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91W Career Guide

Army

91W: Combat Medic

Career transition guide for Army Combat Medic (91W)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 91W veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) / Paramedic

$45K
High matchHigh demand

Registered Nurse (RN)

$85K
Good matchVery high demand

Skills to develop:

Nursing degree (ADN or BSN)NCLEX-RN licensure

Medical Assistant

$38K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Certification (CMA or RMA)

Physician Assistant (PA)

$125K
Moderate matchVery high demand

Skills to develop:

Master's degree in Physician Assistant StudiesNational PA certification exam (PANCE)State licensure

Healthcare Administrator

$75K
Moderate matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Healthcare AdministrationProject Management skillsHealthcare finance knowledge

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 91W training built — and where they transfer.

Rapid Prioritization

In emergency situations on the battlefield, 91Ws must quickly assess injuries, prioritize treatment based on severity, and allocate resources effectively to maximize the chances of survival for multiple casualties simultaneously.

This ability to rapidly assess situations, prioritize tasks, and allocate resources is directly transferable to roles requiring quick decision-making under pressure.

Situational Awareness

91Ws constantly monitor their surroundings, anticipate potential threats, and adapt their medical interventions to the evolving tactical situation, ensuring the safety of both themselves and their patients.

Maintaining heightened awareness of the environment, anticipating potential problems, and adapting to changing circumstances are valuable assets in dynamic work environments.

Procedural Compliance

91Ws adhere to strict medical protocols and procedures in high-stress environments, ensuring consistent and safe patient care, minimizing errors, and maintaining operational effectiveness.

Meticulous adherence to established protocols and procedures translates to accuracy, reliability, and consistency in any role requiring strict compliance.

Resource Optimization

91Ws effectively manage limited medical supplies and equipment in austere environments, creatively improvising solutions to ensure that patients receive the best possible care, even with minimal resources.

The ability to efficiently manage resources, find creative solutions to complex problems, and make the most of limited assets is highly valued in resource-constrained environments.

Team Synchronization

91Ws seamlessly coordinate with other medical personnel, ground troops, and air support to ensure smooth patient evacuation and efficient delivery of medical care, maintaining cohesion in chaotic situations.

The capacity to effectively collaborate, communicate, and coordinate with diverse teams ensures smooth operations and achievement of common goals in any team-oriented environment.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Emergency Management Specialist

SOC 11-9161.00

You've been trained to handle crises, prioritize needs under pressure, and coordinate resources in high-stress situations. This makes you a natural fit for developing and implementing emergency response plans in communities or organizations. Your experience with medical protocols and patient care adds a valuable dimension to this role.

Clinical Research Coordinator

SOC 13-1041.00

You're experienced in following strict protocols and collecting patient data accurately. Your medical background gives you a strong understanding of clinical procedures. As a Clinical Research Coordinator, you'll use these skills to manage research studies, ensuring compliance and contributing to advancements in medical knowledge.

Health and Safety Manager

SOC 11-9199.00

You're deeply familiar with safety protocols, risk assessment, and emergency response. You can use your knowledge to develop and implement safety programs in various industries, protecting workers and ensuring compliance with regulations. Your background in medical care will be invaluable in addressing health-related safety concerns.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Combat Medic Advanced Individual Training (AIT), Fort Sam Houston

1,190 training hours30 weeksUp to 27 semester hours recommended

Topics Covered

  • Emergency Medical Treatment
  • Trauma Assessment
  • Wound Care and Management
  • Pharmacology
  • Anatomy and Physiology
  • Medical Evacuation Procedures
  • Force Health Protection
  • Patient Administration

Certification Pathways

Ready to Certify

EMT-B

Partial Coverage

Certified Medical Assistant (CMA)70% covered

Requires additional study in areas such as medical coding, billing practices, and some advanced clinical procedures specific to civilian healthcare settings.

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)40% covered

Requires completing an accredited LPN program and passing the NCLEX-PN exam. Military training provides a foundation in basic nursing skills, but further education is needed.

Recommended Next Certifications

Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT)ParamedicRegistered Nurse (RN)Tactical Combat Medical Care (TCMC)

Technical Systems Translation

Military systems you've used and their civilian equivalents for your resume.

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) GuidelinesAdvanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) and Basic Life Support (BLS) protocols
Medical Communications for Combat Casualty Care (MC4)Electronic Health Records (EHR) systems like Epic or Cerner
Forward Resuscitative Surgical System (FRSS)Mobile Surgical Units and Field Hospitals
Blood Transfusion Set, Field (BTSF)Mobile blood banks and transfusion services
Trauma lanes and mass casualty exercisesHospital emergency preparedness drills and simulations
Ambulance Strike Team (AST)Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Strike Teams

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