There has been a little confusion on the subject of the 68W Health Care Specialist MOS entrance requirements, and entering at an advanced rank. I decided to make this post a sticky and leave it unlocked, so that other experienced medics can also throw down on what they know about this and hopefully steer young grasshoppers in the right direction.

Special Requirements for 68W MOS
No aversion to blood, gore, seperated body parts
Able to lift heavy loads and carry for an extended period of time
Able to function and perform under minimal to no supervision in life or death situations

Certification requirements prior to beginning 68W Advanced Individual Training: NONE

If you are beginning your foray into the medical world/68W without any prior medical experience, You will first learn Basic Life Support, or CPR for starters. Once you have been certified at the BLS level, you will proceed to 68W Training. For the first half of AIT you will study and learn everyday how to become an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT-Basic)You will take numerous tests every week and your success on the tests determine whether you will continue forward with the program. Failing tests multiple times and 68W candidates will be recycled into another training cycle. Repeated failing of tests usually gets the candidate removed from 68W training, and will be retrained to the needs of the Army.

Once the classroom portion of your EMT training has ended, with passing scores on both written and hands-on skills stations, you will be eligible to take your National Registry Exam (NREMT). Upon successfully completing both written and hands-on skills stations of the NREMT, you will proceed over to the Whiskey side of the course and learn combat medicine. Again, over on the W side there will be tests and labs you must successfully navigate. You won't be out of the woods as far as being a potential recycle until you are out of there.

Now, For the subject of those with prior EMS experience:

If you are looking at going to the Army as a 68W, then in order to be advanced into a company that is already through the EMT portion of training- You must be in possession of a current NREMT-B or higher registration, that will not expire within a year of you being at FSHTX. You will only be advanced with a NREMT card, because the Army is a Worldwide service. The US Army is not all located in Texas. So that is why a state card matters not in the Army. If you are in possession of a state-certification only, My reccomendation is that You look for a location that is testing at the NREMT standard, pay your $70 fee, take the test and pass it, and get your NREMT card before looking at going to FSH.

Something else you can consider is to call Fort Sam Houston's training department/ Department of EMS/ or whatever official contact person is there that can give you an answer. You may be able to report to FSH and be advanced in a class right up to the point of taking the NREMT-B test with the class.

But whatever you do, if you go that route: Call someone official to verify if you can do this. Everyone on discussion boards have different opinions- take advice at your own risk. Not to hem someone up on these boards, but the official answer will lie with someone down there that trains 68W's.

Potential state-card holders may get down there expecting to get advanced... only to get let-down and have to go through the entire, 16 week 68W training course.

For personnel currently holding NREMT status as a Basic, Intermediate, or Paramedic seeking the 68W MOS, you are able to enter the US Army under the ACASP program (Army Civilian Acquired Skills Program)as found in AR 601-210 and DA Pam 611–21, and be advanced up to the rank of SPC (E-4) and possibly could be eligible for the ACASP enlistment bonus incentive.

Just running out and getting your NREMT and enlisting in the Army the next day for ACASP and the bonus does not cut it. You must have "x" amount of time performing as a NREMT/Paramedic in order to be considered for ACASP. Always check with your recruiter to see if ACASP for 68W is still being accepted and the status of any ACASP bonuses.

Now.. To NREMT or not to NREMT.

Already having your NREMT-B or NREMT-P can be of a huge help prior to going to FSH. As Hamrogers noted, Doing this on the civilian side you will have more time to study, and you won't have to worry about being dragged outside to get smoked or stand in formation for hours on end when you could be studying inside for tomorrow's big test.

Another advantage is class size. There may, at most, be 20-30 people in the civilian classes, The higher you go up in certification will be statistically lesser as it gets harder and people bomb out. So, more time with the instructor. At FSH you can expect alot more in a class competing for instructor time, and in the civilian world you will get days off in between classes to digest and review the material you just went over.

Civilian classes for EMT Basic can last a couple of months, a couple times a week. At FSH 68W AIT, you will go every single day except the weekends and 3-4 day holidays to class for the 1st half of training. If you have issues retaining knowledge that is shoved down your throat, this could be a problem and make you a potential recycle.

Going to 68W at FSH already a NREMT-B or Paramedic is not taking the easy way out; there is no right or wrong answer for someone looking to start their future or career. It is, in fact, working smarter- not harder- towards a goal. And those in 68W school already an NREMT with experience can help mentor other students and help them comprehend the information. Furthermore, those with extensive street experience are already hardened against blood, gore, guts and death and can prove invaluable to coach and mentor younger soldiers who may be nervous about seeing the inevitable in their careers.

Staff and Cadre at FSH will know who was advanced, who is an EMT and who is a Paramedic. If you go this route you will be expected to be a leader and be an example. If you are advanced and jack something up, you will be called out.

Paramedics currently certified that move out to their final unit after training that do well under their PA/DOC can find themselves going above and beyond their current scope of practice as an NREMT-P. I have done some pretty wicked shiz with the thumbs up from my Doc, that I can never, ever do in the civilian world. To each their own, and I hope this quite lengthly post has been informative.

I will open the thread for questions, if any.

V/R

CMTAMEDIC

If I may, what exactly is the time requirement for the ACASP program, and does it have to be fufilled as a full-time, paid EMT?

Does anyone have an answer?

I don't know if there is a time limit in regards to how long you've been certified as an EMT to take advantage of the ACASP. I do know however, that to be considered for recertification through the NREMT you must be actively employeed (volunteer service or paid service) as an EMT in some capacity. So you do not have to be full time and paid, simply active.

MIKE

Does anyone out there know the requirements for EMT-B for ACASP?? been trying to ask my recruiter, but since i've already signed now he gives me the run around. I'm 10 college credits short of e-3 and desperately trying to find anything to get the extra grade... i know about the fast track, but more interested in the grade promotion. Thanks

Just like CMTaMedic wrote in his original post...

"For personnel currently holding NREMT status as a Basic, Intermediate, or Paramedic seeking the 68W MOS, you are able to enter the US Army under the ACASP program (Army Civilian Acquired Skills Program)as found in AR 601-210 and DA Pam 611–21, and be advanced up to the rank of SPC (E-4) and possibly could be eligible for the ACASP enlistment bonus incentive.

Just running out and getting your NREMT and enlisting in the Army the next day for ACASP and the bonus does not cut it. You must have "x" amount of time performing as a NREMT/Paramedic in order to be considered for ACASP. Always check with your recruiter to see if ACASP for 68W is still being accepted and the status of any ACASP bonuses."

If your recruiter is giving you the run around that's too bad. I'm sure he was a really nice guy before you signed up. ASk him to check the regulation quoted above.

MIKE