Stressful Time (ACAP)

Rain

As some of you know, I've got about 9 months left in this Warrior's Profession (as my counselor calls it.) The amount of briefings/classes/information is staggering and daunting. I'm hella nervous, but in a good way. Like the nervousness before a mission, or I imagine before a band takes the stage....it's good, keeps you on edge. I attended a job fair yesterday, and got offered a gig as an EMT-B at $15 an hour...which is a lot considering an EMT gives O2 and transports. They also offered to pay for my paramedic school (a year course), under the condition that I then stay employed with them for a year upon graduation. Just wanted to share. It's a transition...but I'm ready for it.

Bigshizza

Dang I'd definetly do a gig that pays for school and you're required to work for only a year afterwards. Looks like you picked a great profession! You will do very well Randy

The3Stogies

Sounds like a great opportunity. Know what you mean about being busy, but it's a good busy and makes you feel alive. Amazing what one can accomplish when they really want it. Good luck and thanks for serving.

Rain

It will be strange. In the Army, a medic is IT. They don't send Doctors on patrol.I am trained to start IVs, give narcotics, perform chest needle decompressions and perform a Cricothyrotomy (incision made through the skin and cricothyroid membrane to establish a patent airway). I can do more interventions than a paramedic, although that's probably because a soldier can't sue ;)In essence, they will pay me more to do less.

Amos Umwhat

Rain:

It will be strange. In the Army, a medic is IT. They don't send Doctors on patrol.I am trained to start IVs, give narcotics, perform chest needle decompressions and perform a Cricothyrotomy (incision made through the skin and cricothyroid membrane to establish a patent airway). I can do more interventions than a paramedic, although that's probably because a soldier can't sue ;)In essence, they will pay me more to do less.

Hit the paramedic school as soon as possible. You may soon miss the level of resonsibility you are used to . And good luck, very exciting!

Rain

My EMT Instructor told as it was time to move up when you knew what needed to be done next but were not authorized to do it. Sound advice...but I'm ready to move up before I start.

raisindot

Rain

raisindot:

If I (or someone in my family) needed a paramedic, I'd feel much more secure if he or she had been a medic in the Army. You'll be a credit to the profession.

Jeez...high praise! Thank you my friend

Ken Light

blutattoo

Congrats on the offer bro. Not just anyone can do what your doing and sometimes the work itself is it's own reward. As a former firefighter EMT you'll find you do a lot more than just O2 in the field, but most of the time you're there to support the medic if there is one on scene. I always encourage guys that are medics to try to get on with a metro fire department. Pay is better, retirement is generally better, and you get more variety of calls. Medic school is a lot harder than fire fighter school so if you can do the first you'll definitely succeed at the other. Good luck in whatever you choose I'm sure you'll do great.

Stubble

Congrats Randy....I take it you'll be staying in the area?

Rain

Stubble:

Congrats Randy....I take it you'll be staying in the area?

Yep...probably Temple. Close enough to CTC (wife is in the LVN program), her parents' place and the job I got offered.

The Kid

Good luck on the next chapter of your life/career. They say one of the hardest decisions is enlisting, another one is separating. Lots of anxiety. Kinda like letting go of one trapeze and hoping that another will be there for ya. You'll do fine.

james40

Congratulations on the job offer. That's free schooling and a 1 year guarantee of work, which I think is fantastic. I'm sure you'll succeed and be surprised at how well you excel.

Texvet

Take advantage of the opportunity, it's a job with a commitment. Your used to that stipulation. All the best,

flowbee

Hi Randy, maybe you could consider a fire dept paramedic position. If its like hete in NY your srvice time counts!

Rain

How does it work? A lot of places have combined their EMS and FD in to one organization to save money, but I'm just not sure how it works.

Rain

Figured I got a beer in my hand a moment to relax, why not give you guys an update? Transitioning is tough. I'm doing a lot of things I've never had to do...build a resume, compare cost of living in cities, forecast job growth....and apply for college. COLLEGE. I have a GED, and I got that seven years ago. I've not done any formal school time since then, and it really makes me nervous. There is a college local (Central Texas College) that has a paramedic program I'd like to go to. It's a two year course that awards you an EMT-P certificate and a Associate in Applied Science degree. RN is a two year course and pays way more, but I'd like to be a paramedic.All the people that teach this class should have been recruiters, because they make you feel like if you get out you're going to be homeless. Granted, we had to do a year long budget...and...I REALLY saw that I am not where I need to be. No smokes, sodas or anything for me for a while.I'm nervous, but it's exciting to have some control in my future. Thanks for listening guys, back to my beer.

First Warrior

You will have the experiance of knowing the honor and duty and sacrifice that you made in active service. You will have that experiance the rest of your life. Money cannot buy that experiance. Taking what you know and adding on to it will serve you well. Use the GI bill. Us Jarheads had Navy Corpsmen with us and we called them "Doc" A Doc saved my sorry ass one day.

Bigshizza

You will be more disciplined this time around and responsibility is a good motivator. You will surprise yourself and gain confidence as you move along. Sounds like you're moving in the right direction my friend. If you need anything--- just ask!

The3Stogies

webmost

Martel

Rain

I'm not trashing how hard the GED was to get, sitting down and testing on every subject at once was hard! I just know that people see it and think "Oh, why couldn't you just finish high school?"Because apparently I'm in the minority of people that made a mistake as a teenager.

The3Stogies

webmost

Rain

I can just see myself being old and telling my kids "I might only have a GED, but it was good enough to deploy to Iraq and Afghanistan to defend all these rights you have now! And I'll probably mean it haha, old white guys are grumps. Sorry Davis

Martel

Rain:

I can just see myself being old and telling my kids "I might only have a GED, but it was good enough to deploy to Iraq and Afghanistan to defend all these rights you have now! And I'll probably mean it haha, old white guys are grumps. Sorry Davis

Heck, I can be a grumpy YOUNG white guy!

AshMe

Hey Rain man, just wanted to say congrats on landing this opportunity. The worst feeling is leaving the military and not having anything to do - lost in the sauce. You'll do great. The important part is to start somewhere, anywhere, and the rest is up to you.

Rain

Luckily I got in to a Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) class coming up, paid for and taught by the Army. Free training and a resume bullet? Yes please.I also need to get a hold of the college here. I meet all the paramedic program reqs except (maybe) one. It says you have to have a 2.5 GPA on all college classes...I don't HAVE a GPA, so I need to find out if that means I have a 4.0 or a 0 haha.

webmost

Saving babies is the most awesomest ever. I couldn't do it.