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Having trouble picking an initial MOS. In civilian life I have been a Paramedic and EMT going on 10 years now and have worked in urban and rural areas. I was initially looking to enlist as a 68W and continue my career on the military side. The problem, however, is that there are currently no openings in this MOS. I can’t decide whether to wait a bit for some openings or select a different MOS. I’ve already been through MEPS and just waiting on a waiver. ASVAB of 93 so I’m not exactly limited in my choices. I would also like an MOS that presents fairly stable family life when not deployed or in the field since I have children.
My other top choices that I have narrowed it down to are:
1. Military Police; however after working 10 years of nights and weekends I’m not sure if I want to select an MOS that could be patrolling on a shift work schedule.
2. Air Missile Defense: Haven’t been able to find a ton of information on this MOS but what I have found make it seem like I could really enjoy this MOS just nothing on the civilian side if I decide to get out later in life.
3. Infantry or Calvary Scout
Any advice or thoughts based on your experience?
My other top choices that I have narrowed it down to are:
1. Military Police; however after working 10 years of nights and weekends I’m not sure if I want to select an MOS that could be patrolling on a shift work schedule.
2. Air Missile Defense: Haven’t been able to find a ton of information on this MOS but what I have found make it seem like I could really enjoy this MOS just nothing on the civilian side if I decide to get out later in life.
3. Infantry or Calvary Scout
Any advice or thoughts based on your experience?
Posted in these groups: 14P: Air and Missile Defense Crewmember
68W: Healthcare Specialist (Combat Medic)
31B: Military Police
68W: Healthcare Specialist (Combat Medic) 31B: Military Police
Posted 5 y ago
Responses: 18
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A couple of things...
1. 68W is the second largest MOS in the Army. If you really want it, it won't take very long to get a slot. The same exact thing happened to me when I came back as prior service. I only wanted 68W, they didn't have it. I told them I would wait for a slot. The counselor made a phone call and came back with a class date. It turns out that they overbooked the class I went to, but when there are 330 people in a class, one more isn't a big deal. That won't work with a smaller class like dental or radiology where there are very limited class seats.
68W is a great MOS for a starting point into Military Medicine. As a paramedic, you might be interested in enhancing your skill set as a flight medic, or special operations combat medic. It's a good launching pad for the Army's PA, RN, PT and MD programs. It's a large MOS with great promotion potential, and you can reasonably expect to reach E8 or E9 prior to retiring. It branches into special operations, hospitals, clinics, Airborne units, ambulance units, and just about everywhere in the Army. It will also provide you with an opportunity to get all the fun schools you would get as Infantry or Cav. Ranger School, Airborne, Jumpmaster, Air Assault, and anything else. As a medic you are very likely going to be assigned to an infantry platoon for your first assignment and you will do everything they do when you're training with them.
2. Military Police is nothing like being a cop, however you will definitely have the odd hours, weekend and night shift work.
3. Don't focus on what the MOS will bring with you to the civilian side. Every MOS has the ability to get hired on the civilian side if you have the skill and contacts. You could be a 14P and be hired to work for Raytheon after you retire. You could be Infantry and be hired to teach at other organizations. Focus on a job you will enjoy. If you don't enjoy the job then you will leave and never want to do it again. If you like it, you will usually stay and when you separate you are much more valuable as a leader than those entry level skills you gained.
4. If possible, identify how long you plan on staying in the Army. If you want to retire, Infantry and Medic are great for promotion in the long run. The Army is run by the Infantry; everything is designed and arranged to support the Infantry. Sure, those Special Operations and attack helicopters sound cool, but in the end they all support the goal of putting Infantry on the ground in bad places. Therefore, Infantry is the premier branch, the best promoting, and the one with the most upward mobility.
1. 68W is the second largest MOS in the Army. If you really want it, it won't take very long to get a slot. The same exact thing happened to me when I came back as prior service. I only wanted 68W, they didn't have it. I told them I would wait for a slot. The counselor made a phone call and came back with a class date. It turns out that they overbooked the class I went to, but when there are 330 people in a class, one more isn't a big deal. That won't work with a smaller class like dental or radiology where there are very limited class seats.
68W is a great MOS for a starting point into Military Medicine. As a paramedic, you might be interested in enhancing your skill set as a flight medic, or special operations combat medic. It's a good launching pad for the Army's PA, RN, PT and MD programs. It's a large MOS with great promotion potential, and you can reasonably expect to reach E8 or E9 prior to retiring. It branches into special operations, hospitals, clinics, Airborne units, ambulance units, and just about everywhere in the Army. It will also provide you with an opportunity to get all the fun schools you would get as Infantry or Cav. Ranger School, Airborne, Jumpmaster, Air Assault, and anything else. As a medic you are very likely going to be assigned to an infantry platoon for your first assignment and you will do everything they do when you're training with them.
2. Military Police is nothing like being a cop, however you will definitely have the odd hours, weekend and night shift work.
3. Don't focus on what the MOS will bring with you to the civilian side. Every MOS has the ability to get hired on the civilian side if you have the skill and contacts. You could be a 14P and be hired to work for Raytheon after you retire. You could be Infantry and be hired to teach at other organizations. Focus on a job you will enjoy. If you don't enjoy the job then you will leave and never want to do it again. If you like it, you will usually stay and when you separate you are much more valuable as a leader than those entry level skills you gained.
4. If possible, identify how long you plan on staying in the Army. If you want to retire, Infantry and Medic are great for promotion in the long run. The Army is run by the Infantry; everything is designed and arranged to support the Infantry. Sure, those Special Operations and attack helicopters sound cool, but in the end they all support the goal of putting Infantry on the ground in bad places. Therefore, Infantry is the premier branch, the best promoting, and the one with the most upward mobility.
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CPT Lawrence Cable
The good Sergeant First Class knows his stuff and is giving it to you straight. I will add a bit of realism, however. Joining the Army as Infantry, a Medic or MP, you are going to deploy and you are going to be in the field. There may be jobs in the Army with regular hours, I never had one when I was enlisted and certainly not as an officer. If your wife and family doesn't accept that, it can be hard on a marriage. OTOH, you get lots of paid time off in comparison with most Civilian jobs, so it tends to equal out.
My father was career Air Force. Looking back on it, it seemed that he had much more free time to spend with the family prior to retirement than after working a civilian job.
My father was career Air Force. Looking back on it, it seemed that he had much more free time to spend with the family prior to retirement than after working a civilian job.
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1SG (Join to see)
Military Police IS like being a cop...one third of the year. The other 2/3 you will be in the field or training/reset for the next rotation.
One of the things I keyed in on is your desire to have a stable home life. Having worked shift work like you have I can tell you that almost none of the MOSs you listed provide that...promotion potential ablsolutely, at home most nights no. Based on that desire alone, I would look into the other medical MOSs that center around base hospitals & clinics (if you are interested in staying in the medical field). Otherwise, look into the plethora of administrative jobs (personnel, finance, etc.). They aren't sexy, they're smaller branches with more competition for promotion, but they are home more than they are in the field.
At the end of the day, you are in the driver's seat (within reason). Do your research and pick the MOS that provides the best likelihood for you get the most out of your service and the Army get the most out of you as a Soldier.
One of the things I keyed in on is your desire to have a stable home life. Having worked shift work like you have I can tell you that almost none of the MOSs you listed provide that...promotion potential ablsolutely, at home most nights no. Based on that desire alone, I would look into the other medical MOSs that center around base hospitals & clinics (if you are interested in staying in the medical field). Otherwise, look into the plethora of administrative jobs (personnel, finance, etc.). They aren't sexy, they're smaller branches with more competition for promotion, but they are home more than they are in the field.
At the end of the day, you are in the driver's seat (within reason). Do your research and pick the MOS that provides the best likelihood for you get the most out of your service and the Army get the most out of you as a Soldier.
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Look at all the medical MOSs. 68A, 68W, 68X, 68y, 68N, 68R. I am a medic and I am a 68N (cardiovascular specialist). Most importantly, look into how you can come into the Army as an Officer. There are a lot of ways to do it. There is so much that can be discussed, but please put some efforts towards determining what you need to do to enter the Army as an Officer. If not possible, you can come in as enlisted and there are still plenty of opportunities to transition into the Officer side. Please don’t come in with just a plan to retire as enlisted. Do everything you can to be an Officer, but if you come in as enlisted, always strive to be competitive. 68N is a great job in and outside of the Army. It’s non deployable and you are pretty much untouchable for anything Army related. All of my deployments were all as a medic, prior to 68N and after 68N. On the downside, the promotion rate is much, much slower than 68W. Always set your goals to aim for the stars; if you don’t reach the stars, at least you will land on the moon. So, aim for Officer.
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SFC (Join to see)
To be honest, I couldn't see someone who enjoys being a paramedic, enjoying being an LPN. I was a medic and that would feel like a complete downshift to me. For a medic, you are in complete control of the situation in point-of-injury care. Everything that goes good or bad is under the control of the medic. As an LPN, you work under the orders of the doctor or nurse in charge of the patient. I was a medic on the line and then in the Aid station. All the thrill of being a medic goes out when you are in the Aid station and it's someone else's patient
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Not sure on the other MOS’s but this is the advice I’ll give you: if you want something, go get get.
If you really want to be a medic, I would hold out and wait till a slot opens up. With your experience, the army could use you as a great future NCO to lead and teach others.
If you are in a point where you need to enlist ASAP, then pick a job you can live with till your reenlistment window opens up (35 or 36 months into a 4 year contract).
The choice is yours, but I would say wait and choose medic since it would be easier for you to grasp the knowledge and you would be a better asset to the army.
P.S. No one likes MPs besides MPs (good people, but the job you would have to do gets you on people’s bad side), but again, your call.
If you really want to be a medic, I would hold out and wait till a slot opens up. With your experience, the army could use you as a great future NCO to lead and teach others.
If you are in a point where you need to enlist ASAP, then pick a job you can live with till your reenlistment window opens up (35 or 36 months into a 4 year contract).
The choice is yours, but I would say wait and choose medic since it would be easier for you to grasp the knowledge and you would be a better asset to the army.
P.S. No one likes MPs besides MPs (good people, but the job you would have to do gets you on people’s bad side), but again, your call.
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Look into 68C (It's an LPN technically, but they're much more trained than civilian LPNs). Here is a link to a list of 68 series MOS options: http://www.army-portal.com/jobs/medical-service/index.html
I would definitely wait for what you want though. 68W slots open quite frequently. Just tell your recruiter you only want to join for a 68W contract. I'm reservist, but that's exactly what I did to get what I wanted. They magically found a slot and a 15k bonus, weird how that worked lol!
I would look into coming in as an officer if I were you though, just to know all of your options. Good luck :)
I would definitely wait for what you want though. 68W slots open quite frequently. Just tell your recruiter you only want to join for a 68W contract. I'm reservist, but that's exactly what I did to get what I wanted. They magically found a slot and a 15k bonus, weird how that worked lol!
I would look into coming in as an officer if I were you though, just to know all of your options. Good luck :)
Army-Portal.com - Medical Service Corps Jobs / Military Occupational Specialties (MOS) List
Army jobs (military occupational specialties) in the Medical Service Corps are listed, with duty descriptions, required ASVAB scores, physical ratings, and available enlistment bonuses detailed for each MOS.
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Id suggest Civil Affairs.medical training can go a long way there. I found it very rewarding
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Go intel, having the TS clearance when you leave the military is golden and the opportunities are very good as well, you can work on a computer science type degree while in, then you’ll have your TS clearance and you can get really good paying jobs, if not then go intel, wait for medic school to open up then change MOS
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Disclaimer: I am VERY new to the Army (6-7 months lol). I am a prior service (10 yrs) Navy Corpsman (green side) and civilian paramedic/flight paramedic.
One other thing to consider, National Guard... They have AGR slots (Active Duty) and you could try and find yourself an AGR 68W billet... that might lend itself to a fairly routine home life....? You also might have better say over a duty assignment as part of the enlistment negotiation...
One other thing to consider, National Guard... They have AGR slots (Active Duty) and you could try and find yourself an AGR 68W billet... that might lend itself to a fairly routine home life....? You also might have better say over a duty assignment as part of the enlistment negotiation...
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Just wait until its available alot of recruiters will tell you that a job isnt available so they can get you into a higher demand mos, stand your ground with your decision and youll make it just fine
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