Military folk only

[Cowgirl Up!]

So it looks like I'm going in the Air Force after I finish up this semester. Why? I want to get my nursing degree. After this current semester, I will have finished up all my prerequisites for nursing (Engrish, math, sciences, etc.) and am completely elligible to be in the nursing program, but the wait list is too long and I won't have a place to live after this summer. The recruiters here in town suck (as they do in other places I'm sure) and they lie through their teeth just to get you to sign stuff that will screw you over. I want to assemble what I want before I go in there and take the ASVAB (and get a high score) and I was wondering if some you could help me assemble something? I'm not sure what I can and can not do/get, and I DO NOT trust the recruiters around here to tell me. But basically, I don't want to be a medic, an LVN, or any such thing. I want to go in the AF and become a registered nurse and I do not want to be in reserves because I've known too many people who have had their platoon dragged overseas so they had to put their education on hold.

... Help?

[BillBrown]

You got me.
When I was in, I had to do what I was told.
Maybe it's changed.

[Cowgirl Up!]

I'm not in yet, that's why I'm going to make sure they give me what I want before I go in. I just need to know what all I can get first. I'm not going to let the recruiters tell me because they're full of it.

[NCRedState]

If you want to be a nurse and only a nurse in the USAF you will need your degree first. They do offer scholarship programs, but that will generally require reserve status.

[Cowgirl Up!]

If you want to be a nurse and only a nurse in the USAF you will need your degree first. They do offer scholarship programs, but that will generally require reserve status.

Yeah that's what I figured. Is there any way I can be on active while working towards my RN degree? I need a sure shot though, because I know it's next to impossible to go from medic to RN. Very competitive. Either way, I'm headed down to the recruiting station on Monday with two friends - father and son. The son is currently in the AF and the dad was. At least I'll have some sort of support. :wall:

[Jalend Skyr]

I do not believe you can make SURE to get what you want. And ya..don't trust them.

[Ex_Spy_Guy]

So it looks like I'm going in the Air Force after I finish up this semester. Why? I want to get my nursing degree. After this current semester, I will have finished up all my prerequisites for nursing (Engrish, math, sciences, etc.) and am completely elligible to be in the nursing program, but the wait list is too long and I won't have a place to live after this summer. The recruiters here in town suck (as they do in other places I'm sure) and they lie through their teeth just to get you to sign stuff that will screw you over. I want to assemble what I want before I go in there and take the ASVAB (and get a high score) and I was wondering if some you could help me assemble something? I'm not sure what I can and can not do/get, and I DO NOT trust the recruiters around here to tell me. But basically, I don't want to be a medic, an LVN, or any such thing. I want to go in the AF and become a registered nurse and I do not want to be in reserves because I've known too many people who have had their platoon dragged overseas so they had to put their education on hold.

... Help?


I would take the ASVAB first, and then talk.

If you want to ensure your education first, I would go Navy (slight bias detected) after bootcamp and A School...if you are fit enough you could go fleet marine and even SF....you will be deployed after school....no matter what.



(edit...never mind) you are a girl.

[Cowgirl Up!]

I would take the ASVAB first, and then talk.

If you want to ensure your education first, I would go Navy (slight bias detected) after bootcamp and A School...if you are fit enough you could go fleet marine and even SF....you will be deployed after school....no matter what.



(edit...never mind) you are a girl.

Hehe, SF. You're funny. Just kidding. But yeah, I'm fine with being deployed, but only as an RN! I gotta start doing the practice ASVAB cuz then I know what I can aim for if I know what my options are and what I have to do to get them.

[gdoane]

Here's my experience:

I did get what I wanted, a radio career from the U.S. Navy but there are hoops to jump through and I knew a lot of guys who couldn't hack it and wound up getting their 6-year obligation shortened to 4 years transferred out to the fleet with no rating.

It's not all about the qualifications, you have to complete the training and it's not fun and games. The hardest part was the crypto for me because they don't let those books out of their sight and there's no homework allowed on classified junk.

Out of my class of 100 people, about 40 failed out, and of the remaining 60, the top 30 (I was in the top 10) went to radio communications and the bottom 30 went into radar. I actually did radar too (mostly timing circuits, if you can do crypto then radar is a piece of cake).

The military will always, ALWAYS put clauses in their contracts in case you fail to meet their standards in training and in my experience, about 40% of enlistees sign up for training that is above and beyond their capabilities.

The military training I went through was tough as nails. It wasn't any walk in the park. They'd throw faulty equipment at me (called a "performance test") and I'd have half an hour to tell them exactly what was wrong with the gear to the component and write up my method of diagnosis.

It was frustrating for me because with electronics I'm practically psychic. I just about grew up in a Radio Shack store back when they actually had radios in the place. I was doing CB installations before I was 12 years old. I've loved radio my whole life and I was kind of shocked that I didn't graduate top of the class. My performance tests were perfect, in fact one of the instructors messed with me and gave me a problem that THEY couldn't find and I found it... a reverse polarized electrolytic capacitor, a factory defect. I think my scores were lower because of my ego, and that I'd take hunches (usually correct) rather than go by the book.

You're never going to get a 100% guarantee on a military contract because it's a mutual obligation. They'll do what they say if you do what you'll say and meet their standards. They have some very high standards. They'll push you past anything you thought was your breaking point and if you do break, they'll fail you out. There are no guarantees from the military. The military has strategies, not guarantees.

[TinCan]

Our youngest son joined the Guard on the "College First Program" which means he is undeployable right now until he finishes his last 2 years of school. His unit is in the process right now of gearing up to go to Iraq so, they are looking for places for him and a few others that are also on the program. So, that could be one way for you to get your schooling paid for.

Here's a link for the Navy's Nursing Program:
http://www.navy.com/careers/healthcare/nursing/

And here's the Army's Nursing Program:
http://www.goarmy.com/rotc/nurse_program.jsp

Here's a link for the USMC Nursing Careers:
http://www.usmilitary.com/3229/marine-corps-nursing-careers/

[TinCan]

VA Nursing Partnerships:
http://www.va.gov/oaa/vana/partners.asp

[Claymore]

Go Air Guard as a medic. Most states will pay for your college at a state school while you're in the Guard. Do Air Force ROTC while you're in school. No officer was ever hurt by starting in the enlisted ranks and learning the job from the ground up.
If you are just looking for Uncle Sugar to pay for your school, give you a pretty uniform, and never ask you to live up to your obligations,,, then don't go into the military.

[Fire Watch]

It's not all about the qualifications, you have to complete the training and it's not fun and games.

The military will always, ALWAYS put clauses in their contracts in case you fail to meet their standards in training and in my experience, about 40% of enlistees sign up for training that is above and beyond their capabilities.

You're never going to get a 100% guarantee on a military contract because it's a mutual obligation. They'll do what they say if you do what you'll say and meet their standards. They have some very high standards. They'll push you past anything you thought was your breaking point and if you do break, they'll fail you out. There are no guarantees from the military. The military has strategies, not guarantees.
This is 100% correct.

[spearmaster]

I'm not in yet, that's why I'm going to make sure they give me what I want before I go in. I just need to know what all I can get first. I'm not going to let the recruiters tell me because they're full of it.

When I enlisted into the Army many years they used the ASVAB to determine what your MOS could be. But since you're in nursing school now I would think you should be able to go into a medical MOS. Best thing to do is do some research MOS's in whatever branch you're interested in. You may want to consider the officer route someday. I hear the Army is hurting for officers.

[ImNewHere]

You got me.
When I was in, I had to do what I was told.
Maybe it's changed.

Awesome post. You go into the military thinking you're going to tell them what to do and you'll be sadly disappointed. It's about serving your country, not having your country serve you.

If you're going in with the current attitude you have, I would advise you to find another route to your RN degree. I've dealt with enlistees who were there just for their GI bill or VA loan or whatever benefit was important to them. They wound up being very unhappy and poor team players. And teamwork is an important part of military service, regardless of what role a person has in the US military.

[spearmaster]

Yeah that's what I figured. Is there any way I can be on active while working towards my RN degree? I need a sure shot though, because I know it's next to impossible to go from medic to RN. Very competitive. Either way, I'm headed down to the recruiting station on Monday with two friends - father and son. The son is currently in the AF and the dad was. At least I'll have some sort of support. :wall:

Unless you're doing online classes it will be very tough to attend college while on Active Duty. At least full time.

[spearmaster]

Go Air Guard as a medic. Most states will pay for your college at a state school while you're in the Guard. Do Air Force ROTC while you're in school. No officer was ever hurt by starting in the enlisted ranks and learning the job from the ground up.
If you are just looking for Uncle Sugar to pay for your school, give you a pretty uniform, and never ask you to live up to your obligations,,, then don't go into the military.

Roger that! I think it should be required that before you get a commission you should have to be enlisted first.

[Gabby]

I know that you say you do not want to go reserve... but what you are describing that you want is AFROTC. I do not think that they deploy people out of ROTC. The contract is to allow you to finish your college program. It's a scholarship program. You do your military after.

http://www.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?fsID=152

Medical Professions
Nursing majors may apply for an AFROTC scholarship and graduates agree to accept a commission in the Air Force Nurse Corps and serve four years on active duty after successfully completing their licensing examination. Cadet premedical scholarship recipients who are accepted to medical school within one year of graduating may be sponsored in their pursuit of medical degrees.

[Cowgirl Up!]

Thank you for the information, folks.

And thank you very much for the little reality check, but I know this is not going to be a walk in the park. I already pay for my own education totally unassisted, I've lived out of my car in the middle of November, heated top ramen noodles on a hot engine block, showered in the gym at school, and washed my clothes in the sink. That shows you a little bit just how much I want my dang education. Nothing is free and I'm up for a challenge. I can hack it and would love an opportunity to serve my country while getting all that I can out of it. 'Nuff said.

My buddy is in SF and happens to be back in town, so we're both going down to the recruiting station on Monday. We are and so is his dad because he was in the AF too. At this point I'm willing to be a medic for a while. That just means I have to scratch and claw my way up to the top but I can do it if I really want it.

[ImNewHere]

At this point I'm willing to be a medic for a while. That just means I have to scratch and claw my way up to the top but I can do it if I really want it.

Much better. And one thing to keep in mind if you do wind up in medical.... you may go with the intent on becoming an RN but may change your mind and want to go for the MD, DMD, PharmD..... you'll give yourself a lot of options and put yourself in a position where you can pursue whatever you want

But go in with the attitude that you're there to do whatever you're going to do to the best of your ability, rather than a list of demands, and your military service will go a LOT smoother. Keep a positive attitude and don't give up.

[Claymore]

Cowgirl, I'm a LPN working on my RN. I started as an 18 year old combat medic in the Army. I piddled around and my old G.I. Bill education benefits ran out on me, I wasted a lot of opportunities. So time is something you gotta keep your eye on. Keep plugging away, Being an enlisted medic or LPN is a good staring point for your RN.

[ImNewHere]

Being an enlisted medic or LPN is a good staring point for your RN.

Yep. Gotta pay your dues before you can be Surgeon General.

[TinCan]

Thank you for the information, folks.

And thank you very much for the little reality check, but I know this is not going to be a walk in the park. I already pay for my own education totally unassisted, I've lived out of my car in the middle of November, heated top ramen noodles on a hot engine block, showered in the gym at school, and washed my clothes in the sink. That shows you a little bit just how much I want my dang education. Nothing is free and I'm up for a challenge. I can hack it and would love an opportunity to serve my country while getting all that I can out of it. 'Nuff said.

My buddy is in SF and happens to be back in town, so we're both going down to the recruiting station on Monday. We are and so is his dad because he was in the AF too. At this point I'm willing to be a medic for a while. That just means I have to scratch and claw my way up to the top but I can do it if I really want it.

Now that's the attitude to have. Go Navy and get an east coast carrier, that way you can also see something of the world and the carrier's have a full hospital and dental clinic. They also have an excellent "Independent Duty Corpsman" program that provides advanced training. Whichever branch you choose, keep a positive attitude and learn the rules so you can play the game.

[RickRhetoric]

If you want to talk online to "military folk only", go here: www.military.com

[NCRedState]

Isn't that poor form Rick? Diverting traffic to other forums. :)

[mrclean]

Get your degree first and then go in as an officer.

[mgifford]

Yeah that's what I figured. Is there any way I can be on active while working towards my RN degree? I need a sure shot though, because I know it's next to impossible to go from medic to RN. Very competitive. Either way, I'm headed down to the recruiting station on Monday with two friends - father and son. The son is currently in the AF and the dad was. At least I'll have some sort of support. :wall:

During Vietnam. they did indeed lie thru their teeth to get you in. They told my cousin if he'd sign up for two extra years, he wouldn't have to go to Nam. Guess what? Also, in that day they wanted you a whole lot more than you wanted them, so it was a matter of waiting for you with all the cards.

[mgifford]

Now that's the attitude to have. Go Navy and get an east coast carrier, that way you can also see something of the world and the carrier's have a full hospital and dental clinic. They also have an excellent "Independent Duty Corpsman" program that provides advanced training. Whichever branch you choose, keep a positive attitude and learn the rules so you can play the game.

I concur! But, I love my Navy very much!

[ressurectedUltraSaiyanUSA]

trust me, you don't want to be an RN... suggestion: why don't you just go for a degree in medicine? but even that is full of stress and pressure... and that's just school... once you get in the real world, then it would be a combination of courts, government, politics, and life and death... dangerous, dangerous mix imho.

but if that's what you gotta do, of course that decision is yours.

i found that being a soldier is relatively more stress-free than being an RN. but, once again, you gotta follow your mind, heart and soul. me, i have had it already with being an RN. i will be tendering my resignation soon and after that, i will not have anything more to do with anything related with healthcare, doctors, nurses, patients, and the like. until last year, i wanted to be a doctor (a neurologist or cardiologist), but i realized i think i pretty much accomplished what i needed to accomplish. i just have had enough of healthcare and the people in it.

at this point in my life, what i just want now is a relatively stress- and pressure-free work that will provide some steady flow of income, enough or better yet moreso, to get by each day.

but, if you're gonna ask, i got my RN first, then army.

[Cowgirl Up!]

Much better. And one thing to keep in mind if you do wind up in medical.... you may go with the intent on becoming an RN but may change your mind and want to go for the MD, DMD, PharmD..... you'll give yourself a lot of options and put yourself in a position where you can pursue whatever you want

But go in with the attitude that you're there to do whatever you're going to do to the best of your ability, rather than a list of demands, and your military service will go a LOT smoother. Keep a positive attitude and don't give up.

I guess my big dumb question is: They will train me to be something that I can take out in to the real world when or if I decide to get out of the military? I can't be a combat medic in the civilian world ;) What programs are out there that they would put me through to become higher up? God bless you Navy folk, but I have my reasons for choosing AF ;)

And maybe some of you didn't read this: The waiting list for what I can afford around here is too ridiculous. I already got my rejection letter yesterday and I've known this one girl who waited for two years before she signed a contract with a hospital. That was back in the day when they had contracts and you didn't have to work for a hospital for a year first.

And to each his own - I'm confident I will make a good nurse. I'm stubborn, can you tell? :confused:

[mgifford]

I guess my big dumb question is: They will train me to be something that I can take out in to the real world when or if I decide to get out of the military? I can't be a combat medic in the civilian world ;) What programs are out there that they would put me through to become higher up? God bless you Navy folk, but I have my reasons for choosing AF ;)

And maybe some of you didn't read this: The waiting list for what I can afford around here is too ridiculous. I already got my rejection letter yesterday and I've known this one girl who waited for two years before she signed a contract with a hospital. That was back in the day when they had contracts and you didn't have to work for a hospital for a year first.

And to each his own - I'm confident I will make a good nurse. I'm stubborn, can you tell? :confused:

Many nurses that attend me are former medics at the VA.

[Claymore]

I guess my big dumb question is: They will train me to be something that I can take out in to the real world when or if I decide to get out of the military? I can't be a combat medic in the civilian world ;) What programs are out there that they would put me through to become higher up? God bless you Navy folk, but I have my reasons for choosing AF ;)

And maybe some of you didn't read this: The waiting list for what I can afford around here is too ridiculous. I already got my rejection letter yesterday and I've known this one girl who waited for two years before she signed a contract with a hospital. That was back in the day when they had contracts and you didn't have to work for a hospital for a year first.

And to each his own - I'm confident I will make a good nurse. I'm stubborn, can you tell? :confused:

I had so much experience in all different types of the medical field as a combat medic. Combat medics can go straight through some EMT/paramedic courses. You don't stay in the boonies all the time. You get hospital, ER, clinical, and other cross-training. You can specifically enlist to go to LPN school and that is a great place to start for your RN when the enlistment is over.
You will want to go AFROTC when you get to college and into a nursing program.

[gdoane]

Now that's the attitude to have. Go Navy and get an east coast carrier, that way you can also see something of the world and the carrier's have a full hospital and dental clinic. They also have an excellent "Independent Duty Corpsman" program that provides advanced training. Whichever branch you choose, keep a positive attitude and learn the rules so you can play the game.

You've got to watch that carrier option because it can cost you.

Here's why. When I completed training at Naval Training Center Great Lakes north of Chicago, the DREAM SHEETS came out and there were 8 guys deemed better than me (out of a class that started with 100) who all asked for the same program I got, the FFG-7 class (Oliver Hazard Perry) communications suite, a YEAR of schools including satcom.

Now here's the catch. Those fools told the detailer that they wanted an FFG-7 specialty pipeline school and then the ships they chose to be on were CARRIERS. Asking for FFG-7 School and then going to an Aircraft Carrier? I don't think so, and neither would a detailer looking at an assignment request (a DREAM SHEET).

The reason I got the schools I did was that I actually picked the assignment that the schools were for. When you make choices like that, you have to think like a detailer.

I did make a mistake and it's why I quit the Navy... I couldn't get off the East Coast and I hate, absolutely despise being in East Coast cities. The US Navy offered me $26,000 cash for a re-enlistment bonus and I told them West Coast or goodbye. They couldn't afford to move me to California so I chose to end my enlistment which meant they'd move me to Phoenix, Arizona. Not a dime's worth of difference, but it was a "different pocket" and the U.S. Navy lost a damned good sailor. My re-enlistment code is RE-R1 top notch highly desirable.

My choices were perfect in that I got satcom training (a major goal) and that I got a really nice ship assignment (a major goal) but while I aced the WHAT factor I didn't win the WHERE factor.

I spent about half my military career in Norfolk, Virginia. No insult to Norfolkians but I couldn't stand living there and once the U.S. Navy has transferred you there you'll never get out. The place did not match my personality.

For example, living in Norfolk, you pay to drive on toll roads. You can't even get to the freaking store to buy milk without having to drop a dime in the toll booth. Do you know how many toll roads there are in Arizona? That would be NONE. We don't tolerate that stupidity here and I had to, ABSOLUTELY HAD TO get off the East Coast.

Which I told to the detailer and he understood perfectly. He could write me a check on the spot for $26,000 and I'd stay in godawful Norfolk or I could simply end my enlistment and move to Phoenix, AZ where I enlisted.

I'm in Phoenix.

[khigh]

Unless you're doing online classes it will be very tough to attend college while on Active Duty. At least full time.

That is unless you get E-5 and go green to gold or whatever each branch does. That's what my husband is doing when he gets back from Iraq. They pay you the same and you go to college full time. It's a really great system.

[khigh]

If you are insistent on wanting to join, go in there with the intent on walking out if you don't get what you want. I walked out of the Air Force, Army, and Navy offices before joining the Corps. The Air Force guy kept talking about staying in hotels and the easy basic training- I told him I wanted to go to boot camp, not on vacation. The Army guy kept telling me he couldn't get me into the MP program. The Navy guy told me that I wouldn't get deployed any time soon.

The Marine worked his butt off getting me into the MP program and asked if I was willing to deploy in my first unit. He worked to get me the highest bonus and even went through the whole MEPS process with me. Granted, I think they worked double hard for me because I was the only female recruit they had had in three years.

[Cowgirl Up!]

That is unless you get E-5 and go green to gold or whatever each branch does. That's what my husband is doing when he gets back from Iraq. They pay you the same and you go to college full time. It's a really great system.

... For reals?! Do tell more about this program.

[RickRhetoric]

Isn't that poor form Rick? Diverting traffic to other forums. :)

Yeah, I figured someone would probably complain to make a few points with the moderators. But military.com is very friendly to the Hannity forum. As a matter of fact hundreds of loyal Hannity posters discovered Hannity via military.com.

But you're probably right -- I'll probably get banned for committing a "no-no." Ban notwithstanding, if the moderators have become that touchy and thin-skinned, I don't want to post anymore anyway.

[Cowgirl Up!]

If you are insistent on wanting to join, go in there with the intent on walking out if you don't get what you want. I walked out of the Air Force, Army, and Navy offices before joining the Corps. The Air Force guy kept talking about staying in hotels and the easy basic training- I told him I wanted to go to boot camp, not on vacation. The Army guy kept telling me he couldn't get me into the MP program. The Navy guy told me that I wouldn't get deployed any time soon.

The Marine worked his butt off getting me into the MP program and asked if I was willing to deploy in my first unit. He worked to get me the highest bonus and even went through the whole MEPS process with me. Granted, I think they worked double hard for me because I was the only female recruit they had had in three years.

I've been to all three a couple years ago and walked out because I was in there talking to them about wanting to be a nurse and one of the guys chimed in after like 10 minutes saying, "Let's get her down to LA!" followed by lots of laughter. MEPS is in LA. I was like ummm, no. I'm a woman but I'm not retarded so if that's what you're looking for, I'm headed next door. I ran out of doors. ;) I don't know if the recruiters in this town are just special, but they sure as hell lie through their teeth. Makes me extra glad I'm taking a couple people with me tomorrow.

[spearmaster]

That is unless you get E-5 and go green to gold or whatever each branch does. That's what my husband is doing when he gets back from Iraq. They pay you the same and you go to college full time. It's a really great system.

I thought if someone went Green-to-Gold you were temporarily released from A.D. and were placed in the reserves or something until you completed college? I remember when I was AD a friend of mine from another unit that did the Green-to-Gold and she was released from AD to attend college but she was still committed and was placed in a reserve unit. But that was back in 2002.

[Ex_Spy_Guy]

Get your degree first and then go in as an officer.


Bad move.

plus, she already gave you her circumstance.

[Ex_Spy_Guy]

Oh....and wait till the end of the month to make a decision...always enlist in the last few days of the month

[CMike11]

I don't blame you for not believing recruiters look at what happened to Private Benjamin :))

[Cowgirl Up!]

Oh....and wait till the end of the month to make a decision...always enlist in the last few days of the month

Why is that? I get out of school like in mid May I think but I don't want to sign up next month cuz that's still way too soon. At least I think so. The guy who's going with me down to the recruiting office said I can stay with his family until I go in, so that's something. But really - living in your car isn't so bad because it's nice and snug, you save on rent, and you can just uproot and go whenever you like. :mrgreen: My gosh, I'm so glad I know so many people in the military so they're all telling me my options without trying to screw me over at the same time. Ugh I just have to make it through this last semester... So close. Distractions suck.

[khigh]

I thought if someone went Green-to-Gold you were temporarily released from A.D. and were placed in the reserves or something until you completed college? I remember when I was AD a friend of mine from another unit that did the Green-to-Gold and she was released from AD to attend college but she was still committed and was placed in a reserve unit. But that was back in 2002.

There are two options now- leaving AD or staying on AD. They really want officers now.

Here is the website. This one if for the Army, but I would ask if the AF does it too:

http://www.goarmy.com/rotc/enlisted_soldiers.jsp

Also, you might want to ask about current requirements for the AF, because last year when I looked into them again, they had a quota of Zero for the quarter, meaning to meet their quota, they had to sign at least 0 people. They got to the office at 0900 and were gone by 1000.

[khigh]

I've been to all three a couple years ago and walked out because I was in there talking to them about wanting to be a nurse and one of the guys chimed in after like 10 minutes saying, "Let's get her down to LA!" followed by lots of laughter. MEPS is in LA. I was like ummm, no. I'm a woman but I'm not retarded so if that's what you're looking for, I'm headed next door. I ran out of doors. ;) I don't know if the recruiters in this town are just special, but they sure as hell lie through their teeth. Makes me extra glad I'm taking a couple people with me tomorrow.

I signed up that day with the Corps. I loved all of my recruiters and they seemed to work hard for every recruit that walked into their office who wanted to join. That was in 2005 and in an Army town, though. They said the only people who joined were patriots or Army brats that wanted to make their daddies mad for going jarhead.

It's definitely a good thing to take someone with you. Especially someone else that is in the military. My husband took his dad with him (a Command Sergeant Major- was Post Sergeant Major at the time- think Mayor of a military base and CSM of the Field Artillery). All he had to do was tell the recruiters that if they screwed over anyone in that office at that time, he could have them demoted to E-1 and put on latrine duty.

[stodr]

I want to go in the AF and become a registered nurse and I do not want to be in reserves because I've known too many people who have had their platoon dragged overseas so they had to put their education on hold.

... Help?

Abut the only way to get anything almost guarented is to join the 2 year AFROTC program. You take the tests and they will offer you a career based on your scores and desires and the needs of the AF, you can take it or leave it. If you take it you sign on the dotted line to finish school in two years and then owe 4-6 years after graduation.

As for the reserves, you can get dragged overseas as you put it on AD also but you have no say in it. IN the AFR unless you are activated they can not make you take a deployment. And of lately the reserves is not activating anybody they are getting enough volunteers to fill the postitions.

[spearmaster]

There are two options now- leaving AD or staying on AD. They really want officers now.

Here is the website. This one if for the Army, but I would ask if the AF does it too:

http://www.goarmy.com/rotc/enlisted_soldiers.jsp

Also, you might want to ask about current requirements for the AF, because last year when I looked into them again, they had a quota of Zero for the quarter, meaning to meet their quota, they had to sign at least 0 people. They got to the office at 0900 and were gone by 1000.

Yeah I knew the Army was hurting for O's. My GF's best friend was active duty AF and she got smart and came over to the Army to go Green-to-Gold. She already has a Bachelors. I haven't talked to her in awhile so I'm not sure which path she is taking.

Besides, NCO's are the backbone of the Army. :cool:

[Cowgirl Up!]

My gosh I'm so freaking nervous right now. I could totally get screwed over by just signing up for whatever I can get with the hopes of being able to work my way up to RN status. I guess that's better than dropping out of school to support myself. Doing something is better than waiting around doing nothing. And at least I'll have health insurance... My latest injury wasn't (still isn't) fun to deal with without a doctor.

Question: My friend in the AF said they have programs that pay you to go to school and you get paid like an E-5 (this was also mentioned earlier) then you pay the military back with time or something. He also said it doesn't matter what rank you are, so does this also mean that if I don't get a super high ASVAB score, I can still get this option if there's an opening? I gotta brush up on my math skills big time.

:wall:

[ImNewHere]

I guess my big dumb question is: They will train me to be something that I can take out in to the real world when or if I decide to get out of the military? I can't be a combat medic in the civilian world ;) What programs are out there that they would put me through to become higher up? God bless you Navy folk, but I have my reasons for choosing AF ;)

I'd imagine combat medic is very similar to EMT or paramedic in the real world.

Don't take anything I've posted to mean you WON'T be able to pursue your goal. Given what you've posted in this thread, I'm sure you'll get what you're after if you sign up. My only comment was about you going in with the expectation that you'll get what you want, when you want it.

Military doesn't work that way and you need to know that before getting in.

And pardon the confusion in my post. You said you were looking into joining the military, then talk about the Air Farce. (that was for AlBob2 :)) )

And maybe some of you didn't read this: The waiting list for what I can afford around here is too ridiculous. I already got my rejection letter yesterday and I've known this one girl who waited for two years before she signed a contract with a hospital. That was back in the day when they had contracts and you didn't have to work for a hospital for a year first.

Times are tough. Perseverance is what you need.

And to each his own - I'm confident I will make a good nurse. I'm stubborn, can you tell? :confused:

Add antagonistic, elitist and bitter to that resume and you'll make a fine nurse. ;) (that was for Emma :razz: )

[ImNewHere]

My gosh I'm so freaking nervous right now. I could totally get screwed over by just signing up for whatever

Find one person on this board, lib or con, who is ashamed of their military service or regrets the time they spent in uniform.

Question: My friend in the AF said they have programs that pay you to go to school and you get paid like an E-5 (this was also mentioned earlier) then you pay the military back with time or something. He also said it doesn't matter what rank you are, so does this also mean that if I don't get a super high ASVAB score, I can still get this option if there's an opening? I gotta brush up on my math skills big time.

:wall:

If you can get into one of those, more power to you.

[khigh]

My gosh I'm so freaking nervous right now. I could totally get screwed over by just signing up for whatever I can get with the hopes of being able to work my way up to RN status. I guess that's better than dropping out of school to support myself. Doing something is better than waiting around doing nothing. And at least I'll have health insurance... My latest injury wasn't (still isn't) fun to deal with without a doctor.

Question: My friend in the AF said they have programs that pay you to go to school and you get paid like an E-5 (this was also mentioned earlier) then you pay the military back with time or something. He also said it doesn't matter what rank you are, so does this also mean that if I don't get a super high ASVAB score, I can still get this option if there's an opening? I gotta brush up on my math skills big time.

:wall:

The hardest math part on the ASVAB is one trig question. The rest are basic algebra and a few basic geometry questions. The ASVAB was the easiest test I ever took- minus the mechanics questions, but those are not part of your general score.

[Gabby]

So it looks like I'm going in the Air Force after I finish up this semester. Why? I want to get my nursing degree. .....

... Help?

Just curious... why are you rejecting the AFROTC nursing program? Have you even spoken to them to see what they offer?

[Cowgirl Up!]

I'd imagine combat medic is very similar to EMT or paramedic in the real world.

Don't take anything I've posted to mean you WON'T be able to pursue your goal. Given what you've posted in this thread, I'm sure you'll get what you're after if you sign up. My only comment was about you going in with the expectation that you'll get what you want, when you want it.

Military doesn't work that way and you need to know that before getting in.

And pardon the confusion in my post. You said you were looking into joining the military, then talk about the Air Farce. (that was for AlBob2 :)) )

Times are tough. Perseverance is what you need.

Add antagonistic, elitist and bitter to that resume and you'll make a fine nurse. ;) (that was for Emma :razz: )

Can't be a paramedic forever - that's for the young.

I realize that in order to get higher up, it depends on your performance. That applies for just about everywhere and I'm one determined, crazy Irish woman so I can do this. I'll probably sign up for medic, do it for a year, then apply for the program I want to do (E5 pay to go to school. I was looking up MOS/AFSC stuff and I want to be an OR nurse.) and that will just depend on GPA and stuff. I also have an associates degree and that should allow me to be an E4 and I've taken over 60 units. I work my tail off so I'm not worried about moving up.

BUT... I talked to the AF recruiter over the phone a bit ago and she said they don't have much for medical right now. I told my EKG professor my situation and he said he went into the Navy 19 years ago for the same reasons (homeless college drop out) and he has NO REGRETS and 4 degrees. He said to go talk to him if the AF doesn't work out and he'll help me get what I need. At this point, as long as I'm making a living and not living out of my car, I'll be happy. Either way, Jason and I are going to see the recruiter on Wednesday at 1300. Funny thing is that she remembered him from when she recruited him like 2 years ago. This should be interesting.

[stodr]

Question: My friend in the AF said they have programs that pay you to go to school and you get paid like an E-5 (this was also mentioned earlier) then you pay the military back with time or something. He also said it doesn't matter what rank you are, so does this also mean that if I don't get a super high ASVAB score, I can still get this option if there's an opening? I gotta brush up on my math skills big time.

:wall:

Sounds alot like AFROTC, you don't get a full E-5 pay but if you get a scholarship you get school and books paid for and money every month not sure how much that is nowadays. And you can find out what they are going to give you before you sign on the dotted line.

[EmmanuelGoldstein]

Why is that?

Quotas?

BTW, did you say why you wanted to go into the military? If so, I missed it.

And have you looked into this:

http://www.usphs.gov/profession/nurse/default.aspx

I worked with them while on assignment last year (in fact, worked with the nurse pictured lol). I wish I'd gone that route years ago.

[EmmanuelGoldstein]

Add antagonistic, elitist and bitter to that resume and you'll make a fine nurse. ;) (that was for Emma :razz: )
LOL

Silly.

[handle]

Make sure that whatever you want is in writing. Also, you can back out up to the point where they pick you up and take you to the airport. They can't force you :)

[TinCan]

You've got to watch that carrier option because it can cost you.

Here's why. When I completed training at Naval Training Center Great Lakes north of Chicago, the DREAM SHEETS came out and there were 8 guys deemed better than me (out of a class that started with 100) who all asked for the same program I got, the FFG-7 class (Oliver Hazard Perry) communications suite, a YEAR of schools including satcom.

Now here's the catch. Those fools told the detailer that they wanted an FFG-7 specialty pipeline school and then the ships they chose to be on were CARRIERS. Asking for FFG-7 School and then going to an Aircraft Carrier? I don't think so, and neither would a detailer looking at an assignment request (a DREAM SHEET).

The reason I got the schools I did was that I actually picked the assignment that the schools were for. When you make choices like that, you have to think like a detailer.

I did make a mistake and it's why I quit the Navy... I couldn't get off the East Coast and I hate, absolutely despise being in East Coast cities. The US Navy offered me $26,000 cash for a re-enlistment bonus and I told them West Coast or goodbye. They couldn't afford to move me to California so I chose to end my enlistment which meant they'd move me to Phoenix, Arizona. Not a dime's worth of difference, but it was a "different pocket" and the U.S. Navy lost a damned good sailor. My re-enlistment code is RE-R1 top notch highly desirable.

My choices were perfect in that I got satcom training (a major goal) and that I got a really nice ship assignment (a major goal) but while I aced the WHAT factor I didn't win the WHERE factor.

I spent about half my military career in Norfolk, Virginia. No insult to Norfolkians but I couldn't stand living there and once the U.S. Navy has transferred you there you'll never get out. The place did not match my personality.

For example, living in Norfolk, you pay to drive on toll roads. You can't even get to the freaking store to buy milk without having to drop a dime in the toll booth. Do you know how many toll roads there are in Arizona? That would be NONE. We don't tolerate that stupidity here and I had to, ABSOLUTELY HAD TO get off the East Coast.

Which I told to the detailer and he understood perfectly. He could write me a check on the spot for $26,000 and I'd stay in godawful Norfolk or I could simply end my enlistment and move to Phoenix, AZ where I enlisted.

I'm in Phoenix.

There is truth in them thar words but I was mainly looking at the opportunity of the overseas liberty ports. But then again, I had a very unconventional naval career. That's probably why I made it a career. :)

[Cowgirl Up!]

Quotas?

BTW, did you say why you wanted to go into the military? If so, I missed it.

I'm being booted from "the nest" after the semester I'm in, therefore homeless. I'll have free room, board, a paycheck, insurance... I broke my arm a while ago and since I didn't have insurance, I set it and am still taking care of it by myself. I can do pushups now, so it's doing better. Also, the nursing program I can afford has a ridiculously long wait list. I know a girl who had straight A's but she still kept getting rejected after a year of applying. So yeah, I don't want to ever drop out of school and I'm not going to wait around. Might as well get Uncle Sam to pay for it :) I'm gonna be a helluva nurse and I will work my arse off for my country.

[EmmanuelGoldstein]

I'm being booted from "the nest" after the semester I'm in, therefore homeless. I'll have free room, board, a paycheck, insurance... I broke my arm a while ago and since I didn't have insurance, I set it and am still taking care of it by myself. I can do pushups now, so it's doing better. Also, the nursing program I can afford has a ridiculously long wait list. I know a girl who had straight A's but she still kept getting rejected after a year of applying. So yeah, I don't want to ever drop out of school and I'm not going to wait around. Might as well get Uncle Sam to pay for it :) I'm gonna be a helluva nurse and I will work my arse off for my country.
'k.

Did you look at the rest of my post? Check it out.

[EmmanuelGoldstein]

I broke my arm a while ago and since I didn't have insurance, I set it and am still taking care of it by myselfBTW, (no offense) but that isn't too smart. If it is indeed healing well, you're damn lucky...

You do know that hospitals will give care at reduced rates? All you have to do is fill out a form... well, in your case I suppose you'd have someone fill it in for you.

[FidelisAdMortem]

Dont do it.

[ALBOB2]

I broke my arm a while ago and since I didn't have insurance, I set it and am still taking care of it by myself. I can do pushups now, so it's doing better.

Speaking as a former Air Force recruiter, you may want to keep little medical tid bits like that to yourself...............FOREVER!!! Understand??? You're the epitome of health. Always have been. Got it??? Talk too much and you'll be out on the street faster than you can blink an eye. You've ALWAYS been 100% healthy!!!

But I would never tell you to lie. Only Army recruiters do that. :whistle:

Now, when speaking of jobs, it's useless to talk to your recruiter. He doesn't have your ASVAB scores, he doesn't have the results of your physical and he doesn't have access to what jobs are available. All those things happen at the MEPS station. But before you get sent there you have to commit to the Air Force. And I'm not just talking about commit to your recruiter, I'm talking about committing to yourself. If you're not 100% convinced that the Air Force is the right place for you, NO MATTER WHAT JOB, then you've got no business wasting people's time. Including your own. You should be happy going in as a diesel mechanic. If not, look someplace else.

I'm not saying these things to be mean, I'm trying to prepare you for the real deal. Medical jobs, ALL OF THEM, are damn hard to come by. If you score in the top 5% on your ASVAB then they'll make room for you. If not you're at the mercy of the Air Force. They're going to pour a ton of time and money into training you so they're damn sure going to get their money's worth. What you want doesn't really matter. Now if what they need and what you want happen to match, praise the Lord and pass the potatos. If not, you've got to be ready to deal with it and make the best of it. It's a wonderful opportunity that not everyone gets. They'll pay for your college education no matter what career field you're in and no matter what you want to major in. Also, to say it can't be done on active duty is simply rediculous. It's been done more times than can be counted. I'm one of them. Don't waste the opportunity or let it pass you by just because they didn't bow down and kiss your feet.

[khigh]

Dont do it.

Why would you say that? The military is a great opportunity. I'm even thinking about joining the Army and going MP to go to the Army CID (Criminal Investigation Department) program. It looks great on a resume and is a guaranteed job with a guaranteed paycheck.

[stodr]

This might help you out.

http://www.military.com/ASVAB

[Cowgirl Up!]

Sweet baby Jesus, a practice ASVAB online! Thanks a bunch, that's what I need.

Yes, I'm sure I definitely want to go in the AF. However, if that doesn't work out, then the Navy could quite possibly provide what I want. (I believe I mentioned my professor already?) But yeah, I've figured out that I want to enlist as an LVN, hack through that extremely condensed training, then apply for that E5 program. I want to be a 46S. :)

As far as physical requirements go? I could pass it right now due to being involved with muy thai kickboxing. OF COURSE I'm in better physical shape than anybody else out there ;) Heck, as far as that's concerned, I just scratched my arm.

[vir doctus]

http://www.usphs.gov/
http://www.usphs.gov/student/

[Cowgirl Up!]

Thanks again for that practice ASVAB - I can tell it's going to help a ton. I just took the short version and passed all categories, but the math scores could be higher. I was homeschool and mum never was good at math, so I never did geometry. I tested straight into algebra in college at age 16, so some of that stuff is foreign to me (yet easy) at the moment. Is the real ASVAB that easy?? I mean holy crapola, batman!

[khigh]

Thanks again for that practice ASVAB - I can tell it's going to help a ton. I just took the short version and passed all categories, but the math scores could be higher. I was homeschool and mum never was good at math, so I never did geometry. I tested straight into algebra in college at age 16, so some of that stuff is foreign to me (yet easy) at the moment. Is the real ASVAB that easy?? I mean holy crapola, batman!

The real ASVAB is that easy, yet some people get very very low scores. My husband calls them Marines. (Joke- that's the branch I first joined until I dislocated my ankle at Parris Island. Probably joining the Army when he gets back from Iraq).

[RWReaganfan]

As a former Navy enlisted man who made it all the way to Lieutenant Commander, and also did 3 years in Navy recruiting, I have some advice for you.

The Air Force and other services can pick and choose their women, so do not expect any types of guarantee unless your scores are perfect. Also, your enlisted job can have little or nothing to do with your later career.

I joined the Navy and was trained as an electronics technician in the nuclear propulsion field. After 9 months, I picked up a 4-year NROTC scholarship and was discharged to the reserves. Unfortunately a lot of people have been steering you to the ROTC route. The scholarships usually pay your school expenses, but living is out of pocket. I received a whopping $100 a month allowance. I graduated from college with student loans that had to be paid back, but with an officers salary and the ability to defer the payments for several years, it was easy. My primary carreer in the Navy was conventional steam propulsion, and I did that with a heavy concentration of math, science and engineering classes and a degree in history.

If you want to be an RN in the military, I suggest getting it first or checking out scholarship programs. active duty is not the best palce to work on a degree. Duty schedules and deployments almost always get in the way of classes, and they do not have too many on-line classes at the higher level courses.

My son has been on active duty in the Army for almost 3 years and he is so busy that even his basic on-line classes are impossible to do.

I worked full-time while attending my teacher certification classes and the graduate school and it darned near killed me and my wife and kids too!

Make some hard choices about what you want most in life and then do that. I wish you the best of luck. I always thought I wanted to be an officer in the military and that dream came true, but it was a long, tough road.

[Cav Scout]

So it looks like I'm going in the Air Force after I finish up this semester. Why? I want to get my nursing degree. After this current semester, I will have finished up all my prerequisites for nursing (Engrish, math, sciences, etc.) and am completely elligible to be in the nursing program, but the wait list is too long and I won't have a place to live after this summer. The recruiters here in town suck (as they do in other places I'm sure) and they lie through their teeth just to get you to sign stuff that will screw you over. I want to assemble what I want before I go in there and take the ASVAB (and get a high score) and I was wondering if some you could help me assemble something? I'm not sure what I can and can not do/get, and I DO NOT trust the recruiters around here to tell me. But basically, I don't want to be a medic, an LVN, or any such thing. I want to go in the AF and become a registered nurse and I do not want to be in reserves because I've known too many people who have had their platoon dragged overseas so they had to put their education on hold.

... Help?

You bet, ex Recuiter here, US ARMY not flap land.

Now here is what you do.

You are a nurse or training to be one, so give up the walk in flap land (air force) and get the card of an actual (US Army Nurse Recruiter) they are different then your usual joe recruiter. There are at least two in every district and they will treat you well. If you already have your LPN that is a huge step, if you are almost there they will show you how to finish it free.

Do as I say, if you actually want a good DOD nurse career. Persue the Air Farce if you want to get screwed.

[Cav Scout]

Just curious... why are you rejecting the AFROTC nursing program? Have you even spoken to them to see what they offer?

AF ROTC and the Brownies have lot in common.

[EmmanuelGoldstein]

http://www.usphs.gov/
http://www.usphs.gov/student/

Eh, don't waste your time. I've brought that up twice and she's ignored it.

[EmmanuelGoldstein]

You are a nurse or training to be one

It appears she is neither.

[Cowgirl Up!]

Maybe some of you are just not noticing this little tidbit that has been sprinkled in a few of my posts:

I'M GOING TO BE HOMELESS AFTER THIS SEMESTER!!!

Therefore I need to be receiving a paycheck while I'm in school. One of my buddies went through basically a similar program and it does indeed sound quite rigorous. As long as I have my weekends off to study, I will be fine. This is what he told me: PT at 0430 for like a couple hours, shower, eat, classes 0800-1700, duties for Uncle Sam until later on in the evening, then you have the choice of studying or sleep. One big test at the end of each week. He was the top of his class during the second half of it and he partied one night every weekend. I've been getting much better grades than he has this semester, so I think I can hack it (we have a chemistry class together right now). I've had a full year of Anatomy and Physiology and I'm taking an EKG class right now, so that should be a big chunk of the academic side of it for at least a little while.

[Cowgirl Up!]

Eh, don't waste your time. I've brought that up twice and she's ignored it.

I looked at it like everything else on this thread. Thank you.

[ALBOB2]

You bet, ex Recuiter here, US ARMY not flap land.

Now here is what you do.

You are a nurse or training to be one, so give up the walk in flap land (air force) and get the card of an actual (US Army Nurse Recruiter) they are different then your usual joe recruiter. There are at least two in every district and they will treat you well. If you already have your LPN that is a huge step, if you are almost there they will show you how to finish it free.

Do as I say, if you actually want a good DOD nurse career. Persue the Air Farce if you want to get screwed.

Dude, absolutey untrue and also absolutely uncalled for. If you can't say good things about one service without trying to denigrate the others you're a poor excuse for a veteran. We're all SUPOSED to be on the same team, remember? :rolleyes:

[Cav Scout]

Maybe some of you are just not noticing this little tidbit that has been sprinkled in a few of my posts:

I'M GOING TO BE HOMELESS AFTER THIS SEMESTER!!!

Therefore I need to be receiving a paycheck while I'm in school. One of my buddies went through basically a similar program and it does indeed sound quite rigorous. As long as I have my weekends off to study, I will be fine. This is what he told me: PT at 0430 for like a couple hours, shower, eat, classes 0800-1700, duties for Uncle Sam until later on in the evening, then you have the choice of studying or sleep. One big test at the end of each week. He was the top of his class during the second half of it and he partied one night every weekend. I've been getting much better grades than he has this semester, so I think I can hack it (we have a chemistry class together right now). I've had a full year of Anatomy and Physiology and I'm taking an EKG class right now, so that should be a big chunk of the academic side of it for at least a little while.

Call a US ARmy Nurse Recruiter.

A Nurse Recruiter, not an average joe Recuiter.

GOARMY.COM

http://www.goarmy.com/amedd/index.jsp

Homeless is a state of mind.

[Cav Scout]

Dude, absolutey untrue and also absolutely uncalled for. If you can't say good things about one service without trying to denigrate the others you're a poor excuse for a veteran. We're all SUPOSED to be on the same team, remember? :rolleyes:

Is Dude a word?

The Air Force has some really great programs, but if you are counting on Air Force recruiting you are going to get screwed.
How many years did you recruit?

This is not about intra service rivalry, its about the truth. There is only ONE branch with 100% contract guarantee, ARMY.

So you may now take a flying Air Force Leap into the BLUE...

[Cav Scout]

It appears she is neither.

I am wondering that myself.

[EmmanuelGoldstein]

I am wondering that myself.

According to her posts, she hasn't started in a nursing program yet.

[EmmanuelGoldstein]

I looked at it like everything else on this thread. Thank you.
You're welcome. Any thoughts on going that route?

[Cav Scout]

According to her posts, she hasn't started in a nursing program yet.

Well thats what I thought, but I did not want to make that jump, if she has some credit hours in that area though, she is well on her way if she but makes the right contacts. As I said we would take of the rest. So would the Navy actually. The AF wants a degree before you show up.

[Cowgirl Up!]

According to her posts, she hasn't started in a nursing program yet.

That is correct. As previously stated, the waitlist out here is really bad for what I could possibly afford. Once again: I knew a girl with straight A's in all her classes and she still got rejected for over a year. I'm about to be homeless. Combine those two and it makes a screwy situation so I'm not going to sit on my ass waiting to get into a program when I could be training to do SOMETHING. I am confident my ASVAB scores will be high enough for me to enlist as an LVN (-in-training).

As for your link - I'm looking at all branches and weighing all my options right now. I cannot tell you for sure.

[Cav Scout]

That is correct. As previously stated, the waitlist out here is really bad for what I could possibly afford. Once again: I knew a girl with straight A's in all her classes and she still got rejected for over a year. I'm about to be homeless. Combine those two and it makes a screwy situation so I'm not going to sit on my ass waiting to get into a program when I could be training to do SOMETHING. I am confident my ASVAB scores will be high enough for me to enlist as an LVN (-in-training).

As for your link - I'm looking at all branches and weighing all my options right now. I cannot tell you for sure.


What the hell is a 'LVN'?

[khigh]

What the hell is a 'LVN'?

Licensed Vocational Nurse. Step below RN (Registered Nurse).

[Cowgirl Up!]

What the hell is a 'LVN'?

www.google.com

But as I have taken the time to reply to this, I might as well just tell you: Licensed Vocational Nurse. One step below RN and they have a bridge program that allows you to roll into the RN program. (but, once again, a ton of LVN's want to do that too, so that waitlist is also ugly.)

[EmmanuelGoldstein]

That is correct. As previously stated, the waitlist out here is really bad for what I could possibly afford. Once again: I knew a girl with straight A's in all her classes and she still got rejected for over a year. I'm about to be homeless. Combine those two and it makes a screwy situation so I'm not going to sit on my ass waiting to get into a program when I could be training to do SOMETHING. I am confident my ASVAB scores will be high enough for me to enlist as an LVN (-in-training).

Well that's something I didn't realize they did.

As far as enrollment lists and wait times, that's cyclic. I've seen it swing from one extreme to the other over the past 26 years. You just happened to hit it during a time when there's a glut of prospective students.

I worked my way through LPN school, then worked as an LPN to get my RN. I was a single mom with two young girls. I didn't do the prerequisites before the nursing program; I did them as I went, so my class (and clinical) days were from 7-8 am through 5 pm (or later) every day. I'd come home, eat, change and head off to work a 12 hour night and then back to school when I got home in the morning. There were many times I didn't sleep for 48, 72 hours straight. No way in hell I could do that now, and I'm not sure how I did it then. But I maintained a perfect average and graduated top of my class. There's very little I've accomplished in this life, so forgive my pride over this.

From your posts, it seems you want to go into the military because they'll support you (for lack of a better word) while you continue school. That's all well and good, but if that is the only reason (or the main reason), have you looked into an externship through a hospital? In every hospital I've worked, they will pay your way through school and hire you (most often as a CNA, some have worked as unit secretaries or monitor techs). A few have given an extra stipend for miscellaneous expenses. But all have bent over backward to accommodate the students' school schedules. Most require a promise to work 18 months to 2 years after graduation; however, that can be paid off if you choose not to work for them.

All I'm saying is there are a lot of choices here; jumping into the military, especially being so focused on getting specifically what you want, might come back to bite you in the butt.

[Cav Scout]

www.google.com (http://www.google.com)

But as I have taken the time to reply to this, I might as well just tell you: Licensed Vocational Nurse. One step below RN and they have a bridge program that allows you to roll into the RN program. (but, once again, a ton of LVN's want to do that too, so that waitlist is also ugly.)

So are you a 'LPN' yet? if not then why not take that step and move on up?

What I am saying is why in heck are you not enrolled in an LPN course while attempting to 'wait' for LVN or RN? Get your LPN work in that field while working up?

I know its a novel idea and all, the whole apprenticeship thing, but from practical experience I would vouch for the fact it works best.

Take the credit hours you have now, join the Army as an E-5 LPN and finish your degree while in service and become an Officer through the Green to Gold program as an RN... Have a roof, food a job and money...

Novel Idea.

[Cav Scout]

Well that's something I didn't realize they did.

As far as enrollment lists and wait times, that's cyclic. I've seen it swing from one extreme to the other over the past 26 years. You just happened to hit it during a time when there's a glut of prospective students.

I worked my way through LPN school, then worked as an LPN to get my RN. I was a single mom with two young girls. I didn't do the prerequisites before the nursing program; I did them as I went, so my class (and clinical) days were from 7-8 am through 5 pm (or later) every day. I'd come home, eat, change and head off to work a 12 hour night and then back to school when I got home in the morning. There were many times I didn't sleep for 48, 72 hours straight. No way in hell I could do that now, and I'm not sure how I did it then. But I maintained a perfect average and graduated top of my class. There's very little I've accomplished in this life, so forgive my pride over this.

From your posts, it seems you want to go into the military because they'll support you (for lack of a better word) while you continue school. That's all well and good, but if that is the only reason (or the main reason), have you looked into an externship through a hospital? In every hospital I've worked, they will pay your way through school and hire you (most often as a CNA, some have worked as unit secretaries or monitor techs). A few have given an extra stipend for miscellaneous expenses. But all have bent over backward to accommodate the students' school schedules. Most require a promise to work 18 months to 2 years after graduation; however, that can be paid off if you choose not to work for them.

All I'm saying is there are a lot of choices here; jumping into the military, especially being so focused on getting specifically what you want, might come back to bite you in the butt.

Military or not, you and I are thinking the same direction.

I agree whole heartedly.

[Claymore]

If your scores are right you can talk to Army recruiters about enlisting for the LPN course.

[Claymore]

BTW, In most states LPN and LVN are the same.

[Cav Scout]

if your scores are right you can talk to army recruiters about enlisting for the lpn course.


fact.

[EmmanuelGoldstein]

So are you a 'LPN' yet? if not then why not take that step and move on up?

What I am saying is why in heck are you not enrolled in an LPN course while attempting to 'wait' for LVN or RN? Get your LPN work in that field while working up?

I know its a novel idea and all, the whole apprenticeship thing, but from practical experience I would vouch for the fact it works best.

Take the credit hours you have now, join the Army as an E-5 LPN and finish your degree while in service and become an Officer through the Green to Gold program as an RN... Have a roof, food a job and money...

Novel Idea.

LPN is the same as LVN. It just depends on the individual state's licensing board what they're called. They all take the same board exam across the country.

[Cav Scout]

BTW, In most states LPN and LVN are the same.

That is why I did not know what the heck an 'LVN' was.

[Cowgirl Up!]

Thank you; I've examined the green-to-gold program.

I have indeed looked at the 40-40 programs in the hospitals and they've recently changed the requirements. You have to work for them for a year before you can get such a deal and I've been applying to the hospitals for just about any type of job. I didn't care if it was working in the friggin' laundry room.

Yes, the fact that Uncle Sam would "support" me is indeed an added incentive, but that's not my only reason. I was looking into joining up and doing my service a couple years ago but was told by friends and relatives that my best option would be to get that RN degree THEN go in, which is what I was planning on doing. Things have changed since then, so here I am.

[Cav Scout]

LPN is the same as LVN. It just depends on the individual state's licensing board what they're called. They all take the same board exam across the country.

Claymore has just fixed my ignorance of the deal. Thank you though. I agree with what you have posted, and feel that 'waiting' and not 'working' up is a waste of time.

Military or not, there is a way to do this, last time I heard South Dakota is so short of Nurses of all types that they are buying the school and housing for them. That was just last month.

[EmmanuelGoldstein]

Thank you; I've examined the green-to-gold program.

I have indeed looked at the 40-40 programs in the hospitals and they've recently changed the requirements. You have to work for them for a year before you can get such a deal and I've been applying to the hospitals for just about any type of job. I didn't care if it was working in the friggin' laundry room.

Yes, the fact that Uncle Sam would "support" me is indeed an added incentive, but that's not my only reason. I was looking into joining up and doing my service a couple years ago but was told by friends and relatives that my best option would be to get that RN degree THEN go in, which is what I was planning on doing. Things have changed since then, so here I am.
If you were planning on serving anyway, why not just enlist, get the best job you can (I think medic/corpsman would be a great plus on your resume for any nursing school you want to attend) and go to college afterward on the benefits? My daughter did that; served in the Army and they paid her way through school. She's now working on her masters'.


You have to work for them for a year before you can get such a deal and I've been applying to the hospitals for just about any type of job.Well, it's different with different facilities. Here, you just have to sign on promising to work during and for a period after school.

[byzantine catholic]

Thank you; I've examined the green-to-gold program.

I have indeed looked at the 40-40 programs in the hospitals and they've recently changed the requirements. You have to work for them for a year before you can get such a deal and I've been applying to the hospitals for just about any type of job. I didn't care if it was working in the friggin' laundry room.

Yes, the fact that Uncle Sam would "support" me is indeed an added incentive, but that's not my only reason. I was looking into joining up and doing my service a couple years ago but was told by friends and relatives that my best option would be to get that RN degree THEN go in, which is what I was planning on doing. Things have changed since then, so here I am.God Bless you for serving your country!:DSo am I since I am going to the Citadel these next 4 years!

[Cav Scout]

Thank you; I've examined the green-to-gold program.

I have indeed looked at the 40-40 programs in the hospitals and they've recently changed the requirements. You have to work for them for a year before you can get such a deal and I've been applying to the hospitals for just about any type of job. I didn't care if it was working in the friggin' laundry room.

Yes, the fact that Uncle Sam would "support" me is indeed an added incentive, but that's not my only reason. I was looking into joining up and doing my service a couple years ago but was told by friends and relatives that my best option would be to get that RN degree THEN go in, which is what I was planning on doing. Things have changed since then, so here I am.

So now here is a real stupid question, just how did you 'examine' the Green to Gold program from 'outside'? Did you read a pamphlet?
The only way to know anything real about that program is to actually be enlisted, which you are not.

EG and I have presented you options that you have responded to but can not actually have researched with out actually talking to real people. There is no way you can google the results and have a clue what they are really about. Have you ever actually talked to a real live "nurse recruiter"? From either the Navy or the Army?

Walking into an elistment office is not a Health Care recruiting office there are only likely two in Texas and in most states only one. Some states have none, you have to travel to another state with population. The two in Texas are in Houston and some little town north of Dallas. The Navy has one in Galveston and no others that I am aware of.

[Cowgirl Up!]

If you were planning on serving anyway, why not just enlist, get the best job you can (I think medic/corpsman would be a great plus on your resume for any nursing school you want to attend) and go to college afterward on the benefits? My daughter did that; served in the Army and they paid her way through school. She's now working on her masters'.

Well, it's different with different facilities. Here, you just have to sign on promising to work during and for a period after school.

Medic might look good on an EMT application, but all my medic buddies overseas and in the States are yelling at me to sign up for something higher than medic. (and also telling me to enlist in the AF or Navy. Sorry.) If I want to be an RN, might as well do something closer to that. First step is to try to get in as an LVN then I'll take it from there.

By the way, you SHOULD be damn proud of being the top of your class while working so much, woman! Holy crap!

[Cowgirl Up!]

So now here is a real stupid question, just how did you 'examine' the Green to Gold program from 'outside'? Did you read a pamphlet?
The only way to know anything real about that program is to actually be enlisted, which you are not.

EG and I have presented you options that you have responded to but can not actually have researched with out actually talking to real people. There is no way you can google the results and have a clue what they are really about. Have you ever actually talked to a real live "nurse recruiter"? From either the Navy or the Army?

Dude, go grab your army mug, snuggle up under your army logo blanket, and take an army-issued chill pill with some army purified water. Yes, I have talked to "real, live people" about the program. And yes, they had good things to say about it.

AND yes, I did just now call you a dude.

[vir doctus]

Medic might look good on an EMT application, but all my medic buddies overseas and in the States are yelling at me to sign up for something higher than medic. (and also telling me to enlist in the AF or Navy. Sorry.) If I want to be an RN, might as well do something closer to that. First step is to try to get in as an LVN then I'll take it from there.

By the way, you SHOULD be damn proud of being the top of your class while working so much, woman! Holy crap!

I don't know about nursing, but one of our friends who is a doc in the AF says if he were to do it all again he would go Army because of the far more numerous opportunities to sub-specialize and advance professionally.

[Cav Scout]

Medic might look good on an EMT application, but all my medic buddies overseas and in the States are yelling at me to sign up for something higher than medic. (and also telling me to enlist in the AF or Navy. Sorry.) If I want to be an RN, might as well do something closer to that. First step is to try to get in as an LVN then I'll take it from there.

By the way, you SHOULD be damn proud of being the top of your class while working so much, woman! Holy crap!

This is prima dona crap.

If you do not want to take the first steps on the ladder then why the hell did you even start the thread?

"You can not sign up for something 'higher then medic' with out college, sorry service branch matters not. If you have credit hours in the medical field then you can drag an LPN course with almost any branch. But to attempt to say that you can do better then Field medical staff is damned joke.

Combat medics have saved more lives then any nurse, doctor or god anywhere in the universe. Get off your damded high horse.

[Cowgirl Up!]

I don't know about nursing, but one of our friends who is a doc in the AF says if he were to do it all again he would go Army because of the far more numerous opportunities to sub-specialize and advance professionally.

I can see where he's coming from because there are a lot of people who want in the AF, so that must mean more competition.

[Cav Scout]

Dude, go grab your army mug, snuggle up under your army logo blanket, and take an army-issued chill pill with some army purified water. Yes, I have talked to "real, live people" about the program. And yes, they had good things to say about it.

AND yes, I did just now call you a dude.

And I just called you a spoiled rotten little girl with no clue about life.

[vir doctus]

I can see where he's coming from because there are a lot of people who want in the AF, so that must mean more competition.

It isn't about competition but programs - the size of the Army affords them wider opportunities and needs.

[Cowgirl Up!]

This is prima dona crap.

If you do not want to take the first steps on the ladder then why the hell did you even start the thread?

"You can not sign up for something 'higher then medic' with out college, sorry service branch matters not. If you have credit hours in the medical field then you can drag an LPN course with almost any branch. But to attempt to say that you can do better then Field medical staff is damned joke.

Combat medics have saved more lives then any nurse, doctor or god anywhere in the universe. Get off your damded high horse.

Oh wow, you definitely are an army fanatic recruiter type. Out of all the army recruiters I've talked to, they all try to push what they want and usually make similar accusations in a toned-down fashion. That's not what I want, Uncle Sam doesn't own me yet, so you can take your agenda and swallow it. I have two associates degrees so that entitles me to E4. Now bugger off, you're annoying. I want information, not someone trying to push me into one of the branches.

[Cav Scout]

I can see where he's coming from because there are a lot of people who want in the AF, so that must mean more competition.

Dumb Question?

When you say Air Force, what do you think of?

Hospitals or Air Planes...

We kicked the Army Air Corps out in 1947, they became the Air Force. They have continually had the largest budget and the smallest performance of all the branches including the bastard branch. (Coast Guard). Their Medical Staff is top notch, but it is damded small...

You know bombers and all that stuff, missiles, F-16's, Spy Planes, Moon Stuff, Vir Doctus is correct.

[EmmanuelGoldstein]

Claymore has just fixed my ignorance of the deal. Thank you though. I agree with what you have posted, and feel that 'waiting' and not 'working' up is a waste of time.

Military or not, there is a way to do this, last time I heard South Dakota is so short of Nurses of all types that they are buying the school and housing for them. That was just last month.
There are areas of the country where that's true.

It's kind of a unique situation in nursing. There are statistics showing that if all those who hold RN licenses (something like 500K) were to actually go to work full time, there would be no shortage. It's also common to see new grads quit after only a year or two, once reality hits. What we have are a limited amount of student slots combined with a limited number of instructors which creates a bottleneck. Once through school, it becomes easier to get a job (especially in areas of high turnover). The jobs are there. When I did travel nursing, I had my choice of hundreds of positions all over the country.

And cowgirl, this isn't a slam at you so please don't take it this way. I notice from your posts here that you are very determined to have things your way. Which can be a good thing---but it can also work to your detriment and lead to quite a bit of frustration. Once you've gone through school and passed boards, don't expect to jump in at the top. You will work weekends, nights, and holidays. You will clean poo and get up to your neck in some nasty stuff. You will occasionally get what you ask for (schedule and assignment-wise), but for the most part you'll do what they tell you to do when they tell you to do it. You have to be damned flexible and willing to go with the flow. It's hard work, physically and mentally, and the stress comes from all sides. Docs, patients, families, managers and administration... all on your back all the time. This is one reason working as a CNA prior to putting all your eggs in that basket might not be such a bad idea. You'll at least get a peek at the inside, so to speak. I'm not saying all this to get you down, but please go into this with your eyes open. Too many have a romanticized view of nursing --- and the schools perpetuate this.

[Cav Scout]

Oh wow, you definitely are an army fanatic recruiter type. Out of all the army recruiters I've talked to, they all try to push what they want and usually make similar accusations in a toned-down fashion. That's not what I want, Uncle Sam doesn't own me yet, so you can take your agenda and swallow it. I have two associates degrees so that entitles me to E4. Now bugger off, you're annoying. I want information, not someone trying to push me into one of the branches.

I am not trying to push you anywhere, in fact I really think it would better if you just stayed a civie. Your attitude sucks.

You think you need to start at the top...

Welcome to earth.

[Cowgirl Up!]

Dumb Question?

When you say Air Force, what do you think of?

Hospitals or Air Planes...

We kicked the Army Air Corps out in 1947, they became the Air Force. They have continually had the largest budget and the smallest performance of all the branches including the bastard branch. (Coast Guard). Their Medical Staff is top notch, but it is damded small...

You know bombers and all that stuff, missiles, F-16's, Spy Planes, Moon Stuff, Vir Doctus is correct.

... Are you done now? Do you have any useful information which you could possibly contribute to my thread? Because if you want a fight, you can start your own thread.

[Cav Scout]

There are areas of the country where that's true.

It's kind of a unique situation in nursing. There are statistics showing that if all those who hold RN licenses (something like 500K) were to actually go to work full time, there would be no shortage. It's also common to see new grads quit after only a year or two, once reality hits. What we have are a limited amount of student slots combined with a limited number of instructors which creates a bottleneck. Once through school, it becomes easier to get a job (especially in areas of high turnover). The jobs are there. When I did travel nursing, I had my choice of hundreds of positions all over the country.

And cowgirl, this isn't a slam at you so please don't take it this way. I notice from your posts here that you are very determined to have things your way. Which can be a good thing---but it can also work to your detriment and lead to quite a bit of frustration. Once you've gone through school and passed boards, don't expect to jump in at the top. You will work weekends, nights, and holidays. You will clean poo and get up to your neck in some nasty stuff. You will occasionally get what you ask for (schedule and assignment-wise), but for the most part you'll do what they tell you to do when they tell you to do it. You have to be damned flexible and willing to go with the flow. It's hard work, physically and mentally, and the stress comes from all sides. Docs, patients, families, managers and administration... all on your back all the time. This is one reason working as a CNA prior to putting all your eggs in that basket might not be such a bad idea. You'll at least get a peek at the inside, so to speak. I'm not saying all this to get you down, but please go into this with your eyes open. Too many have a romanticized view of nursing --- and the schools perpetuate this.

My first wife was an RN at an old folks home...

Yep, reality is just a bit different then ER on NBC...:))

[khigh]

Dumb Question?

When you say Air Force, what do you think of?

Hospitals or Air Planes...

We kicked the Army Air Corps out in 1947, they became the Air Force. They have continually had the largest budget and the smallest performance of all the branches including the bastard branch. (Coast Guard). Their Medical Staff is top notch, but it is damded small...

You know bombers and all that stuff, missiles, F-16's, Spy Planes, Moon Stuff, Vir Doctus is correct.

Nothing wrong with the Army Air Corps. Fort Sill used to be home of the Army Air Corps (along with being home to everything ;)). My grandfather served in the Army Air Corps in WW2 as a medical transport pilot (with an 8th grade education) and then was Air Force during Korea and was the 3rd person to get 100 missions. Then, became a test pilot.

I still wouldn't join the Air Force if I wasn't forced into it. It would be Army or Marine Corps (little to no medical there though- "We kill 'em, not heal 'em").

[vir doctus]

Oh wow, you definitely are an army fanatic recruiter type. Out of all the army recruiters I've talked to, they all try to push what they want and usually make similar accusations in a toned-down fashion. That's not what I want, Uncle Sam doesn't own me yet, so you can take your agenda and swallow it. I have two associates degrees so that entitles me to E4. Now bugger off, you're annoying. I want information, not someone trying to push me into one of the branches.

We are former AF currently PHS serving the CG (they don't have their own docs). I don't have a bias in suggesting the Army may provide you a more fulfilling career.

In the PHS, nurses do more real work than paperwork in comparison to the AF.

[Cav Scout]

... Are you done now? Do you have any useful information which you could possibly contribute to my thread? Because if you want a fight, you can start your own thread.

You would not know what to do with information if someone stamped it on your forehead in reverse so you could read it in the mirror. Do us all a favor, do not enlist or commission in ANY branch, we already have enough like you.

[byzantine catholic]

You would not know what to do with information if someone stamped it on your forehead in reverse so you could read it in the mirror. Do us all a favor, do not enlist or commission in ANY branch, we already have enough like you.Woah how did this escalate!:silenced:

[Cowgirl Up!]

I am not trying to push you anywhere, in fact I really think it would better if you just stayed a civie. Your attitude sucks.

You think you need to start at the top...

Welcome to earth.

I'm sorry, but last I checked, an LVN position is far from the top. Maybe the army is used to idiots who are dumb enough to not do their research to find out what they are entitled to before they go in so they don't waste any time with Uncle Sam. I'm not sorry I want the best education I can get, and I'm sure as hell not sorry that I'm trying to get the best position I can get without letting some blue-balled, egotistical, pushy, army fanatic recruiter convince me to sign up for something that the army wants when I can do better if I know what I'm doing.

[EmmanuelGoldstein]

Medic might look good on an EMT application, but all my medic buddies overseas and in the States are yelling at me to sign up for something higher than medic.

Well, not to offend but you are clueless if you truly believe that wouldn't be a huge plus on your application to school OR a job.

You walk into any trauma center / ED, ICU, hospital flight crew, etc., and look for the nurses who are on top of things, making snap decisions and taking charge. I can guarandamntee you they likely served as medics or corpsmen. You will get experience you simply won't find on the outside from ANY nursing program, LPN or RN.

[byzantine catholic]

Dumb Question?

When you say Air Force, what do you think of?

Hospitals or Air Planes...

We kicked the Army Air Corps out in 1947, they became the Air Force. They have continually had the largest budget and the smallest performance of all the branches including the bastard branch. (Coast Guard). Their Medical Staff is top notch, but it is damded small...

You know bombers and all that stuff, missiles, F-16's, Spy Planes, Moon Stuff, Vir Doctus is correct.What is your problem with the Air Force! Um only 4% of officers in the Air Force are pilots!:rolleyes:

[EmmanuelGoldstein]

Oh wow, you definitely are an army fanatic recruiter type. Out of all the army recruiters I've talked to, they all try to push what they want and usually make similar accusations in a toned-down fashion. That's not what I want, Uncle Sam doesn't own me yet, so you can take your agenda and swallow it. I have two associates degrees so that entitles me to E4. Now bugger off, you're annoying. I want information, not someone trying to push me into one of the branches.
Yeah. It's crystal clear now.

I have no doubt you'll get your RN someday. But without an extensive attitude adjustment, you'll end up being one who quits in a huff but not before making all your co-workers miserable with your complaining.

Sorry to be so blunt. But I've seen this time and again over the last 26 years. You really need to take yourself down a peg or two.

[vir doctus]

You walk into any trauma center / ED, ICU, hospital flight crew, etc., and look for the nurses who are on top of things, making snap decisions and taking charge. I can guarandamntee you they likely served as medics or corpsmen. You will get experience you simply won't find on the outside from ANY nursing program, LPN or RN.

Definitely.

[Claymore]

CU, I am an LPN working on my RN. I started as a 91B 'Medic' in 1974 and got qualified as a 19D 'Scout' when I was in the 2nd ACR. I goofed off and my G.I. Bill (old version) education benefits went bye-bye on me. Right now I'm working full time and knocking off pre-required courses I should have taken 30 years ago to qualify hor a LPN-RN bridge program. Listen to what the older, wiser heads that have been through the mill are telling you.

[EmmanuelGoldstein]

My first wife was an RN at an old folks home...

Yep, reality is just a bit different then ER on NBC...:))
And those damned Johnson & Johnson ads. Grrrr.

[EmmanuelGoldstein]

We are former AF currently PHS serving the CG (they don't have their own docs). I don't have a bias in suggesting the Army may provide you a more fulfilling career.

In the PHS, nurses do more real work than paperwork in comparison to the AF.

Like I said above, I SO wished I'd gone that route years ago. The opportunities are amazing.

[Cowgirl Up!]

And cowgirl, this isn't a slam at you so please don't take it this way. I notice from your posts here that you are very determined to have things your way. Which can be a good thing---but it can also work to your detriment and lead to quite a bit of frustration. Once you've gone through school and passed boards, don't expect to jump in at the top. You will work weekends, nights, and holidays. You will clean poo and get up to your neck in some nasty stuff. You will occasionally get what you ask for (schedule and assignment-wise), but for the most part you'll do what they tell you to do when they tell you to do it. You have to be damned flexible and willing to go with the flow. It's hard work, physically and mentally, and the stress comes from all sides. Docs, patients, families, managers and administration... all on your back all the time. This is one reason working as a CNA prior to putting all your eggs in that basket might not be such a bad idea. You'll at least get a peek at the inside, so to speak. I'm not saying all this to get you down, but please go into this with your eyes open. Too many have a romanticized view of nursing --- and the schools perpetuate this.

Right you are, no scrap here. ;) I'm not totally excluding the possibility that I may enlist as a medic, but I'm surely going to shoot higher if I can. "Be all you can be" sound familiar? Once I'm in, I know it's either do what you're told quick, fast, in a hurry and accurately, or else you suffer (and in our field, others suffer as well... usually worse). But I have more flexibility before I go in, so I want to do all I can to make sure I get what I can to save some time.

Now since you've been an RN for quite a while, here's a random question: Have you ever been bombed? :silenced:

[Claymore]

Yeah. It's crystal clear now.

I have no doubt you'll get your RN someday. But without an extensive attitude adjustment, you'll end up being one who quits in a huff but not before making all your co-workers miserable with your complaining.

Sorry to be so blunt. But I've seen this time and again over the last 26 years. You really need to take yourself down a peg or two.

With our luck she'll go to QA and nitpick charts for dotted 'i's and crossed 't's, working M-F 9-4.:rolleyes:

[EmmanuelGoldstein]

Right you are, no scrap here. ;) I'm not totally excluding the possibility that I may enlist as a medic, but I'm surely going to shoot higher if I can. "Be all you can be" sound familiar? Once I'm in, I know it's either do what you're told quick, fast, in a hurry and accurately, or else you suffer (and in our field, others suffer as well... usually worse). But I have more flexibility before I go in, so I want to do all I can to make sure I get what I can to save some time.

Now since you've been an RN for quite a while, here's a random question: Have you ever been bombed? :silenced:

Well I was referring to when you go 'civilian' after getting your RN.

Bombed?

Please clarify lol.

[khigh]

Well I was referring to when you go 'civilian' after getting your RN.

Bombed?

Please clarify lol.

There's a civilian life? :doh:What's that? :))

[Claymore]

Right you are, no scrap here. ;) I'm not totally excluding the possibility that I may enlist as a medic, but I'm surely going to shoot higher if I can. "Be all you can be" sound familiar? Once I'm in, I know it's either do what you're told quick, fast, in a hurry and accurately, or else you suffer (and in our field, others suffer as well... usually worse). But I have more flexibility before I go in, so I want to do all I can to make sure I get what I can to save some time.

Now since you've been an RN for quite a while, here's a random question: Have you ever been bombed? :silenced:

Y'know, every instance where I had a medical emergency in the field, I became the highest ranking man on the spot.
As a PFC, I once swiped a full-bird's chopper to evac a man to hospital. Not one officer said boo about it. The MEDEVAC chopper was on another run, so I commandeered the CO's LOACH. Saved a life and a leg.
Never put a Medic down.

[Cav Scout]

What is your problem with the Air Force! Um only 4% of officers in the Air Force are pilots!:rolleyes:

When you were 17 years old and thought about the Air Force what came to mind?

That is how they recruit. They give no contractual guarantee's and that is that. I am not 'down' on the Air Force as a branch, simply their method of recruiting. That is all, and it has not changed in 30 years.

When in comes to Medics, the Army Field Medics, Navy Corpsmen and Air Force Medics are all top notch and would not dare state that one is better then the other, my issue is not with that. Hell it's not even with joining in general, Emanuel has given great advice that has been 'dis'd' as well. Read what Vir Doctus and Claymore have written, neither of them would ever, ever state a falsehood.

There are facts and there are fantasy.

[EmmanuelGoldstein]

Y'know, every instance where I had a medical emergency in the field, I became the highest ranking man on the spot.
As a PFC, I once swiped a full-bird's chopper to evac a man to hospital. Not one officer said boo about it. The MEDEVAC chopper was on another run, so I commandeered the CO's LOACH. Saved a life and a leg.
Never put a Medic down.

Ever.

;)

[byzantine catholic]

When you were 17 years old and thought about the Air Force what came to mind?

That is how they recruit. They give no contractual guarantee's and that is that. I am not 'down' on the Air Force as a branch, simply their method of recruiting. That is all, and it has not changed in 30 years.

When in comes to Medics, the Army Field Medics, Navy Corpsmen and Air Force Medics are all top notch and would not dare state that one is better then the other, my issue is not with that. Hell it's not even with joining in general, Emanuel has given great advice that has been 'dis'd' as well. Read what Vir Doctus and Claymore have written, neither of them would ever, ever state a falsehood.

There are facts and there are fantasy.I am 17 years old lol!:))Well I do not care which branch I take but I promised my folks and they told me also I better become an officer!

[Claymore]

Ever.

;)
That's right, Emma.
Pass the popcorn.:D

[Cav Scout]

With our luck she'll go to QA and nitpick charts for dotted 'i's and crossed 't's, working M-F 9-4.:rolleyes:


Not sure what this all means but, hey it sounds funny..:))

[Claymore]

I am 17 years old lol!:))Well I do not care which branch I take but I promised my folks and they told me also I better become an officer!

If you can get a 4-year ROTC scholarship, do it.
If not, go National Guard and your state will pay your tuition and you can join ROTC.

[khigh]

I am 17 years old lol!:))Well I do not care which branch I take but I promised my folks and they told me also I better become an officer!

You can forget what your parents say. "Oh, don't join the Corps, go Air Force if you have to do something", was exactly what my parents told me. I came home from the mall with enlistment papers for the Corps that day and told them I was shipping out the day after Easter- 4 weeks from that day. They were never so proud of me!

[Cav Scout]

I am 17 years old lol!:))Well I do not care which branch I take but I promised my folks and they told me also I better become an officer!

Nothing wrong with that! Dads always want better for their kids.

As I said, here is to you Sir.

Oh and every time you do a push up, remember NCO's have done thousands....:)) Tis why we like em so much!

[Claymore]

Not sure what this all means but, hey it sounds funny..:))

The nursing equivolent to a Romeo Echo Mike Foxtrot.:rolleyes:

[EmmanuelGoldstein]

Not sure what this all means but, hey it sounds funny..:))

"Quality Assurance". Hospital bureaucrats who are clueless as to what goes on in the trenches --- and don't really care, so long as it looks good on paper.

[Cav Scout]

you can forget what your parents say. "oh, don't join the corps, go air force if you have to do something", was exactly what my parents told me. I came home from the mall with enlistment papers for the corps that day and told them i was shipping out the day after easter- 4 weeks from that day. They were never so proud of me!


fact!

[EmmanuelGoldstein]

The nursing equivolent to a Romeo Echo Mike Foxtrot.:rolleyes:

:lol:

I like your answer better LOL

[Cav Scout]

Y'know, every instance where I had a medical emergency in the field, I became the highest ranking man on the spot.
As a PFC, I once swiped a full-bird's chopper to evac a man to hospital. Not one officer said boo about it. The MEDEVAC chopper was on another run, so I commandeered the CO's LOACH. Saved a life and a leg.
Never put a Medic down.

Yepper, watched one Specialist Swanson take Colonel James J Steele's Blackhawk away from him and make a medevac run with it. As I stated Field Medical personel have saved more lives then Doctors have ever hoped to. Two rules in combat arms, be good at your job and be good friends with the doc's and the cooks.

Happy days if that is that.

[byzantine catholic]

Nothing wrong with that! Dads always want better for their kids.

As I said, here is to you Sir.

Oh and every time you do a push up, remember NCO's have done thousands....:)) Tis why we like em so much!'Tis why if I want to be a good officer I listen to my NCOs!:D

[EmmanuelGoldstein]

That's right, Emma.
Pass the popcorn.:D

I have cookies!

[Cowgirl Up!]

Well I was referring to when you go 'civilian' after getting your RN.

Bombed?

Please clarify lol.

Right, I just read that post. You're right I do have a temper at times, but in my mind, a patient who could possibly die doesn't leave much room for complaining or defiance. Working with people who could help you tremendously in saving a life is vastly different from trying to ensure that you don't sign up for something that you don't want. If something does happen, then oh well, Uncle Sam owns me and I just have to adjust promptly to make the best of it until I can get to the job I want. I'm not one to make a big deal out of something I can't change because to do so is a waste of time, but if I can avoid it, then I will do so to the best of my ability. Plus, there's something to be learned from any situation you're in. That's all I'm trying to do here. There is nothing degrading about serving other people, so if any of you think that's why I would prefer to start as an LVN than a medic, get that out of your minds right now. Why make other people's lives miserable when it's not their fault and they're probably dealing with other things too? No, I'm not the type to make my coworker's lives miserable. Out of all my jobs, I've learned to avoid the middle people, the gossipers, and to not talk any smack about fellow coworkers or other things you may not like. Yes, I had to learn that one the hard way, but I've learned that making a coworker's job easier usually makes your own easier.

Hmmm where was I? Oh well. I hope that clarified something.

[Cav Scout]

The nursing equivolent to a Romeo Echo Mike Foxtrot.:rolleyes:

Emma agree's!

[Cav Scout]

Right, I just read that post. You're right I do have a temper at times, but in my mind, a patient who could possibly die doesn't leave much room for complaining or defiance. Working with people who could help you tremendously in saving a life is vastly different from trying to ensure that you don't sign up for something that you don't want. If something does happen, then oh well, Uncle Sam owns me and I just have to adjust promptly to make the best of it until I can get to the job I want. I'm not one to make a big deal out of something I can't change because to do so is a waste of time, but if I can avoid it, then I will do so to the best of my ability. Plus, there's something to be learned from any situation you're in. That's all I'm trying to do here. There is nothing degrading about serving other people, so if any of you think that's why I would prefer to start as an LVN than a medic, get that out of your minds right now. Why make other people's lives miserable when it's not their fault and they're probably dealing with other things too? No, I'm not the type to make my coworker's lives miserable. Out of all my jobs, I've learned to avoid the middle people, the gossipers, and to not talk any smack about fellow coworkers or other things you may not like. Yes, I had to learn that one the hard way, but I've learned that making a coworker's job easier usually makes your own easier.

Hmmm where was I? Oh well. I hope that clarified something.


Tire inflation tech...

[khigh]

'Tis why if I want to be a good officer I listen to my NCOs!:D

And, as a lower level officer, don't expect SNCO's (Sergeant Majors, E-9) to salute you. An O-1 tried to berate my father in law in front of a bunch of Generals and upper NCOs on post and ended up getting himself torn a new one.

But, my father in law is known for also telling a few Generals to shove it and let the big boys run the show. Got yelled at in public and thanked in private. And that is how you get CSM in a record 17 years and offered Sergeant Major of the Army.

[EmmanuelGoldstein]

Right, I just read that post. You're right I do have a temper at times, but in my mind, a patient who could possibly die doesn't leave much room for complaining or defiance. Working with people who could help you tremendously in saving a life is vastly different from trying to ensure that you don't sign up for something that you don't want. If something does happen, then oh well, Uncle Sam owns me and I just have to adjust promptly to make the best of it until I can get to the job I want. I'm not one to make a big deal out of something I can't change because to do so is a waste of time, but if I can avoid it, then I will do so to the best of my ability. Plus, there's something to be learned from any situation you're in. That's all I'm trying to do here. There is nothing degrading about serving other people, so if any of you think that's why I would prefer to start as an LVN than a medic, get that out of your minds right now. Why make other people's lives miserable when it's not their fault and they're probably dealing with other things too? No, I'm not the type to make my coworker's lives miserable. Out of all my jobs, I've learned to avoid the middle people, the gossipers, and to not talk any smack about fellow coworkers or other things you may not like. Yes, I had to learn that one the hard way, but I've learned that making a coworker's job easier usually makes your own easier.

Hmmm where was I? Oh well. I hope that clarified something.
Well it did, but not about the bomb question lol. To further clarify my post, I wasn't referring necessarily to patient care, but other aspects of the job. The most frequent complaint I hear from new grads have to do with their schedules.

[Cav Scout]

'Tis why if I want to be a good officer I listen to my NCOs!:D

Use your own head sort it out, but that and what you just stated will do you well!

Do not be a push over for idiots! There are some with stripes that are that, you should not see that soon though, the latest endevours have sorted most of them out. Good luck to you and enjoy your service, I mean that, make the most of it and enjoy it whatever you do!

[byzantine catholic]

And, as a lower level officer, don't expect SNCO's (Sergeant Majors, E-9) to salute you. An O-1 tried to berate my father in law in front of a bunch of Generals and upper NCOs on post and ended up getting himself torn a new one.

But, my father in law is known for also telling a few Generals to shove it and let the big boys run the show. Got yelled at in public and thanked in private. And that is how you get CSM in a record 17 years and offered Sergeant Major of the Army.Well my grandfather was an NCO in Vietnam and he told me if you want to be liked by the men then listen to your NCOs!:DHe also said he got in a few fights with some idiot officers!:))One of them, a 1st Lt. came up to him right after he got off the plane from his tour of duty in Vietnam, all that combat and anguish, and said to him that his uniform sucked and he would reprimand him!:mad:

[Cowgirl Up!]

Well it did, but not about the bomb question lol. To further clarify my post, I wasn't referring necessarily to patient care, but other aspects of the job. The most frequent complaint I hear from new grads have to do with their schedules.

Psh, whatever. If you want a perfect schedule, start your own job or be a bum.
And I'm going to PM you the other half.

[byzantine catholic]

Use your own head sort it out, but that and what you just stated will do you well!

Do not be a push over for idiots! There are some with stripes that are that, you should not see that soon though, the latest endevours have sorted most of them out. Good luck to you and enjoy your service, I mean that, make the most of it and enjoy it whatever you do!You too!:D

[Gabby]

Maybe some of you are just not noticing this little tidbit that has been sprinkled in a few of my posts:

I'M GOING TO BE HOMELESS AFTER THIS SEMESTER!!!

Therefore I need to be receiving a paycheck while I'm in school. ...........

People I have known who went into the military in the 4 years had to wait for 3 or 4 months before basic started. My son went through the same thing. He waited 3 months. Have you checked with the recruiters on how quickly you could start basic? If you have to wait, you will still be homeless and without a pay check this summer.

Another path to go right now is the job corp. I know a few young men who are doing that... one is becoming a nurse. They have a dorm you live in, they provide health and dental care and they provide some sort of spending money. It might not be ideal but it could provide you a path to your goal of being a nurse and not being homeless this summer.

[EmmanuelGoldstein]

People I have known who went into the military in the 4 years had to wait for 3 or 4 months before basic started. My son went through the same thing. He waited 3 months. Have you checked with the recruiters on how quickly you could start basic? If you have to wait, you will still be homeless and without a pay check this summer.Good point. My daughter enlisted in November (December?) but didn't get to Basic until that following spring.

Another path to go right now is the job corp. I know a few young men who are doing that... one is becoming a nurse. They have a dorm you live in, they provide health and dental care and they provide some sort of spending money. It might not be ideal but it could provide you a path to your goal of being a nurse and not being homeless this summer.Excellent. I saw an ad for this on TV just the other day. Great opportunity.

[khigh]

Well my grandfather was an NCO in Vietnam and he told me if you want to be liked by the men then listen to your NCOs!:DHe also said he got in a few fights with some idiot officers!:))One of them, a 1st Lt. came up to him right after he got off the plane from his tour of duty in Vietnam, all that combat and anguish, and said to him that his uniform sucked and he would reprimand him!:mad:

My favorite was the Marine Corps Sergeant Major stationed at Sill got drunk at the Marine Corps Birthday Ball last year (there is always a pre party to any military ball around here) and decked the CG because he made an off comment about the Corps. They laughed it off and the CSM bought the CG a beer.

You can always find a good time at the MCBB or the St. Barbara's Day Ball (ball for the Field Artillery). Always a good fight.

[Cav Scout]

I am off to bed now..

Enjoy folks.

[Cowgirl Up!]

People I have known who went into the military in the 4 years had to wait for 3 or 4 months before basic started. My son went through the same thing. He waited 3 months. Have you checked with the recruiters on how quickly you could start basic? If you have to wait, you will still be homeless and without a pay check this summer.

Another path to go right now is the job corp. I know a few young men who are doing that... one is becoming a nurse. They have a dorm you live in, they provide health and dental care and they provide some sort of spending money. It might not be ideal but it could provide you a path to your goal of being a nurse and not being homeless this summer.

Good one, thank you. I should be okay for that long and that's one concern I'm bringing up to the recruiter tomorrow. I know a couple people living in a house where rent is dirt cheap and I have some money socked away in a "Don't-touch-unless-you-absolutely-have-to" fund, so things aren't so bad. I know a few families who would rather I stay at their homes, so we'll see.

[Cav Scout]

People I have known who went into the military in the 4 years had to wait for 3 or 4 months before basic started. My son went through the same thing. He waited 3 months. Have you checked with the recruiters on how quickly you could start basic? If you have to wait, you will still be homeless and without a pay check this summer.

Another path to go right now is the job corp. I know a few young men who are doing that... one is becoming a nurse. They have a dorm you live in, they provide health and dental care and they provide some sort of spending money. It might not be ideal but it could provide you a path to your goal of being a nurse and not being homeless this summer.

All good!

[EmmanuelGoldstein]

Psh, whatever. If you want a perfect schedule, start your own job or be a bum.

Well, that's good to hear.

Since my kids are grown and all that, I volunteer to work holidays for the younger folks. And weekends too (although now I'm on a weekend schedule all the time). I'll cover for those with baby-sitting issues or whatever. But not for those prima donnas who bitch and moan about what they're entitled to over and above any other staff person. Screw that lol.

[Cowgirl Up!]

Well, that's good to hear.

Since my kids are grown and all that, I volunteer to work holidays for the younger folks. And weekends too (although now I'm on a weekend schedule all the time). I'll cover for those with baby-sitting issues or whatever. But not for those prima donnas who bitch and moan about what they're entitled to over and above any other staff person. Screw that lol.

Why "bitch and moan" about something? Go out and get 'er done. If it ain't do-able, then shut up.

OK it's time for bed. I have a roof with shingles over my head tonight so I'm gonna take advantage of the shower. :dance:

[Gabby]

Another point about the job corp... they also pay your books and tuition. The young man I know who is becoming a nurse lives in the job corp dorm but attends a university/college. I forgot to tell you about the tuition and books part.

[vir doctus]

Now since you've been an RN for quite a while, here's a random question: Have you ever been bombed? :silenced:

Frontline medicine is valuable, but the greatest threats to American lives are on the public health front in our own country.