Phoenix Central Recruiters Brief Future Health Care Professionals

PHOENIX, AZ, UNITED STATES

Story by Alun Thomas

U.S. Army Recruiting Battalion – Phoenix

PHOENIX – Recruiters from Phoenix Central Recruiting Company briefed future health care professionals on opportunities available in the U.S. Army, at the Arizona Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) Fall Leadership Conference Extravaganza (FLEX), Nov. 14, Phoenix Convention Center.

HOSA’s mission is defined as enhancing the delivery of compassionate, quality health care by providing opportunities for knowledge, skill and leadership development of all health science education students, helping the student meet the needs of the health care community.

The FLEX was the 11th year the conference has taken place, with Phoenix Central’s presentation being one of 60 workshop sessions available to the 2600 people who attended the event.

Briefing the audience was Staff Sgt. Sean Hilton, deputy station leader, Scottsdale Recruiting Station, who told the audience about the host of jobs available in the Army.

“There are over 150 job opportunities in the Army, in just about any field you can think of, including the medical sector,” Hilton said. “I’ve been in the Army and Marines for over 14 years and have performed multiple jobs, including recruiting and finance.”

Hilton talked about the various options of serving, including active duty and the Army Reserve.

“Active duty has two to six year contracts, so you know exactly how long you’re serving before you sign up,” Hilton said. “The reserve is a six year contract that has to be served.”

Hilton spoke about some of the requirements necessary to join the Army, including being a high school graduate.

“You definitely want to have your diploma before you try and enlist, and we can help you with that,” he said. “You also have to complete the ASVAB (Army Services Vocational Aptitude Battery). No matter what job or branch you want, you have to take it. The higher you score the better, especially for jobs in the medical field.”

Physical conditioning is also critical, Hilton said, with only 3 out of 10 of today’s youth currently meeting the bare minimum requirements necessary to serve.

“In order to join the military, in any branch, there’s a certain weight you have to be, based on your height and body fat percentage,” Hilton explained. “There are also certain medical conditions you can’t have while serving. That’s something your recruiter can sit down and explain to you.”

Hilton discussed the monetary benefits, including the Army paying for a college education, and the job experience a Soldier will have received upon leaving the Army.

“The Army will pay for your college education, while you gain the experience necessary at the job of your choice,” he said. “The Army will let you into a medical job with zero experience, straight out of high school. You’ll get that work experience while working on your degree at the same time.”

Hilton stressed the importance of developing leadership skills to the students.

“The Army will help give you an advantage when you enter the civilian sector, with the leadership skills you’ll learn,” he said. “Go to as many schools as you can and grow into the best leader you can be. You’ll be amazed how far it takes you.”