Any SOCMs on here that have tips on how to get into the course?

2017-05-31T08:07:18-04:00

I'm a prior 11B looking to re enlist as a 68W. I want to go through the SOCM course. I'm also already a NREMT.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 3 at 2017 1:06 PM

2017-06-03T13:06:27-04:00

I just got accepted via the packet. Because i want to stay a 68W, and not reclass. If you want the packet send me a message ill email it to you.

Response by Cpl Loyde McIllwain made Jun 3 at 2017 4:10 PM

2017-06-03T16:10:28-04:00

Test

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 3 at 2018 2:56 PM

2018-06-03T14:56:04-04:00

The 68W course still has very high graduation standards but soldiers do not require a super high GT score on the front end. Be diligent and stay focused

Response by SP5 John Requardt made Jun 3 at 2018 10:43 PM

2018-06-03T22:43:33-04:00

Go for it bro, In my day '71-74 it was a 93B. It's the hardest job you'll ever love

Response by MSG John Duchesneau made Jun 3 at 2018 11:37 PM

2018-06-03T23:37:39-04:00

I think you first have to volunteer for SF and get through the selection course and then they will decide which SF MOS you will get.

Response by SGT Christopher Calain made Jun 4 at 2018 10:04 AM

2018-06-04T10:04:06-04:00

You cant go through the socm course unless you are enilsting as an 18D in the national guard. To do this on active duty you have to enlist as a 68w. That course is required to complete first. Once you have that you volunteer for SF not sure you go about that and then you go through all the SF courses and then the 18D course. When i fi rdst enlisted in 2002 it was like 92 weeks from the start of basic until you finish.

Response by CPT Bobby Johnson made Jun 4 at 2018 7:52 PM

2018-06-04T19:52:24-04:00

I would ask yourself what is your end goal career wise. You want to be an Emergency Room Physician? PA? RN? Medical Service Corps Officer? NCO Combat Medic? There are a lot of pathways to get there. Some involve talking time from your young life to serve your time for the training you received. Some have exciting opportunities but require sacrificing a comfortable life in The process. They start everyone out at a basic level but go fast. This is because they have guys starting with no medical experience. Hard to believe but true. I heard you can challenge the EMT-Paramedic boards after the course but remember that Paramedics in the US don’t make as much money for what they do as you would like. Many move on after being paramedics. Check out being a 68-W in the 160th or Ranger Batt. I think as long as you do well other doors will open up.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 4 at 2018 10:29 PM

2018-06-04T22:29:46-04:00

I recently retired and was the Special Warfare Medical Group S3 SGM...only 68Ws assigned to or enroute to a USASOC unit may attend SOCM. So here are your options 1. SF/CA selection 2. RASP 3. SOAR 4. SF Group Support Battalion. All that being said, SOCM is not a pathway to PA school, it’s a pathway to being a special ops combat medic period. Having your EMT is good but you will still have to complete the EMT phase. Good luck.

Response by Cpl Mark Belcastro made Jun 4 at 2018 11:04 PM

2018-06-04T23:04:11-04:00

Army medics can not challenge paramedic. They come out with a national registry EMT-Basic Cert. Paramedic is an additional 2 years of schooling.

Response by SGT Tim Soyars made Jun 5 at 2018 12:35 AM

2018-06-05T00:35:41-04:00

When I was AD, there was no formal SCOM course. You started out with the 18D students and come out of the course at basically where SCOM ends now. I started out as an 11B and picked up my 91B (Now 68W) as a secondary. After six years, I ETSed and went the civilian route. Now I am a paramedic and RN. My training and skills have taken me all over the world. Look at what your end game is. If you want SCOM, you have to pay your dues and live the life. It’s a spartan life, but the rewards are great.

“I’m no hero, but I have walked among them.”

Response by SSG Michael Raysses made Jun 5 at 2018 2:57 PM

2018-06-05T14:57:01-04:00

Never did this myself, but knew a few in my career... these guys are the equivalent of an "IDC" in the navy... INDEPENDENT DUTY CORPSMAN... basically your equivalent of an "RN"... good course of instruction... knew a GANG of great corpsman/medics in the departments... highly skilled and totally calm under fire!... god BLESS THEM... as we're lucky to have them!.. HOOAH!..

Response by SGT Joshua Bressel made Jun 6 at 2018 1:54 AM

2018-06-06T01:54:31-04:00

I was EXACTLY where you are. I started as an 11B,then reclassed to 68W, and killed myself at the course, academically, and was the distinguished honor grad. THAT got me, since I was airborne qualified, an opportunity, to go to a USASOC slot that was open, and through that, SOCM. FANTASTIC course. Be prepared to bite down on the fire hose, though. If you cannot handle a SUPER intense academic load, don't bother. If you aren't in the top 1/3 of your 68W class.....seriously reevaluate your priorities. A GREAT way to go, also, is to put in to become a Flight Medic, then try out for the 160th. Also, since you have your NREMT, you will be given the option of skipping the first 6 weeks of 68W. Don't do it. You are ineligible for graduation honors, and, if you get honor graduate, or distinguished honor graduate, it opens doors.

Response by SSG Darrell Peters made Nov 23 at 2019 1:12 PM

2019-11-23T13:12:40-05:00

I retired as a 68W. A lot of changes in the curriculum since my day. You will definitely have to complete the Combat Medic portion of the course. The EMT Portion since you are already an EMT would be used for CEU's (Continuing Education Units). This would be a good thing as you will not have to worry about CEU"s for two years. Make sure you have all your documentation prior to departure. The Way I understand the SOCM Course and please some one chime in to update me. Is that the SOCM Course is in lieu of RASP for the Ranger Regiment for medical personnel. Upon completion of SOCM you can be assigned to the Ranger Regiment or continue on to the Flight medic or the Special Forces medical program if selected.
Anything in medicine will be challenging. READ the current EMT Book prior to going to the course. also their are alot of good apps to download to study for test. EMT Prep. comes to mind.

Response by CPT Robert Holden made Dec 12 at 2019 4:17 PM

2019-12-12T16:17:23-05:00

When it comes to some MOS I’d rather they keep the standards high . Being a medic is one of them

Response by LCDR Scott Stroman made Mar 28 at 2020 7:52 AM

2020-03-28T07:52:29-04:00

Amazing how things have changed. I was a 91C20 back in the day. We were mostly hospital based, working at a level between an LPN and an RN. I worked CCU/ICU at Silas B. Hays Army Medical Center, Ft. Ord.

Response by SPC Randy Castro made Mar 30 at 2020 1:24 AM

2020-03-30T01:24:30-04:00

In 68w AIT I started in a company of 400+ other trainees. Between injuries, height/weight failures, pt failures, NREMT failures, and whiskey lane failures we finished with just over 200

Response by SSG Esperance Dawson made Nov 5 at 2021 7:50 PM

2021-11-05T19:50:08-04:00

I was 92G switched to 68W/68G. One week before graduation from 68W school I and the school were informed I was in the wrong class. I was suppose to be in 68G school. When asked what I wanted to I explained finish 68W. I was the oldest female in the class.

Response by SSgt Christopher Tindle made Nov 6 at 2021 10:08 PM

2021-11-06T22:08:30-04:00

I’m a paramedic in the civilian world and work at one of the training sites that the SOCM’s come to do their hospital and ambulance clinicals before taking their paramedic National registry. Have had many ride me with me but have no idea how to get in to the course.