Military "medics"

[Dustdevil]

Hmmm... interesting theory. Where did you hear this, and upon what do you base your observations? I'm not arguing with you at all. I'm interested in hearing more.

I work almost exclusively with Navy Corpsmen out here, and I am seeing a lot of under motivated guys, especially among the active duty ranks. Oddly enough, the reserve and guard medics seem to usually be better motivated and more professional. But my point is that this is not entirely a Whiskey issue. I suppose this would ultimately fall back on how the recruiters are informing their recruits. Are the expectations they are giving out now less realistic than before the Whiskey programme was implemented?

For a historic perspective, I can remember talking to my Army recruiter in the early 1970s about being a medic. They would give you the 91A/B presentation very quickly, and then skip to focus on the remote possibility of someday attaining LVN equivalency as a 91C to suck you in. I'm curious as to how Whiskey recruitment is being approached these days.

Plus 5 for actually adding something new and worthwhile to an old topic!

[Richard B the EMT]

Could someone clarify a specific, here? I thought the USMC had no medics or corpsmen, they "borrow" one from the United States Navy, and assign the person to a Marines unit.

[p3medic]

Thats correct....

[AnthonyM83]

Look beyond skill sets into your soul and be what they hope is coming to thier aid when they call "Medic!!"

I kind of like that...especially here in LA. When citizens call 911, they have no idea what they're really getting...

[AllanJGAnderson]

I base my observations on being surronded by 68W's some being here to be Combat Medics others thought they'd be in hospitals and feel tricked. The 91C was changed to a 68W with a M6 Identifier. 68W is a blanket term. For instance a practical nurse is now 68WM6, or a Ranger Medic is 68WW1, Cardiogenic Specialists are 68WY7 (I think) Flight Medics, Orthopedic Specialists, Physical Therapists. All are 68W with identifiers. But I think it's safe to say most 68W are just that, with no identifier which are the combat medics, BAS/TMC personel, etc.

I 18 days away from graduating whiskey school in case you are wondering.

[Dustdevil]

I 18 days away from graduating whiskey school in case you are wondering.

Cool. Thanks for the info! Congratulations and best of luck on your graduation and starting your career. Do you know what kind of assignment you are headed for? What do you want to do?

How are they selecting who will go on to a specialty school? If one wants to move to M6, how possible is it? Is it competitive or just random?

I'm also curious about something that you might have some knowledge of. I have been asked by others what incentives or bonuses might be available to LVNs and Paramedics who enlist. I have heard various rumours about one or two stripe bonuses at enlistment, or after completion of Whiskey school. Are you schooling with anybody who came in with extra rank and/or prior medical certifications or licensures? All I know about is officer programmes, so I am not sure about any of this.

[AllanJGAnderson]

I'm headed to Korea with the 2nd ID. I wanna be a line medic. Most people who get a specialty get it before they enlist. Otherwise, you have to have been a 68W for at least 12 months. I know quite a few people who joined with a M6 Identifier. A LPN get's no bonuses, but a Nationaly Registered EMT can fast track past the first 8 or so weeks of training since it's EMT-B training. Alot of people come in with rank for college credit or completeing task lists for recruiters, such as learning the general orders, passing a APFT, learning land nav, etc. Incentives are all handled by recruiters, I'd just make sure everythings on paper, especially M6. Also, there are large bonuses to be a 68W. Most get $20,000 for 6 years I think. But since my original entry MOS was switched to a 68W I got a shorter contract and no cash bonus.

[matthew]

Good luck on that one. The real medics are the ones who are not in the clinics and thats a fact!!!

[kuo34]

Just remember everyone in the medical specialty series is not a "medic." When I was in the 91B was the "combat medic." Any 91 series with direct patient care (including allied health services) went through 91B school first. 91J (medical records), 91S (my MOS, preventive medicine), 91T (vet tech), and I think there were some others that didn't have to go through B school. Mental Health, X-Ray, LPN, and others with direct patient contact were required to go through B school. I'm sure the rules have changed. The official title varies in application. I've seen SWAT type units use the term for any medical personnel, civilian agencies use it as a term for paramedics, civilian agencies use it as a term for any medical personnel, military use it for any random medical personnel . . . the list goes on. Though we had no direct patient care responsibilities, our preventive medicine detachments were always referred to as "docs" when we went with field units. What's in a name? Well sometimes a cigar is just a cigar . . .

[Richard B the EMT]

Disclaimer: I am, and have always been, a civilian, can't read ranks from the shoulder patches, and am probably guilty of lumping all non Nurse or Doctor US Army Medical Personnel into the "Medic" category.

Would someone from the US Navy/US Marine Corps side like to unravel the lumping all non Nurse or Doctor US Navy Medical Personnel into the "Corpsman/Corpswoman" category?

I am presuming the US Coast Guard uses the same terminology and/or ranking system as the US Navy.

Anyone from the US Air Force want to jump in, please feel welcome to do so!