@EquitasInvictus said:

@baconbits33: That makes sense; I figured when I first heard about it that it would eventually take some heat requiring them to stop officially administering those tests. I have a feeling they do still administer those kinds of tests off the record, though.

Thanks for providing all this insightful information on your training! I'm going to be leaving for USAF's OTS soon so it's always great to hear from someone else who has gone through military training.

Ultimately I figure I'll end up in some sort of engineering track, though, since there's apparently always a shortage on those. They are paying for my engineering degree, after all.

Ah trust me you guys get treat really well, seriously we see all the Airforce guys partying on the weekends, coming back drunk, and just having a damn good time, all the while we're in the front leaning rest position (push up) with our 30-40 lb. packs getting yelled at in the 110 degree weather......

@baconbits33: That makes sense; I figured when I first heard about it that it would eventually take some heat requiring them to stop officially administering those tests. I have a feeling they do still administer those kinds of tests off the record, though.

Thanks for providing all this insightful information on your training! I'm going to be leaving for USAF's OTS soon so it's always great to hear from someone else who has gone through military training.

Ultimately I figure I'll end up in some sort of engineering track, though, since there's apparently always a shortage on those. They are paying for my engineering degree, after all.

@EquitasInvictus said:

@baconbits33: Wait, is the Combat Medic course the one that ends up with an assessment that requires treating a live animal that has its leg cut open in front of you?

I've heard one of the military's medical tracks ends up with that assessment, I can't place my finger on which, however.

Alright, so this was done for a final exam during Whiskey phase of Combat Medic School, however we were told that they do not have this type of final anymore, since they already have robotic manikins that can simulate hemmorhaging, respritory distress, hell even tension pneumothorax. So if I am right they do not cut up animals anymore because they see it as animal cruelty... But we have been fucked with before....

@Ravenlight: It is very difficult to reload indeed lol, well the real "syringe guns"

If you're wondering, we do not use Jet Injectors anymore, we stick strictly to needles and syringes. And trust me you rather syringes....

@baconbits33: Wait, is the Combat Medic course the one that ends up with an assessment that requires treating a live animal that has its leg cut open in front of you?

I've heard one of the military's medical tracks ends up with that assessment, I can't place my finger on which, however.

@ManU_Fan10ne:

Well to start off, there is no freedom, we are on the job 24/7, we are forced to wake up at 4:30 AM every morning do PT till 6:30 then clean barracks till 7:00, then off to chow till 7:45, then begin classes at 8:10, then lunch break at 12:30 - 1:10 and then in class till 5. Then we go back to the barracks mail call from 5:10 to 6, then Dinner chow from 6 - 6:30, then we have personal time from 6:30 to 8:30, then bed check from 8:30 to 9. And at 9 is lights out. And on the weekends since I'm on Phase 4 we have a formation every two hours, we cannot drink, we cannot leave the base and most of the time we cannot leave the company area, and no dressing in civilian clothes. At Phase 5 however we should be allowed to do all those things.... Hoping......

The classes are fast paced, a normal civilian EMT Basic class would take around 3-4 months to complete, we have 6-7 weeks to complete it. We also have to learn to do all of it in full combat gear out here in the Texas heat. When I hit Whiskey Phase I will learn to give IV's, we will focus primarily on trauma care, hemorrhaging, all the while under combat simulations from what I understand (no more Acute Myocardial Infarction yay!). Oh did I mention I'm a soldier too? So we get treat like scum all day long while doing all this. I love it though, it's hard work, but it tests you mentally, and you meet some awesome people here.

what is combat medic school like, and how is it different from regular med school?

@baconbits33 said:

I don't know it all, but if you have questions about Basic Training, what Combat Medic School is like, or how much it sucks to be around only dudes for 3 months straight then PM me.

Is it hard to reload your Syringe Gun? Seems like it'd be difficult to get a consistent reload.

Well I'm back, and on my birthday too. It's been about 3 and a half months since I last made a blog post on here. And in those ast 3 and a half months I have completed Army Basic Training making the transition from a civilian to soldier, and have made it through half of my EMT Basic training which is only a quarter of my AIT (Advanced Individual Training).

I have been on the internet, but have not had a computer with internet so I would be able to post comments or blogs. And I gotta say: It feels pretty damn good. I missed Giant Bomb, I missed the community, and am glad to have it back.

As of right now I am waiting to see my orders for my first duty station, fingers crossed for Germany (Big Red One!), Italy (173rd Airborne Infantry!), or Ft. Campbell, KY (Air Assault Infantry Baby!!!) they are supposed to be released this week or the next. Granted once again 4 weeks done out of the 16 total, but still it's motivation.

Anyways, rather than make a wall of text, PM if you have any questions, I don't know it all, but if you have questions about Basic Training, what Combat Medic School is like, or how much it sucks to be around only dudes for 3 months straight then PM me.

Damn it's good to be back!