Air National Guard

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Does anyone know if it is possible to join the Air National Guard with an ADN?

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Does anyone know if it is possible to join the Air National Guard with an ADN?

Actually it is. I have spoken with healthcare recruiters from three states (NJ/PA/DE) in the Northeast.

It all comes down to the needs of the base itself.

Many are transitioning to BSN requirement; however, bases exists that accept ASN graduates.

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I have eight years experience in Public Health with my Guard unit. When I intially joined at the age of 17 I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life, didn't really have the the intention of staying in the Guard, and used the bennies to whiz my way through college graduating with a BA in Business Admin in 2006, which I have not really "used". Shortly after graduating I became a wife and stay at home mother.

Now I am interested in pursuing a career outside of the Guard full time in the Public Health field. I think what education I've had with the AF and the experiences I had in trainings will help me along, and it is something I enjoy and do well.

So I already have a BA in Business, and an AAS in Public Health Technology from the CCAF and I don't know what schooling I should pursue next to ACTUALLY get into Public Health in the civilian world.

I have started on pre-reqs for ABSN programs, but am also considering just doing an MPH (after I get over my fear of the GRE). The main problem is financing this...I can only get further loans for graduate work. My concern over doing a nursing degree first, is that it will take a very long time (wait-lists) and alot of $ I don't really have. If I agree to work for a hospital by signing a contract with one school I've talked to in order to help finance the BSN, then I getting off path of pursing Public Health as well.

Do I seriously need to get a second bachelor's/BSN to get into Public Health somewhere in the civilian world? Are there many health educator/community health positions for non-RN's with an MPH?

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I spoke with a recruiter yesterday and she said that I could join with an ASN but would not promote past Captain until I received my BSN. I also have a Bachelor's in Information Technology and I asked her if that would count and she said it used to but not anymore.

I am interested in pursuing a job as a flight nurse and would appreciate any feedback anybody can give me about the application process, training and time commitments. Also does anyone know if they are offering a bonus or other incentives and if there is educational assistance to pursue a BSN or MSN if accepted with an ASN. I would like to join and then pursue my masters but I'm afraid the time commitment would interfere with school? There is also the possibility of deployments. So any insight would be appreciated. Thanks.

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I spoke with a recruiter yesterday and she said that I could join with an ASN but would not promote past Captain until I received my BSN. I also have a Bachelor's in Information Technology and I asked her if that would count and she said it used to but not anymore.

I am interested in pursuing a job as a flight nurse and would appreciate any feedback anybody can give me about the application process, training and time commitments. Also does anyone know if they are offering a bonus or other incentives and if there is educational assistance to pursue a BSN or MSN if accepted with an ASN. I would like to join and then pursue my masters but I'm afraid the time commitment would interfere with school? There is also the possibility of deployments. So any insight would be appreciated. Thanks.

Your recruiter should be able to give you more specific information about joining as an officer. However PLEASE take everything your recruiter says to you with a grain of salt, and check and recheck offers that he or she makes, and do your own research, and ask lots of questions.

I'm with the MO National Guard, I have been enlisted for nearly 9 years, but now interested in becoming an officer myself. The only officers who have come into our unit as officers, and who did not have to go to the full 6 week OTS (Officer Training School-aka officer boot camp) for the usual 6 weeks were MD's and one pharmacist. Instead, they went for a 2 week "mini-OTS" where they basically learn customs/courtesies, wear of the uniform, etc. All of the nurses were prior enlisted and had already went to the usual 6 weeks of BMT (basic military training - enlisted boot camp), then their subsequent technical training. Since they had been to BMT already, they only had to go to the 2 week mini OTS as well. I do not know of any nurses that came in as officers with just an Associate's. They started out as enlisted, then used the tuition assistance program to complete their BSN's, then were elgible to become officers. Regardless of what civilian education you hold, you will have to go to at least 6 weeks of technical training for whatev/er your AFSC (Air Force Specialty Code) will be - enlisted or officer techical school. I'm pretty certain that is standard for all National Guard, and does not very by state.

Aid to pay for college all varies by state, but I'm pretty certain that the Guard/military in general does not pay for Master's programs. However, depending on the state of TN you may be able to use state tuition assistance to continue undergrad courses towards your BSN. Some states cover up to 100% of whatever rate the state universtiy charges. If you attend another college or university that charges more then what the state unversity charges per credit hour, then you would have to pay the difference out of pocket or use other aid. This is usually only the exact amount that will cover whatever your tuition is for the semester, and is paid one semester at a time directly to the school. Depending on the school, you may be responsible for paying upfront, and then you will get a refund check back from your school. Also, they will only cover up to 120 credit hours or ONE bachelor's degree. Also, you should be eligible for at least the Montgomery GI Bill - which also varies by state. This helps with all the other additional costs of school - especially for nursing programs with all the lab fees, cost of books, etc. There are other forms of the GI Bill which you become elgible after deployments - usually more becomes available for deploying to a combat zone, the Post 9/11 GI Bill.

Any tuition aid, and GI bill that you are eligible for should all be listed in your enlistment contract or commission for the AFSC that you are going into. Also, for this past fiscal year (ended September 2009) the National Guard Bureau did not have funds to offer bonuses for nurses. That may be different for this year, I have not heard yet. The only bonuses for coming in as an officer that I have known of were for MD's. Enlisted bonuses are available for enlisted 4N's (flight nurses) occassionally, but like I said not that I know of now.

That's just what I can share in a nutshell off the top of my head...you might try this link for more info/state specific information.

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Thank you so much for your reply and the information. I am prior enlisted Navy. So do you think I would attend the 2 weeks training or do you think I would have to go the full six weeks?

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If you already went through BMT, and you get to come in as a medical officer it'll probably be the mini OTS...but they may require at least a BS for that too...but I'm not entirely sure. I didn't actually get the link I mentioned posted...here it is...http://www.ang.af.mil/ ...and from there you can go to your state and go to the links for each unit in your state, and get more specific info on vacanices.

(also-sorry for all the typos...eeek! My son was hampering one of my arms...:) )

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Air Force COT is five weeks or two weeks, not six.

There were National Guard RNs (and Reservist RNs) who were prior enlisted there when I went through COT - and they went to the five week COT with me.

From what I was told it's at the discretion of your unit which COT you go to and one of them said they picked the five week course by choice.

I'm not claiming to know much of anything about how the ANG works, but I'm just passing along stuff I came in contact with when I went through COT.

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Air Force COT is five weeks or two weeks, not six.

There were National Guard RNs (and Reservist RNs) who were prior enlisted there when I went through COT - and they went to the five week COT with me.

From what I was told it's at the discretion of your unit which COT you go to and one of them said they picked the five week course by choice.

I'm not claiming to know much of anything about how the ANG works, but I'm just passing along stuff I came in contact with when I went through COT.

Are you active duty?

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Yes, I am, and I'm regular Air Force. And as I said, I'm passing along firsthand information that was given to me by ANG and Reserve officers that were in my COT class.

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