Posted on Sep 21, 2018
What MOS's are the best for longterm military career?
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I'm currently a 68W Spc (P). I enjoy the army but I feel that being a 68W will be a hard stretch to make 20. Which mos is great for longevity in the army?
Retention
68W: Healthcare Specialist (Combat Medic)
Military Career
Posted 6 y ago
Responses: 21
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I don't know why you think it's a bad MOS. You can move between different types of combat units(mech, Stryker, airborne, artillery, Infantry, cav, engineers, C Med), research institutions, hospitals, instructor, Drill, Recruiting, clinics etc. Plus it opens the path to further medical training. Whether you want to earn certifications like ATLS, PHTLS or EMT-P or you want to go a commission route for PA, RN, MD, or PT.
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CW3 (Join to see)
Additionally, there is plenty of room to grow if you go the Critical Care Flight Paramedic route. You get your national registration with ALS and can definitely use this on the outside with companies such as Reach, Life Force, or Mercy Air.
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As a 17 year 68W, let me give you some advice:
-68W is generally the easiest MOS among the 68 CMF to get promoted on the enlisted side.
-There is no marketable civilian skill that you earn as part of your regular MOS training, none that pay any real money anyway.
-There aren’t any warrant officer programs, except pilots, that feed from the 68W MOS.
-68Ws spend a lot of their time in the field, making it a slower process to gain civilian education.
You need to weigh the pros and cons before committing long-term to this MOS. As a SPC, you could re-enlist to change your MOS. 68C, 68A, 68P, 68L are all jobs that provide high marketability for civilian jobs.
In addition, if you want to do 20 years (or more), you need to try and get to the officer side. They make exponentially more than us, which translates to a significantly higher retirement check. There are multiple ways to cross over, but other MOSs provide better pathways to do it than 68W.
You can make a career out of it; I did. But take a hard look at what opportunities are out there while your career is still in its infancy. After you figure out which way to go, make a plan on how to get there and get to work.
-68W is generally the easiest MOS among the 68 CMF to get promoted on the enlisted side.
-There is no marketable civilian skill that you earn as part of your regular MOS training, none that pay any real money anyway.
-There aren’t any warrant officer programs, except pilots, that feed from the 68W MOS.
-68Ws spend a lot of their time in the field, making it a slower process to gain civilian education.
You need to weigh the pros and cons before committing long-term to this MOS. As a SPC, you could re-enlist to change your MOS. 68C, 68A, 68P, 68L are all jobs that provide high marketability for civilian jobs.
In addition, if you want to do 20 years (or more), you need to try and get to the officer side. They make exponentially more than us, which translates to a significantly higher retirement check. There are multiple ways to cross over, but other MOSs provide better pathways to do it than 68W.
You can make a career out of it; I did. But take a hard look at what opportunities are out there while your career is still in its infancy. After you figure out which way to go, make a plan on how to get there and get to work.
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Sara M
What is the best mos for medical field. I would like to do online college while active duty working to be a doctor.
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SGM (Join to see)
Sara M 68C, Practical Nurse. There is a direct pipeline to becoming a commissioned nurse, but you can pursue any avenue you want since you’ll likely be assigned to a hospital.
Keep in mind a couple things:
1. There are field hospitals and other deployable units where any medical MOS can be assigned. Going in and out of the field can slow down your education.
2. You will have to attend school part time. A) It is particularly difficult to attend full time while meeting your military obligations; and B) There is an annual maximum for college funding, per person. After the money is used up, you can wait until it resets the following year or pay your own tuition.
But many others have managed to figure out how to reach their goals despite such obstacles. You can too.
https://www.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs/career-match/science-medicine/general-care/68c-practical-nursing-specialist.html
Keep in mind a couple things:
1. There are field hospitals and other deployable units where any medical MOS can be assigned. Going in and out of the field can slow down your education.
2. You will have to attend school part time. A) It is particularly difficult to attend full time while meeting your military obligations; and B) There is an annual maximum for college funding, per person. After the money is used up, you can wait until it resets the following year or pay your own tuition.
But many others have managed to figure out how to reach their goals despite such obstacles. You can too.
https://www.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs/career-match/science-medicine/general-care/68c-practical-nursing-specialist.html
Supervise and provide preventive and emergency nursing as a Practical Nursing Specialist. Learn if you qualify by clicking now.
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Every MOS sets you up for better quality of life. With the exception of a few. However it’s whatever you make of it. Me being a 15R I’m set up to work in the civilian world for places like Boeing’s and Lockheed and Martian. Personally you having medically experience sets you up for far more outside as it does on the inside.
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