FORT MCCOY, Wis. – In a pivotal development for the U.S. Army Reserve and National Guard, over 100 soldiers are participating in the Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) 68W Sustainment Training course, taking place at Fort McCoy throughout the first quarter of 2026. This training is crucial for revalidating the critical skills of combat medics, who play an essential role in both military and emergency medical services.
According to Army Reserve Sgt. 1st Class Michael McCreary, an assistant inspector general with the 807th Theater Medical Command, the MOS 68W training provides an invaluable opportunity for combat medics to hands-on practice with realistic scenarios. “Every two years, medics are able to get hands-on with manikins,” McCreary explained. “This is often their only chance to engage in that level of training.”
The sustainment training has been designed in response to a backlog created by a lapse in appropriations, which impacted previously scheduled training events. McCreary noted, “We have a lot of 68Ws due for their sustainment, and they weren’t able to go for two months, so we’ve got a backlog.” The current programme consists of 48 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) and will include two validation exercises compacted into a five-day period instead of the traditional ten-day course.
An added benefit of the training is the extensive resources available at the Medical Simulation Training Center (MSTC) in Fort McCoy, where soldiers engage with high-tech manikins capable of simulating real-life medical scenarios, such as emergency room situations and combat triage. This up-to-date approach allows medics to gain practical experience without the risks associated with working on live patients. McCreary elaborated, “Being able to come here with our $13 million equipment gives them a real-world experience.”
For Army Reserve Staff Sgt. Rachel Flores, a combat medic with the 7232 Medical Support Unit in New Orleans, this training was a first and left a lasting impression. “I think it’s a great course,” Flores remarked. “They provided us with ample hands-on time, which I really appreciated; the instructors were excellent.” Her sentiments highlight the importance of effective unit training to enhance overall collective readiness.
Flores emphasized the critical need for more focused medical training within units, which can support the development of soldiers who may be facing first-time recertifications. “It would be great for unit readiness,” she noted, stressing the importance of ensuring that everyone within their unit benefits from the experience.
McCreary expressed optimism regarding the sustainment training’s alignment with the Joint Force’s requirements. He asserted, “This training allows us to be as modernized and transformed as we can be.” With competing global forces enhancing their military capabilities, this training position aims to keep American medics one step ahead.
The successful execution of the MOS 68W Sustainment Training course is attributed to the collaborative efforts of instructors and MSTC personnel. “All the instructors on this mission have been absolute rock stars,” McCreary recognized, underscoring a community commitment to ensuring every soldier receives the necessary sustainment training.
This initiative represents a significant step in ensuring that Army Reserve medical personnel remain well-equipped to meet their missions, thereby contributing effectively to broader military objectives.
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