Special Forces Medic

crazy bay · 10-19-2004, 08:12 PM

I wasnt exactly sure where to put this. So here it is.

My question is: If you are an AF medic, how qualified or how much are you trained? What kind of jobs could you do in the medical field after the military?

Rusty24 · 10-19-2004, 09:09 PM

The Army SF medics have their own course (S.O.M-C). The PJ's go through this course.

You can become an EMT in the AF, there are a hand full of them at the flight clinic. When they needed their recert on IV's we used to take them out on jumps and "Nominate) somebody for them to practice on. We also helped out as much as possible in field conditions (on jump ops) to get their squares filled.

crazy bay · 10-20-2004, 03:30 PM

but how much does the Army teach you as far as the civilian world is concerned? Thats more of what Im asking.

RFleischman · 10-21-2004, 10:34 AM

Quote:

If you are an AF medic, how qualified or how much are you trained? What kind of jobs could you do in the medical field after the military?

You plannin on joining the air force bay?

crazy bay · 10-25-2004, 03:13 PM

lol, holy shit. Sorry guys. I meant to say SF. not AF.

RFleischman · 10-26-2004, 10:27 AM

LOL Bay i was starting to worry about you bro! I guess those "a" and "S" keys are right next to each other so.........It's okay.

USMC Chuter · 12-20-2004, 03:11 AM

Crazy Bay,

I see that the question hasn't really been answered, so I'll take a stab at it.. I'm not SF, so take my answer with a grain of salt. It's accurate to the best of my knowledge though.

SF medics receive extensive training in combat medicine, trauma care, preventive medicine, etc.. Their medical training lasts a year or so, give or take, and includes time spent in big-city civilian trauma centers treating actual gunshot wounds. They also train to diagnose and dispense medicine for diseases and ailments that might be found among indigenous populations in their area of operations. In short, they're extremely proficient. Hope that helps. Somebody slap me if I'm way off.

12-20-2004, 05:44 AM

Sounds pretty damn good Marine. I was going to add something along those lines, they used to shoot dogs and the medic have to patch them up but the humane society caught wind of it and tried to stop it. I've met a few SF medics, and if I had a choice of who works on me after being shot, sharpnel wounds, or internal bleeding I would take them over any civilian doctor.

12-20-2004, 10:35 AM

I have two buddies that are 18D's, one in the Guard and another who is active. If you go SF, and depending on your initial Group - you could be running a field hospital in a remote area down in South America! They come out as qaulified paramedics - yet they easily quaify as PA's after a year of school on the outside.

Great MOS - and wide open now that they have eliminated the NCO requirement to try out...

12-29-2004, 01:22 PM

I'm not SF nor do I have anything to do with the SF but a guy I work with is ex SF and we were talking about how nothing really transfers over to the civilian world......Arbitragio already said what I was going to say though that you will still need some schooling for the civilian side. But you'll be way ahead of everyone else.

**Covertness** · 12-29-2004, 02:57 PM

way ahead of everyone else....... I'd say that's an understatement. Call it safe to say that if you can legitimately put Special Forces Medic on your resume, you can pretty much name your own medical future in the civilian world. I'll tell you this as well, it's a tough job. I couldn't do it and wouldn't even think about trying. 'Course that's me. Wanna shot at the title? Go for it!

USMC Chuter · 12-30-2004, 01:40 AM

Well put. They're amazing soldiers, doing one hell of a job.

dennisw · 01-13-2005, 10:40 AM

Both my kids are currently in the 18x program. Neither is 18d( medic training). They have told me that the guys in the 18d program spend most of their time studying. It's pretty rigorous and the drop out rate is fairly high(this is after getting to the MOS stage).

The standard 18x training perios is roughly 2years. However, if you go 18d, you could be in training for close to three years, depending upon availability of classes, etc.

Also, I beleive 18d's have to have a gt score of at least 120(i'm not completely confidant about the gt score requirements). Of all the folks I've spoken with and in almost everything I've ever read, the SF medic are always rated pretty high.

Good luck.

crazy bay · 01-17-2005, 08:19 PM

that pretty much answers my questions. Thanks guys.