Trading one uniform for another: An examination of Army health care specialist service as civilian emergency medical technicians, paramedics, and other emergency medical professionals

This study explores continued registration with the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) of Army Health Care Specialist (68W) veterans to identify new recruit attributes which predict whether or not veterans will remain with emergency medicine careers upon completing their Army service contracts. Quantitative analysis using both bivariate statistics and models on the study data examined the impact of several demographic, educational, and geographic variables known at the time of recruitment on the 68W veteran's likelihood to continue serving in a civilian-equivalent field. Participation in the paramedic and emergency medical technician fields is demonstrated using civilian NREMT registration as evidence of ongoing service. Findings conclude that variables representing length of enlistment are the most significant predictors of emergency medical service following completion of active duty Army 68W service. The study also observed developed geographic clusters of 68W veterans near military installations.