SSG G-man

You are correct, the Army health care specialist is very much an entry level provider not unlike an EMT-B.

When looking at the Army, you essentially have your primary role, known as a military occupational specialty (MOS). I believe the current nomenclature for the Health Care Specialist "medic" is 68W. A suffix can be added to identify rank/pay grade. For example, when I went through, the medic was known as a 91B. As a lower enlisted bubba, my official MOS was 91B-10. When I made SGT, I became 91B-20.

For medical specialists who receive additional tranining in specialties, an additional suffix so to speak can be added. This is known as an additional skill identifier (ASI). For example, the ASI for a practical nurse is M6. So, a health care specialist educated and qualified as a practical nurse would have this ASI after the MOS. With that, I am talking about the enlisted system. A similar system of MOS identifiers exists for the officers that include nurses, physicians, medical service corps, medical specialist corps and veterinary.

Take care,

chbare.

CH- You make the point I was going to. 68W is Health Care Specialist. He is all hyped on being a a combat medic, but his next assignment could be sitting at Rader Clinic on Ft Myer doing vitals on all the retires and trateing the Soldiers at sick call. At that point will he still be so John Wayne in his attitude? I tell ya, I have a lot of respect for the folks at Rader, dealing with those retired guys that were fighting in Normandy or Iwo Jima, long before Doc D was a twinkle in Mommy and Daddy's eyes!!!!

I guess he does not realize hehas to be in combat to be a combat medic. The rest of the time he is "just" a Health Care Specialist. (Which rank wise is probably apromotion!)

Seargents, what unit are yall apart of? (standing at parade rest lol)

I spent the first 12 years of my career with several uunits in the 29th ID(L). I have since been working at various positions at the Army NAtional Guard Readiness Center. I am technically assigned to HQ Company US Army at Ft Myer, VA. IT is the largest Company in the Army with over 1,000 Soldiers assigned. I was 11B and am now a 32A, being trying to get a reclass to 68W, but there are few slots available where I work so I am SOL.

I will probably hang up the uniform in a few years. I am currently working on my Masters in Emergency and Disaster Management so I can move into a civilian job when the time comes.

I have been a civilian EMT for about 5 years. I love it. During my divorce I spent about 8 months living in the station which lead to running a lot of calls and giving me a lot of experience!

I am also from the DC area, but in NOVA. Living in Arlington, I volunteer in Carles County, MD where I was living prior to divorce.

Take care and good luck.

SSG G

Damn, CH, I am jealous!!!! I never in my 18 years of M-day and AGR had oportunities like those!!!!

DOC D, I almost 18 years in uniform, so I think I know of what I speak. I would same some Soldiers dip, chew,or smoke. "Most" implies a majority and in my experience the number was never a majority and is shinking day by day.

Maybe I am off, but I did not take the original post too seriously since this is posted in "funny stuff" section. Ithink had people thought a little about where it was posted there may have been a few less people jumping on the OP. Just my $.02.

Sarge

Our system gives a 15 second hot mike. That way you can give any information. Dispatch will not check, they will notdo any checks, just send help to your location. Also there are duration checks every 10 minutes after arrival. Dispatch will say "Ambulance 28 duration of your call 10 minutes." You responsed with your unit number, "Ambulance 28." in this case. If there is an issue you respond with your unit number and an pfonetic alaphabet disignation that I am not going to disclose. This will send help with out question. Dispatch will acknowledge and move to another channel to send help.

Does any department have an operational procedure/sop/etc for "kidnapped/missing" crew? I work in a major urban system that has directives, procedures, etc for basically every situation including civil unrest/abandoning a fire station. We also have the typical "police assist" for situations when your in danger but does anyone have any expierence with this type of situation?

-How long would it take within your local to find an ambulance, then the crew if it was seperated from the truck?

-How long would it take depending on your status (on a run, at a hosp, etc) would it take for your communications center to determine something was wrong?

-Does your truck, radio, etc have gps or some other type of tracking system to find you?

I guess this is sort of a rare and unlikely event but it would be worth talking about.

Our communcations center checks in every 10 minutes while on a call. IF no response the cavalry will be sent to last known location. Also, at least one member of the crew has a portable radio when we are away from the unit, so if the unit gets taken we have a means of communication. If we are in a situation of duress we can respond to the commo check with our unit number followed by "Romeo" and the cavalry comes. Our radios are also equipped with the emergency button that gives 15 seconds of hot mike overriding all commo on that channel.

Hope this helps.

Sarge

Well, I can relate to the feelings so many of us have. I am in the military and go crazy watching shows/movies which do things wrong. My ex wife and current girlfriend will tell you that watching anything military on TV with me can be torture! Hell, I even biched during G.I. Joe!!!! (I wont watch The Unit o TV and almost lost my mind during the movie Basic!!)

So we can do one of two things, quit watching or watch and accept the issues. I mean come on folks, was MASH correct either militarily or medically? But it was a grat show. I think people know that any TV show uses lots of creative license!

I watched the first episode of truma togive it a chance and after that said it was not worth my time. I moved on. I think if "we" as a profesion put as much energy into making positive changes in our profession as we are in complaining about this show, we could make something happen!

Take Care and Stay Safe!!!!

Sarge

I can not be at the conference, but I might make some of the evening socializing if given locations. Would be driving up from Northern VA.

Sarge

Yep! About $120 a month! I was doing a carton a week at about $30 per at the PX on post! Will cover the increase in my rent this month!

Well, I am on day 27 smoke free with Chantix! I am going to do the full course of the meds this time. Hopefully I wont back slide again! Had about a week of messed up sleep, but then it has been smooth sailing ever since.

I am with a volunteer department. NO POVing TO incidents is allowed!!! You respond on apparatus or not at all!!! You respond in running gear provided by the department. For EMS we have overalls or a pants/jacket set by globe in the summer you don't have to wear the jacket, but must have an approved department shirt on.

Have you considered talking to a local National Guard unit. Some of their medics could help. Especially if they have a recent deployment under their belt. They could give you information from the Army Combat Life Saver which is taught to most deploying Soldiers. Also, have you checked with any local SWAT, ERT, SRT, to see if they have a program.

Just a few thoughts.

Sarge

Speaking of Caruso I recently watched First Blood. How young he was in that one! Long before teh ego kicked in.

I have used several models of the Leatherman and have a Gerber of unknown model. I do not have a real preference. I have not really used them in EMS, I used them mostly in conjunction with my military career. In EMS mostly pulled out around the station to do things instead of heading off for a toolbox.

What is with my generation???

Read that post out loud to whoever is in the room with you and watch their reaction.

I think you are trying to discuss rural EMS but I can not be sure. I am a rural EMS buff and would like to discuss whatever you are bringing to the table ... but please for the love of god, proofread your posts people.

Well, not sure what you mean by your Generation. I am a year older than the poster and I feel that 90 percent of the time I am able to form coherent and relatively grammatically correct posts. But I know what you mean! There is a big difference between text/im abbreviations and posting on a forum for professionals and professional development.

Sorry to rant!

Sarge

First, I rarely start topics so I hope I am placing this in the correct category.

So here is the situation. I am a Active Guard and Reserve Soldier for the Army National Guard. (So the military is my career, in case AGR is not something you are familiar with). I have been an EMT-B for about 2 1/2 years now with a volunteer department. I am start my Masters in Emergency and Disaster Management through AMU. I am also in the process of a divorce. I am also on the team for our building with does emergency planning, including training occupants, planning and executing drills.

Here is the question: Pay the wife an supporting the kids (three LOVELY girls!!) on an E6 salary right out side of DC has left me a little cash strapped. I am considering looking for some part time work at a private company in NOVA. Does anyone here know much about them. I had been living in Southern Maryland until recently, so I am not as familiar with the NOVA stuff. I know the privates are mostly Interfacility Transfers, which I have never done, always been a 911 EMT-B. Wonder if anyone knows about part time availability, pay, etc.

Also, anyone think I might be biting off too much? I usually perform better when under stress, plus it helps keep my wight down! LOL! General comments and criticism are also welcome!!

Thanks!!

Sarge

I'm getting ready to make a trip down to LA to see my folks for about 4-6 weeks. When I get back I'm going to really try again. How is yet to be determined. For me the Chantix is out, I've used the patch with no help, and the lozenges helped but only to a point. So...what now? Fade back and punt?

May I ask why Chantix is not an option for you, if thats not too personal?

"Pint" and "Quart" are metric? Since when?

Damn public school educations!!!!

LOL

Sarge

Oh God, this better not turn into a 'I would have done it with my 'Leatherman' thread.

MRE Spoon!! Maybe the leatherman on hand as a back up!!

I never froze up on scene as a new EMT. But Prior to getting EMT I had run as a third and we had to run calls to be evaluated during my class. Also, one thing has always helped me is to talk things out on the way there. Started when I was new and my experienced partner asking me questions on way to the scene. Now I either talk it with my crew or ask myself questions in my head. It gets me prepared.

I know you might not have all the details. But you can brainstorm on what you get from dispatch. Using symptoms to start thinking what problem might be. Description of MVA can give you idea of what you might need to be doing or dangers to look for, etc.

Just my$.02

Well, if it came to placing a claymore the response most likely would have been Yes, Sergeant! (The officers would not be getting dirrty like that, LOL).

I never heard of or saw cats eyes on the claymores, but I can see units doing that.

Sarge

Well the military prints "this side toward enemy" on claymore mines!!! If you can not figure that out, should you really be placing the high explosive device?

Well, I do not think we are the only folks who have trouble with naming their equipment. Is it a cop car, police car, squad car, cruiser, interceptor, black and white? I think we are making more out of this than need be!

I do think that a name that implies what goes on inside might be better for the image.

But what do I know! I spent a part of my military career being transported by LPC's (leather personnel carriers!!)

SARGE

Sarge

What stinks is some video about who cuts close off faster an EMT or a Paramedic is listed above us!!!!