I have 2 main questions. (Looked around the site for awhile first to see if I could find answers but never found a definite one).

1.) Why is it that most contract jobs I'm finding are requiring that you be an EMT-I even though you were a combat medic?

I can understand there are some dumbass army medics out there... But if you've been deployed and have an extensive resume either working in 3rd world countries and working in spec ops units, does EMT-I really matter? Is it just a legal issue? Because even SOCM qualified medics don't leave that school with an EMT-I cert. They only get EMT-B.

2.) I've heard you can challenge for your EMT-I if you were a military medic?

I tried finding the answer on this one but it was about half-n-half. I found some yes's and no's. NREMT support line isn't open until tomorrow otherwise I would have asked them. I'm guessing you would have to provide that you have the training hours needed to earn your EMT-I which I have.


Thanks for any help given.

1. Because that's what the client wants.

2. Not quite sure, I've heard the same as you. I'll let an SME chime in.

I guess I wasn't really clear on the first question... I'm not sure about most medics that work in this field. But, I personally feel I'm MUCH more capable than an EMT-I. Don't know about the rest of y'all.

I was an EMT 1 for approximately 10 years. Gun shots, vehicle wrecks, accidental injuries, but hey knowing how to deliver baby's on the battle field is differently a plus.

EMT-I is the minimum requirement for all DoS and DoD contracts and some private entities because it provides a measurable standard of training...I know some pretty dumb Intermediates and Paramedics too, but contractors want to insure they are obtaining a certified medic, in part due to liability prone circumstances, the status quo, and an available pool of out-sourcing.

The cadre of SoF medics, 18-D's, IDT's is very small...Although prior mil medics have the exposure and skills, if they don't transition to a civilian certification beyond routine competance after they're discharged, then they are no longer considered medics without the certification.

As far as challenging an Intermediate level state exam or NREMT exam, I'm under the impression that you can receive college level credit for degreed programs such as Paramedic licensure and apply towards an Associates, but don't know of any specific states that will allow you to test without a DoT approved course/training?

I was a Hospital Corpsman and was given a 90 day grace period to obtain EMT-Basic, and was allowed to work (Arizona) while in the process, but that was a long time ago...Things have become more stringent since then...My advice, go through the motions...It's not as painful as you may think and it's certainly not personal...If you have the skills set that you claim, then you should have no problems making the transition.

Thanks for that information, Chase.

I heard I can actually use a portion of my GI Bill towards a paramedic course. I'm looking into that now and seeing if it's worth while. And I'm also looking at different paramedic courses as well.

A few things I worry about:

1.) Finding work while going to paramedic school... Economy right now is a bitch. And since I'm in Mass I'm having to challenge for my State EMT-B registration.

A few things I think I'm going to do to counteract that. I'm not too far from NH, might find an EMT-B job for the mean time as frustrating as it will be to work with the restrictions of an EMT-B, money's gotta be made.

2.) Paramedic school is around a year long. Having a year out of the military, does that make your military time lose credibility since it would be a year ago since I've been out when going after contracts again?

The only thing I find to counter that is to continue taking security, surveillance/counter-surveillance, weapons training, H2H, and TEMS/TCCC courses while going to paramedic school. That's the only thing I can really think of to counter the lull in time I'll have out of the military by going to paramedic school for a year.

Any thoughts or opinions on any of this? Personal experiences? I've been thinking it over and I'm not 100% convinced that gritting my teeth for a year is going to pay off in the end.

Thanks again, Chase. Looked over some of your old posts and they've helped some.

First, I believe that you are only eligible for the EMT-B as a medic (which you get once you finish AIT (or equivalent)). The military, unfortunately, decided not to play nice with National Registry, and made it's own rules. It worked great while you're in, but once you get out in the civvie world, it's mostly useless to try to gain employment with- I watched it happen to my brother. I believe it has to do with specific subject matter hours spent during your training.

Even a 18D will have difficulty qualifying for his Paramedic (although Georgia has some sort of reciprocity in place for that) due to the same criteria. It has nothing to do with his compentency.

Don't assume that just because you're in paramedic school, you'll have a lot of free time. When you're not in class, you'll either be doing clinicals or studying... at least, you should be.

I'm not sure how much you've delved into this option, but you are required (per the NR guidelines) to consistently carry a 75%(IIRC) on all quizzes and test; most schools up it 80-85%. They usually allow a couple of retests and that's it- if you fail to qualify the second round, or fail too many quizzes or tests, you're out. If you're out, you have to start all over from the beginning.

However, with your paramedic, even if you don't make it overseas (for example), you're going to be in demand as a street medic in the US and you're also leaps and bounds ahead of applicants for public safety (PD, FD, SAR, BP, Parks and Recreation, etc.). There are also offshore medics and remote medics that do expeditions and movie sets on standby. Hell, an offshore Medic/HSE (Health, Safety, Environment) can actually have a higher day rate than most medic gigs in the ME. I personally know of one HSE/medic who makes about $1000/day on an oil rig (it's a big one). He is mostly HSE, but still is the on location medic; he started as a medic as well.

So, don't think that that's the only place where the $$$ is; paramedicine has come quite far since the '60's and 'The White Paper'.

@Wandering_Idiot

Thanks for that info.

I have looked into the specific course that I'm taking and it's only 3 days a week (30 hours a week) and there are no clinicals for the first 6 months from what the director of the school said. I understand the workload as far as studying. Definitely felt the pain in SOCM, so I know how it is it be fed knowledge by the fire hose.

I think I'm going to take the paramedic course at this point.