Im currently a 13B reclassing to a 68T. What could I do to prepare for AIT?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 06 Apr 2021 00:48:11 -0400

What do I look up and study?
What to expect. Etc..

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 6 at 2021 12:53 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 06 Apr 2021 00:53:43 -0400

You should start preparing for the hustle of making points for SGT and possibly SSG. The MOS does not progress quickly, you'll be a SGT while your 13B peers are SFC. Start working on what takes the longest - civilian education. You're going to need a bachelor degree to be competitive for SSG. Since that takes years, best to start now while you wait for your 68T class date

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 6 at 2021 4:17 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 06 Apr 2021 04:17:53 -0400

Get ALL THE CIVILIAN AND MILITARY EDUCATION you can get your hands on. Ive known several Tangos and their promotion rates after SGT suck ass. As for the actual MOS, seek out the Vet unit on your base (there should be one especially if your base has K9 MPs) and pick their brains.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 13 at 2021 8:55 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 13 Apr 2021 08:55:40 -0400

These are the worst comments and I am sorry. Civilian edu should be sought-after no matter what mos you are.

As a Tango, you need to be a jack of all master of none. 1st, understand animal restraint. Animals WILL bite (MWD should always be restrained by the handler, not you.) 2nd, learn you basic vitals for dogs, NHPs (non-human primates), rodents, large animals, and companion animals. If you don't know what right looks like, then you can't tell if something is wrong. Learn and understand vaccine series (at what age to give and how often, what needs booster and what doesn't.) Understand pharmacology, anesthetics verses analgesics, types of antibiotics and anti-inflammatory meds, physiology and biology. laboratory (how to prepare and read different slides (Urine stains, skin scrapes, fecal slides, and WBC Diff slides are all different preps and you are trying to identify completely different things. Understand dose calculations [weight of the animal X dose (amount of drug to be delivered) / concentration = volume of medication to be delivered.) You are the hands, eyes, and ears of you Veterinarian Officer. You are also the patient advocate. You must always, always, always abide by the 5-RIGHTS of your patient (R-patient, R-time, R-drug, R-route, R-dose).
Being a good Vet Tech is easily one of the most mentally challenging MOS's in the Army. You have to be able to do every thing from phlebotomy, to dentals, to first aide, to laboratory, etc. But...... if you work hard at it, sooo worth it. The benifits and pay you recieved doing this job in the Army will NEVER be matched in the civilian world. It won't even come close. So don't think of this as a MOS that you will learn and be able to make a reasonable living at if you get out. If you love it. Stay in till retirement and have a plan post Army.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 13 at 2021 9:04 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 13 Apr 2021 09:04:52 -0400

Also, you will not be taught Jack $%!+ at AIT, now. The Army completely screwed up training for this MOS and Aptitude requirements because they needed bodies. Now they have way to many bodies and most don't have any idea what they are doing or do not have the mental capacity
to truly accomplish the job of being a good tech. This crushes the Officer and NCO they serve under. If you have a GT score of 110 min. Then by means, Go for it and it will be rewarding for you, your patients, your leadership, and onebday your subordinates. If you don't..... please pick something else.