United States Army careers
Combat Medic Specialist hero
68W
medical
CMF 68 - MedicalCombat Service SupportUnited States Army

Combat Medic Specialist

Provide emergency medical care to Soldiers on and off the battlefield.

Difficulty · hardFitness · high Requirements being verifiedActive DutyReserveNational Guard
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Job Overview

Combat medics are the Army's frontline healthcare providers.

Combat medics deliver emergency medical treatment in combat and garrison, evacuate casualties, and assist in clinics. They are trained to the National Registry EMT-Basic standard plus military trauma care.

History & Deep Dive

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Daily Responsibilities

  • Provide trauma care
  • Triage casualties
  • Perform CASEVAC/MEDEVAC coordination
  • Assist in medical clinics
  • Maintain medical supplies
  • Train Soldiers in first aid
Work schedule
Variable — clinic, training, or field
Environment
Battalion aid stations, field hospitals, forward operating bases, garrison clinics
Supports
All Army combat and support units

Training Pipeline

  1. 1
    BCT
    Fort Jackson, SC · 10 weeks
  2. 2
    68W AIT
    Joint Base San Antonio, TX · 16 weeks

Official Qualification Requirements

Army line score

Requirements being verified against the official service publication. We do not display unofficial or estimated scores — contact a recruiter for the current minimum.

Security clearance

SECRET

Official sources

Last verified: 2026-08-14

Requirements are subject to change by the Department of Defense and each service. Always confirm the current standard with an official recruiter before making a decision.

U.S. citizenship
Green card holders eligible

Not required. GoArmy.com states you must "be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident with a valid Green Card" to enlist, so green card holders qualify for this job (also 10 U.S.C. 504). Source: goarmy.com/how-to-join/requirements. Citizens of the Freely Associated States (Micronesia, Marshall Islands, Palau) may also enlist under 10 U.S.C. 504. Verified August 2026 against the official branch site, 10 U.S.C. 504, and AR 601-210 (20 March 2026).

Physical requirements
Good physical fitness. Must pass ACFT. Ability to lift and carry casualties with gear.
Required skills
Emergency medicineComposure under stressAttention to detailCommunicationSmall-unit tactics
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Career Progression

E-1→
E-4→
E-5→
E-6→
E-7

Senior medic, platoon sergeant, medical NCO, healthcare specialist SGM.

Assignments & Special Schools

Duty stations
  • Fort Liberty, NC
  • Fort Campbell, KY
  • Fort Bliss, TX
  • JBLM, WA
  • Germany
Special schools
Flight Medic CourseSpecial Operations Combat MedicCritical Care Flight Paramedic

Deployment: Frequently deployed with combat units.

Bonuses & Special Pay

enlistment bonus
Available for select medical contracts
special duty pay
Flight medic and SOF medic assignments carry additional pay
reenlistment bonus
Frequently offered

Bonus availability changes frequently — confirm current amounts with a recruiter.

Lifestyle & Work-Life Balance

Split between clinic/hospital rotations and being attached to line units. Deployments put you in aid stations and forward with patrols.

Physical Fitness

Level · high

Aim for 440+ — you carry a full aid bag on top of your kit.

Suggested preparation
  • Ruck marches with loaded aid bag
  • Casualty drags/carries
  • Endurance runs

Advantages

  • Lifesaving skills
  • Strong civilian medical pathway
  • Purpose-driven work
  • GI Bill for nursing/PA school

Disadvantages

  • Emotional weight of trauma care
  • Attached to combat units in dangerous roles
  • Long shift work in hospitals
  • Continual medical training required

Who Should Choose This MOS?

People who want to save lives under pressure and pursue a lifelong career in emergency medicine, nursing, or physician assistant work.

Civilian Career Equivalents

Paramedic / EMT
Registered Nurse (with education)
Physician Assistant (with education)
Firefighter/EMT
Career Match Scores
Physical Demand80
Mental Demand85
Leadership70
Technical Level80
Travel80
Deployment Potential90
Civilian Transferability90
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Context: 68W Combat Medic Specialist
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