[supafly]

Are you sure about the RN/Paramedic thing? I was looking into joining the Reserves for a couple branches not too long ago and the description of medic training was more along the lines of EMT.

[supafly]

Ok nevermind I didnt actually read the thread. I see you're talking about a contractor position...

[twistedpupchaser]

I am an Australian so my info is a little different than already stated. In our Army there is a large number of female medics, (Medical Corps) and female nurses, (Nursing Corps). Often they will be posted to an Infantry Battalion but will tend not to go on patrol. As for non-Corps medics the majority are men because they are Infantry, (in most cases) first and medics as a secondary skill. Our female non-Corps medics are as a generalisation members of logistic units.

Like the US, Australia has a rule that female personnel are kept from certain jobs, but as medics and nurse they are found at the "sharp end" even if they are not on patrol.

[Jarnaes]

Dunno?- As a previous poster stated- you seem to be a bit confused about the private contractor medics vs. military medics.
The agencies that you are speaking of are the private security contractors that operate in Iraq and other stellar locations. They are very interested in the Special Operations Medics- not your standard medic due to their extensive combat arms experiences. Since they aren't working on US soil their scope of practice is quite extensive. They run the show. These medics are expected to be as much of a tactical operator as a medic.
The medics found in the US Army are the 68W Combat Medics, this job is open to both males and females- they are both expected to be in helicopters, carry rucks, patients, weapons, etc etc. Every unit in the Army has medics assigned, but the combat arms units only have male medics assigned since females cannot be assigned to an infantry unit. However, the war in Iraq has muddied this issue a bit- it's not as clear cut as it used to be...
Hope this helps out

[BULLYDAWGRN]

there are more male medics in the army than female, i don't have the spec. numbers but i think back to when i went throught ft. sam there was like only one female plt per training co. and like 4-5 male platoons, and it was like that for each training co. usually most of the females goto clinics, hospitals and so forth every now and then a few will get sent down the pipe to line units, but as stated before i've never seen one attached to a combat arms line unit. not to knock a female medic i have worked and work with many that are top notch, it's just the way the army has things, as far as training, you will get a chance to test for the nremt-b cert in school, but once you get to your unit they'll offer you and push you to increase your base of skills, remember the "whiskey" school at ft. sam is just a foundation and you and the unit are to add and build to the foundation. you should have chances to take a paramedic course when you get to the unit and study for the efmb and once you make e-4 apply for flight medic school, most units will help you map out what you want to do with your education and skill level (now keep in mind all this has to revolve around deployements and training) but overall i look back at my medic days with good regard.