Skill Level 1 Administers emergency medical treatment to battlefield casualties, assists with outpatient care and treatment, or assists with inpatient care and treatment under the supervision of a physician, nurse, physician’s assistant, or a Health Care NCO.
Skill Level 2 Administers emergency and routine medical treatment to battle and non-battle casualties, assists with outpatient care and treatment, and supervises field and clinical medical facilities under the supervision of a physician, nurse, or physician’s assistant.
Skill Level 3 Supervises activities of field, clinical, and mobile treatment facilities.
What is a 68W Combat Medic?
A 68W Combat Medic, also known as a Combat Medic Specialist, is a soldier in the United States Army who provides emergency medical care on the battlefield. The 68W MOS is colloquially referred to as “68 Whiskey,” based on the NATO phonetic alphabet. These medics are trained to stabilize and treat injured soldiers, providing life-saving care under fire and in various combat environments. They are often the first responders in combat situations, making quick decisions that can mean the difference between life and death.
The 68W Combat Medic is not just a medic but also a soldier who must maintain combat readiness. They are trained in both medical skills and combat arms, ensuring they can protect themselves and their patients in hostile environments. This dual role makes the 68W Combat Medic one of the most versatile and essential roles in the Army.
The Training Path: From Basic Combat Training to AIT
Becoming a 68W Combat Medic begins with Basic Combat Training (BCT), where recruits learn the fundamentals of being a soldier. This initial training phase covers physical fitness, weapon handling, and basic soldiering skills. After completing BCT, soldiers move on to Advanced Individual Training (AIT), where they specialize in their chosen MOS.
AIT for 68W Combat Medics takes place at the Army Medical Center of Excellence, located at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. The training is rigorous and spans 16 weeks, during which trainees learn the essential medical skills needed for the battlefield. This includes emergency medical care, tactical combat casualty care (TCCC), and advanced medical procedures like cricothyroidotomy and tourniquet application. The training also involves combat training exercises, where medics practice providing care under simulated combat conditions.
The final two months of AIT are particularly challenging, as trainees undergo intense field training exercises that test their medical and combat skills in realistic scenarios. Those who successfully complete the training earn the title of 68W Combat Medic and are ready to serve in their new role within the Army.
What Does a Combat Medic Specialist Do?
The primary responsibility of a Combat Medic Specialist is to provide emergency medical care to injured soldiers in combat. This includes everything from administering first aid to performing life-saving procedures such as controlling bleeding, maintaining airways, and treating shock. In addition to battlefield care, Combat Medics are responsible for ongoing patient care in non-combat environments, including during training exercises and deployments.
Combat Medics also play a crucial role in training other soldiers in basic first aid and combat lifesaving skills. This ensures that even non-medical personnel have the knowledge to provide basic care in emergencies, further enhancing the unit’s overall combat readiness. Combat Medics are often embedded with infantry units, meaning they must be prepared to move with the troops, provide care in difficult conditions, and stay focused under fire.
Combat Medic Specialists are also involved in casualty evacuation, where they coordinate and execute the safe transport of injured soldiers to higher levels of medical care. This can involve ground or air evacuation, requiring Combat Medics to work closely with other medical personnel and flight medics to ensure the best possible outcomes for their patients.
Why Is the 68W Combat Medic MOS Crucial to Army Operations?
The 68W Combat Medic MOS is vital to Army operations because it provides immediate, life-saving care on the battlefield. In combat, seconds count, and the presence of a skilled Combat Medic can mean the difference between life and death. These medics are trained to handle a wide range of medical emergencies, from gunshot wounds to traumatic amputations, making them indispensable in combat situations.
Beyond their medical duties, Combat Medics are also soldiers who must be physically fit and mentally tough. They often operate in challenging environments, carrying heavy equipment, and moving quickly under fire. Their ability to provide care while maintaining combat readiness makes them unique among medical professionals and critical to the success of Army missions.
The Combat Medic MOS is also essential for the overall morale of soldiers. Knowing that a skilled medic is nearby provides a sense of security, allowing soldiers to focus on their missions without worrying about what will happen if they get injured. This trust in their medics is a cornerstone of unit cohesion and effectiveness.
Physical Fitness Requirements for 68W Combat Medics
Physical fitness is a crucial aspect of being a 68W Combat Medic. Given the demands of the role, Combat Medics must be in top physical condition to perform their duties effectively. The Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) is the standard measure of a soldier’s physical fitness and includes six events: deadlift, standing power throw, hand-release push-up, sprint-drag-carry, leg tuck, and a two-mile run. Passing the ACFT is mandatory for all soldiers, including Combat Medics.
In addition to the ACFT, Combat Medics must also meet specific physical fitness requirements related to their MOS. This includes the ability to carry and move heavy loads, such as medical equipment and injured soldiers, over long distances. The physical demands of the job are significant, requiring strength, endurance, and agility.
Combat Medics must also be able to perform their duties in a variety of challenging environments, from deserts to jungles to urban battlefields. This means being able to adapt to different climates and terrains while maintaining the physical stamina needed to provide care under extreme conditions. The physical fitness requirements for 68W Combat Medics are rigorous, but they are essential for ensuring that these medics can perform their duties effectively in any situation.
Advanced Medical Training: Beyond the Basics
While the basic training for a 68W Combat Medic is comprehensive, many medics pursue additional training to further enhance their skills. This advanced medical training can include specialized courses such as the Special Operations Combat Medic (SOCM) course, which prepares medics to provide care in more complex and high-risk situations. SOCM training includes advanced trauma management, prolonged casualty care, and the use of sophisticated medical equipment.
Another advanced training opportunity for Combat Medics is becoming a Flight Medic. Flight Medics provide care during medical evacuation missions, often in helicopters, where they must stabilize patients and manage critical care in a challenging and dynamic environment. This role requires additional certification and training, including emergency medical care skills specific to aviation medicine.
Advanced training also includes opportunities to specialize in certain medical fields, such as becoming a paramedic or pursuing certification as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). These certifications not only enhance a Combat Medic’s ability to provide care but also open up civilian career opportunities after their military service. The Army COOL (Credentialing Opportunities Online) program helps Combat Medics obtain these certifications, ensuring they have valuable skills both in and out of the military.
What Is the Role of a Combat Medic in a Battalion Aid Station?
A Battalion Aid Station (BAS) is a key element of medical support within an Army battalion. The BAS is where Combat Medics provide initial medical care to injured soldiers before they are evacuated to higher-level treatment facilities. The BAS is typically set up close to the front lines, allowing for rapid treatment of casualties.
Combat Medics working in a BAS are responsible for triaging patients, stabilizing injuries, and preparing soldiers for evacuation. This environment is fast-paced and demanding, requiring medics to make quick decisions under pressure. The BAS is often the first point of care for injured soldiers, making the role of Combat Medics in this setting critical to the overall success of the battalion’s operations.
In addition to providing medical care, Combat Medics in a BAS also play a role in managing medical supplies and ensuring that the station is properly equipped to handle casualties. This logistical aspect of the job is essential for maintaining the readiness and effectiveness of the BAS during combat operations. The ability to manage both medical and logistical tasks makes Combat Medics invaluable members of the battalion’s support structure.
How Do 68W Combat Medics Contribute to Casualty Care on the Battlefield?
Casualty care on the battlefield is one of the most critical responsibilities of a 68W Combat Medic. When a soldier is injured, Combat Medics are the first responders, providing immediate care to stabilize the casualty and prevent further injury or death. This care includes controlling bleeding, managing airways, treating shock, and preparing the casualty for evacuation.
Combat Medics must be able to provide care in a variety of challenging conditions, including under fire, in extreme weather, and in difficult terrain. Their ability to remain calm and focused in these situations is essential for providing effective care. In many cases, the actions of a Combat Medic can determine whether a soldier survives their injuries.
Combat Medics also play a crucial role in coordinating casualty evacuation, ensuring that injured soldiers are transported safely to higher-level medical facilities. This often involves working closely with flight medics and other medical personnel to manage the transfer of care and ensure continuity of treatment. The ability to effectively manage casualty care and evacuation is a hallmark of a skilled 68W Combat Medic.
Career Progression: From Line Medic to Special Forces Medical Sergeant
The career path of a 68W Combat Medic offers many opportunities for advancement and specialization. One potential career progression is to become a Line Medic, where medics are assigned to infantry units and provide care directly on the front lines. Line Medics are integral members of their units, often serving as the primary medical resource during dismounted patrols and other combat operations.
For those looking to further advance their careers, becoming a Special Forces Medical Sergeant (MOS 18D) is a prestigious and challenging option. Special Forces Medical Sergeants are highly trained medics who serve with elite units such as the 75th Ranger Regiment and Special Forces teams. These medics undergo extensive additional training, including the Special Operations Combat Medic (SOCM) course, and are capable of providing advanced medical care in the most demanding environments.
Combat Medics can also pursue leadership roles within their units, taking on responsibilities such as training other soldiers in medical skills or managing medical operations within a battalion. The experience and skills gained as a 68W Combat Medic provide a strong foundation for a successful military career and open up numerous opportunities for post-military employment in the medical field.
What Are the Civilian Career Opportunities for 68W Combat Medics?
The skills and experience gained as a 68W Combat Medic are highly transferable to civilian careers, particularly in the medical field. Many Combat Medics pursue careers as paramedics, EMTs, or nurses after leaving the military. The training and certifications obtained during their military service, such as EMT certification, provide a solid foundation for these roles.
Combat Medics can also work in other areas of healthcare, including emergency medicine, hospital care, and medical training. The experience of providing care in high-pressure, challenging environments is highly valued in the civilian medical community. Additionally, the leadership and logistical skills developed as a Combat Medic are applicable to a wide range of other careers, including roles in emergency management, healthcare administration, and medical logistics.
Programs like the Army COOL (Credentialing Opportunities Online) and the Department of Defense’s SkillBridge initiative help Combat Medics transition to civilian careers by providing access to certifications, training, and job placement services. These resources ensure that Combat Medics are well-prepared for a successful transition to civilian life and can continue to use their skills to serve their communities.
Summary of Key Points
- What is a 68W Combat Medic? A 68W Combat Medic is a soldier trained to provide emergency medical care on the battlefield.
- Training Path: Combat Medics undergo rigorous training, including Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training at the Army Medical Center of Excellence.
- Duties: Combat Medics provide critical care, train other soldiers, and coordinate casualty evacuation.
- Importance: The 68W Combat Medic MOS is crucial for Army operations, providing life-saving care in combat.
- Physical Fitness: Combat Medics must meet stringent physical fitness requirements, including passing the Army Combat Fitness Test.
- Advanced Training: Opportunities for further specialization include Flight Medic training and the Special Operations Combat Medic course.
- Role in Battalion Aid Stations: Combat Medics are essential in managing care and logistics at Battalion Aid Stations.
- Casualty Care: Combat Medics are the first responders on the battlefield, providing essential care and coordinating evacuation.
- Career Progression: Combat Medics can advance to roles such as Line Medic or Special Forces Medical Sergeant.
- Civilian Careers: The skills gained as a Combat Medic are highly transferable to civilian medical careers, with programs available to assist in the transition.
This article has explored the vital role of the 68W Combat Medic, highlighting their training, duties, and the unique challenges they face. For those considering a career in the military or looking to understand more about this essential MOS, the 68W Combat Medic represents one of the most demanding yet rewarding paths in the United States Army.
FAQs
Q. What does 68W mean in the army?
A. 68W is the Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) code for a Combat Medic Specialist in the United States Army. These soldiers are trained to provide emergency medical care on the battlefield, treating injuries and illnesses in combat situations. The “W” in 68W specifically designates this role as a Combat Medic.
Q. What ASVAB score is needed for 68W?
A. To qualify for the 68W MOS, you typically need a minimum score of 101 in the Skilled Technical (ST) area of the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test. The ASVAB is used to determine your eligibility for different MOSs in the military based on your strengths and abilities.
Q. What do 68Ws do when not deployed?
A. When not deployed, 68W Combat Medics often work in medical facilities, clinics, or hospitals on military bases, providing routine medical care to soldiers. They also participate in ongoing training exercises to maintain and improve their medical and combat skills, ensuring they are ready for deployment at any time. Additionally, they may assist with training other soldiers in basic first aid and emergency medical procedures.
Q. Is 68 on the ASVAB a good score?
A. A score of 68 on the ASVAB is considered a good score, as it places you above average compared to other test-takers. This score should qualify you for a wide range of Military Occupational Specialties (MOS), depending on the specific line scores required for those jobs. However, for the 68W MOS, you need to meet the specific Skilled Technical (ST) score requirement, not just the overall ASVAB score.