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I am soon to be reclassing to 68W from 11B. I am proud to once and always be an Infantryman, but as a Medic, I have better opportunities later in life, and better experience having multiple MOSs. But RP, What are YOUR thoughts on transitions like this?
Posted in these groups: 
Combat Medic
Infantry
Reclass
68W: Healthcare Specialist (Combat Medic)
Infantry Reclass Course (11B)
Combat Medic Infantry Reclass 68W: Healthcare Specialist (Combat Medic) Infantry Reclass Course (11B)
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 18
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Your experience as an Infantryman will be helpful as a medic. If you get attached/assigned to an infantry platoon, you already know much of what the team/sqaud will be doing and you may be able to help out. I know when I was on the line with Sappers, they looked at me weird when I would help out with demo ranges and stuff because I guess for them having a medic doing stuff non-medical was just not heard of. Medics have that stigma of being stuck in the FLA asleep most of the time on ranges and such, it is an image I have tried very hard to dispell from each unit I am with. I went to AIT with someone who pretty much was doing the same as you, 11B to 68W, but in his case it was to honor the memory of the fallen medic who gave his life to save his. I applaud your choice of MOS and look forward to seeing you around.
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I went from being a grunt to aviation, only because there were no medical jobs. That infantry background is going to really help you stand out amongst tour peers IF...IF...IF you can survive the mental breakdown when you see how different things are. Watch your mouth. Repeat...watch it. You will not whip your unit into an infantry unit. You can bring a valuable skill set t the team, but if you try to reinvent the wheel you will be one miserable mother scratcher. Feel free to contact me if you want to avoid the 100 ways I screwed up making the transition.
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I personally think that it is a fantastic move, IF it is something you are called to do. Being a medic is a totally different world then being Infantry. Yes...you may be the medic in an infantry unit, but as medic, you are no longer infantry.... Promotions are probably faster as Infantry.... last I knew, medic was pretty slow to promote. It will open doors for civilian employment...opportunity to be an EMT, and will give you additional experience if you choose to go nursing, PA, or get your MD.... Go for it and enjoy the ride!
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LTC James McElreath
The medical MOS can open more doors than being an Infantry soldier when it is time to retire.r. You will more than likely work hand in hand with fellow soldiers that have more education than the average military person. The medics assigned to true medical units, period are allowed to use common sense and think on your own. Combat arms not so much as you could get someone killed going outside the box. That 68W mos is basically an LPN. There are a few ways you gain the MOS, already an LPN, they send you to a private nursing school or to the school at Ft Sam. (very high-intensity program).
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