Ever wondered if your CNA skills could take you beyond the hospital floor and into a role where you serve both your community and your country? You might be surprised to learn that your certification is not just valuable—it’s a highly sought-after asset in the Army National Guard. While you won’t find a listing for “CNA,” your skills are the perfect foundation for one of the most respected and critical roles in the military: the Health Care Specialist, also known as the 68W, or medic. This post will demystify how your civilian expertise translates into a meaningful military career and guide you through every step of the process.

Understanding Your Role: CNA Skills in a Military Context

First things first: the Army National Guard, like the entire military, uses a system called Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) to classify jobs. Think of MOS codes as the military’s version of job titles. There isn’t a specific “CNA” MOS. But here’s the crucial part: the skills you use every day as a CNA—taking vital signs, providing personal care, observing patient condition, and communicating with the healthcare team—are the absolute bedrock of the Guard’s primary medical role.

Your CNA training is essentially a head start. You already possess the fundamental knowledge needed to excel as a army national guard medic. The Guard simply builds upon your foundation, adding advanced tactical medical skills, emergency response capabilities, and the leadership qualities inherent to military service. You aren’t starting from scratch; you’re translating your existing expertise into a new, dynamic environment.

Clinical Pearl: The core difference between a civilian CNA and a 68W is the scope of practice and the environment. While a CNA’s skills are foundational, a 68W is trained to provide emergency medical care under austere conditions, from the side of a highway to a natural disaster zone.

The Key MOS for CNAs: The Health Care Specialist (68W)

The 68W Health Care Specialist is the job you’re looking for. This is the role where your cna jobs in the army national guard search leads. Often called “Combat Medics,” their responsibilities extend far beyond the battlefield, especially in the National Guard.

Imagine your state is hit by a major hurricane. As a 68W, you wouldn’t just be waiting in a clinic. You could be operating a field treatment site, providing triage and emergency care to displaced families, or evacuating patients from overwhelmed hospitals. You use your CNA skills for hands-on patient comfort and monitoring, while applying your advanced training to manage medical emergencies in a crisis.

The training pipeline is designed to take you from your current level of expertise to a confident and competent medic.

1. Basic Combat Training (BCT): 10 weeks of learning how to be a Soldier.
2. Advanced Individual Training (AIT): This is where the medical magic happens. You’ll attend the 68W course, which builds directly on concepts you already know. Your CNA background will make subjects like anatomy, physiology, and patient assessment feel like a review at first, allowing you to focus on mastering advanced skills like starting IVs, administering medications, and trauma care.

How Your CNA Certification Gives You an Advantage

Enlisting with a CNA certification under your belt puts you miles ahead of other recruits. It’s not just a piece of paper; it’s a testament to your dedication, your foundational knowledge, and your proven ability to handle patient care. This translates into tangible benefits.

Advanced Rank: Start Ahead of the Pack

This is one of the most immediate and rewarding advantages. Typically, everyone enlists as a Private (E-1). However, the Army National Guard offers promotions for civilian education and professional certifications. Your CNA certificate can help you enlist as a Private First Class (E-3) in many states.

• E-1 (Private): Base entry-level rank and pay.
• E-2 (Private): Slightly higher pay than E-1.
• E-3 (Private First Class): Significantly higher monthly pay from day one of basic training.

Starting as an E-3 means more money in your pocket from the very beginning of your military career, recognizing the value you already bring.

Pro Tip: When you talk to a recruiter, have a copy of your CNA certificate and any transcripts ready. Be upfront about it and specifically ask, “My CNA certification qualifies me for advanced placement. Can we process my enlistment contract for E-3?” Don’t be shy—this is a standard benefit you have earned.

Mastering the Material with Confidence

Think of AIT like an accelerated nursing program. For recruits with no medical background, the pace can be overwhelming. For you, it will be different. When instructors discuss topics like infection control, patient hygiene, or taking a blood pressure, you’ll be in your element. This allows you to focus your mental energy on the new, challenging skills like tactical combat casualty care (TCCC). You’ll be the peer others turn to for help, building your confidence and leadership abilities from day one.

The Path to Joining: A Step-by-Step Guide

Ready to take the leap? Here is a simplified roadmap to turn your goal of becoming a 68w cna into reality.

1. Connect with a Recruiter: Find an Army National Guard recruiter in your state. This is your primary point of contact and guide. Be specific about your goal to become a 68W and mention your CNA certification immediately.
2. Prepare for the ASVAB: The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery is a placement test. To qualify for the 68W MOS, you need a minimum score in the “Skilled Technical” (ST) line, which is a combination of your Verbal Expression, Math Knowledge, and Mechanical Comprehension scores. Your CNA knowledge has likely already prepared you well for the science-oriented portions.
3. Pass the Medical Screening: You’ll undergo a physical examination at a Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) to ensure you meet the medical and fitness standards for service.
4. Secure Your 68W Contract: This is the most important step. Do not sign anything until you have a written guarantee in your enlistment contract that your MOS will be 68W. This contract is your binding agreement with the Army National Guard.

Common Mistake: Feeling pressured to sign a contract that is “open general,” meaning the Army chooses your job later based on its needs. This can lead to you being placed in a role you have no interest in. Insist on a guaranteed 68W contract before committing.

Benefits of Serving in the Guard as a Medic

Beyond the honor of service, the benefits are substantial and can help you build a secure future, both financially and professionally.

• Tuition Assistance and Student Loan Repayment: The Guard can help you pay for college or cover existing student loans, making it an incredible pathway to further your nursing education.
• Part-Time Service: You serve one weekend a month and two weeks a year, allowing you to maintain your civilian CNA job or go to school full-time.
• State and Federal Benefits: As a member of the National Guard, you receive benefits from both your state and the federal government, including access to commissary and post exchanges, low-cost life insurance, and potential retirement benefits.
• Serve Your Local Community: When disaster strikes at home—you’re there. You’re the one providing immediate medical care to your neighbors.

Key Takeaway: Serving as a National Guard medic offers a unique dual benefit: you gain world-class medical and leadership experience while directly contributing to the well-being of your own community during its time of need.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I work as a civilian CNA while serving in the National Guard? A: Absolutely. The National Guard is a part-time commitment. Many Soldiers, especially those in healthcare, maintain full-time civilian jobs. Your employer is legally required to hold your job for you while you are deployed for training or missions.

Q: Does my civilian CNA license need to be active to enlist for the 68W role? A: It helps, but it may not be strictly required. The certification itself qualifies you for advanced rank. Check with your state’s specific Guard requirements, as they can have slight variations. An active license makes you an even more attractive candidate.

Q: What’s the difference between a National Guard medic and an Active Duty medic? A: The biggest difference is the service commitment. Active Duty medics serve full-time and can be stationed worldwide. National Guard medics serve part-time and are primarily focused on missions within their state and federal deployment when needed. The core 68W training is the same for both.

Conclusion & Key Takeaways

Your CNA certification is a powerful key that can unlock a unique and rewarding career in the Army National Guard. Your skills won’t just transfer; they will be amplified and respected. The path as a Health Care Specialist (68W) is clear, offering you the chance to start at a higher rank, excel in your training, and make a tangible difference in the lives of others. This is more than a military cna job; it’s a chance to become a leader, a lifesaver, and a guardian in your own community.

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Are you a current or former Army National Guard medic? Share your experience in the comments below—your story could be exactly what a fellow CNA needs to hear!

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