Posted on May 19, 2022
What would be a good timeline or guideline to advance my civilian career as a 68w.?
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Long story short I am the sole provider for my wife and 3 children. With 68w being my MOS of choice what would be the best path to follow to advance my civilian career when out. As EMT and Paramedic average salary are about 15 - 20,000$ less than what I make before enlistment. I want to serve my country and potentially be able to help or save people's lives as well, but I want to make sure when I'm out I will also have the proper means to care for my family as well. With that said I was curious if anyone has any advice of the best path to follow to maximize the opportunity as a 68w for the civilian side.
68W: Healthcare Specialist (Combat Medic)
Career Advice
Civilian Career
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 6
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The best way to advance your career is not to think about getting out for about 20 years, then retiring with a pension, an education, and license or certification of your choosing, paid for by the Army. A person can't raise a family on a Paramedic or EMT salary.
What licenses or certifications? Well, the Army will pay for a bachelor degree and civilian certifications without touching your GI Bill. It will also partially pay for a Masters. You can transfer that GI Bill to your spouse so they can go to school and you can become a double earning household. There are programs where the Army will pay for you to become a Flight Paramedic, Registered Nurse, Physical Therapist, Physician Assistant, Social Worker, and even MD.
Even if you don't choose one of those advanced paths, you can just progress until you retire as an E7 or E8 at 20 years. In today's terms that's about $2000 a month, plus the matching 401K the Army now provides, and any disability you've accrued from wear and tear on the body.
The path for advancement as a medic is civilian education. Start yours immediately when you can upon enlistment
What licenses or certifications? Well, the Army will pay for a bachelor degree and civilian certifications without touching your GI Bill. It will also partially pay for a Masters. You can transfer that GI Bill to your spouse so they can go to school and you can become a double earning household. There are programs where the Army will pay for you to become a Flight Paramedic, Registered Nurse, Physical Therapist, Physician Assistant, Social Worker, and even MD.
Even if you don't choose one of those advanced paths, you can just progress until you retire as an E7 or E8 at 20 years. In today's terms that's about $2000 a month, plus the matching 401K the Army now provides, and any disability you've accrued from wear and tear on the body.
The path for advancement as a medic is civilian education. Start yours immediately when you can upon enlistment
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I do appreciate all the help and advice everyone and have a plan so far of 68w and if available reclassing to 68c and trying to complete some form of college while in and go from there would like to try to go to OCS but not sure how that works I will get more information and move forward from there
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LTJG (Join to see)
AMEDD Enlisted Commissioning Program (AECP)
The official website for the Army Recruiting Command (USAREC)
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The SFC below has the right idea....retirement is a great option.
If you are dead set on getting out and doing civilian medicine, paramedics in major cities only make $18-$22/ hour. This means (top end) you may be living off of $56k/year which will be tight with a family of 5. Comparatively, I make close to $75k/year as a SSG in the Army at only 10 years.
The time to advance you civilian cert is now. If you stay in, it will make you kore competitive than your peers. If you get out, it opens additional job opportunities at higher rates.
Dont stop at medical certs, get a degree. This will further separate you and allow you better income.
If you are dead set on getting out and doing civilian medicine, paramedics in major cities only make $18-$22/ hour. This means (top end) you may be living off of $56k/year which will be tight with a family of 5. Comparatively, I make close to $75k/year as a SSG in the Army at only 10 years.
The time to advance you civilian cert is now. If you stay in, it will make you kore competitive than your peers. If you get out, it opens additional job opportunities at higher rates.
Dont stop at medical certs, get a degree. This will further separate you and allow you better income.
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