Posted on Dec 30, 2019
What is the best route to pursue a future career in radiology, doing 2 years at community college or getting trained in the military?
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I’ll make this short I just graduated college with communications degree I’m 25 and I want to enter the medical field. Radiology is what I want to get into. I’m looking at the Army or Air Force specially the national guard or reserves because I heard that’s the best route to take in this mos. I know speciality training is a year compared to community college which takes 2 years to get ur associates for radiology school. My question is do you think this is the best route compares to doing 2 years at community college do get the same training. Get my training done in the army or airforce which is paid compared to civilian putting out more debt on my shoulders sounds convincing. Will hospitals hire someone who has only military Training as an X-ray tech? Like I said I’m trying to pick the best route for my future any help would be appreciated.
68P: Radiology Specialist
Reserves
Guard
Health
Posted 5 y ago
Responses: 8
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In the army 68p have to do additional training/school before getting certifications . Joining the army just to get qualified for a job is a bad idea because it will be a complete life style change
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Lord I am so tired of folks thinking they can just join up, get schooling on our dime and be set for life. Yes there are programs in various service/branches for school assistance. All contracts run a total of 8 yrs except the NG, split between active and Reserve service. This is a lifestyle, you will swear to defend the Constitution and go where you are told and do what you are ordered when ordered. You could but maybe won't be sitting on your ass, sending out resumes to civie world, but instead dodging indirect fire and watching folks damn near die while you are taking xrays. Can't buy into serving the Nation and putting other folks lives and well being ahead of yours constantly- then stay home.
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SPC (Join to see)
Sorry can’t disagree more SGM. Why are you getting defensive when the OP just asked for some career advice? Yes, many service members do in fact join the military to have school/credentials paid for “on our dime”. Believe it or not, not everybody joins the military because they wanna be HOOAH HOOAH. Many join because of the educational and career related benefits.
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As far as training to be a radiologic technologist goes you will get a lot better training in the military than in the civilian sector. It is very possible for a person to graduate from a civilian radiology program and still not know anything. This will never happen in the military. When you get out of school in the Air Force you are ready to "go to work". You notice I said the Air Force. Unless something has changed that I don't know about, the army's radiology program is "not accredited" and you will not be able to get registered. In order to get licensed you have to go through what they call a (2 year AMA approved program) in radiologic technology and that is exactly what you get in the Air Force. When the 2 years is over, you will be able to sit for the examination and be registered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) and be certified to work in the United States and when you get out you can just go out and get a job. You are going to have to do this on active duty because the guard / reserves won't give you the entire training program for certification. Also, the training is free so you don't have to pay for college. I do know what I am talking about here because this is what I did. Good Luck!!
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Tony C.
Thank you for your response sir! It's great to hear from someone who has been in this mos and had the experience. If there is anyway would I be able to reach out to you via email? It would be great to connect with someone like yourself.
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