I signed my contract to join the reserves the other day. I scored a 93 on the ASVAB. The only two jobs I was offered were two that interested me very much, Hospital Corpsman and Master at Arms. I chose Hospital Corpsman because on paper, it looked like I could use that training to become an EMT or a radiology technician or ER Nurse with some more training. Is this possible? From what I read on this forum in the med section, I am not sure?
Master at Arms seems like it would actually be a better choice. As an MA, I would get Law enforcement experience and could become a cop, if I wanted to. I am starting to think I may have selected the wrong job. Not because Corpsman does not interest me (it seems like a fine, honorable job), it is because it seems on paper, that master at arms presents more civilian opportunity. Is this true?
Secondly, my rating is HMFM according to my contract. I know that all male corpsmen are trained to serve along side Marines. Does this mean that is where I will end up automatically? Thanks (I have no problem with it if this is the case)
Only you know if you picked the wrong job. You have named several different civilian jobs you would like to pursue. Ultimately you will have to decide what you want to do for a career. I will say that as a Corpsman you may also become an LEO. A fellow Corpsman I served with and still keep in contact with is an LEO he is a K-9 handler as well as on his departments SWAT team. As a Corpsman you may go with the Marines and you have many different C schools provided you meet the qualifications and there are openings. These C Schools range from medical laboratory, preventive medicine, X-ray, Bio-med repair, physical therapy, etc, etc,etc. So basically you have to decide what you want to do and no you will not automatically end up with the Marines but it is a good possibility. I preferred serving with the Marines over the Naval Hospitals. Good Luck in whatever you choose to do.
I can't speak to the medical experience aspect of being a HM, but being an MA would only give you a negligible advantage in applying to become a civilian law enforcement officer. This is just my experience, of course, but I have never seen any military law enforcement experience (MA or MP) weigh so heavily in the civilian law enforcement application process that it made the job so valuable in pursuing for that reason alone.
Just from what I've seen regarding first enlistments in general (and this may or may not apply to HM as well); unless you're looking to obtain a position that is so specialized or with such a critical skill that it can't be learned in too many other places than the military, you probably aren't going to have an MOS that's going to automatically open doors for you. This rings especially true in law enforcement, where a civilian agency is going to teach you what they want you to know, anyway (and probably will be REQUIRED to, as well).
Being an MA is certainly great experience in and of itself, and it's probably a good way for someone to figure out if law enforcement is the correct career path for them. That said, so is every other MOS under the sun. I've seen just as many people with other, often totally unrelated-to-LE MOS', get hired into law enforcement agencies as I've seen MA's, MP's, SP's, whatever.
Become an MA or HM because that's what you want to do now, not because it might be related to what you think you want to do in the future.
Thanks both of you for your imput. If what you are both saying is true (and there is absolutely no reason to think its not) then I am fine with the way things are. I am fine with sticking with HM. The reason I picked HM in the first place is there seemed to be a lot of diversity to what I may actually be doing. I tend to second guess myself alot.
Originally posted by AlabamaCrimson80: I signed my contract to join the reserves the other day. I scored a 93 on the ASVAB. The only two jobs I was offered were two that interested me very much, Hospital Corpsman and Master at Arms. I chose Hospital Corpsman because on paper, it looked like I could use that training to become an EMT or a radiology technician or ER Nurse with some more training. Is this possible? From what I read on this forum in the med section, I am not sure?
Master at Arms seems like it would actually be a better choice. As an MA, I would get Law enforcement experience and could become a cop, if I wanted to.
For the most part, what job you did in the service, doesn't matter too much in civilian world. It can help, but don't count on the training to get you into your career position. In actuality Corpsman would reflect better than MA, because if you get a chance to get you National Registry for EMT, it is easier for that to transfer state to state. Also nurse or rad tech are easier to pursue with military experience.
MA can help, but most departments look for college experience and credits for testing and those that don't, there is a big list to get hired. In that aspect your vet points help you more than your experience. While this is not always the case, the best thing one can do if interested in a certain career is to work on collge courses and obtain a degree.
OP if you are looking for the most current info on the HM rating you may want to check out corpsman.com it is a site for Navy Corpsmen and Army medics. The site is run by Corpsmen as well and you should be able to get all your questions related to the rate answered. There are a number of individuals on the site who are still active duty. Once again good luck with your new career as an HM.
Having been in law enforcement for nearly 14 years now, it isn't exactly rocket science. It's not "easy" either, depending on what your exact duties are, but the more complex stuff is really for people with more experience - not generally for people right out of school or in their early years on the job. That said, my personal opinion is that you made the right choice going with HM. Law enforcement will always be there for you, regardless of what your MOS was. HM and anything in the medical field is a lot more specialized, in my opinion, and may open up other doors for you that you might not have even considered yet. I also think an HM's "basic" skills are probably harder to attain than the equivalent "basic" law enforcement skills. What I mean is...there are hoardes of former servicemen and weomen running around with MP/SP/MA/Port Security or some other kind of law enforcement or quasi-law enforcement basic skill sets. Not nearly as many with the medical skills that your average doc has. Again, all just my opinion.
Originally posted by JoJo102E: OP if you are looking for the most current info on the HM rating you may want to check out corpsman.com it is a site for Navy Corpsmen and Army medics. The site is run by Corpsmen as well and you should be able to get all your questions related to the rate answered. There are a number of individuals on the site who are still active duty. Once again good luck with your new career as an HM.
I found that sight surfing the web just now. Its very informative. Thanks for the suggestion.
Originally posted by DanSpitz: Having been in law enforcement for nearly 14 years now, it isn't exactly rocket science. It's not "easy" either, depending on what your exact duties are, but the more complex stuff is really for people with more experience - not generally for people right out of school or in their early years on the job. That said, my personal opinion is that you made the right choice going with HM. Law enforcement will always be there for you, regardless of what your MOS was. HM and anything in the medical field is a lot more specialized, in my opinion, and may open up other doors for you that you might not have even considered yet. I also think an HM's "basic" skills are probably harder to attain than the equivalent "basic" law enforcement skills. What I mean is...there are hoardes of former servicemen and weomen running around with MP/SP/MA/Port Security or some other kind of law enforcement or quasi-law enforcement basic skill sets. Not nearly as many with the medical skills that your average doc has. Again, all just my opinion.
I really think I have made the right decision going with HM as well, especially in light what has been shared in this discussion.
Good Luck in whatever you choose to do.
