a bad gig. At all.
—Guest 101Medic

I was sent to the first field hospital in AnKhe Vietnam as a 91B. Never made it. I was made a truck driver. Drove with the 58th and 669th trans co from April 1966 to May 1967. Loved the medic part. Got to use my skills a few times due to sniper fire and land mines. Tried like hell to get to that field hospital to gain more medic experience, but the IG said "we need truck drivers, son." Never did make it, Got to see alot of beautiful country though. Best of luck to all you 91Bs or whatever your MOS is now.
—MrBillP2

I am a certified EMT/Paramedic in the civilian world. This is a great field to be in. I have not yet had the honor in being a medic in the Army, but please keep the positive medic attitudes....
—Guest FF/PM Phil

What everybody's saying on here is pretty much right: If you make your career as a Whiskey good, it'll be good; if you make it suck, it'll suck. That's just life, and the Army's no different. The way to know if it's a job that will resonate with you is to look at EMT's and see if what they do interests you. If so, you might dig being a Whiskey. But you're going to have to do "Army" stuff, no matter where you go, so if that's a problem, don't sign up. You really might not like doing menial tasks and being bossed around. That's just reality. Ft. Sam is GREAT. Really a fun place to be. No matter what you're in to, you'll find it there. The crowd that the 68W MOS attracts tends to be pretty normal people, too. You'll find a few dough-heads no matter where you go, but it's mostly good people. Make no mistake, though; a 68W is a COMBAT MEDIC. You're not guaranteed to be taking blood pressures in a clinic; you might be doing patrols in downtown Mosul. Or not. That's Army life.
—Guest rpcox

I love this MOS! Being a pharmacy specialist is an amazing feat for me. I got to get nationally certified while I was on active duty which helps the resume to look good. Now I'm in school to become a pharmacist! You can achieve anything in life if you really want to. Just keep God first and you'll go far!
—Guest pharmslim7

im a medic who has been in iraq for 10 months working in a clinic. its not bad and i like it. you work more as a civilan nurse level than of an emt when you are in a clinic, and even the line medics have more training and capablitites than thier civilian counterparts. its awesome and you feel better after you have helped someone in a trauma sitaution. i plan to go on with medical to a higher degree. the army lets you go to school while you are in . its an awesome exp im reenlisting soon !
—Guest medic002