Goals - Is now still a good time for HM?

[gbowen]

Great website. Thanks.



I have read a lot of the sections and they have been very helpful. I am trying to do my homework and get the “insider” picture before I talk to a recruiter.



I am 22, male, and have about 70 units of college credit. Frankly I am bored to death with college and now realize that the career path that I started on in college isn’t for me. (I let my parents talk me into a business degree path, back when I had no clue). I don’t mind studying, but I really want to start DOING something as well. The thought of 3 more years of school before I can even begin to do anything is not a pleasant one.



I really would like to be an male nurse or X-Ray tech (I want to work with people not numbers).



My question is: With recent announced cutbacks in slots, and the changes in training etc., is Navy HM still a realistic path toward achieving my goals in today’s environment?



If I work my butt off, score in the top 20% of my class, etc. Can I reach those goals in 5 years?



Can I: Complete basic, complete A school, complete FMSS, complete a tour in IRAQ, complete a C school in Radiology, do the college work, and get a second hands on assignment in five years.



I realize the needs of the Navy come first and that things can change, but if these are my goals what specifically should I be asking for in the recruiting/enlistment process. I am pretty sure my ASVAB will be high.



Thanks for your help/advice.



Bowen

[A.R. Gomez]

how set are you on reaching those specific goals and how much importance do you put on reaching them ASAP?

i would say if you want to be a nurse, don't go this route or atleast not active duty anyway. due to time restraints and nursing program requirements for a RN program it is unlikely that this goal could be accomplished on active duty. also, if you became an RN what type of care would you want to give, such as ER, Ortho, Oncology, Peds, ICU, etc...? i am afraid to say that in the Nurse Corps you will more than likely be let down by what you get to deal with if your heart is set on anything too specific or too hands on due to the push to civillianize a great portion of our naval medical facilities. i know that only matters if you were trying to stay in the military or if you were hoping for acceptance to a navy medical commision type circumstance but i feel it's worth the mention.

as an x-ray tech, i think the chances may be better on active duty at getting that C School, but stand in line as it seems to be one of the schools most wanted by HM types looking to become a tech. i can't be certain but i would imagine that getting this school as a reservist would more difficult if not all together out of the question. the money outside of the military as a fully ARRT certified x-ray tech is great and you can even travel and do it but while enlisted be prepared to get short changed for what your skills could make you as a civilian. i would say if that's a goal you want and don't care much about being in the military or not as long as you get this training then try to get into an x-ray program at a local college. it's not free but nothing really is and you could be a licensed tech inside of three-four years depending on any necessary pre requisites and wait lists to get in to the program, which would still be shorter than a first term (5yr) enlistment as an HM.

not knowing how much you know about the medical field i must say this, although your two goals are a part of the same respective community these fields are entirely different in their type and level of care. if you don't know what one you would like more, being an HM could give you a better insight to that and even if it doesn't get you that job directly, it gives you tuition assistance and the GI Bill to help get you where you want to be in the long run. it's a lot to think about, good luck in making your choices.

[gbowen]

Thanks.

I don't want to read too much into your reply. But if I understanding it right.After being 5 years active duty HM - if I select or get assigned to an FMS route I am likely to be very EMT qualified and experienced (and had of bunch of other experiences as well).

If I select or get assinged to a hosiptal, ship or clinic I am just as likely to be checking people in for sick call, answering phones making appiontments for a couple years? Before/if I get selected to a C-school? And if the clinic orhospital isin the states the level of hands on work I dowith patients may not be that great as an E-3? (those jobs are going to civilians?)

My dad said when he was in the Air Force sometimes you had to re-up for a second tour before getting picked for the higher demand schools. Is it the same way with an X-ray tech C-school? How do you actually get into a C-school? Is it something your current command structure recommends you for then you compete for the slot? Or is it something you canselect (if qualified for)up front in the enlistment process?

Thanks again.

[HM3 JD]

There is also the HM to RN option. I don't remember if this is reserve or Navy-wide (I personally haven't paid much attention to it since I have no interest in being a nurse). Active duty you're guaranteed FMSS, so with basic, NHCS, and FMSS, you're looking at about a 1/2 year just to finish your training. If you sign on the dotted line for 4 years, you've got just over 3 years when you're done schooling.

[Da-Chief]

Most HM's (USN ACTIVE) contracts are "5" years, not 4..

;-)
Later

Annnnnddddd..... He's outta here..

Da-Chief.

[oldavt]

Chief, I gotta tell you. My son is home on leave after graduating from NHCS, on his way to the 2nd Marine Division after FMSS. I've never seen him fitter, prouder, more assured, or more competent. We've talked a bit about medicine, and his knowledge base is excellent, and so is his attitude. He's an NCS corpsman, but intends to make himself so vital to his unit that they fight for him to remain active. Thanks.

[Da-Chief]

Heh heh..

So he did listen to what I told em..

Thats key, Make em want you.. they are starting to keep NCS Sailors now.. but he has to make em want em..

Let me know if you need anything..

V/R
HMC

[oldavt]

It was hard to hear him complain when he thought things were stacked against him, but he learned pretty quickly that it was his responsibility to take care of himself. He's learned the lesson well, and now actively seeks out the knowledge he needs to secure his options. He's in charge of his effort.

His best friend came home from Army basic training the same day my son did. My son was dressed in his Dress Blues and looked at his friend in his cammy's and told him he was unsat. All jacked up. He needed to take more pride in wearing his uniform.

Navy Proud.

[doc.matthews]

Oohhh Rah that mr avt. Im going to go against the grain on the advice posted above and say that you should enlist as an hm. Being greenside and blueside both have their advantages, so talk to people before you decide which route you wanna take on that. Being a male you are probably going FMSS, pretty much 100% right chief? Either way, after fmss odds are you'll go to a greenside billet. Depending on your unit, the time you'll have for schooling could be great, and it could be poor. Also, ive seen just as many patients being an e4 greenside as I did being an e3/4 blue side. Theres one major difference though, the greenside patients are all marines. If you go to a greenside unit you have got to understand one thing, in the field we are the ones that take care of them...we are the ones that dont rest when their is downtime from a hump...we are the ones that HAVE to be in better shape than atleast 50% of our marines. I wont say you have to out marine the marines, but you need to get their respect and attention. Our jobs are NOT the easiest, they are however the most satisfying and funnest. When your in the BEQ, you will be the guy that they come to for advice, counseling, financial help, medical help, psych help, help in general. And we need to be there for them. Oh and get that "Muscles Are Required Intellegience Not Essential" thoughts out of your heads! Marines are intellegient, most of the time I have better conversations with my marines then my fellow shipmates...however...if they're in a group dont let them near a truck if they've been drinking. If you were greenside, you know what im talking about. As a bluesider I had a chance to get into x-ray, so I did. I did about 2 months ojt, and it was fun. Alot of the x-ray techs are laid back and enjoy life. They dont mind working, and they understand the liberty call importance. Glamour of the officer life really doesnt come into play until LCDR from what ive seen and been told. And its even worse for the nurse corps. You have really got to enjoy people in general if you want to be a male nurse in the military. Any nurse. The medical fields in the navy really are isolated from the other parts. Sorry, decided to quit taking up space lol. If you want gimme an email addy and I can attempt to pursuade my nurse officers to give ya a down and dirty of it, and I can compile a list or have my corpsman buddies send you email.