NREMT training

Ok so here is how it goes down here in Ft Sam. Many “Soldier Medics” spend a few weeks in reception awaiting their placement in a regular company to begin their Whiskey training. I was fortunate enough that Reserves and National Guard get priority so I only spent 2 days in reception. Some of my buddies from Ft Benning waited for Charlie Company for 4 weeks. I was assigned to Bravo Company. We were “welcomed” to Bravo with a very good smoking session…better then at BCT. We had a shake down and some more smoking. This was on a Sunday and spent a few more days doing some paper work and getting our equipment.

Mid week we began our classroom NREMT training and I have to say that it was pretty slow, monotonous and its really difficult to stay awake. I manage to maintain an good average and since I passed my APFT I was able to phase and I have been able to have my weekends off since then. Those who did not achieve a minimum of 80% GPA or you will not phase. Achieving this GPA will keep you out of study hall. Passing the APFT is also mandatory to phase. Finally we reached the all skills which is when we had to test on the skills we had learned. This was only a few days before we took the NREMT. I passed all this testing on the first try. I am now an EMT-B and I was able to begin my 68 Whiskey training without having to worry about retesting for our NREMT.

NREMT

So I took the National Registry Emergency Medical Technician (NREMT) and I passed it. I don't know what my score was but I passed. I am now and EMT-B and we are moving to our Whiskey 68 part of our training. I'd like to say that our class test and review did not prepare us for the actual test. They told us we would see some of the same questions but that was not the case. You have to understand the material if you want to pass the test or else you WILL fail.

Bravo 232

I had heard, while in reception, that Bravo was the toughest company in 232. So first day in Bravo we get smoked because of course we have to be shown who is boss, unnecessary but whatever. The pace is fast and the first 3 weeks went by or flew by, rather. Currently I'm on my 6th week in training and I've been in phase five for 4 weeks now, I think...I've lost track of time somewhere and somehow! The NREMT Basic goes by so fast that its really difficult to keep up. Cadre does not help...They have to set the Bravo (more on this later) and they appear to take our time away on purpose. Cadre tells us that we are here to train, but it seems that its more important to shave and maintain the barracks up to their standard than it is to train. Morale has been steadily declining and we are all hoping for a big change once we move on to our actual 68 Whiskey training.

Fort Sam Houston

I arrived at Fort Sam Houston and I have to say that from the beginning it was not what I expected. I guess I was used to Fort Benning's green surroundings, its dry and not green here at FSH. I spent 2 days in reception. I was lucky as some of my buddies spent 4 weeks there. Granted they got to go home for a week, but I am now 4 weeks closer to finishing this training. on July 12, 2009 I was moved to my training company, Bravo 232...

Basic is done and over with

I don't have much time here in 68 Whiskey land for a full entry but its coming...

Marisol

I am so grateful that Marisol, my wife is willing to go through her pregnancy while I leave for my Army training. She also was very happy that my ex-wife will allow us to still have Isaac every other week. She will have lots on her plate, the household, the kids and her pregnancy all on top of her job. I on the other hand will have it easy in BCT and AIT. Honestly I would not want to be in her place nor do I think I would be willing to take on the responsibility she has. For her willingness and Love, I am grateful.

My Enlistment

I enlisted in the Army on December 7, 2008. I had originally enlisted as a respiratory therapist but after my physical at MEPS, I was disqualified because of my color deficiency. I was then given a new shorter list of MOS to choose from. Many were office jobs, which is what I was trying to get away from. From the entire list, there were only two jobs that I was interested in. If I was single and did not have kids then I would have chosen 38 Bravo. I was told that the Civilian Affairs Specialists more or less sells the American dream to other countries, in war or peace time. It involved lots of traveling and its something that I’ve always wanted to do. My priorities have changed and I decided that my family was more important to me than traveling.

So my second choice was it, 68 Whiskey-Mike 6. I decided to become a Nurse (LPN). I joined the reserves so I wanted a job that I could do anywhere and that it was on high demand. Nurses are always on demand and I speak Spanish. I have done radiology and though I did not treat or really help my patients, it was rewarding to be part of the process. As a nurse I will be there with the patients, by their side. The job is dangerous no doubt and I’m sure the MOS is too. I will be a nurse but I will also be a combat medic, so if a unit needs a medic and I’m available, then I will be with them patrolling the streets of Iraq or wherever we are fighting. It is no wonder the MOS comes with student loan repayment, the GI bill, a GI bill “kicker” and a $20,000.00 bonus.

Ultimately, I would like to be a Physician’s Assistant. If that fails, at the very least I will complete my BA in history (which at this time I have 22 units left) and hopefully get a commission. I will also like to earn my BSN to become an RN and move up from there. I hope I’m not setting my aims too high but I would like to one day be a Colonel. Colonel Hernandez has a nice ring to my ears.

Before I enlisted

Even since High School I wanted to join the military. I’m not sure why I only know that it’s a feeling and a sense of duty, I think. In any case one of my really good friends, Ralph, joined the Air Force and as I read about I realized that the AF has a high standard of living and very good careers. So for a few years I dreamed of joining the USAF. I could not join the military right after HS because I was not yet a resident of the U.S. in 2007 I finally received my green card and just year later I was ready to join the AF.

When it came time to make the big decision, I started to do a bit of research. Apparently the AF and the Navy are regarded as having the best quality of life in the military. I was not interested in spending time out in the open sea and I came to realize that the AF made it a bit more difficult to get promoted than the Army and the Marines. Another thing that turn me off about the AF is that when I was trying to find a recruiter they were busy or never in their office (reserve recruiter). I decided to join the reserves to make sure to get a taste of the military without a full commitment, considering that if I loved it I could always go active duty. In any case the AF turned me off and now I had two clear choices, the Marines or the Army because I was not interested in the Coast Guard or the National Guard.

If I understood correctly, the Marines are always first boots on the ground. I’ve known some Marines and they appeared to be a different breed. It was like comparing a Pitbull to any other dog. Yes I want to join the military but I’m not very crazy about the Marines. By that time I had realized that the Army was far more appealing to me than any other branch of the military. It was not as hardcore as the Marines nor as laid back as the AF…now it came time to finally enlist in the military and lucky for the Army the were going to get me!