As a 68W on my first duty station (in Germany) am I more likely to be assigned to a combat unit or put in a sick hall position?

2022-12-29T13:42:23-05:00

Hey Folks! I am about to complete BCT (just have the Forge left), my contract states that I will be stationed in Germany. I am wondering if I will be more likely to get assigned to a combat unit being that I am single and this is my first deployment, I am really hoping to avoid getting put in LRMC or put in a sick hall role. I know that I don’t have a lot of say in this matter but my DS’s haven’t given me a lot of feedback about this question so I figured that I would ask the Rallypoint community about your opinions.
I was denied an Airborne contract at MEPS due to a medical waiver but my SDS told me that I can reapply for AB after I graduate BCT, if I am able to go through Airborne School would it make me more likely to be assigned to a combat unit without losing my first duty station in Germany?
I appreciate any feedback!

Response by SFC Marc W. made Dec 29 at 2022 1:54 PM

2022-12-29T13:54:55-05:00

Germany has several duty stations as well as several combat, and combat support units. You're question is wide open and based on unit needs, and where you ultimately end up.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 29 at 2022 2:14 PM

2022-12-29T14:14:31-05:00

A few things:
It's Sick Call, not sick hall. Every medic does Sick Call at/for their unit, that's what medics are for. Medics are being removed from hospitals across the world, the chances you'll end up in one are very slim

The person who assigns you doesn't care if you're single, it has no effect on your assignment. They have a hole in a unit to fill. They'll match your availability date to a unit that's losing a 68W1 at that time and that's where you'll go.

PCSing to Germany is not a deployment, it's an overseas tour. You'll want to avoid mixing those two terms up.

Your DS's don't have any information for you because that's not what they are there for. They don't handle assignments, or schools, or anything outside you in their BCT. If you ask your SDS exactly how and when you could apply for Airborne School after BCT you will realize that's not their area of expertise.

As for Airborne School, if you were denied at MEPS because you don't meet the medical requirements, you're probably not eligible to go. You didn't say what it was but it's usually colorblind for most people who get denied. There's a red/green light test you can take in the future if you want to try again. Sometimes Branch Managers will go to an AIT to ask for Airborne volunteers. They might come to yours, they probably will not. Even if they do, the doc will disqualify you again. If that doesn't happen, and you do get to Airborne School, you will give up going to Germany and you will be assigned to an Airborne unit. There are only two battalions in Germany where you'll find Airborne 68W1's. That's two platoons of medics, about a grand total of 30-40 68W1 who are all on a three year tour.

If you are sent to one of those two units in Germany as a non-Airborne person, the unit will send you eventually. If that doesn't happen, when it's time to reenlist you can reenlist for Airborne as well.

Response by COL Randall C. made Dec 29 at 2022 2:22 PM

2022-12-29T14:22:33-05:00

SFC Marc W. is correct. Nobody in RP can tell you the odds of you going anywhere that is more than a SWAG (well, it IS possible that the Chief of enlisted assignments for Europe just happens to be reading your post, but not likely).

You are a round peg. Depending on the round holes that are open when you arrive will determine where you go. This is influenced by who has a higher priority fill and frankly who has more influence with the person pushing the button ("Hey Phil, I REALLY need you to send me the next Combat Medic Specialist because the one we have now is leaving in a month and we want overlap").

THEORETICALLY, it will all be planned out and while they might not know exactly what the names of the round pegs are until they arrive, they will know that the next two round pegs go to Wiesbaden, then the next one to Ansbach followed by another to Wiesbaden and three to Stuttgart.

Again, THEORECTICALLY. In practice, you'll know when you get there.

It's not until you're a NCO or officer that you become a unique placement and start working with career managers (but even then you can be diverted, extended, etc... needs of the Army and all that).

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 29 at 2022 3:11 PM

2022-12-29T15:11:15-05:00

I was assigned to LRMC from 2000-2003. I can tell you that if you get assigned there, you will not regret it. You would learn all kinds of medical knowledge that would benefit you if/when you get assigned to a Line Unit. Plus....LRMC is a unit that does NO FIELD TIME. The closest you'll get to the field while at LRMC is the qualification range. But, let's not count the chickens before the eggs hatch. You'll still need to get thru 68W AIT, first

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Dec 29 at 2022 7:59 PM

2022-12-29T19:59:53-05:00

You will have to wait on your orders- different units do things differently. In 82nd, we rotated folks between BN aid station/field, and post Hospital duty.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Dec 29 at 2022 11:59 PM

2022-12-29T23:59:43-05:00

You are looking at this incorrectly and it’s causing you to put the cart before the horse.

You are entry level and will go where it’s needed. Your Drill Sargeants aren’t answering you because it’s not a realistic question and they don’t have a crystal ball.

All medics will do a form of sick call at their units. That’s not avoidable.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Dec 30 at 2022 8:00 AM

2022-12-30T08:00:27-05:00

A bit to unpack. As a 68W, where you go will be based on need. As for you working sick call, every 68W in tactical, combat, operational units performs Sick Call out of tge units aid station. That is in large part how you maintain and develops skills needs to care for your units Soldiers during the fight. Other duties include whatever additional duties required by the NCOIC. 68 W duties very by unit.

Response by SSG Dave Johnston made Jan 16 at 2023 4:44 PM

2023-01-16T16:44:01-05:00

Regardless of where you're assigned, hit up the MWR Center for a Euro-Rail-Pass and Youth Hostel location guide, and MWR Getaways. I did 5 years over there in the Baden-Wurttemberg area and would get lost every weekend I could get away. DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT Become a "Barricks Rat" while stationed there, it becomes a trap that will confine you to your Kassern and you'll not enjoy your tour. If I were you, I'd get Rosetta Stone German and start now before you fly, because Germany is more than just Castles, Bier, Frauleins and Bier, oh, and Bratwurst and Bie. If someone in your family was stationed there during the "Cold War" You might want to try and locate former "Cold War Installations" and send them photos of 'This is Now" of places they had been, or sample the local cuisines far enough away from where you're stationed that they're overrun by your fellow GI Joes that may have frustrated the locals with their behaviors... "In the Day" almost every town had a brewery with their own distinct flavors, Mmmmm, no need to chug or get ploughed blind drunk, but nurse that brew over a Jagerschnitzel or WeinerSchnitzel, and get to know the locals, and its history.