jtski908

I'll bo honest with you mtnsldr, my unit (I was a mil firefighter/emt) trained like dogs and when the Gulf War came along I volunteered to go and I didn't feel ready or really even prepared until I got over there and did some things and realized I at least sorta knew what I was doing... Kel

somedic, I never got reply from you reference the information you talked about. I'd appreciate it if you'd resend it. I figure the best deal for me is to get the best training possible then take few deployments. As time passes and I take more training (paramedic, cls-if I can, and everything else I can get ahold of) my skill level will gradually increase. I would like to be hitting a decent stride by the end of 4 years from now. itku2er: Kel

somedic, As is indicated by your wealth of information I have a lot to learn and am willing to sacrifice the time and energy to make myself competent in my upcoming career field. The medic unit I have enlisted in is a USAFR unit (our drill is two weekends a month-one for the med training and one for the flight training) and our job is to utilize fixed wing aircraft and to transport critically wounded soldiers from bases to a location where they can receive the needed higher level of care (primarily from A'stan or Iraq to Germany-most of us are not on the battlefield) treatment. Sometimes we are tasked with transporting one or two because if the urgent need and sometimes we take quite a few. My training (as I understand it) will consist of an NREMT, four months working in a high volume civilian ED, and then a 2 month air crew course. After I accomplish these, I will begin to search for the needed courses, certs, and skillsets that will increase/develope my other medical skills (hopefully by this time I will understand my weaknesses more). My unit has already informed me they will pay for a paramedic cert (and as I have a Bachelor's Degree I will be close to satisfying the requirements for an A.S. in Paramedicine). This might be sketchy information because I have been to none of these courses yet as I have just began the process of and am now finishing the paperwork to obtain a school date; I don't mind starting at the beginning or admitting where I am; hardwork and motivation are my keystone for success (I never pretend to be something I am not). p3, It's all good, I am here to learn and I appreciate any information provided, it helps me learn and gives me new things to consider about the medical (and by the entirety of this thread: how it is sometimes viewed) career field. somedic, As far as the term operator goes, you are right, there are quite a few civilians (and military) career fields that use that term. I've never called myself on operator (I've never felt I deserved the moniker). I don't know how I feel about civilians using the designation. Maybe as long as they understand the distinction between themselves and what I would term the "real" operators (military) it wouldn't bother me. Also, I agree with you about the SRT/ERT/HRT/ETC=SWAT statement, BUT I'm not the Chief (and never will be).... this is good info for me, thanks, Kel

P3, Thanks for the reply, I think however, you missed some information in my initial thread. I am already SWAT certified and the shieldman on my team (we use the acronym SRT-Special Response Team- instead of SWAT because our chief feels it is more PC :? ). I agree with you reference that medical ability is a skillset that is easily lost unless practiced daily. Which is one of the reasons I re-enlisted as a flight medic (if you caught the 60 Minutes article on flight medicine personnel 10/29/06 that is exactly what my unit does). I think that after a couple of tours overseas providing care for combat wounded soldiers my skills will be well learned (and earned). As far as your assertion, reference how easy it is to, "train great medics to be pretty a good operator", I will have to respectfully disagree. I'm not looking for an internet argument, however, so I won't elaborate. I do agree with the advice you provided about obtaining as much medical education as possible. I've spent literally years developing my tactical skills, therefore I will need all the education and experience I can get reference the medical aspects. I feel that both medics (whether tactical or "regular" types) and police officers (whether tactical or "regular types) hold some of the most stressful, demanding jobs in the country and I respect any and all of them (firefighters too for that matter). thanks for the info, Kel

Hi, I am new here and found this thread very interesting. I am shieldman on my SRT at a small PD (60 sworn). I draw a pension in 3 years and will move on to a larger LEA with a larger, more adept SRT (I hope, ). I have just entered a military branch where we are flight medics....I have searched around on the net and found several EMTT schools that are govt certified, etc. I plan on moving into the tactical emt type career field. After I recert my NREMT, I plan accomplishing my A.S. in paramedicine. While waiting to get my time in (to draw the pension) my plan is to finish all the critical care, pre hosp etc etc stuff I can get thru my unit....I was also planning on taking one of "those" EMTT courses just more for the experience..... I will attempt to list them-I'd welcome opinions. I was a firefighter/emt active military back in the day (4 years), but that is the only med experience I have..... I think the first one is CONTOMS would that be considered the best most respected...I figure I have access to that one as I am LEO and am back in the MIL www.casualtycareresearchcenter.org www.tacticalmedicine.com www.tangentedge.com www.swatmedics.org www.emtt.org How can these courses be as inept as some of the posters stated when they are federal certified and gi bill approved and etc? I am not thumbs up my ass kinda guy...neither do I take such things as I've discussed lightly.....I am seeking answers, preferably from someone who has BTDT.... thanks for any help, Kel