(3) Civilian education. If you hope to be selected for a first reenlistment, you
need to make yourself as competitive as possible. In addition to obtaining all of the
extra training mentioned above, you should consider taking some college courses in
radiological technology, health care administration, computers, or education. Having
some civilian education will increase the likelihood of being selected for a second tour of
duty.
d. First Reenlistment. If you are selected for a first reenlistment, you will need
to continue pursuing training opportunities to refine your skills as an X-ray specialist and
an NCO.
(1) Basic Non-Commisioned Officer Course. After selection to Staff
Sergeant, you will be sent to the Basic NCO Course (BNCOC). The BNCOC consists of
NCO leadership training designed to prepare you for administrative and leadership
roles. It includes a week of radiological technology subjects designed to prepare you for
the unique challenges of administrative and leadership roles in the radiology
department.
(2) More civilian education. Depending on where you are assigned, you will
want to take advantage of opportunities to take courses at night or on weekends at the
local college or university. Since radiology is a constantly changing field, you can never
consider your education complete.
(3) Radiology management course. The chief radiologist is the one who
recommends X-ray Specialists to attend the Radiology Management Course, which is
offered at the Academy of Health Sciences, Fort Sam Houston. It is a week and three
days long course with a capacity is 32 students. The course addresses current
management and clinical educational issues for the 91P career field.
e. Promotion to E-6. If you have done all you can to hone your skills, as
described above, there is a good chance that you will be promoted to the rank of E-6.
(1) Associate of Arts degree. Having completed AIT and all the other
training described above, you will have attained a level of training equivalent to the
Associate of Arts (AA) degree offered at community colleges after two years of college
work.
(2) Other military-oriented courses. You should try to take courses that
develop other military skills, such as the airborne course. Successful completion will
earn you a badge attesting to the fact that you have successfully jumped out of an
airplane. Another important step for this point in your military career is to challenge
yourself even more by volunteering for the expert field medical badge test, a 4-day
testing cycle that measures your level of achievement in emergency medical care and
various soldiering skills. Successful completion of other military courses and tests, such
as these, are looked upon very favorably by promotion boards, thus, enhancing your
chances for promotion.
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