[Surgicalcric]

Prior to this past deployment (sigh) I had given thought to going back to the fire department and even went so far as to update my Registry Paramedic cert, which I had allowed to lapse because it really wasnt good for anything, but I realized how unhappy I would be following Standing Orders which werent designed to save lives as much as protect the Medical Control MD. Even flying life flight, which I had done previously, didnt appeal to me any longer.

Best of luck to anyone getting into EMS, it is definitely not a job for those looking for a high paying job but one where there can be job satisfaction for regular line medics who come into it not thinking they know everything because they have been to combat - this will be the most demanding part of coming into EMS as a 68W/Corpsmen. And while they, like you Sdiver may believe they shouldnt start at the bottom they are far from experienced when it comes to the vast majority of illness/injuries that make up the vast majority of EMS runs in the civilian rhelm. They will have to lean heavily on their work ethic and desire to help others but it will pay off in the long run if they can see it through to the end.

Thats the .02 from my perspective.

Crip