Army ROTC...is there anything medical I can do?

[MarkL]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Please excuse my ?newbie? knowledge on this field.

Dear all,
I am a first year undergraduate and a first year Army ROTC (MSI) cadet. I am enthusiastic about pursuing a medical career in the military and was wondering if anyone knows if I could take any Army courses or take on additional responsibilities in my squad to facilitate this interest. (Is it even possible for ROTC cadets to take Army courses?) While I am not a nursing student, I am trained in the pre-hospital field with some of the knowledge of some of the skills Combat Life Savers need to know: fracture management, airway management and IV skills: I have credentials in Advanced Cardiac Life Support and as a medical first responder.

I appreciate any help or suggestions anyone can provide.

Regards,
Mark

(Message also posted on Military Residences Forum)

 

[91Bravo]

Experience in leadership is always a plus. So it goes without saying that you should try to take on whatever leadership opportunities that come your way. Although you mentioned a certain level of pre-hospital skills, it isn't anything unqiue compared to most other pre-med students.

If you want my opinion, I would suggest joining the Army Rerserve while in the ROTC. In my experience, they try to integrate ROTC cadets into lower-level leadership roles within the TPU (troop program unit). I only knew one cadet that served concurrently in a reserve unit while being in the ROTC. He was an enlisted soldier first prior to entering ROTC. I don't know if that would make any difference or not. I don't know if it would be possible to join as an enlisted soldier and then functioning as a cadet after your IET (initial entry training) is complete. The reason I bring this option up is the wealth of military medical experience you could amass very quickly. I served as a 91Bravo Medical Specialist (hence my username). It's now called 91Whiskey - Healthcare Specialist. During my training at Fort Sam Houston, the army paid for my testing and certification as an EMT. Then I went on to serve in an air ambulance unit. It was a great time! If nothing else, see what you can do about taking the Combat Lifesaver Course or becoming certified to teach Combat Lifesaver. I hear some Army Reserve Schools even teach 91W courses in various locales.

Bottom line: Ask your commanding officer what medical-related opportunities are available. Since you're not a junior yet, you're not under an ROTC contract. So my hunch is you can still join an Army Reserve unit.