Posted on Jun 25, 2018
SPC Platoon Medic
32.3K
62
35
1
1
0
Can medics go to sniper school or pathfinder school?
Avatar feed
Responses: 16
CPT Board Member
11
11
0
Being a sniper would interfere with your duties as a medic and would violate the Geneva Conventions
(11)
Comment
(0)
SGT Christopher Hayden
SGT Christopher Hayden
>1 y
Because it's okay to kill someone up close with your M4 as a Medic, but just don't do it from really far away with a sniper rifle. Since you know, shooting the guy and them immediately patching him up is number 1 priority. The Geneva Convention is silly sometimes.
(1)
Reply
(0)
SSG Michael Lawson
SSG Michael Lawson
>1 y
The Geneva Convention allows medics to shoot in self defense of themselves and to protect their patients. A sniper is considered to be on offense.
(0)
Reply
(0)
Avatar small
MAJ Corporate Buyer
7
7
0
Most units will not send someone to a school that will provide no value to the unit. What I mean is, they probably won't send you somewhere like sniper school for you to come back to the unit and be a medic. They want someone who comes back from that school to be a sniper.
(7)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
CSM Michael Chavaree
7
7
0
Pathfinder yes, with an MOS waiver... sniper... most likely not
(7)
Comment
(0)
CSM Michael Chavaree
CSM Michael Chavaree
5 y
I guess they should take that part out of EFMB. CW2 (Join to see)
(0)
Reply
(0)
CW2 Electronic Warfare Technician
CW2 (Join to see)
5 y
SGM, I'm sure those medical units have the already authorized MOS'in their MTOE or would be colocated with a unit that has them. If the medics/docs/nurses etc need to be the ones setting up a PZ/DZ/controlling aircraft then they're prob better off manning the .50.

Assisting the PSG, should be another of the members of the PLT, the medic should be ready to save lives, not be in the middle of controlling a drop.

There are other MOS that have more justification for PFDR than the 68 series and still require waivers. If we are going to send medical s we might as well make it part of IET so that everyone has the capability. What say you Finance Corps? Want the pretty badge?
(0)
Reply
(0)
2LT Brian L.
2LT Brian L.
5 y
Well as someone who is F7 qualified I can assure you that the training can be translated into other aspects that may not be apparent ... and again if the medic is the primary Soldier responsible for PZ set up then yeah then things are way south but at least they know how. Honestly I think there should be a harder push to get not just Infantry soldiers but Transportation Corp, Medical, Fisters.... whoever else that may benefit through the course. As far as I last heard they are doing away with the MTOE position to make it an easier process for more Soldiers to go. On the list Ill stand by it the 68W is justified .. maybe not the number one MOS on the OML for justification but very far from the bottom.
(1)
Reply
(0)
CSM Michael Chavaree
CSM Michael Chavaree
5 y
Medics need to be a value added asset to any organization, we are never just standing around waiting for casualties. I disagree on that one, great convo but closed minded. Its just a 3 week course that teaches a fairly easy capability that can be used for several combat and non-combat operations. Have a good one. CW2 (Join to see)
(1)
Reply
(0)
Avatar small

Join nearly 2 million former and current members of the US military, just like you.

close