You will not qualify in AIT. You many do some reflexive fire, but thats it. You'll be issued a weapon during weapons immersion, but you'll only fire during the final ftx phase. This is of course how it was when I went through, so that could have changed by now.
[QUOTE]Originally posted by pikemarsh: You will not qualify in AIT. You many do some reflexive fire, but thats it. You'll be issued a weapon during weapons immersion, but you'll only fire during the final ftx phase. This is of course how it was when I went through, so that could have changed by now.[/QUOTE/] How long is the FTX phase?
When I went to 91W (what 68W used to be called) we didn't do anything with real rifles until the FTX at the end. One of our biggest complaints at the end of the class (they gave us a little paper we filled out on what we thought of the course) was the fact we had very little interaction with weapons and we were all ending up in line units.
But even ending up in line Units. Yes you will be issued a weapon, but that will not be and should not be your main focus. You are in the rear as a medic ( or at least all the ones I know). And this is with Line Units. My husband was with a line Unit, and we have many friends with Line Units in 1/2/3 and 4BCT's 82nd ABN Dvision. My husband was also the Senior Line Medic for his Company. He carried two weapons as a matter of fact. On any team the medic is to the rear of the team. I understand the excitement and all of BCT and of course weaponry and all. But most of my friends who are 68W/ C.A. medics/ 18D's thier main concerns are not thier weapons.
My husband says it is N OT HIS JOB.... and he has h ad his sights on the enemy while in Afghanistan, and said " someone else" did " thier job" meaning the 11B. Mind you my husband also served 6 yrs as an 11B. Also deploying to Africa as an 11B. When need be to defend yourself yes the use of a weapon but generally it will not be your main focus.
"The Lord knows the way I take, and when he has tested me, I shall come forth as gold" JOB 23:10
I'll never know just what it cost, to see my sin upon that cross...
Gaining firepower superiority is one of the first steps in Tactical Combat Casualty Care. Medics are being taught this but not being taught how to apply this.
If you are an infantry medic, any NCO worth a **** (medic or infantry) will be sure that you know how to use a weapon, be it an M9 or M4.
The best compliment I ever received was that I was "more infantry than infantry".
I was a medic in a scout plt. The way it was, is that you can't start helping anyone untill the enemy threat was neutralized first. Never carried a pistol always a 16 and expected to use it. Did everything everyone else did in my plt, and rucked probably even more weight, due to the fact that I had to carry a full combat load and my super stuffed A bag. Not every medic wants to work in the aid station, I never did for 4 years. If your in any kind of Ranger, scout,sf,lt Infantry, etc.. you'll be part of the fire team, from my experiance anyways.
My son's experience was the nearly the same as fishercat's. Most of the Medics in his platoon worked on a rotating basis between the aid station and the scout platoon. A couple of others were assigned to the mortar platoon, as well as a couple more assigned to Companies who were short on Medics and who were assigned areas some distance from the battalion's FOB).
Also part of the time, he was assigned to a Route Clearing Team. Another part of the time, he was one of the Medics on a quick reaction force.
So his M16 was pretty important. Went to the range both before and during deployment.
This is helpful information for me! I will be in FT Sam, July 11 for 68W and am prior service. The first time I've held a weapon of ANY type in 18 years, was last weekend at drill. It was with the simulator both M16 and M9. Not even REAL qualifying. I am obviously a little nervous about when it comes to having to qualify!
You wont have a weapon until the last three weeks of school. No qualifying, It is just for the weight and getting you used to having a weapon if you go to a line unit. Which is very possible. Other than that you will have a pack on your back everyday and full battle rattle for the entire whiskey side of the training. As for the training it is good, fast but good. Prior service treatment depends on the company you go to. I am in delta as prior, our privilages are limited and we bunk with the IET/AIT boots. Other Co have three man rooms and almost no contact with IET. It is the luck of the draw. If you get here on the 11th you might be in Bravo or Charlie co, Charlie would be better of the two. I hope this helps you a little Soldier Medic. Good Luck DWDO (Drink water drive on)
I'm attached to a scout platoon and I have my personal weapons that I carry and I've basic knowledge of the other weapons that the scouts carry as you just never know.
when I went through they used to issue rubber duckies during the last month of training. While in the field we were issued an actual m-16 and fired off blanks during excerises. From what I've been told, they now issue real m-16 on day one you have to carry it everywhere you go. You don't have to qualify with it though.
You are also taught, you're a soldier first a medic second. When under fire, you're priority is fire suppression. The reasoning behind that is, if you worry about rendering care with bullets flying around you, you're more likely to be hit and no matter how good of a medic you are, you're no good to anyone dead.
Being a medic in Armor is alot nicer in some ways, had M-4 and M-9, but the line troops we were attatched to made sure we were proficient with all weapon systems in the unit.
Especially at gunnery when they had extra main gun rounds to pop off. "Hey Doc, wanna blow some *#@& up"?
