OK, so the other day at work a co-worker was telling me I should join the Army Reserve and was telling about all the benefits and the sign on bonuses, as well as loan repayments. I have two degrees and alot of loans!! I don't have any problem with the training but I'm so scared of deployment. I've lived in the same state my whole life! Not only that I want to start a family soon and I love my job but having help paying my loans back would be a huge stress reliever. My co-worker has been in the army for 6 years and hasn't be deployed but what are the chances? Any advice would be greatly appreciated, this is a big decision and I need some more info before making a commitment. Thanks!

As a military mother in law, and someone who would LOVE it , but is too old....I would say GO FOR IT!! It does take some getting used to ...but it is reserves, the chances of being "called up" are slim. Life is too short...try to make it interesting and with few regrets.

Actually, reserves and guard have been seeing more action lately than active duty folks. They kinda need us around the States and have been sending Reserve/Guard first.

Not to be a buzzkill, but if you don't want to deploy, don't join the military in a time of war. The tradeoff between loan repayment and stomping sand (if stomping sand isn't your thing) isn't worth it. Not to mention the Nurse Corps is downsizing (as is most of the military) right now due to budget cuts, so getting in is hardly an easy venture.

We are in two wars and reserve medical provides 75% of care to soldiers; so the chances of deployment are 100%. The army is not going to fork over all of that money and not utilize your professional skills. It may not be overseas but the chances are likely. If you do it just for monetary reasons, you will be greatly disappointed. Good luck with your decision as it is a life changing one.

If you don't want to serve, i.e. deploy, don't join.