What do I need to do to become a 68W? How can I prep to be a line doc?

2018-06-26T21:15:12-04:00

What do I need to do as a recruit in the NG (going active duty and going to MEPS in September) to become a 68W, and to become a line doc? What preparations do I need to make before going to boot/AIT to help better my chances of becoming a line doc? What do I need to have for a GT, ST, and Core scores for it to be possible? What am I going to expect from MEPS/Boot/AIT for job placement on the line?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 26 at 2018 9:24 PM

2018-06-26T21:24:38-04:00

1) Stop thinking that you are gonna be a line doc. There is a chance you will be a line medic but "Doc" is earned.
2) Learn to lift heavy shit and run until it hurts. If your casualty is 300lbs with kit and you can barely move 150lbs, you have failed.
3) Stay Humble, stay nimble, and stay ahead of the game. If your on the line you have to do their job better than them and your job better than everyone.

Now a question for you, why the obsession with line medic and not the title of Combat Medic?

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 26 at 2018 9:39 PM

2018-06-26T21:39:46-04:00

110 GT score. Learn anatomy and physiology and how to carry heavy shit for long distance.

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 26 at 2018 9:46 PM

2018-06-26T21:46:49-04:00

GT is 107 not 110, just for clarification and misconception

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 26 at 2018 9:52 PM

2018-06-26T21:52:55-04:00

1. Your recruiter can tell you what the current ASVAB requirements are for 68Ws. That also assumes there are slots open - usually though medics have slots open.
2. As NG you may get the opportunity to go to an NG combat arms unit but when you are at MEPS they will tell you what units have slots. Don’t get butt hurt if your 68W slot is with an area support medical company - needs of the army. Take whats available - you can always move around later when youve been in for a little while.
3. When you are in AIT, make sure you study and take your studies somewhat seriously. And when you graduate - keep learning - don’t be that guy who thinks cuz he just graduated AIT thats the end all of the compendia of combat and military medicine.
4. Medics work everywhere in the army - take advantage of that. There is alot to be learned working sick call, in an FST, in a field hospital, ER, etc. I deployed in a Role 2 and was teaching “line” medics stuff cuz i was seeing more medically and trauma speaking than they were. They volunteered to work in my role 2 cuz we actualky did stuff on a refular basis! Being on the line is sexy and all but you wont get better at being a medic if you don’t move around. And honestly, 99% of the time being a line medic is primary care and bullsh** - trust me on that.

I love being a medic and you will too, just dont pidgeon hole yourself into a dead end by not being flexible.

Response by SPC Brian Mason made Jun 26 at 2018 10:14 PM

2018-06-26T22:14:07-04:00

Most importantly, get in shape. Change your diet and water intake NOW and forever.
Grunts may do a lot of heavy lifting and carry more ammo, but a lot of what we do is also physically demanding.
If you have time, take and complete a BLS course. You'll have an advantage on people who don't have any medial experience.

Response by CPL Chris Palmberg made Jun 26 at 2018 10:43 PM

2018-06-26T22:43:53-04:00

Being a line medic is largely about competency. The skills required to be a Whiskey are important, and you need to take every opportunity to hone them. As a RC medic, that means not relying on drill and AT time to get better. Get your certification and find a way to work in the field, whether as an EMT on a volunteer service, an MA in a physician's office, or a tech in a local ER.
The second part of the job is, frankly, not being seen as a POS. If the senior leadership where you're assigned believes you're a waste of space and oxygen, you'll get no love. If the Med Platoon SFC thinks you're a liability, you'll be the LT's driver. If the Infantry First Sergeant believes you couldn't treat a paper cut, you'll likely be relegated to "administrative" duties in garrison and KP in the field.

Response by SGT Tony Clifford made Jun 27 at 2018 11:21 AM

2018-06-27T11:21:47-04:00

Doc is a term of endearment that your platoon will call you, if they trust you. Medics go wherever they are short staffed on medics. You could go to a line unit, but it's just as likely that you will be going to a hospital unit or a logistics or even an admin unit. Pretty much every company in the army has a couple of medics to handle things like sick call and minor injuries that happen on a daily basis. You can prepare for basic and AIT by getting in shape now. Focus on cardio, being a gym rat who can lift 400lbs but having no endurance will not help you. Medics carry a lot of gear. If you end up in a line unit you will need to carry your own pack, plus an aid bag loaded down with medical supplies. You will need to be able to carry a 235 lbs soldier with 60 lbs of equipment on him. I've met many medics while I was in, but only a handful of them would I ever call doc.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 27 at 2018 4:24 PM

2018-06-27T16:24:51-04:00

Honestly, everything that I thought I knew or learned in school very quickly went away when I graduated AIT. If you want to prepare yourself, get in shape. When I was an Aid Station NCOIC, competency of junior medics was important, but I only recommended the individuals who could physically complete the duty to the "line". I graduated AIT in 07 and woke up 30 days later in Iraq. I knew nothing and nothing could prepare me. Had I not been in great shape physically, I would have failed miserably. Also, do not expect to be a line medic. You will most likely have to prove yourself by demonstrating not only medical competency, but the ability to just be a good Soldier. Do what your told, show an aptitude to care selflessly for others, and be the first one doing the dirty work when no one else wants to. Do those things and you'll find yourself "on the line". Forget the word "Doc". It's a term of respect and endearment for you, should you earn the respect of your brothers. You may not hear it until it is screamed at you and hopefully you can run quickly.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 4 at 2018 1:30 PM

2018-07-04T13:30:47-04:00

Lets start with this. First "Doc" is a title earned not just called. If you are called that at first and then they call you "hey medic" then you aren't doing very well in their eyes. What that means is do the best job that you can. There is nothing that you can do to prepare to be a line medic other then learn your job and learn it well. The school house bteaches the minimum standards after that it is on you to learn more from your peers and providers.

Second you may end up at a Medcent. Clinic, ER at a TMC ( supported by AMEDD) thoes areas you will develop a different set of skills depending on your assignment. ED will give you the best exposure to varying problems from Pedi to Geriatric care and After hour Sick Call ( the I don't want to do PT in the am) to Trauma. That all depends on your instillation. Community hospitals aren't as good as large MedCents like JBLM, BRAGG, BLISS and Ft Sam.

Third your recruiter and MEPS will let you know what your ASVAB scores are and what your are eligible for. I'd you have your hart set on 68w do very well on the test. I don't remember the minimum scores for that but 68C is SQ 108 and ST 110 last I remember.

Lastly one you become a 68w. Go to school and learn more. If leadership allows and you can do it go to paramedic school at night. You will learn more you can only work in your scope of practice and what your providers allow you to but it shows a willingness to learn and expand your knowledge. And one day you may be milling around at the B's and someone comes up to you and says hey doc and you just might save their life.

Good luck...Serve Treat Train

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 4 at 2018 1:31 PM

2018-07-04T13:31:55-04:00

As a National guardsman, you can chose the slot you want, whether you want to be with an engineer unit, infantry, MP, etc.
I’m in whiskey land right now, & the only way to guarantee a position as a line medic would be option 40, which is only for active duty. I’ve also been told by my instructors that your first sergeant is really the one who decides to put you on the line, take you off, etc.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 22 at 2018 10:28 PM

2018-07-22T22:28:28-04:00

You have no control on if you will be sent to the line or not. In garrison I guarentee that you will be tasked to a clinic, hospital, or SRP site regardless of your unit unless deployed. I am a line medic for MP's (pray for me) my daily duty is BN medical readiness and I am tasked to a clinic. Sometimes i get to goto the field or range but the only time i am at my company during the duty day is on my own time to help my guys. As a medic you should be able to lift the heaviest soldier in kit and carry him like a toddler. Do all the deadlifts. Do not expect to be the doc off of hacksaw ridge as soon as you show up to the unit. We are support not soul takers. Although medics are heart breakers. Like when you rod the guy that's gotten the clap again. His heart will shatter from that.