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I have had a lot of fun in AIT. Not only is the Combat Medic 68w Course really good training, its fun. However, don’t get me wrong, its not easy. It’s meant to weed out the people who shouldn’t become medics, because you have to know what you are doing on the battlefield. I’ll begin with explaining what will go on at the 68w course, what to expect, and then after that I’ll share some of my stories. I hope you enjoy it!
Reception
I shipped out to AIT directly from Basic Training. I graduated BCT on November 30, 2007, on a Friday. I shipped out on Sunday morning, and got to Fort Sam Houston, TX around 11:30AM. After we got off the plane, we got a travel voucher from the USO, and caught a taxi to Fort Sam. Right away I was thinking, “no bus?” I was so used to not having any freedom at all, that taking a taxi to my destinaion, as opposed to being driven by a DS, was now foreign to me. The taxi driver dropped us off right at the CQ for reception. When we got there, we had to give the sergent there (BTW Fort Sam doesn’t have an DS’s, because they think it takes away from their actual rank as Sergent) our orders. The Sargent gave us these weird MRE’s that were actually good, and then told us to grab some blankets, and pick a bunk in a specific bay. He told us that we now have the freedom to roam around and eat, and do whatever we want until he sends word of the next formation. I thought, “awesome!” We son found out that Echo Company, the company we will be in, isn’t starting for another month. So, guess what they made us do? Yup, tonnes of detail work, from picking up cigarette butts, to raking leaves, everyday except the weekends. It’s not that bad though, while in reception, the drove you to the big PX where you can buy whatever you want. I bought a laptop, with a broadband internet card to keep me entertained. Eventually we were sent home for Christmas exodus, and came back after the first week of January.
AIT Begins
When we came back from Christmas exodus, we reported directly in to Eco Company. We met out new Ds’s, and did some paperwork. They gave us new blankets and sheets, assigned us permanent bunks in bays assigned to “Divisions” which are two sister platoons. For example, my platoon was 2nd ID, and our sister platoon was 1st ID. Both platoons shared a bay. That’s pretty much it for the first day, not including formations to go to chow.
The average day in AIT
The average day in AIT started with a 4:15AM wake up, and a 5:15AM formation, in which you must be in formation 10 miutes earlier than that. After that you go to PT, which is a bit better than BCT PT, but you still have to do you own PT if you want to better your PT score. Eventually you will do some more combatives during PT. After PT (around 6:15AM) we formed up on the PT field, and marched to chow. The chow hall in Fort Sam was worse than Fort Sill. However, in all fairness, the Fort Sill chow hall actually won awards for being one of the best. Eating chow here for the first time will be a shock. They actually give you time to eat.
Before I continue, let me explain the phases of AIT at Fort Sam. First phase is Phase 4. Phase 4 is basically lockdown, you can’t leave the battalion area, and are marched everywhere. Phase 5 gives you a lot of freedom. You can walk yourself to chow, and have the freedom to leave base when they release you for the day. Then there’s Phase 5+ which is ust like Phase 5 except you can walk yourself to class also, and are allowed to have a personal vehicle. In order to get to Phase 5 or 5+ and stay there, you must pass the PT tests. As soon as you faila PT test you go back to Phase 4.
Now after you are done eating chow, while in Phase 4, you will wait outside in formation until everybody is done. You’ll get marched back to the company and released so that you can change into ACU’s and be back in formation at 8:00 to march to class. In Phase 5, after you are done eating, can do whatever you want, but make sure you are in formation at 8:00 in ACU’s. In Phase 5+, after you are done eating, you do whatever you want, but make sure you are in formation in ACU’s on the CTA of your classroom’s building at 8:30AM.
After class is over at 5:15PM, you will wait for everybody to get into formation. Once everybody is in formation, you will get marched to chow if you Phase 4. Once you are in Phase 5, you will get marched to the company, and then released. It is up to you when you go to chow at this point (I recommend going off post to eat, or ordering in if you want). This is the same for Phase 5+. For Phase 5 and 5+, you are released for the day. For Phase 4, you have to form up after chow, and get marched back to the company for a final formation until you are released.
EMT Training
The first phase of training is CPR. This is a very simple, short training, ending with a 20 question test and a Skills validation testing you on your ability to perform CPR. Next is EMT training. You will be given a large textbook and a workbook that you must study and complete. You will have a test each week, sometimes even twice a week. The worst part is trying to stay awake during the “death by powerpoint”. The EMT course consists of 7 modules, 8 tests (7 regular tests plus a final test), Skills Validation, the NREMT-B (The final exam for EMT-B), and 6 weeks. After you complete a module in the textbook, you will have a test, usually on a Thursday. Module 5 is split into 5.1 and 5.2, and you will have both tests in the same week. Modules 6 and 7 are tested together. Out of these 7 tests, the hardest one is probably 5.1, just a heads up. After that you have the final test (NOT the final exam/NREMT-B). This is easy as shit. All they do is take questions you’ve seen on each previous test. If you happen to fail any of the tests you go to an hour long reteach, and then you retest the next morning. If you fail that one, yo get recycled into the next company. If you fail 2 more times in that company, you get sent to another MOS. After all of that testing, you have Skills Validation, where you are tested on each of the skills you were taught during the EMT course (Ex: Trauma assessment, putting a patient onto a spineboard, etc).
After Skills Validation, you have the NREMT-B. Now this exam isn’t meant to be easy, it’s meant to fail anyone who doesn’t know what they are doing, and has trouble with critical thinking. It’s a hard test, but if you study every night, and don’t be nervous, you’ll have no problem at all. The NREMT is a computerized test, and asks anywhere from 70-120 questions. Once the computer as accurately computed your skills level according to the way you answer the questions, the test will end. Mine ended at 74 questions, but just because you get 120 doesn’t mean you are an automatic fail. It’s still, possible to pass with 120 questions, it just means that it was harder for the computer to pinpoint an exact skill level for you since you were kind of all over the map. However, if you do fail the NREMT-B you will get 2 more tries. If you fail again, you get sent to another MOS.
Whiskey Training
Congratulations you are now a certified EMT-B. Now you move onto the whiskey side where you learn the combat medic side of the course. The whiskey side is 4 weeks long and builds upon what yu’ve learned as an EMT. Here, you will learn Intermediate and Paramedic level skills to use as a 68w. On the whiskey side, you don’t get a textbook, but you do receive a whle bunch of “memeo’s”, or hanouts, to study. There are 4 tests, 1 test a week. After those tests there is another Skills Valiation to test you one your new learned skills as a 68w. The skills tested include cricothyroidotomy, or “cric” for short, intubaion, inserting IV’s, applying tourniquets, etc.
STX
After you have done all that, you move onto STX (Situational Training eXercise). While in STX, you will be given weapons. Since you have weapons, you will be under lcokdown, and going back to Phase 4 again since they need to keep track of the weapons. Don’t worry though, they let you turn in the weapons for the weekend so you can go off base. In STX, you no longer train in platoons. You train with you respective sister platoon. Each division trains on one of five different events in a day during the two weeks of STX. One event is Trauma Lanes. Trauma Lanes is THE Final Exam. Here, you have a dummy that has different injuries (at least two different injuries). You must properly treat and bandage the dummy, all the while following the proper trauma assessment steps, and having the instructor yell at you and cream at you. You have 30 minutes to complete it. It might sound like a lot of time, but it really isn’t. And depending on the instructor, you will normally get one CLS, who can only help hold pressure and help apply bandages, and aidbag and supplementary aidbag, and a volunteer to give an IV to. Trauma Lanes is not easy. I’d say it’s harder than the NREMT, only because its very nerve racking. Just make sure you don’t get nervous, don’t get tunnel vision, and know your trauma assessment.
Another even is MOUT. The Sargent will assign 4-5 squads that will clear a building, each squad having 2 medics, a senior medic and a junior medic. The sergent will also assign OpFor (Opposing Force) to act as the enemies, as well as casualties to provide a hard time for the medics. Each squad as to clear the building, and bring any casualties to a safe spot to for treatment, and then to the LZ (Landing Zone for the Helicopter).
A third event is Patrol. Patrol is awesome. You are split up into two teams. There will be a leader in charge of both teams, as well as a senior medic and an RTO (the guy in charge of the radio). Each team is assigned leaders, junior medics, litter bearers, and infantry. There will also be OpFor assigned, but for Patrol its usually Prior Service who get it. You will be assigned a mission. Ours wa to rescue casualties from a downed helicopter. You will have to make your way through the forest, water and mud to reach your destination. You WILL get soaked and muddy from head to toe. You’ll love it! Once you reach the casualties, and they are treated, you must make your way to the LZ (sometimes they make patrol go to the BAS instead though)
A fourth event is Battalion Aid Station. A BAS is like a really small hosptal in the battlefield that can provide aid to only a select amount of people at a time. Your mission in this even is to receive casualties from both the group doing patrol that day, and casualties that the sergent assigns. The Sargent will be assigning the folowing positions, Doctor, PA, airway medics, blood medics (responsible for IV, etc.) platoon leader, platoon Sargent, triage NCO, litter bearers, evacuation team, and a whole bunch of medics and infantry. You must successfully treat all incoming causalities and get them to the LZ.
The fifth, and last, event is Blood Labs. This is really fun! The Blood Labs are two rooms made to look like an office building as well as an Iraqi marketplace. The rooms are filled with dummies that are attached to computers and can simulate a casualty pretty well. The dummies are laying around in random places, and its almost pitch black inside, with smoke everywhere. To top it off, they place heavy metal music to distract you. When I went through Blood Labs, they were playing Rammstein, which pumped me up! The instructor will assign a senior medic, and everyone else in your squad will be a junior medic. You must work together to effectively provide treatment to all the casualties before they die (and if you don’t provide the correct treatment in time, the computer can make the dummy simulate death. After its over, the instructor will turn on the lights, and show you what you did right and wrong. After that’s said and done, on the last day of STX, you will turn in your weapons.
The FOB
After STX, you go to the FOB for your final training, which lasts 5 days. The FOB is not at Fort Sam though, it’s at Camp Bullis. The FOB is really nice at Camp Bullis. You still sleep on cots, but it’s in air conditioned tents, and there’s actually nice bathrooms and shower facilities at the FOB. While at the FOB, you will get weapons again. There will also be 4 events: Patrol, FAS, BAS and MOUT.
For Patrol your division is randomly split into 2 groups. The Sargent will assign leaders, senior and junior medics, litter bearers, an RTO, infantry and OpFor. It’s basically the same thing as patrol from STX, except on a larger scale, and its not in such a large forest. One group has the mission to rescue casualties from a downed helicopter, treat them, and bring them to the FAS. The other group has the mission to rescue causalities from a specific location and bring them to the FAS. Afterward each group will switch missions.
FAS, or Forward Aid Station, is another event. A FAS is a lot like a BAS, but it’s much smaller and can normally only treat 2 people at a time. A FAS will usually be much closer than a BAS. For FAS, you mission will be to receive and treat casualties from the two groups doing patrol. after the casualties are treat, you must get them to the ambulance for transport. The Sergent will assign much of the same positions that there were in BAS for STX. Another even is BAS which will be very similar to BAS from STX, and FAS from the FOB, except the BAS is actually in the FOB, as opposed to the FAS which is in the woods. The only real difference is that you will be getting a lot more causalities. Your mission will be to treat causalities from Mass Casualty Situation. There is going to be a mix of injured soldiers as well as injured Iraqis. The rest is similar to FAS.
The Fourth event is MOUT. MOUT for the FOB is similar to MOUT for STX except its on a much larger scale. You start off with a good 20 minute convoy ride to the MOUT site. The MOUT site consists of two two-story buildings and 2 one-story buildings. Each squad is assigned a specific floor of a building to clear, and an exra sqaud will be assigned to form a perimeter. There will also be OpFor assigned. Your mission is to bring the casualties to a collection point, and reat them until transport has been arranged. In our situation, transport never arrived, and we had to carry the heavy casualties to a fake BAS.
Graduation
After you’ve done all that, you clean your weapons and turn them in. You’ll get transported back to Fort Sam. You’re last week consists of graduation practice and paperwork (out-processing), and our company ad a graduation dinner. I’m not sure if t will be the same for other companies. The graduation will be very much like the BCT graduation, except we had ours in ACU’s. After graduation you get to meet your family, and then you will get released after your bay has a final inspection and has been dubbed ‘clean’. Then you’re free, grab a flight home, or drive home!
How to Prepare
Study!Make sure you study your textbook every night, and make sure you know that trauma assessment!! Other than that, make sure you do your own PT aside from the PT in the mornings. There’s 2 nice gym’s at Fort Sam, go to them and lift weights, or run on the treadmills if you like!
My Stories
Most of the good stories from Fort Sam involve drinking. On Friday nights, and the weekends, people always come back to the bay drunk. I actually somehow remember the first night I got drunk at AIT. I had gone down to the Riverwalk in San Antonio, and barhopped the entire night. When it came close to 11PM (on Fridays and Saturdays we have a 11PM bedcheck rather than a 9PM) we decided to go back to the bay. I had blacked out for a short period of time from the time we left the last bar to when we got into the cab. After that I remember everything. We had stopped the cab two times, once to throw up on the side of the road, and another to throw up in a McDonalds restroom. The looks on the faces of everyone at McDonalds that night was priceless. They all looked like they were thinking “WHAT THE FUCK?!” After that, we got into the cab and went to the bay. I got up to the bay, and laid on my bunk. I was so wasted I couldn’t even change mself. My buddies had to change from from civilian clothes into PT’s (we have to wear PT’s to bed). Just as I was going to get my PT shoes on, the fire alarm goes off. My buddy hands me me shoes, and I say “What the fuck is this for? I don’t need shoes!” So the help me walk downstairs, since it’s almost impossible for me to walk. When I get downstairs I say “Where is my shoes, I’ve gotta go back up!” But my buddies didn’t let me. We had to form up until our Sargents said its safe to go back in. I couldn’t stand in formation at all. I fell out of formation and got on my hands and knees, but couldn’t even do that. I was laying on the ground, on my stomach for a while. My buddies got me to drink water. After a while I was at least capable of standing with a bit of support from on friend. I held myself together long enough to let the Sargent send us back up to the bay.
Another night, I had been drinking at Coyote Ugly, in San Antonio. My friend bought me a body shot, and then I had a few more drinks. We decided to pay our tab and go to another bar. I tried to pay my tab, but the bartender told me she didn’t have my credit card or ID (I gave it to here as soon as I opened my tab) It ended up that I had paid for it, and didn’t even remember doing so. The next thing I know, the bouncers are throwing me out of the bar. But not because I was arguing. Apparently I had punched somebody out cold. The thing my friends and everyone else there said they never saw me do it. But I didn’t care, there were plenty of other good bars.
But that’s nothing. Here’s a really great drinking story. The following story is from what every single person in the bay, and everyone else that was there has told me, as well has photographic evidence. I wass drinking with my buddies at the local bar at Fort Sam called The Hacienda. After the night was over, we went back to the bay. I had drank so much that the rest of the night after I got to the bay was a complete blackout. According to everyone else, and from pictures, this is what happened. I got up to the bay, and started arguing with a REALLY big dude, but somehow didn’t get knocked out. After that, I had drop kicked another big guy right in the chin. Again I didn’t get harmed. After that, I applied the rear-naked chock on someone else. I had gone to bed later and woke up during the middle of the night STILL blacked out. I had gotten up and pissed on my own bed, pissed on my buddies aidbag, went to the next bunk and pissed on his bed, pissed on his sower shoes, and then fell asleep in his piss soaked bed with a huge smile on my face. during the night I woke up and fell asleep on my own bed. The next morning I woke up, still feeling tipsy, with marks all over my fave and writing on my arm. The guy had drawn a unibrow, and a beard on my face, and wrote “I pissed on ****’s bed!” in permanent marker. I was lucky I didn’t get knocked the fuck out, but this guy is actually really nice. I am now known has “McLovin”, because while I’m sober I’m a nice normal guy, but when I get drunk I’m crazy!
Update: FAQ
*Updated 3/19/2009*
After reading all of your questions by email or from the comment box, I’ve decided to put together a list of Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: Are we allowed to bring our electronics, and if so when are we allowed them?
A: Yes, you are allowed to bring any electronics (ie. laptops, cellphones, etc.) I had a laptop, cellphone, PS3, games, and a monitor. WHEN you get this is defendant on the company you are assigned to. My company let us have our electronics from day 1. Other companies might only let you have them after you pass your first PT Test (which is usually in week 2). However I believe most of the companies let you have them on Day 1.
Q: Will I get to go home for the Holidays, and if so for how long?
A: Yes, everybody will get to go home for the Holidays. I got home around 4 days before Christmas, and I stayed for two weeks.
Q: How long is the course?
A: The EMT-B side is 9 weeks, the Whiskey side is about 6 weeks. However, if you fail a test, you will get sent back to the company before you. They will usually be 1-2 weeks behind. Also, if you already have an unexpired EMT-B license, you will only have to do CPR and the “Whiskey Side” of the course.
Q: Can I have more information about the NREMT-B Exam?
A: Sure! As I said in the article, the exam is a computerized test consisting of 70-120 questions. Theses questions are chosen from a very large database of questions at random. It is very likely that nobody in the same platoon will get the same question. The test ends once the computer has accurately judged your skill level. How it does this is simple. It will choose a random topic, and ask you a series of questions on that topic. Once you get a certain number of question correct on that topic, it changes topics and asks different questions. If you keep getting them wrong, it will usually stay on that topic for a longer period of time. The computer graphs your answers. It starts off with a baseline, or the “floor”. On that floor, it graphs your answers over time according to the difficulty. If you get every question right in that topic, it looks like a small rmap on the chart. If you get every question right, the graph will look like series of ramps on a floor. If you get some right ad some wrong, wit will look liek random assembly of dots around a line. The computer wants to create order to these dots in order to assess your skill level. So, just because you get 120 question, doesn’t mean you keep getting them all wrong, it just means you are not consistant in the way you answer your questions. I’ve seen people pass with exactly 120 questions, and I’ve see others fail with 70 questions. The pass-rate of the exam in my company was 85% the first time around, maybe a bit more. Most people who didn’t pass the first time, passed the second time, and even then you still get 1 more chance after that. Here are some things to remember about the exam: don’t stress yourself out, study every night, and remember your patient assessment.
Q: What are the showers like?
A: On the 68w side of Fort Sam, the showers are all open. One big room where every can see everything. Don’t worry about that though, once you get to Fort Sam you will definitely be used to it from BCT.
Q: I am already an EMT (EMT-B, EMT-I or EMT-P), will I have to go through EMT training again?
A: No, you will not have to go through EMT training again. You will be what is called a “Fast Track”. You will be sent straight to the “Whiskey Side” (Army side of 68w training)
Photo’s & Videos
Over the course of our training, our platoon took some photos and videos. Follow the link below to view a Facebook gallery of photos and videos from AIT. Not all of them are training shots, but I thought you guys would like to see them anyway.
AIT Photo’s: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/album.php?aid=2001483&id=1206086196
AIT Videos: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/video/?id=1206086196
I hoped you liked reading this. If you have any questions, please email me or write a comment!
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Filed under: Military | Tagged: 68w, AIT, Army, medic, school
Thanks for this article. Im not even in medical but this still gave me a rough idea of AIT.
No problem. Thanks for reading!
So are we allowed to use our personal computers and cell phone? It seems that you mentioned a computer so that seems fine, what about cell phones? Oh and thanks for the article
Yes, you are allowed to use any electronic devices. However, depending on which company you go to, you will either be allowed to use them right away or after you pass the first Physical Fitness Test (usually in the second week).
hey I had a few questions and was wondering if you could email me at colleen.m.campbell1@us.army.mil thank you so much
Campbell
Hi! I wanted to thank you again for this article. It was very helpful. I sent you an email with some questions about 68w AIT.
No problem. I would like to thank all of you who responded, and asked me questions. I am going to use all your questions to help create an improved article.
@ Michelle, I responded with an email that answered all your questions and concerns.
My boyfriend is goin to ft sam houston (68w) on dec. 5. I believe it is a 9 week program. Is he going to have anytime off for christmas? if so, for about how long?
Yes, everybody will go home for Christmas. I got home around 4 days before Christmas and stayed for 2 weeks.
I ship off for BCT on January 21st, 2009 then am going straight from Fort Jackson to Fort Sam. How long is AIT for 68W exactly? All I’ve gotten out of anyone is “at least two months”.
Also, if we already have a laptop, would we be able to bring it with us? Is there anywhere to store it at BCT?
If you could, could you email me at writemeasonnet@gmail.com?
I just graduated from Fort Jackson BCT last week. I wouldn’t advise taking it, to avoid the trouble have someone mail it to you toward the end of basic. But if you really have to I don’t think it should cause much problem. You should be allowed to leave it in your personal bag.
Thanks for the articale. If there is any way you could e-mail me more info on the test and whats required. Maybe you know the percentage of people that get recycled.
contact me at kimberlymfowler@gmail.com
Thank you
Thank you so much for the article! This is by far the most helpful thing i’ve found on the internet and will definitly help me sleep at night. I’m going to BCT april 29th and then straight to sam houston for 68W. I’ve been psyching myself out. I had a question, so the approximate 16 weeks they give you is if you pass everything the first time? I also already have my EMT-B, but as far as all the other things you mentioned does everyone pass it, or do you have to have a certain score? Please email me at lena_naumova2001@yahoo.com
Thanks for the info!!! My son is in basic at Ft. Sill and will be going to Ft. Sam in a few weeks for 68W training. I’ve been trying to find out what he will be doing there.
Hi Lance,
Your page was very fun to read and a breath of fresh air for people trying to find information on what AIT at Ft. Sam will be like. One question though, I bought a book on Basic and it lists some helpful items to bring (ie. cough drops) to make life a little easier and was wondering if you have some advice on little things to bring (or will need to buy) and any other tips you may have. Thanks again for the great information.
Thank you James.
Cough drops are a good idea and so are Vitamin C drops (as close to candy as you will get), but DON’T bring the Halls Fruit Breezers since they are considered candy. Now I will give you a list of things that are helpful, however I actually recommend that you bring as little as possible. You really only a backpack with the following items: 1 or 2 sets of civilian clothing (for the day before you fly out), extra socks and underwear, travel size hygiene items that can fit into a one quart ziploc baggie (they will force you to buy everything you need at the PX, so there’s no use in bringing a whole bunch of stuff) and that’s about it. Like I said, they will force you to use an advancement on your first paycheck (they give you what looks like a kind a credit card), and you will need to buy everything on a big list they give you. So it’s best to just stuff what you want to bring inside a single carry-on. One of the things on that list is a new pair of cheap ass shoe’s that they sell to you for $80. You need to get a new pair because you are only allowed shoes that they say are authorized. So don’t both bringing your nike’s or anything like that because you won’t get a chance to use them.
Here’s a list of things to get whether it’s before hand, or when they force you to buy everything: Moleskin (your feet will hurt from all the marching), boot inserts (they tell you to get running shoe inserts, but the boot ones are not necessary, but get them anyways. You’ll thank me). That’s really it, everything else you need they will tell you to buy. If you are going to AIT right after then you can bring a laptop, cellphone or ipod if you like. However during basic training it will get locked up in a room. After you graduate, they will give it back, and you can take it to AIT and use it there without it getting taken away. If you are split training, and are going home for a bit before you go to AIT, don’t both taking any electronics.
I hope this helped.
i was reading what you said about bringing electronics to bct. I am shipping to Fort Leonard Wood in about 3 weeks…..i graduate like thr first week of april(2010) and from there am going to FSH. I was told i wouldnt be coming home between then, because its only a few days, but ive been told it is unwise to bring a computer to bct because everything gets shoved in a closet…. true? and do you know what the barracks are like for girls at FSH ait?
Hey Lance,
Thank you for the reply. That was good information and I and I am sure many others will thank you. One last question though… I want to get a bit of a head start and was wondering if you know what book you used during the training? I have read on other sites that it is known as the Big Orange Book, but I cannot find out a title or author. If you cannot remember then that’s cool. Thanks again for all your help.
James
No problem James. I’ll list any information I can find from the book here:
-Title: “Emergency: Care and Transport of the Sick and Injured”
-Edition: Nine
-Multiple Authors, put together by the “American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons”
-Series Editor: Andrew N. Pollak, MD, FAAOS
-Publisher: Jones and Bartlett Publishers
-ISBN-13: 978-0-7637-4406-9
-ISBN-10: 0-7637-4406-9
I guess that’s enough info, lol.
what’s up, I’m in AIT right now at fort sam houston texas to be a 68W. I’m in bravo company which is like the strictest company here, but it’s still pretty fun. We’re in pre-validation training right now, so thank God we’re done with DBPP!! (death by powerpoint) that’s by far the worst part of being here!! If anybody wants updated info on what AIT here is like these days shoot me an email-
Anybody heading to 68W ait: it gets better. Trust me. At least in bravo our first week was like red phase of basic- the Sgt’s (no longer DS’s btw) were up our tails all the time, and yelled a lot etc.. we did get to keep our electronics from day one, but there wasn’t much time to use them since they enforced bedtime after bedcheck. After 4 weeks we were phase 5 and now we have a LOT more free time. We’re the only company on post that has 21:30 bedcheck even on the weekends, everybody else gets 11:00
but anyway, after bedcheck nobody goes to be unless they are drunk.. we all stay up watching movies talking on our cell phones, listening to music (and usually getting yelled at by somebody to turn it down) it’s pretty wild at times, but a lot of fun when we’re not doing BS stuff that the cadre like to do for some unexplainable reason.. but anyway, good luck to anybody coming here!
mattskywalker@embarqmail.com
(sorry my email didn’t show up for some reason in the last post)
PFC Beaty, thanks for posting. It’s always nice to have a second point of view, because each company is different.
I remember seeing the Bravo company that preceded you guys. They were in a constant position of front leaning rest. Also each morning they were giving 5 seconds to get into their class groups or else they push. Before that iteration of Bravo Company, it was always Delta that was the toughest, but now Bravo gives Delta a run for its money.
Hi I was wondering if you are allowed to purchase a lap top during AIT when you go to the px? Or was that only because you’re training was delayed a month.
Yes, you are allowed to buy a Laptop at AIT as well as any other electronics.
Great information Gentlemen! I’m kind of on the older side (31 yr old female) and leave for BCT at Fort Jackson on Feb 25 and then on to Fort Sam for AIT. Your experiences there are highly valued! Thanks so much! God Bless!
Any other books you would recommend to get a head start? My husband leaves 20090224 for BCT at Ft. Sill and then is supposed to start AIT on 20090518 (I’m guessing that is a recommended starting date since you said you had to wait a month). He loves to read non-fiction/technical books (he is currently a CPT and CES and all he ever reads it seems is about health and human performance/anatomy) What would be some good books to purchase before AIT for him to read in his down time in between BCT and AIT?
Also I read on a forum somewhere that 68W’s aren’t allowed overnight passes anymore. Was this true in your experience? We live near Ft. Sam and it would sure be nice for the kids to have Daddy home all weekend.
Thanks for the article, it was exactly what I was looking for!
Oh and one more question, will he have to wear his birth control glasses issued at BCT or can he wear his civilian glasses or contacts?
I would really only recommend the book I listed above simply because the test questions are derived from that book. I’m sure there are other good EMT manuals out there, but I recommend the one I listed above.
It is true that at AIT at Fort Sam Houston nobody is allowed overnight passes at all. This is because one night somebody apparently woke up in a field, bloody and dazed and couldn’t figure out what happened. From what I’ve heard, a couple had picked him up and did nasty things to him and left him in a field to die. You will, however, be getting day passes on both Saturday and Sunday (depending on whether or not your Sargents feel you deserve one. Usually they give it to you)
In regards to the Birth Control Glasses, he will be able to wear his civilian glasses, but he needs to bring the BCG’s with him along with all the inserts.
I liked your article. I went through the 91w course back in 2004 and then went on to do two tours in Iraq. I like that you are so willing to share your stories from AIT with others interested in becoming medics. I was also in echo company. I dont know if the story is still going around but my classmates were the ones caught having sex at the Alamo. Anyway all the best to you and hope your Army career goes better than mine.
Thanks. I remembered back to when I was in all of these peoples places, and there wasn’t enough info out there to answer all my questions. So I decided to help everyone out and answer some questions.
Also, I did vaguely remember something about people caught having sex there in the past.
Awesome rightup Dead Man, the best i’ve read so far. My bro’s going through 68W training over @ Ft. Sam w/Fox Trot, just entered Phase 5 (phew)!!! Any chance he’ll get some time off after graduation to come home for a few days before getting assigned to his unit? I apologize for the stupid question, he’s my only bro just wanna see him, we couldn’t be more proud of him. Any input, I’d greatly appreiated.
Roya Reader, your bro will get sent home before he will be shipped to his duty station.
Dead Man (I hate calling U that), but talking to my bro, the Nat’l Registry exam keeps coming up as a major point of stress. Just wondering, what you’d recommend for rediness, or if he’s scoring 80 percentile on the other tests should be nough to keep him prepared for the Nat’l Registry? R there better ways to prepare?
p.s. in your guesstimation, what’s the probability of his deployment to combat zone? i wouldn’t be so nervous if our gov’t was in different setting, however, our gov’t seems to be sympathetic to LOTS other causes than our defense.
concerned sister & lover of USA
Scoring in the 80th percentile is a good indicator, but that doesn’t mean he should stop there. He should keep studying his text book each night, as well as complete his assigned work in his workbook. A study group is a good idea, there are always people forming them. In the end I’m sure he will be fine.
In regards to deployment, I’ll be straight up. It is highly likely that he will deploy to Afghanistan (maybe Iraq) at least once.
BTW, if its any better, you can call me DMI, or just Lance
i just wanna say thanks dead man for all the input its helped me ALOT. i just have a few questions they might sound dumb but its on my mind. i have really crooked teeth will i be allowed to get braces after im in or do i have to wait till i get out of the military? and also how does the showering situation work out. is it just every body getting thrown into a large room and group showers take place or do you get some privacy? im not in the military yet but im joining up next month as a 68W so im trying to get as much info about life at basic and AIT. also does the army help you get a job wit the medical field after you get out?
like do they have a transition program or something? and also is there anyway i can still go to school while active duty to get paramedic certified? or do i have to wait till i get out of service?
thanks for taking the time to read this and sorry if my questions are dumb.
Thanks “Island boy”. I’m not 100% sure about the braces, but I’ll try to answer your question to the best of my knowledge. If you already have the braces, chances are the military will pay (while in BCT/AIT or an active duty status) to have your teeth fixed and get the braces removed. If you are already in the army, I doubt they will give you braces. The Army doesn’t like to do cosmetic dentistry, only routine and critical stuff like removing teeth, root canals, and sometimes cavities if they are bad enough.
About the showers, it depends on what post it is. For 68w AIT at Fort Sam, its all one big open room. However other BCT posts are different. At Fort Sill, each shower was like a doorless stall. It had a small wall between each shower. Other BCT posts had the one room deal. Don’t worry about it though. I was shy at first, but trust me you’ll get used to it.
As a member of the National Guard, I’m not really aware of a transition program to get a civilian job once your contract is up. I do know that there will be people you can talk to that will be able to help you get a civilian job in the medical field. My recruiter was more than willing to make a few calls and get jobs lined up for me. Also, civilian employers definitely like seeing the Army as a previous (or current for the National Guardsmen) employer. It means you are disciplined and you know your stuff.
It is possible to go to school for your emt-p while on active duty, but it would be tough. You wouldn’t be able to just go to school full time, you would have to do online classes at the end of your full duty day.
thank you dead man i appreciate it. one more question though. if i sign a 4 year contract with the reserves and im in. can i switch to active duty lets say at my 2 year mark and only be active for 2 years. or do i have to do a full 4 year term as active duty status?
What time does the graduation dinner and graduation start? I’m trying to book my flights to and from Fort Sam and it would be helpful to know. =)
Thanks
I can’t give exact times, because different things affect what time they schedule it for. However, the graduation is usually in the morning sometime before noon. I believe the graduation dinner started around 5:30PM-6:00PM
68w shipping out to ft leonardwood 20090416 and then AIT at ft sam. this was a great article. thanks a lot for the info. hooah!
Is FOB the same as FTX?
At BCT and AIT yes
Are you guys released after graduation rehersal? Or after the dinner?
I’m sorry, I actually gave wrong information about the graduation dinner and ceremony. The dinner itself was actually held a day or two before graduation, at around 5:30-6:00PM. The graduation itself (1 or 2 days later) was in the morning.
After graduation, we all had to go back to the company and do paperwork. The only people that were released that day were those with cars. Everybody with flights left the next morning. The next morning, before you get released, you’ll have to clean the barracks. Your DS will inspect it and you’ll only get released if it’s clean enough. Don’t worry though, they can’t hold you so long that you miss your flight. They will give you plenty of time to get to the airport.
Also, since we are on the subject, I’ll just let everybody know that the flight tickets are paid for, you are given a cab fair voucher, as well as a voucher for food.
Hey the first week of AIT are you alowed to call home or write home? or is it like basic for the first week?
I really enjoyed reading this. I was trained as an emt in 05 but I let my stuff expire cuz I went to nursing school (which im still not out of). long story short I’m thinking of joining the army and hopefully going in the medical field and hopefully as a medic. were there women medics at ft sam too?
@ marie: You are allowed to call home and write home
@ Future Soldier??: Yes there were female medics at Fort Sam.
So if you’re leaving with your family, you can leave the day of graduation after out processing?
Yes. However keep in mind it’s ultimately up the the company commander, so it might be different.
great info! thanks.
Thanks for all the great info. I stumbled upon your page while searching for graduation gift ideas. My nephew is at Sill for BCT, then to 68W. Any ideas on BCT graduation gifts?
Thanks again, great page!
Ideas for graduation gifts differ from person to person. My BCT ended right before Christmas, and AIT ended near my birthday, so my graduation gifts were my xmas and bday gifts.
What’s the percentage of people that start that actually successfully graduate from 68W?
I couldn’t give exact numbers, but a large number of the total students pass. Passing it with your original company is another story. If you fail the very same test two times in a row (3 times for the nremt) you get moved to the next company to relearn the material from that week. Don’t worry about it, you (or whoever your posting for) will pass.
I was wondering about a few things. I joined as a 68W. I was looking at doing a few different things as wasn’t sure how to go about them or even if possible. So I go to BCT first. I want to try Airborne, I have been told a bunch of different things about when you go or even get to go. I was also wondering about the skill identifiers and how do you go about getting into W1, M6, Y6 or anything of that caliber being a 68W. I was also wondering about getting stationed and put into a unit. Is it all chosen by the army or is there some soldier input. Cause I was hoping to be put into a dive unit if all possible. If not no big deal, it was just a thought. Any info would be helpful.
Thought of another question. My husband is going into 68W and is curious where he might be stationed. Is there a list somewhere of all the Active Duty stations in the US?
For airborne, if you are going to airborne (you get the chance to sign up if you didn’t put it into your contract) you will go right after you finish AIT. For the skill identifiers, I believe you have to get them put into your contract. I’m not sure how to get that done but your recruiter will. You will get the chance to choose 3 places to get stationed at. Most people get one of the 3 choices. Below is a link to a list of all stations, both in the US and international:
http://benefits.military.com/misc/installations/Browse_Service.jsp
Thanks for you help. Much appreciated. One more question on bases. Are there certain bases for 68W’s?
With the exception of Fort Sam (since it trains 68w’s) there is no base specifically meant for 68W’s. There are however MANY 100% medical companies located around the US (both on and off base). I’m sure you will be able to locate a base close to your family that has a medical company.
Thanks for the info…I wanted to get as far away from my family as possible…such as Lanstul and K-Town in Germany. What do you mean by 100% med companies? Is that meaning hospital settings?
Not really. by 100% medical companies I mean no maintenance, or infantry or anything. it’s all 68 series MOS’s including many medics
hey im actually going to enlist in active army.. and i was very interested in 68w or operating room specialist and i was just wondering after AIT what does combat medic do on a day to day basis? what are the pro’s and cons of a combat medic? can you e-mail me or just hit me up somtime i’m interested in all information you have thanks
Sending email now. If anybody else wants to know too, I’ll post it here.
I’m going to meps this Thurs/Fri to get all signed up.
I’d be interested too in the write-up of a medic’s day-to-day.
Please email the day to day schedule. All of your info has been SO helpful. My hubby is in reception right now, and waiting to get to AIT. Any info would be so helpful
Hey, awesome article, really cleared up a lot of things. IM shipping off to basic on 04JUN09, so its about two weeks from now, and my MOS is going to be 68W with physical therapy afterwards. i was wondering, you said wake up is 0415 and then you go from there, and what time is the day over at? Like how many classes do you go to throughout the day, and formations and stuff like that? cause i really want to weightlift while im there, but i dont want to always do it towards night when im all tired. i also want to take up classes in martial arts or do an activity like flag football or something to keep me active, is there anything like that over there? thanks
Well classes are over at 5:15pm and chow is at 5:30pm. After that it’s final formation and then the rest of the day is yours until the 9:00pm bed check. So you have plenty of time to weightlift. You have class in a single classroom from a little after 8:30am to 5:15pm with lunch and breaks in between. In the begining there are a total of 8 formations a day. Once you get more liberties in phase 5/5+ it will shrink to 4 formations.
If you have a football you can play that with buddies in a field. There are no on base martial arts classes and it’s not feasible to attend them off base.
thanks so much man for the info. I became an EMT-B after being discharged from the army in 07 on an injury and am looking to go back in as a 68W. Your page is very helpful. Thanks again and may God bless.
@ Cuban
Below is the email I sent. Remember that A National Guard medic and an active Army medic are to different things
Being in the National Guard, I can’t speak for the active army. However, I can tell you what we do in the guard as medics. Usually we will train up on medical tasks, get sent out as medical support for live fire ranges or PT tests, teach basic medical skills to non-medical personel (cls course), train up on non-medic skills, and much more. In the active army there’s much much more to do as that would be your full time job. I’m sorry I could be of more help for that particular question.
Pros of being a medic: the respect that comes with the title, the satisfaction of knowing that you save lives and make that much more of a difference, your emt license is good in the civilian world too
Cons: dealing with a death of a soldier that you attempted to save is very hard, 68w can be a stressful job If you are tasked as being a line medic (running with squads on the “frontline”)
Thanks for reading and I hope I answered your questions,
Thanks!
Great article, thank’s for the info. Questions, do you have to report immediately to your first duty assignment right after AIT? and when will you know where’s your station gonna be?
You get an option. You get either go straight to your duty station, or you can get leave with a catch. That catch is that you might have to do hometown recruiting in order to not be charged leave days. Also, and more importantly, the army will only buy you one ticket. It’s either the army pays for you to go to your duty station, or they pay for you to go home and YOU pay to go to your duty station.
You will find out what station you will be going to a few of weeks before graduation. You will get 3 choices and the army usually picks 1 of them (but not always).
Thanks, more questions if you don’t mind answering:
If you go to your duty station straight after AIT in early December, do you get to go home for Christmas? and how long are you allowed to stay?
In your opinion, what are the chances of straight deployment after AIT?
is there any 100% medical companies like you mentioned above in NY/NJ area? can it be included as the 3 choices for stations to be?
You do get to go home for Christmas, but the length of time you are able to stay depends on how many leave days you have as well as your unit. I was able to stay for 2 weeks.
There’s always a chance of deployement today. This depends on your unit, and where they stand in the “deployment rotation”.
Fort Drum has a medical company. You can list that as one of your 3 choices.
Hey Lance, thanks for all the info.! My husband is at Ft. Sam right now, in his 1st week of training, and seems a little nervous about the NREMT exam and the next six weeks of class…I guess they’ve sufficiently made them all think 35% of the guys fail and have to transfer to another MOS…is that really true? Any specific advice? It sounds like he should just really study his textbook, and pay attention in class? Do they do good review for the weekly tests? Thanks!
The exam is definately not an easy one. That’s the whole point. However, if he studies and pays attention in class be will do fine. They say that stuff to scare then into studying. Our class had a 85% pass rate the first time (they get 3 tries). He would only have to tranfer to another mos if he fails his 3rd try. Our teacher always gave a good review the day before the test, however it’s not something to rely on. He should do his own daily review, study and do his homework and he will do great.
Do you still have to do overnight fire guard and CQ duty at AIT?
Fireguard = yes, CQ = no
One thing I keep hearing from people is how awful 68W AIT is at FSH.
Can you let me know what exactly makes it so bad to so many?
Is it the boredom or monotony?
Is it the barracks? I understand there are 100 in a bay. Is that accurate? Is it the other trainees? I know every platoon is going to have some douchebags. I have read some say that there is a bunch of thievery in the barracks.
I have read many complain that the cadre are terrible. One common complaint is constant standing in formation for hours at a time (instead of studying or training) for no real reason other than incompetent cadre.
Does any of this ring true to you?
Years ago, I went through Infantry OSUT. AIT was just more of what we had a BCT. We never got weekend passes. We never got weekends off even. We trained on Sundays. Granted, it was only an extra 5 weeks or so, but hearing all the complaints, I am trying to figure out what was so bad with 68W AIT. I am planning on reenlisting and am curious as to why so many people loathed FSH so much.
Sorry for the late reply. This is the first I’ve heard of people hatting FSH so much. My fellow medics and I have all had good experiences at FSH 68w AIT. Now everybody’s experience will differ depending on which company you are put in, but even then I would never call 68w AIT awful.
Lets break it down… there are times where it can get a little boring and monotonous, but not any worse than college (since that is basically what it is).
The bays are 100 people per bay, but I don’t think that would be a reason. By then people are used to sleeping in bays, and besides, the bays are split in two. So its actually 2 bays of 50 per bay. I only remember 1 instance of thievery, and that was promptly taken care of.
The cadre in my company were awesome and took care of their soldiers. I do not have a single complaint against any the cadre members from my company. I cannot speak for other companies.
The formations do tend to be on the long side, but it is NOT to take you away from studying or training, and it is NOT for no reason at all. They make it apparent that they want you to study and pass. Standing in formation for hours at a time is a huge exaggeration.
I can’t really figure out why so many people (as you say) loathed FSH. I loved FSH, and so did every other medic I know (and that’s a lot, since I am in a company fully of medics).
I have heard that too. My hubby was told by his cab driver that he would hate it at Ft. Sam. The guys he has run into also said he would wish he was back at Ft. Sill
Thank you for your reply. I really appreciate it. I think at this point, nothing could discourage me from going to FSH.
I suppose I should never listen too much to people on the internet bitching.
Thank you so much for the article!! It answered alot of things i was quite curious about.
But I do have a couple of questions. Are we allowed to see people like family and such if they are in town? Are people allowed to visit?
Yes, once you get to phase 5, you are allowed to go off base and you as you wish. Only limitations is that you need to be back by bed check. Family can visit, but they cannot come to the barracks. They can come on base, and you can meet them somewhere.
What about married prior service? I know for the 68P the married prior service could live off base because they didn’t have to phase. Is this true for the whiskeys down the hill?
This was actually one thing that was in the midst of changing while I was there. Previously, prior service (at least in Echo Company) did not stay with the rest of the company. I heard that on the next rotation prior service would stay with the company, but together in a bay to themselves. So unless another company operates differently for some reason, married couples will not get to stay together off base in this course.
Lance,
Excellent article and posts. Thank you very much for all the info. A few questions:
1) Is it true that a civilian EMT-B is recognized by the US Army? Or vice versa? And if so, would there be any benefit for me to get one before I enlist? Who could I contact to verify this info? My paramedic buddy and recruiter both say no.
2) I’m older (37) and am wondering if you have anyone in your AIT that is this old? More concerned about the rigors of BCT.
3) What factors does the Army use to determine where someone is stationed after AIT? I’m guessing it’s based on need and skill level.
4) I imagine everyone will get shipped to Afghanistan or Iraq at least once considering how thin the military is stretched these days. If you do a tour in one of these places, how long do the tours usually last? Also, what would be the rotation until you would be sent back to a war zone?
Thank you again for your site and best of luck.
1) A civilian EMT-B is recognized by the US Army, however it would not benefit you to get your EMT-B before you enlist. I suggest you that if you are going to become a medic, let the medic course certify you. You won’t have to pay for it that way, and its a shorter course.
2) I’ve had older people in both my basic and AIT platoons and they had no problem keeping up.
3) 3 main factors that determine where anybody is stationed: 1) Need 2) MOS 3) Which 3 stations you choose. Just because you pick 3 of your favorite choices, however, doesn’t mean you will get one of them. Most of the time you do though.
4) Unless the US pulls out of Afghanistan (which I HIGHLY doubt will happen any time soon) I guarantee you will deploy at least once. Deployment is one year. This includes pre-mob. Pre-mob is where you are sent to a pre-determined mobilization center somewhere in the USA, and get ready for deployment. It can take anywhere from a week to 3 months. This time is taken away from your total one year deployment, not added. So if you leave from pre-mob today, you will get back in the USA July 8th, 2010. After you get back you will have what’s called 2 years of stabilization. That means you will not be able to deploy for 2 years.
Lance,
Thanks for all your work on this site. My daughters ships out for BCT next week then going to FSH AIT for 68w and your site is the most informative on what to expect, etc. No reply needed, just wanted to say thank you.
I was wondering if I could have my fiancee stay at a hotel on base and go spend time with her in between bedcheck and when I get off class at 5:15 She and I are getting married in november and because like you My reception is 29 days I will miss my wedding. I am active army. Can I take my leave days? it is also crappy because I will be training through thanksgiving and I will miss thanksgiving with my family please email me and let me know thank you.
Your fiancé can stay at a hotel, and you will be allowed to visit her. If she manages to get one on base it depends on you cadre whether they allow you to wonder the base before phase 5. My company did. If she gets an off base hotel, that’s ok but you need phase 5 to visit her.
You won’t be able to take leave days to get married. The only time they authorize leave is for Xmas (not including emergencies).
If you are going to bravo Watch out for sgt. spencer,sgt.woods, and sgt.jackson THEY ARE REALLY STRICT. sgt woods never stops yelling and will dust you off for nothing.
Very true, at least while I was there. Bravo would form up on the CTA next to us (echo) on the Whiskey side. They were in a constant state of yelling. Most of Bravo hated Echo because Echo’s Sargents were relatively laid back.
hello, my husband is currently at Ft. Benning for BCT and graduates from there September 3. He will then go to Ft. Sam for 68 W. We are expecting a baby that is due around the time he is expected home, although you never know when you can go into labor, and I just had a few questions.
Is there any way they would allow him to have pass to come visit or see me through his AIT, I would like to be with him as much as possible through this since i havent been able to talk to him at all so far.
What do you suggest and who would i contact to get more info on whether he would be able to do this or not?
Hey Ashleigh,
I am in the EXACT same boat. My husband was at Ft. Benning until June and is now in 68W at Fort Sam until September 25th. We have a baby due October 25.
When he arrived at FSH, they told him that they would NOT let him go home on any kind of pass except for a medical emergency (i.e., I go into labor). However, we have learned that this might not even be the best idea for him to come home for the birth, because he would miss valuable training time and it would set back his graduation time up to 2 months. That means sitting at FSH for 2 more months before he gets to come home. So it would be more beneficial for us for him to miss the birth and come home at his scheduled time than to come home for the birth, just to go away again for 2 months.
That being said, I know how hard it is to be away from a hubby when you’re pregnant. BCT was really rough. But the good news is that your hubby can call you nearly EVERY DAY in 68W. Some days we can talk for 2 hours or more. We are able to text and send picture messages too. It’s certainly not as good as a visit, but it definitely helps.
If you need someone to talk to, I’m here.
LWO, you beat me to the punch
Like she said, leave would only be granted for medical emergencies, death in the immediate family, or Christmas. Depending on who it is that approves the leave, he might be able to come home for the birth, but I agree with LWO when I said I don’t recommend it.
New question for you…
How soon before graduation did you get your orders? Some of the soldiers in my husband’s bay have already got theirs (they don’t graduate until Sept 25th), but my husband doesn’t yet. I’m really anxious for him to get them, since I’m pregnant and due around the same time as he should be stationed. Is there any way to speed up the process? Anyone I can call and get his orders from? Or when should I expect them if I just wait? Thanks!
The majority of people got their orders around the same time, but there was a bunch of people who got them later, at seemingly random times. I can’t tell you when to expect him to get his orders, but he will get them eventually. Sorry I couldn’t give you s better answer.
I read that sex is commonplace at FSH. Is it true that the girls are on the hunt rather than the guys? Also, where does this take place? Bathrooms? Hotels? I’m not a horn dog or anything, I’m just curious.
Sorry for taking a while to reply, I’ve been on vacation. There have been many occasions where people were caught having sex. There are a lot of girls that make the move on guys over there, but not overwhelmingly. People tend to have sex just about anywhere, but popular places tend to be the Hacienda’s private rooms and hotels.
I am leaving for BCT Oct 21 and then going to Ft. Sam Houston for AIT 68W training.
I really liked your site. Great info. I have been seaching for something like this so that I can get an idea of what to expect.
One question I have is at what point do you get to pick or get assigned a specialization area? It isn’t in my contract. So if its not in there an I only ever going to be just a basic medic? How can I get into one of the other areas like Physical Therapy, or Occupational Therapy, Nursing, or Flight Medic etc… Do they do it by your aptitude level? I didn’t know this was something you had to get in your contract and no one told me. What do I do if I want to do one of those specialization areas?
Are there many females in Medic school?
Thanks for answering my questions and keep up the good work. Your site is helpful.
Michelle
You need to get the specialization put into your contract. This is something you can talk to your unit with after AIT. However, if you are looking to go the M6 route (nurse), you are going to need a waiver since your new. If you do very well in the 68W course it’s possible that it could get offered to you.
I’m leaving for BCT Oct. 19th. My daughter is due early Nov. How will I know when she comes? What kind of communication will I have with the mother while I am gone? Also, after AIT I am going to airborne, how common is that for a combat medic?
Other than writing letters, the only other form of communication is a phone call. It differs form company to company (and even from platoon to platoon). In my company at Fort Sill, the majority of platoons got 1 phone call a week. My platoon (for no reason at all) got 1 phone call ever 3-4 weeks (which our platoon’s Drill Sergeant got yelled at for). In regards to airborne, it’s common for combat medics. There’s always a bunch going.
Hey, great article. Im enlisted as a 68w active duty. I leave for BCT @ fort benning 9/22/09. I heard alot of people saying yes and no about cell phones in BCT? Is it just based on your DI/Company or are there certain BCT forts that staright up dont let you have phones?
As for Ft.SH im excited. I heard there are LOTS of ladies…. tell me truthfully… i made an 85 on the ASVAB and it sounds hard… if i persevere will i make it through? when do you get into phasees 4, 5, and 5+?
Also I am Catholic, is there Mass on Sundays?
Cell phones at BCT depends on where you go. I know there was one Fort that allowed cell phones for some reason, but I really doubt it’s Benning. Fort Sill didn’t.
I find it funny when soldiers come to FSH and hope to see tonnes of ladies. There is a higher lady-to-guy ratio than most forts, but not as high as people say. Also, not all of the ladies are hot…. and a bunch of them are sluts.
You will pass just find, as long as you study and do your homework. You start off in phase 4, and move to phases 5 and 5 + when you pass your PT tests. (there’s a PT test between 5 and 5+ that doesn’t increase your phase but CAN decrease.)
Yes, there is Mass available.
hey thanks for the article! i am at fort sam right now preparing to go to echo company this weekend. reception is long and boring and a lot more strict from what it seems. for you fort sill guys it is like 95th for three weeks haha. i will try to post weekly so we can see how things have changed etc….i look forward to training
Great, I’ll keep an eye out for that update.
I have a couple questions. My hubby is in Reception right now, and told he will most likely be there for 3 weeks. Is this going to push his graduation date back. His orders say 01/22/10. Also you have talked about the different Company’s, Echo, Bravo, etc. Can you tell me a little bit about the Company’s and how they are different. Is there a set time between graduation, and when he could be deployed?
His graduation date would only be pushed back if the company his orders say he was supposed to be with already started. For example, my orders said Delta. They realized they scheduled too many for Delta, so they started that company, and the rest of the people would wait for Echo. If the company this will start up in 3 weeks is the company that is mentioned on his orders then he is fine.
Echo company is easy going, and keeps high grade averages (my class actually set a record), Delta used to be worst, but apparently it isn’t that bad anymore. Alpha and Bravo are supposedly the companies you want to stay away from now. I don’t know much about Charlie. Foxtrot is a good company too, but not too big. When we were there Foxtrot was mostly fallouts from Echo (people who failed and got recycled into the next company).
Usually each company is a week apart. the only exception i know of was between echo (my company) and delta due to xmas.
I definitely can’t tell you when he will be deployed. I don’t even know the exact date that I’ll be going. I just know the month. He would need to contact his unit for that information.
Thanks for the great write up!
My son’s graduating from BCT (Fort Sill) next week and will be at Ft Sam Houston on the 28th.
I’ve printed it out for him so he can read it and see what’s a head for him. I hope he takes your advice about studying every night. In high school, he was always cramming the night before tests. (Lucky for him that he’s smart enough to get away with that in high school.)
Cramming isn’t that way to go with this. Even if he passes all the tests that way, it’s not the best way to retain information in the long run.
hey, me again. I leave for basic in 3 days now to be a 68w goin to fort benning then houston. This PT test you talk about between phases and whatnot, is it just the BCT PT test where you need 2 miles in less then 15:56, 42 push ups, 53 situps etc..
Sorry for taking so long to reply, I was on vacation again. You need to get a score of 60 to pass the APFT (PT test) in AIT. There are age groups (for males and females) that are scored differently. If you are in the 17-21 male age group, then yes that’s what you need to pass (except its 15:54 instead of 15:56 for the run). If you want to see other age groups you can go to the url below.
http://usmilitary.about.com/od/army/a/afpt.htm
Also, are weekends free time? do u gotta wake up at 4am on weekends?
Kind of. In the beginning you still have to get up for formation, but there’s no PT (unless you failed your PT test), its you get to “sleep in” for a bit longer. You just form up, go to chow, and form up again. After this you are sent back to your bays to clean until a sergeant approves it (don’t worry it’s not like basic training, they actually will approve it if it’s clean). Once they have approved it, you get to go anywhere on base (or off base if you get phase 5). Later on in the cycle, they will let you go to chow by yourself, bu you still need to go to formation (which would be later) and to clean up before release.
hey the first week is over now and all is starting 2 fall in place. i am in echo company just like the writter of this article. echo definitely is tough. the sergeants demand perfection or u get a nice smoke session. the first week isnt 2 bad minus pick up day, a nice shark attack and a run around ft sam with a full duffle. otherwise u in process (all reception is is purgatory) for the first couple days and start class. we had our first test, on cpr, on friday and we got another one wed. things move quick around here but it is fun. as for week 2 we will see what goes on. we got a pt test tues and test wed so we will see what the week brings. i will update again at the end of thee week. ask questions if ud like.
What a fantastic little forum. Excellent information Dead Man! I do hope you continue to contribute and others do too. . .There just isn’t enough information out there on what to expect (and I have done a LOT of research). My husband’s computer is franked up right now and can’t get on the internet, so I plan on printing a lot of this and sending it to him. They clearly aren’t going to be sharing info with anybody. Jay- I look forward to your commentary. My husband is in Echo currently as well, and I wonder if you guys ever come across each other. Heard about the duffle run.
I do hope you guys get some off post passes by October 24th, as I’ve already booked my trip to come visit. I will say that it sucks a** that there are no more overnights. At any rate, I wish you much luck. Study hard and take care of yourself.
Jay, I’d like to see more updates from you (and others) if possible, because the old echo that I had at the time of the article is gone. Many of the sergeants completed their 3 years and have moved on. For example, I’ve never seen anybody do the duffel bad drill in echo.
Currently serving out the remainder of my sentence In bravo company. Due to graduate in six weeks I think. NREMT module is a great foundation for what we’re doing now. The class numbers are starting to thin down with people double tapping on tests. It’s really not that hard if you put your mind to it.
At the moment the whole battalion seems rammed with new recruits we have ninety people in our bay (not split) and they finally got the hot water back on yesterday after it being MIA for I don’t know how long. We still have an average bed check time of 2130, maybe 2200 if we behave. Buy normally someone will do something dumb like get carted out of the barracks completely naked and unconsious on a stretcher by paramedics because he drank way too much. People do drink too much here and lose the military bearing that was practically beaten into them in basic within about a week. Depending on which company you’re in this may or may not be a problem. Bravo, however, alledgedly set the standard so be prepared if you end up here.
Word of warning: Herpes appears to be pretty rampant here. I’d seriously think about what (or who) you’re doing before you do it.
On the plus side, you probably won’t get enough sleep to be able to stay awake through the awesome training that you get. The instructors here are really good at what they do and will do their best to get you through the course if you put forth the effort. Just remember that you’re here to
learn how to do a very important job in some of the most dangerous places in the world. Too many of the people here seem to be oblivious to where they are going to be before too long and think that the cadre are being “over dramatic” when they try to bring in the gravity of the situation we’re in. Just try your best not to be a douchebag if you come here. Work hard, play hard – but don’t let your actions be at the expense of others.
Go Bravo.
Everything in this comment is very true, read it carefully. Thanks for the update, keep em coming.
Dumb question…
Do you get to keep your aid bag at the end of AIT?
No, but your unit will give you your own (and it will be much better anyways if your unit gives you the new ones)
the second week is over. a pt test and 2 exams in one week. it is intense here but very manageable if u work hard. people fall asleep within 10min in class and it reflects in there grades. coffee in class is a plus but 60 people for 2 pots is tough. class everyday from 8-5ish. any ?s just pot them here.
I think that was something I forgot to mention. The coffee is great if it is maintained. A lot of people in our class did their part, so we ended up having 3 pots going, fully stocked at all times.
the 2nd wk over. a pt test and 2 exams in one week. it is intense here but very manageable if u work hard. people fall asleep within 10min in class and it reflects in there grades. coffee in class is a plus but 60 people for 2 pots is tough. class everyday from 8-5ish.
Honostly, how often do you hear of men cheating on their wives down there? In ALL honosty?
Since sex is apparently easy to acess.
It’s not as easy to access as it’s made out to be, and most of the people who try it get caught. There were no cases that I heard of about people cheating in my company.
hahahahaha well not too often. the guys i know are genuine for one and for two it isnt as easy to do it as you think. they got us on a pretty good lock down here so it would be pretty tough to pull off anyways
I can think of about four people within ten feet of my bunk who have committed acts with persons other than their significant other.
Today we are sitting in formation on the first day of our four day Columbus weekend waiting to have our lockers searched as some of the soldier medics alledgedly have a problem with taking preceiption meds that don’t belong to them. Maybe we’ll get out of here after lunch if we’re lucky.
I heard they’re planning to cut the FTX down by five days. Not sure if I’d rather be here or there.
Maybe our company was the odd one out then in those terms. Also, the FTX was already only 5 days. I really doubt they will be shortening it at all, because it’s already very short.
Roger Rabbit,
just curious as to what company your in where you’ve seen others cheating on there significant others. I heard sex was easy to access too, but my husband told me it wasnt that easy but has seen guys doing it.
My husband is in foxtort and i do at times wonder what goes on and whether or not those guys are truthful or not. Thank you.
Sue-What is your hubbys name? mine is in Foxtrot also. How has his experience been so far? email me at autumnboyd25@yahoo.com
Roger Rabbit,
just curious as to what company your in where you’ve seen others cheating on there significant others. I heard sex was easy to access too, but my husband told me it wasnt that easy but has seen guys doing it.
My husband is in foxtort and i do at times wonder what goes on and whether or not those guys are truthful or not. Thank you.
Roger Rabbit-What is you hubby’s name…My husband is in Foxtrot also
I’m in Bravo company (go Bulldogs) and our FTX is 17 days in the field at Bulles. The guys I talked to from Alpha were out there for about 16 days and they said that they’re doing it in Crawl – Walk – Run phases, only there’s no point in having the crawl phase as it’s just stuff that we learnt in basic. Hence the rumor of shortening it, as it wil give us far more time to out process. It’s supposedly reminiscent of basic in that the time ration of training to sitting around on your hands is roughly 1:24.
The opportunity for infidelity is pretty easy. Most just go off base and get a hotel room.
You had Christmas Exodus right? How long was it, and did you have to use your leave days? Did you have to pay for your travel home?
We got 2 weeks of leave taken out of our leave days. Everybody goes home and gets the same amount of leave days regardless. The army will not pay for a ticket home. The army only pays if you are on orders to be sent to a certain location.
Hello Dead Man. I am a split option in the National Guard. I have already finished my Basic Combat Training and am waiting to finish my senior year of high school so that I may go to my 68W AIT. My question is that if I where to go to the community college and get my EMT-B would I be able to go strait into the “Whiskey” part of the training? That way I could cut it down by a few weeks and wouldn’t have to miss as much, or any college.
P.S. I’ve been trying to find decent information on 68W AIT for a while now and you are by far the best. Thank you very much.
If you went to college to get your EMT-B you would go straight to the Whiskey side. However, the EMT side of the 68w course is very compressed compared to the civilian course. You would actually be adding weeks, not cutting them.
What kind of food is available at Fort Sam?
Some of it doesn’t strike me as exactly healthy, I’ve read that the average breakfast is eggs, bacon, and/or pancakes, is that true?
Are there any other options?
Hell I could eat PB&J for all three meals (some days I do).
Also, is there fruit available?
Lastly, are you required to drink milk? I’m not allergic or anything, but, uh, I react badly to milk and dairy in general.
Thanks in advance, great page you have here.
That is the very same options available for breakfast every day. There is fruit available. No, you are not required to drink milk.
hey guys sorry 4 the delayed update. we just took our dcmt final 2day. these couple weeks r hectic and challenging. study hard and you will have no problem up 2 this point
in whiskey it is 10 times better than emt….and the bedt bar around is dixies country bar amazing and cheap dollar beer
What is the graduation ceremony like? Also does my soldier get to come home after graduation? His pending orders are for Germany, and his report day is March 1st. His graduation is February 5th. Will he get to stay home that month in between graduation and his report date?
They will let him go home, but he will have to pay for the flight home and then to Germany. He wouldn’t have to pay for a flight straight to Germany if he stays.
I haven’t read anything about G company. My son just arrived at Ft Houston and said he will not start until possibly after Christmas break. Why the long delay?
thanks…..
It’s possible that a company just started right before he got there, and generally companies don’t start up again until after Xmas when it’s this close.
Hello, so if i went next week to my nearest recruiter, and wanted a 68w position, would i be guaranteed to get it, what are the chances, and are there times where i may not get the 68w position, if so, how come. Also, what is the difference between a 68w and a 68w10. -Thanks.
The Army is always looking for medics, as long as you have the right asvab scores.. The worst that would happen is that they will tell you you have to wait a bit longer for a spot to open up. Even then, however, it shouldn’t be too long of a wait. Also, 68w and 68w10 are the same thing. 10 just means that you are a junior medic. You get 68w20 when you get E5, and I’m not sure when you get 68w30, I think its E7. 68w30 would be the senior medic out of the three.
i had to wait. i enlisted july 17th 2009 and im not leaving for basic for like, 3 more weeks….i leave jan 18 2010. So i have had the joy of stressing about basic and such for the last 6 months…but at least im getting to do what i want.
yea i just read the post under mine, being a female may have had an impact on why i had to wait so long….
Greeting to you all !,
Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving and coming holidays (Christmas etc) with the family. For those who interested enlisting as 68W, currently the next ship out date for 68W would be in February of 2010 and Basic in Ft. Benning as for female that might be a different story. That is what I heard from another fellow future soldier from my recruiting station. I highly doubt any of you who wanted to enlist as 68W will get the February ship out date if you enlist now.
I signed up and enlisted for 68W back in July and I won’t leave until 28th of December and the Basic/BCT takes place in Ft. Leonard Wood in Missouri. The 6 + plus months wait is almost over for me!!! One more months to go… Unfortunately my recruiter is semi incompetent and I didn’t get the ship out date in October for Ft. Jackson. So. I guess I will be enjoying the brutal cold weather in Missouri.
So. If you interesting enlisting as 68W, do it soon as possible and expect up to 2 to 6 months waiting time depends on the opening that is available with the U.S Army. Also if you want to know where you will be station in with the Active Army, do Airborne 90% of time you will be end up in Ft. Bragg, North Carolina according to an ex-recruiter I spoke to who is station at Ft. Bragg. Unfortunately I lost my reservation for Airborne due to delay at MEPS. So. I will entering the great unknown where I will be station in. You will get choices but expect not getting where you want to be station in. Try to make the best out of it suggestions from two of my friends who did 4 years Active from 2001-2005 both with 1 year in Iraq during the beginning phase of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Hope this help.
Thanks for posting that info.
My son was put on medical ‘profile’ 2 days before leaving reception. (bad knee).. He said he was going to be reevaluated after Christmas exodus..(may involve surgery)…Can this keep him from ever becoming a Combat Medic? If so does that mean they would assign him to a new MOS? or would they medically discharge him? This is a bummer for him as he really wants to be in the Army….
thanks….a worried mom….
It depends on what the problem is with the knee, and if it can be sufficiently corrected with surgery. After surgery, his knee will be reviewed again where they will determine if his knee is fit enough for duty. So, he won’t necessarily be discharged if it’s corrected. The worst that will happen is that he might be sent home for surgery, and after he’s been cleared to return he’ll have to wit for another seat.
68w at fort sam, C Co. 232nd Medical Battalion
camp bullis is a blast. keep studying and do the best you can the instructors want you to do your best. echo 232 tuskers!
thanks to this i cant wait to start my training!!! i leave for bct march 30,2010!
where r u goin for bct???
This site has been very helpful, but I have a couple questions. I don’t live real far from fsh will I be able to have my pov at some point in ait? Do we get leave time inbetween ait and my permant? And is the first week hell? I leave jan2. So if anyone could will u reply asap. Thanks
You will be allowed a POV once you get Phase 5+, however it is really up to your company (ours let us). You will be allowed to take leave after AIT, but you will have to pay for your flight home and to your unit, since you are not on orders to go home. A flight straight to your unit will be paid for by the army. The first week is the worst, but it’s NOTHING like BCT.
Thanks deadman. Your a lifesaver. No pun intended… Lmao
Hey Dead Man, is the training and all the above mentioned the same for 68w Army Reserve as it is for 68wActive
For army reserve and guard, normally they are stationed somewhere near their assigned unit, so they are ordered to fly back home. I hope that’s what you were referring to.
Hey Dead man excellent site, it has been EXTREMELY helpful to me, one question though. Will my training as a 68w help me in my goals to become a Physician Assistant? Thanks in advance.
68w and PA are 2 different paths. In short, it won’t help much except that you’ll have knowledge on how the body works, etc.
Amazingly informative site. I have to say of all the research I’ve done, this is by far the best – and I have done a serious amount of research.
To sum up:
-Dorms house 100 (unless you are prior service in which case you have much better arrangements)
-You wake up at 4:15, pretty much the same as basic but not as difficult. Be ready for formations-a-plenty.
-First 4 weeks are like basic (lockdown) and you get smoked and die by powerpoint.
-it’s like college after the first month, free time after 5ish.
-everyone’s drunk on the weekends.
-study, don’t screw around (literally and figuratively), and passing should be manageable.
-tests occur weekly or bi-weekly
-after 2 months, whiskey side begins, more enjoyable, more hands on, more challenging.
-after 2 months, you still wake up at 4:15. This never changes.
-electronics will be allowed, time dependent on Cadre.
Some clarifications, do they actually offer m6 or specializations to Guard members if you are in the top 10%? Thought I saw that mentioned here, and of course, the rumor mill and internet flip-flop on this one. Do Nat’l guard units tend to send people to these schools pretty easily?
National Guardsmen can get m6 or other specializations. If it’s not already in your contract, you’ll have yo wait until you get to your unit. However its not 100% guaranteed that they get get you it.
For the second question, I’d say yes.
Great site brother. Thanks for all the time you’ve put into this.
I just graduated BCT, (Fort Sill) on 16 Dec., and will report to Fort Sam on 02 Jan, this Saturday.
Do they do combatives at Fort Sam? Do they recommend you having a laptop? For real Dorm house 100? That bites!!!
hey do combatives at Fort Sam, and having a laptop is useful. “Dorms” is not a good term to use, but yes they house 100. It’s a full-out barracks, split into 2 halves.
If I take exodus from BCT do i still get to go home for 2 weeks after AIT? also if i live close to San Antonio will i be able to go home when we have free time as long as i am back for final formation?
Yes, you still get to go home. Remember though, you’ll pay for your own ticket. If you are given free time (with permission to leave base) you can go anywhere within 50 miles (at least thats the restriction my company had)
cool, thanks a lot man. I was kinda thinking since i came home for exodus during basic i wouldnt get the 2 weeks off after AIT but thats great. Your sites very helpful but i guess thats the army way hooah!
Hey Dead Man How are the gyms at Sam? And is there time to use them and still get enough study time in?
There’s 2 gyms at fort Sam. The closest one is very good. It has all the weight lifting equipment you need, treadmills, and a basketball court. The bigger one is just that, it’s bigger and has more stuff. Not really worth your time to walk down there. I always used the small, closer one.
There is time to both go to the gym, and study, as long as you don’t overdo it at the gym (which is bad anyway).
i didnt read all the comments but i skimmed a couple and i saw no1 say, “do not trust the locals” i know its horrible (im born and raised in san antonio and still live there) but 4 real military is a target. when i was at F.Co some doo got drugged ata bar robbed and raped. and then there were the 6 USAF guys who when into a club full of bangers and challenged em. was any1 here for that?
That you very much for mentioning that. I thought I mentioned that but I guess I didn’t. You guys must be very careful when going into San Antonio (or anywhere else). There are countless stories of people who go after people in the military. There story that stated it all (and got overnight leave taken away for good reason) was about this guy who got drugged and found himself laying in a field covered in blood.
One more question about the gym. Does it have a wet area, sauna, hot tub, and pool? And thanx Bro yer page has been very informative.