68W
68W (often pronounced as 6 8 Whiskey using the phonetic alphabet) was the MOS for the United States Army's combat medic. 68Ws performed countless roles alongside every soldier in the military. Whether they were marching with the infantry, riding with convoys, or working 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
- Supportive Care in the event of delayed transport
Identifiers
- 10 is the basic entry level Combat medic (e.g. 68W10)
- 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
- Y8 is an immunization-allergy specialist,clinical, lab
History
Recently known as the 91W the MOS was changed late in 2005. Formerly known as by the MOS codes 91B (9 1 Bravo) and 91C (91 Charlie).
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 soldiers 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 re-certification many medics go through extensive ongoing training for the rest of their military career.
In addition to skills taught at the AIT level, 68W's may, at the request of their unit's Physcian's Assistant (PA) may attend any number of requested advanced topics. These topic are generally prescribed per the units functional role. For example a front line combat medic (aka "line medic") may learn about advanced trauma treatments including veinous cutdowns, placement of chest tubes, or use of specialty hemmorhage control methods such as Chitosan patches or "Quick Clot" (T.M.) In the case of those attached to medical units they may learn and administer medications which result in more definitive treatment than would be allowed a civilian EMT. (For example the administration of IV Benedryl to provide a definitive treatment for anaphylaxis). Medics in these positions are also commonly required to perform suturing techniques or other invasive procedures.
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
List_of_United_States_Army_MOS Army Medical Department (United States)
Related Sites
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