Combat
Medic.
Army 91W (Combat Medic). 1,190 hours of formal training translate to 5 validated civilian career pathways with salary bands of $38K–$125K. Sourced from DoD training data and Lightcast labor signals.
Roles your code maps to.
Industry tech roles your 91W background maps to — picked from BLS-anchored occupations using your training, cognitive skills, and systems experience.
The gap, named.
What 91W training already gave you, and the specific gaps to close — not a generic checklist.
- 01Emergency Medical Treatment→ Rapid diagnosis and triage
- 02Trauma Assessment→ Systematic problem solving
- 03Wound Care and Management→ Attention to detail
- 04Medical Evacuation Procedures→ Coordination and logistics
- 05Patient Administration→ Data management
- 06Rapid Prioritization→ Triage and task management
- 07Situational Awareness→ Risk assessment
- 08Procedural Compliance→ Documentation
- 09Resource Optimization→ Resource allocation
- 10Team Synchronization→ Teamwork and communication
The concrete gap to bridge — specific to the roles above, not a generic checklist.
Vets Who Code is a free, full-time software engineering accelerator for veterans, active duty, and military spouses. We close the fundamentals — terminal, web platform, AI tooling, portfolio projects — so the rest of this list becomes specialization, not square one.
See VWC Programs →Where your code lands.
Registered Nurse (RN)
$85K- — Nursing degree (ADN or BSN)
- — NCLEX-RN licensure
Medical Assistant
$38K- — Certification (CMA or RMA)
Physician Assistant (PA)
$125K- — Master's degree in Physician Assistant Studies
- — National PA certification exam (PANCE)
- — State licensure
Healthcare Administrator
$75K- — Bachelor's or Master's degree in Healthcare Administration
- — Project Management skills
- — Healthcare finance knowledge
What the code built.
Cognitive skills your 91W training built — and where they transfer in civilian work.
Rapid Prioritization
In emergency situations on the battlefield, 91Ws must quickly assess injuries, prioritize treatment based on severity, and allocate resources effectively to maximize the chances of survival for multiple casualties simultaneously.
This ability to rapidly assess situations, prioritize tasks, and allocate resources is directly transferable to roles requiring quick decision-making under pressure.
Situational Awareness
91Ws constantly monitor their surroundings, anticipate potential threats, and adapt their medical interventions to the evolving tactical situation, ensuring the safety of both themselves and their patients.
Maintaining heightened awareness of the environment, anticipating potential problems, and adapting to changing circumstances are valuable assets in dynamic work environments.
Procedural Compliance
91Ws adhere to strict medical protocols and procedures in high-stress environments, ensuring consistent and safe patient care, minimizing errors, and maintaining operational effectiveness.
Meticulous adherence to established protocols and procedures translates to accuracy, reliability, and consistency in any role requiring strict compliance.
Resource Optimization
91Ws effectively manage limited medical supplies and equipment in austere environments, creatively improvising solutions to ensure that patients receive the best possible care, even with minimal resources.
The ability to efficiently manage resources, find creative solutions to complex problems, and make the most of limited assets is highly valued in resource-constrained environments.
Team Synchronization
91Ws seamlessly coordinate with other medical personnel, ground troops, and air support to ensure smooth patient evacuation and efficient delivery of medical care, maintaining cohesion in chaotic situations.
The capacity to effectively collaborate, communicate, and coordinate with diverse teams ensures smooth operations and achievement of common goals in any team-oriented environment.
Roles the recruiter won't suggest.
Adjacent civilian roles your training maps to that conventional military-to-civilian advice tends to miss.
Emergency Management Specialist
SOC 11-9161.00You've been trained to handle crises, prioritize needs under pressure, and coordinate resources in high-stress situations. This makes you a natural fit for developing and implementing emergency response plans in communities or organizations. Your experience with medical protocols and patient care adds a valuable dimension to this role.
Adjacent · MatchClinical Research Coordinator
SOC 13-1041.00You're experienced in following strict protocols and collecting patient data accurately. Your medical background gives you a strong understanding of clinical procedures. As a Clinical Research Coordinator, you'll use these skills to manage research studies, ensuring compliance and contributing to advancements in medical knowledge.
Adjacent · MatchHealth and Safety Manager
SOC 11-9199.00You're deeply familiar with safety protocols, risk assessment, and emergency response. You can use your knowledge to develop and implement safety programs in various industries, protecting workers and ensuring compliance with regulations. Your background in medical care will be invaluable in addressing health-related safety concerns.
Adjacent · MatchWhat you trained on.
Combat Medic Advanced Individual Training (AIT)
Fort Sam HoustonUp to 27 semester hours recommended
- Emergency Medical Treatment
- Trauma Assessment
- Wound Care and Management
- Pharmacology
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Medical Evacuation Procedures
- Force Health Protection
- Patient Administration
- Certified Medical Assistant (CMA)70%
Requires additional study in areas such as medical coding, billing practices, and some advanced clinical procedures specific to civilian healthcare settings.
- Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)40%
Requires completing an accredited LPN program and passing the NCLEX-PN exam. Military training provides a foundation in basic nursing skills, but further education is needed.
- Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT)Adjacent
- ParamedicAdjacent
- Registered Nurse (RN)Adjacent
- Tactical Combat Medical Care (TCMC)Adjacent
What you ran, in their words.
Military systems you operated and their civilian equivalents for your resume.
| Military System | Civilian Equivalent | Domain |
|---|---|---|
| Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) Guidelines | Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) and Basic Life Support (BLS) protocols | Operations |
| Medical Communications for Combat Casualty Care (MC4) | Electronic Health Records (EHR) systems like Epic or Cerner | Networking |
| Forward Resuscitative Surgical System (FRSS) | Mobile Surgical Units and Field Hospitals | Operations |
| Blood Transfusion Set, Field (BTSF) | Mobile blood banks and transfusion services | Operations |
| Trauma lanes and mass casualty exercises | Hospital emergency preparedness drills and simulations | Operations |
| Ambulance Strike Team (AST) | Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Strike Teams | Operations |
Translate 91W into a resume that ships.
Pair this guide with the VWC AI-powered translator: drop in your service record, get back ATS-optimized civilian resume language tuned to the tech roles above.