Army MOS 68W

Combat Medic Specialist

Army 68W (Combat Medic Specialist) typically involves combat-oriented field operations, medical or patient-care support.

Common Exposures

🪖 Combat/Stress
Direct combat exposure, hostile fire, IED blasts
🔊 Noise
Weapons fire, explosions, vehicle noise
💪 Physical Strain
Heavy gear, marching, physical demands
🌦️ Environmental
Extreme weather, dust, sand, burn pits
🧪 Chemicals
Exposure to blood-borne pathogens, medications, cleaning agents
💪 Physical Strain
Lifting patients, long standing hours
🪖 Combat/Stress
Treating casualties, witnessing trauma

Likely Service-Connected Conditions

Diagnostic Code Condition Likelihood Reasoning
5237 Lumbosacral or cervical strain High Heavy gear and physical demands cause back strain
6260 Tinnitus, recurrent High Weapons fire and explosions cause tinnitus
9411 Posttraumatic stress disorder High Combat exposure commonly causes PTSD
5257 Knee, other impairment Medium Marching and physical demands affect knees
6847 Sleep Apnea Syndromes Medium Deployment stress and irregular sleep patterns
8045 Residuals of traumatic brain injury (TBI) Medium Blast exposure risk for traumatic brain injury
8100 Migraine Medium Blast exposure and stress cause migraines
9434 Major depressive disorder Medium Combat stress and deployment separation

☢️ PACT Act & Toxic Exposure

Select the era that best matches when you served to see how this job’s toxic exposures changed over time.

PACT Act guide Use exposure finder
Vietnam Era 📅 1962-1975
Agent Orange / Herbicides
PACT Act
Handling casualties and equipment contaminated with herbicides and field residue.
Blood-Borne Pathogens
Exposure risk from trauma care, blood, and bodily fluids.
Needlestick Injuries
Needlestick and sharps injuries during patient care.
Pharmaceutical Exposure
Handling medications, sterilants, and medical chemicals.
Tropical Disease Exposure
Frequent treatment of infectious diseases in tropical environments.
Cold War Era 📅 1945-1991
Blood-Borne Pathogens
Exposure risk from trauma care, blood, and bodily fluids.
Needlestick Injuries
Needlestick and sharps injuries during patient care.
Pharmaceutical Exposure
Handling medications, sterilants, and medical chemicals.
Gulf War Era 📅 1990-2001
Depleted Uranium
PACT Act
Potential contact with depleted uranium residue on casualties and equipment.
Anthrax / PB Tablets
Frequent proximity to anthrax vaccination and PB tablet administration campaigns.
Blood-Borne Pathogens
Exposure risk from trauma care, blood, and bodily fluids.
Needlestick Injuries
Needlestick and sharps injuries during patient care.
Pharmaceutical Exposure
Handling medications, sterilants, and medical chemicals.
Post-9/11 Era 📅 2001-present
Burn Pits
PACT Act
Aid station and clinic proximity to burn pits and base smoke exposure.
Blood-Borne Pathogens
Exposure risk from trauma care, blood, and bodily fluids.
IED Blast Exposure
Exposure to blast residue and contaminated gear on casualties.
Mass Casualty Trauma
Psychological stress from repeated mass casualty response.
Needlestick Injuries
Needlestick and sharps injuries during patient care.
Pharmaceutical Exposure
Handling medications, sterilants, and medical chemicals.