A question about holding out for 68W (combat medic).

Question

I took the ASVAB and qualify for the 68W in the army. My recruiter said there were no openings on his system. However, he said that I could wait until MEPS and that the counselor there might be able to work something out for me. Anyone know what the chances of that are? Can I hold out and get the job I really want or am I going to get stuck with something else?

Answer 1

Man it really depends I tried to enlist two months ago and couldn't due to complications, then we went to pull my job again 3 weeks ago and there was no positions .I just redid my job reservation and got it with a sign on bonus, so I would say hang in there anything could happen butt there is other good jobs out there. I almost took 68w for my job when i went to the first time so I would say wait, things open up everyday.

Answer 2

Of course! You're not obligated to anything until you've sworn in at MEPS. If they can't offer the job you want with the bonus you want, you don't have to join. You can't be forced to join or take a job you don't want just by going to MEPS.

Answer 3

Hold out. You haven't taken the oath or signed anything yet, so you won't be stuck with a job you don't want. Talk to the MEPS counselor. You may not get the slot on your first trip, but if you make it clear that *this* is the job you will enlist for, and no other, the machine will move and you'll get that slot.

Speaking as one who has used the services of the medics, thanks for taking on that difficult and rewarding job.

Answer 4

The best thing about the Army is that you will eventually get where you want to go.  And it turns out to be much more fun than if you orchestrated it.   Take a job that you would never have imagined previously.   I started out Artillery.  Then Forward Observer. Then Fire Direction Center.  Then Lance Missiles.  THen i got a clearance for a Nuclear Cannon.   25 year later Saddam Hussein builds the first nuclear cannon in the world.

Anyway, you can get to be a medic.  Especially once you arrive in a combat zone.  The medics get picked off just like everyone else.  So do some studying on your own and just cast your fate to the wind. /

Answer 5

You can hold out for the job you really want.  It just means that you will have to wait a little longer to join.  It's not like 68W is some small MOS that only needs a hundred people a year.

Answer 6

Hold out- I did that. I wanted to be a 68P (radiology) and knew the spot was there-got to MEPS and the counselor told me the jib wasn't available and I could join as a 68T (vet tech). I refused and said I would come back some other time for what I wanted. The counselor freaked out and suddenly two 68P slots opened up. The counselor is just trying to fill slots -not what you want for a carreer. Hold back and see what they do. They have medic slots and are paying big money too.