I found this information via the International Association of Flight Paramedics website at www.flightparamedic.or...rynews.htm

Military Medic to Paramedic Bridge Course starting 11 May 09 at the National EMS Academy in Lafayette, LA (www.nationalemsacademy.com ). Designed specifically for the Army Combat Medic (68W), Air Force Independent Duty Medical Technician (4N0X1C), and the Navy Independent Duty Corpsman (IDC), the 12 intense week course will include didactic, clinical, and test prep sessions, culminating in testing during the last week. For more details, contact Laura Duplantis at 866-459-3500 or lduplantis @ acadian.com

The website does not have any 3 month courses beyond EMT-Basic. THey push a 6- and 12-month EMT-Paramedic program. No 3-month Bridge program especially for military personnel was advertised.

No course schedule and clinical hours was provided when I asked for one, so I imagine none exists at present. That's a lot of time cramming data into your skull in addition to doing your clinical and time. When will you sleep?

Update: I got a return phone call. The May course has been postponed until August. They are waiting on approval from the Army for the new program. National Registry has not given it's blessing, so it's anyone's' guess if it will be acceptable to them.

I'd love to hear anyone with experience with Acadian who has an opinion either way. It would suck if someone forked out the money and spent the time to take the course and found themselves unemployable, save for working the swamps of Louisiana.

edit- cleaned up the language a bit

Hah. What a bunch of BS...

I have never thought too much of Acadian, but hey, it was just my personal opinion from their Texas operations. I don't know anything about the LA ops (although that is their home-base and claim to fame).

I am very dissapointed that the IAFP published this info without verification.

Bedpan, with your permission, may I copy your post/info and forward it on?

O_Pos wrote:

I am very disappointed that the IAFP published this info without verification. Bedpan, with your permission, may I copy your post/info and forward it on?

I'm sure the administrators would appreciate the increased traffic if you simply linked to this page. It increases their traffic and the chances of ad revenue.

Or just paraphrase it.

Any more word on this program? still nothing posted on their site.

Doc

I haven't heard a thing since I came across that original advertisement.

BS!!! I came home as a HM Corpsman (FMF) and asked to challenge the boards, only to be told that I would have to start from scratch. SUCKED! But, 3 months later I'm a Nationally Registered and Kentucky Certified EMT-B. Instead of becoming ALS again, I may shoot for EMT Instructor. Anyone looking for EMTs with years of HM experience and 2 combat tours?

Joe

BS!!! I came home as a HM Corpsman (FMF) and asked to challenge the boards, only to be told that I would have to start from scratch. SUCKED! But, 3 months later I'm a Nationally Registered and Kentucky Certified EMT-B. Instead of becoming ALS again, I may shoot for EMT Instructor. Anyone looking for EMTs with years of HM experience and 2 combat tours?

Joe