What would be a good timeline or guideline to advance my civilian career as a 68w.?

Branden Hadley — Thu, 19 May 2022 13:41:04 -0400

Long story short I am the sole provider for my wife and 3 children. With 68w being my MOS of choice what would be the best path to follow to advance my civilian career when out. As EMT and Paramedic average salary are about 15 - 20,000$ less than what I make before enlistment. I want to serve my country and potentially be able to help or save people's lives as well, but I want to make sure when I'm out I will also have the proper means to care for my family as well. With that said I was curious if anyone has any advice of the best path to follow to maximize the opportunity as a 68w for the civilian side.

Response by LTJG Private RallyPoint Member made May 19 at 2022 2:26 PM

LTJG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 19 May 2022 14:26:43 -0400

Most of my medic battles worked towards reclassing to 68C (LPN) or got out and went to nursing school. If you can get 68C then you can find a school that does a bridge program. There are schools that have accelerated options for veterans. You need 60 credit hours of pre reqs done but not a degree and do a 2 year program and graduate with a BSN. If you are not wanting to go nursing, you can work as an EMT or Paramedic in ERs. If you worked in the ER you would do 12 hour shifts instead of 24 hour shifts running an ambulance. Most of the paramedics that work in the ER state they do work the ambulance about once a week to keep their certifications up and then work the rest of the time in the ER.
I personally went forward and used my post/9-11 education benefits and did an accelerated program to get my BSN.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 19 at 2022 2:37 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 19 May 2022 14:37:44 -0400

The best way to advance your career is not to think about getting out for about 20 years, then retiring with a pension, an education, and license or certification of your choosing, paid for by the Army. A person can't raise a family on a Paramedic or EMT salary.

What licenses or certifications? Well, the Army will pay for a bachelor degree and civilian certifications without touching your GI Bill. It will also partially pay for a Masters. You can transfer that GI Bill to your spouse so they can go to school and you can become a double earning household. There are programs where the Army will pay for you to become a Flight Paramedic, Registered Nurse, Physical Therapist, Physician Assistant, Social Worker, and even MD.

Even if you don't choose one of those advanced paths, you can just progress until you retire as an E7 or E8 at 20 years. In today's terms that's about $2000 a month, plus the matching 401K the Army now provides, and any disability you've accrued from wear and tear on the body.

The path for advancement as a medic is civilian education. Start yours immediately when you can upon enlistment

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 24 at 2022 8:41 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 May 2022 20:41:07 -0400

So the greatest opportunity (and very competitive) is likely the IPAP. This is a educational program by the US Army that earns you a Lisence to practice as a PA on the civilian side.
There are college requirements and you need a top GPA to be selected. It is a tough two year educational program hosted at Fort Sam giving you a PA degree through the University of NE Omaha (one of the best PA schools in the US)

This is a tough school but not impossible to complete with a family and resources on post for child care.
And in the end you will commission as an officer which if you do out in 20 years with the military with be all the more retirement benefits for you to enjoy later.
To get more information on the topic, talk to an AMEDD recruiter.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 31 at 2022 7:19 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 31 May 2022 19:19:54 -0400

The SFC below has the right idea....retirement is a great option.

If you are dead set on getting out and doing civilian medicine, paramedics in major cities only make $18-$22/ hour. This means (top end) you may be living off of $56k/year which will be tight with a family of 5. Comparatively, I make close to $75k/year as a SSG in the Army at only 10 years.

The time to advance you civilian cert is now. If you stay in, it will make you kore competitive than your peers. If you get out, it opens additional job opportunities at higher rates.

Dont stop at medical certs, get a degree. This will further separate you and allow you better income.

Response by Branden Hadley made Jun 12 at 2022 11:35 AM

Branden Hadley — Sun, 12 Jun 2022 11:35:50 -0400

I do appreciate all the help and advice everyone and have a plan so far of 68w and if available reclassing to 68c and trying to complete some form of college while in and go from there would like to try to go to OCS but not sure how that works I will get more information and move forward from there

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 22 at 2022 8:34 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Jun 2022 08:34:52 -0400

I would suggest getting your paramedic license as soon as possible. If you get on a fire dept in a big city you can make a really good living with a pension. I was already in the 6 figure salary range after my first year so there is good money out there for paramedics. It all depends on where you live. Also having your paramedic license as a 68w you can be a great mentor and teach a lot to newer 68w.