Can I pull a switch?

[Here_to_Help]

I enlisted in the Navy as a HM in the beginning of the year only to discover that the HM is backed up and I wouldn't leave for boot camp until Dec, I'm in DEP right now and have been trying to roll in early with no luck. Also I’ve been considering the prospect of advancement in the navy as HM, it looks difficult due to the fact they there are so many corpsman in the Navy right now. So I'm beginning to wonder if it would be worthwhile to change over to the Army side of things. Is it even possible, since I already enlisted with another branch? If I could change over to Army, how likely is it that I could still be a medic?

Any advice?

[hebbinator]

Are you saying that you were scheduled to ship out to basic training and the recruiter told you that you wouldn't be leaving until after the ship date because they are so backed up?

Or are you saying that your ship date isn't until December?

[8404]

He is saying he joined the Navy under the Delayed Entry Program and his ship date is December of 2009. He is concerned that perhaps the rate is overmanned and advancement will not be as quick as he would like. His thinking is Army may be quicker.

Awaiting responses from those more knowledgeable ....

[Here_to_Help]

yeah, my ship out date is not until early December

[8404]

Providing you haven't shipped, the short answer is yes, you can switch to another branch.

However, we do know the Army medics program is full as of today! If you do leave the Navy's DEP in the hopes of getting into another branch and find they are full, you'll lose your billet/spot for Corpsman, if you choose to come back to the Navy.

[Here_to_Help]

How do you know 86W is full?

[8404]

How do you know 86W is full?

Isn't it 68W?

Ever hear of the Freedom of Information Act? oodles of information is 'out there'. Not to mention our network of contacts ... ;)

http://thm-a04.yimg.com/image/326a22caa9bdd0ba <==== what he said!

Military staffing has been discussed at length within the forums, especially within the medical community.

I also made sure your specific original question (at the top of this thread) was addressed on this weeks Sundays broadcast. You can't miss it, as it's posted right on the front page.

AOTC #73 News, News & More News -Final (http://www.corpsman.com/2009/08/aotc-73-news-news-more-news-final/)

Try joining us every Tuesday evening at 2100 EST in the E-Club Chat (http://www.corpsman.com/forum/misc.php?do=flashchat&room=1), where you can "ask and receive" answers to your questions interactively! It's so easy a caveman can do it!

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3633/3352855142_d1135d56b1.jpg

Be All You Can Be ... Go Navy

[Here_to_Help]

hey i listened to the pod cast, i may speak with a Army recruiter, but i think i'm going to stick with the Navy, thanks for bringing it up

[HMPaul85]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3633/3352855142_d1135d56b1.jpg

LCPL A.- "Haha! Yeah, stupid Soldiers!"

LCPL B.- "So dumb with their velcro pockets and patches."

LCPL A.- "Our cammies are so much better. Look, I can pull my ciggs right out of this pocket on the top of my sleeve, No velcro at all!"



HM3 A.- "...That caveman's sleeve doesn't have any velcro on it."



LCPL A.- "..............."

LCPL B.- "..............."


Gunny A.- "Doc, what color is your MCMAP belt?"

[bsb85]

Having just recently enlisted as a 68W in the Army, I can confirm that the Army Medic spots are filling up quick!

I knew that I wanted to go into the Army as a 68W when I first went to my local recruiting station. I was warned that slots for that particular MOS (and several others) were filling up almost as soon as they were put up to choose.

Luckily for me, it was on the available list of jobs, and I snatched it up. And I think ship dates for all DEP'ers, regardless of branch, are getting pushed out. I signed my contract a little over a week ago, and I don't ship until the end of February. I also know some people who are shipping a little later than that.

Long story short, if you have a sure thing, my opinion is keep it. Like 8404 mentioned earlier, if you try to switch and can't get into 68W, you lose your Navy job. Worst case, do your first term of service, and if you still feel like you can go further in the Army, look into enlisting then.

[MexDoc]

GO 18 D! go big or go home! j/k

[tact.medic]

I was in the Army and can tell you that its not all that great. For advancement after E4 (specialist) you have to be shit hot, since PLDC and BNOC will be hard to get into.

I say stick with us and study for your exams, knock out the PRT, and keep your nose clean. You can make E4 quick and if your "all that" maybe make 2nd Class PO if you pass on your first test...

Good luck either way...