His initial thought was to go 18X, but I suggested he might wish to pursue 68W with a Ranger option, do some time at Battalion, then go to the Q as a much more seasoned Soldier.

Since I'm no longer at the "tip of the spear" (just the middle of it!), I need a good contact at one of the Battalions or Regiment who can tell me more about how the medics are used and what opportunities are open to them.  Last I heard, Ranger Medics were attending 300 F-1, but I don't know if that was THE STANDARD, or just AN OPTION for a few Rangers.

If they hit the ground running and never get to attend any schools, that would suck.  I've heard tales of some Batt Boys in low-density MOS's who never get to Ranger school during a 4 year tour because their MOS was in such high demand.  Although I recognize being in Battalion would be the best possible option for building his Soldier skills, I definitely don't want that for him.

If we can't get good answers, I'm going to recommend he go with the 18X option.

Can anyone help me out? 

JR, there are others here who will be able to answer your questions better but from my experience and my observations medics have just as much opportunity to go to Ranger School(and a few of the others) as 11B.  E-mail Rios.  He is still at Benning for another week and should be able to direct you to someone who can give you the official word.  Good luck to him whichever way he goes.

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 Ranger medics, like all personnel in the 75th, go through tougher and more complete training in house than they ever will at a TRADOC school... to include Ranger school. If he takes that route, your son will be very tactically and technically proficient before he's considered deployable by the regiment. I'd be pushing 18X also were I you but hey, he needs to make his own decision. Either way, please... express to him how critical it is to focus on the immediate task at hand be it basic training or higher speed. Too many kids are actually dropping from the pipeline because they take the mundane tasks for granted.

 

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I knew a few Tabbed medics when I served and none of them were Batt Boys.  In short, he should be able to get RS regardless of which unit he is assigned (assuming it's combat arms-related).  There is a reason they're called combat medics.  Jumpmaster, Air Assault, and SERE should be possibilities as well.