[Eagle5US]

Too many questions with too many variables.

Short answer...based on your provided information you currently have no medical training. That means you have a LOT of school to get accepted to, then pass, then decide of it is right for you to continue along that line of education.

Any amount of training and education is never a waste if it provides you a usable skill and job satisfaction.

I discourage folks from doing the 18D to PA route now because of the difficulty of USASFC and USASOC releasing SF Medics to attend the course. Their teams, and their Groups need them. If it times out right that they are able to get their school, and then apply once their team time is completed, and the strength of SF Medics supports it, they might get accepted.

The 68W route is much easier with fewer restrictions, but if you want to be an SF Medic, you are going to be less than happy during your tenure as a Combat medic and still have your deployments to contend with prior to your application.

The PA program does now take officers, however, you must receive a statement of release from your current branch to attend. Many officer who have been accepted have either not been able to get this release OR have had their release pulled due to "mission priorities / need of the Army". Additionally, you lose half your time served as an "O" and generally lose one pay grade until a year or so after graduation.

No route is "easy", and no route is a shoe in. Minimal time to attend complete based on your particular question is well over 5 years with the 18D track being well over 8 years...minimum time to BEGIN the PA course after acceptance.

Focus what you want to do...then as you already know, small bites eat the elephant.

PA