Top Medical Careers Available in the US Army

Over the past four years the Army has really tried to show the American people that it is made up of more than that just the infantry soldier fighting for his country. The fact is there are over 150 different ways to serve in the Army. I have previously written about the law enforcement careers available in the Army. Now I would like to take the time to discuss one of the very vital roles that soldiers play in today's Army.

It is no secret that the medical field is one of the fastest growing career paths in recent times. Not a day goes by that I do not see advertisements for medical programs on the television or internet. Most of these programs are offered through two year colleges or technical schools. While these may an excellent way to get the academic schooling that you need most of them lack the one thing that most employers look for; the opportunity to get practical job experience.

The Army has always prided itself on the fact that it provides world class training in a variety of skills. The medical field is no different. As a soldier I have had treatment from what I feel is some of the best medical personnel in the world. There are twelve different Military Occupational Specialties (MOS) that directly relate to the medical field in the Army. All soldiers enlisting for a MOS in the medical field will attend training at Fort Sam Houston Texas. Located near San Antonio it is a state of the art training and treatment facility. Fort Sam Houston is only the first phase of the training that the soldier's will receive. Depending on the chosen MOS a soldier will also attend phase two of their training at various locations around the world. So not only do they get the academic knowledge but they get the real world experience as well.

It is this experience that sets our soldiers apart from their civilian counterparts. The types of injuries that our young medics see would make the most experienced civilian ER technicians cringe. In the following paragraphs I am going to profile a few of the twelve jobs available to those people interested in a medical job in the Army.

The first of the MOS that I will profile is the Health Care Specialist (68W). A 68W is the military equivalent of an emergency medical technician. Once they have completed their training they are able to prepare and update medical records as well as perform emergency medical procedures. This MOS can be closely related to an EMT or certified medical assistant.

An Operating Room Specialist (68D) is a surgeon's primary assistant before during and after an operation. Once they have completed training a 68D is primarily responsible for assisting the nursing staff in preparing patients and operating rooms for surgery. Their other duties may include preparing and maintaining sterile medical equipment used during surgery and caring for the patients to be treated. Civilians doing this same job have been known to make in upwards of $20-30 an hour.

A Radiology Specialist (68P) is just that. They are trained to operate both fixed and portable X-ray machines as well as other radiology equipment. This particular MOS is one of the most sought after due to the demand for qualified radiology technicians in the medical community. A 69P may also be called upon to make an initial judgment based on the developed film.

The last MOS that I will profile here is the Mental Health Specialist (68X). Now more then ever our soldiers need quality mental health care. A 68X soldier is primarily responsible, under the supervision of an Army psychiatrist, social worker, psychiatric nurse or psychologist, for providing mental health treatment to patients. This may include facilitating treatment groups or conducting training on the importance of mental health to their fellow soldiers.

As I said there are twelve different ways that a motivated person can serve in the medical field in the Army. These four MOS are just a look at the training and real world experience that the Army can provide. The first step in becoming an Army medic is to see an army recruiter. They will have the most up to date information on the enlistment standards and the medical training available.