difference between medic and feild medic? (is that the right term?)?

Question

I have kinda asked this question before, But i just really dont know anything about the inner workings of our military. and i want to know what he's talking about when we have to come to an understanding and decide what to do.

My soon-to-be fiance is thinking about joining the Army national guard. He wants to be an eye doctor so he is looking at being a medic. he said his recruiter told him that medics are in hospital type of places on bases (he explained it so it seemed like m*a*s*h) he told me that he wouldn't be a feild medic..... like on the battlefeild. what is the difference, if there is one?

Answer 1

Both previous posters are right, but there is a BIG depends. Here is the scoop - earlier this year, the Army (including all the reserves and guard) COMBINED the MOS of the field medics and hospital techs into one. So everyone holding the 68W MOS can now serve at a hospital, CASH (we don't have MASH's anymore), BN Aid station or with a line unit. Those fortunate few who have previous medical training, higher education or had the knowledge and forsight to inquire before enlisting - are sent to what is called the M6 school after AIT (I would be absolutely SHOCKED if any state national guard is willing to pay to send any of their soldiers to this school - very very very doubtful), which trains 68W over an extended period of time (nearly a year) in a hospital setting to become licensed practical nurses (LPN's). Those 68W's who don't have it guaranteed in their enlistment contracts....Ruck Up!! You're heading out to the Aid Station or the unit.

Now...with all that said...if he is going to be an eye doctor (an actual board certified optometrist)...why on earth enlist? Once he is certified, the Army/Guard will take him on a direct commission as a Captain and put him right to work in a hospital/clinic taking care of troops' eyes!!! If he enlists in the Guard as a medic he has an uphill battle to get his contract invalidated so that he can transfer and apply for a commission later. Not too mention he may end up being deployed which will delay his schooling while he does his time in the sandbox. Best bet here - tell him to get his schooling done and then take his Captains bars doing what he is trained to do. The enlisting thing in this particular case doesn't seem to fit.

Answer 2

A field medic is one that is trained to go out with the units and be the first responders to incidents, much like an EMT, and a Medic is more of a stationary in the hospital, much like a nurse.

Answer 3

in the Army, there is no difference if they are a 68W Health Care Specialist... it just depends on what type of unit he will be assigned.

A field medic, or "combat medic" is assigned to a "maneuver" (infantry, artillry, armor, cav, etc) unit, while what you're referring to as a "medic" is commonly assigned to a higher level medical unit.

However, there are many different MOSs in the medical field.

Answer 4

a feild medic is bigger and a medic is normal size