Info on USAR 66HM5

athena55, BSN, RN · Jul 3, 2009

greetings all:
just looking for any info anyone might have on what could be expected with a mos of 66hm5 (er) for a reserve rn. what would monthly and 2 week drill consist of? if/when called up for duty, where would one expect to serve - forward area vs base vs hospital? if you currently serve in the reserves with this mos, what are your thoughts, likes, dislikes? how many hours are required to hold this specialty as a reservist - i once heard 1500hrs/year? any other interesting info would be much appreciated.
thanks, and wishing all a great 4th of july weekend!

hi there buckeye:

i am a 66h8a (critical care nurse) but in regards to attending your monthly battle assembly or drill: it would depend upon what type of tpu (troop program unit) you are assigned to and their metl (mission essential task list). when i was in the reserves (msu or medical support unit) we (66h8a's and 66h5m's) weren't assigned to a hospital. we would teach the other 66h's or 68w's, 68wm6's, 88m's etc (example: insertion of intravenous lines, what to do with an open abdominal wound).

if you are assigned to a csh (combat support hospital) then you may also be assigned to work, during your required weekend drill or ba, to a hospital.

during your yearly at (annual training) you may end up going to fort mccoy (wi) for your 14 days of "training" perhaps putting up and taking down a 44 bed csh, qualifying on the 9mm or m16, or go on a medrete (medical reserves training exercise) to el salvador, haiti or the like.

if you have the necessary hours (again i think it is ~ 1500 - 1700 hours) of work in an ed then you would be granted the asi (additonal skill identifier) of 5m as long as you have the paperwork submitted to your chief nurse attached to your tpu [and it is accepted by branch] or you could request to attend the 5m course (but not sure how that works in the reserves, i know, for sure, you must attend and graduate oblc first)

as far as deployments you would most likely be assigned profis to a csh or a fst (forward surgical team)

i am sure another forum member will have more complete answers for you!

good luck

athena

jeckrn, BSN, RN · Jul 3, 2009

Athena has it correct it depends on your unit for what you do. I was assigned to a CSH in the reserves and we did pretty much what she did in the MSU. After you are in for a while you could end up drilling with another type of unit. Recently I was assigned to a infantry unit which does training support and was assigned as the S-4 (supply officer). If you deploy more then likely you will work in the EMT section (Emergency medical treatment) if assigned to a CSH. You also could be assigned to a FST (forward surgical team). If not in a medical unit and your unit is activated you would work in whatever your position in that unit is. Once you get your SI you do not have to work in the area, but you are expected to be able to preform that SI. Good luck

Buckeye RN/EMT-P · Jul 3, 2009

thanks for the great information. i just returned back to working contingent as an er rn after a 5 year hiatus (watched my first born grow up a little). i am seriously looking at all of my options to serve in the reserves. i work full time as ff / emt-p, so the 1500-1700 hours in the er might be out of reach, but i'd definitely be interested in the 5m course after oblc if that was an option. i am also considering the af reserves, looking at possible flight rn position. leaving all options on the table. enough rambling! thanks again. anyone else with additional information or info on af reserve flight nursing, i'd appreciate hearing from ya! :cool:

jeckrn, BSN, RN · Jul 5, 2009

If you want to do the M5 after OBLC get it in writting for accession contract since it will be easier then having your reserve unit send you. You getting your M5 is not one of their top priorities. You should also check out the Navy, it does not to look before you sign, they might have something that fits well with you.