68W
The 91 Whiskey (91W) is the current form of the United States Army's combat medic. 91Ws perform countless roles in the lives of every soldier in the military. Whether they march with the infantry, ride with convoys, or work in a field hospital, they are trained to perform their job in any situation.
Responsibilities
- Initial treatment and triage
- Evacuation from the field of battle and en route life support
- Preventitive Medicine
- Field Sanitaition
- Clinical Medicine
Identifiers
- 10 is the basic entry level Combat medic (e.g. 91W10)
- 20 is a combat medic with the rank of Sergeant (E-5)
- 30 is a combat medic with the rank of Staff Sergeant (E-6) or greater
- 40 is a combat medic in the position of Medical Platoon Leader or equivalent
- F5 is an army Flight Medic
- M6 is the army's Nurse
- P6 is an orthopedics specialist, clinical
- Y1 is an immunization-allergy specialist, lab
History
Formerly known as the 91 Bravo and 91 Charlie this Military Occupational Specialty (MOS)
The Department of the Army Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel issued a notice for future change for the MOS 91B&C in September 1999. This notice established the transition to 91W to begin on 01 Oct 2001 and end on 30 Sep 2007. During this period all 91B&C will be given the identifier of Y2 until they complete the transition to 91W. To complete their transition to 91W many 91B&C must complete EMT-B which was offered but never required for any medic until now. Failure to conform to these standards has resulted in some medics having to reclassify into another MOS.
Training
Upon the completion of their basic training, these soilders are shipped to Fort Sam Houston where they undergo Advanced Individual Training (AIT) for 16 weeks. During these long weeks, soldiers will attend many courses that teach them the various medical tasks that they need for years to come. To maintain their MOS they must also maintain an EMT certification. To provide the necessary hours for their recert many medics go through extensive ongoing training for the rest of their military career.
In order to take their training to the next level many medics opt to become EMT-I or EMT-P certified. The Army also has a PA program which is oriented toward helping medics become PAs through a 2 year school program. And yet fewer medics choose to become 18D which is the Special Forces combat medic, these medics are required to become EMT-P.
See also
Army Medical Department (United States)
Related Sites
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