Duty stations overseas

Specialties Government

Published

I posted about the possibility

Of getting an overseas tour as a first duty station with the Air Force. I was told that the chances were slim. What about the navy? I am considering the NTP, but I'd really like to get back to Europe (not japan).

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Specializes in Adult Critical Care.

It's slim in any branch. Hawaii is pretty common for new grads in the Army. Anchorage is pretty common for new grads in the Air Force. The military considers those overseas. The Navy pretty much sends new grads to D.C, San Diego, and Portsmouth.

Other than Germany (which doesn't have significant Naval healthcare assets that I'm aware of), healthcare facilities are very small abroad. It's not the kind of environment that's good for new grads. That's why the military doesn't send new grads overseas right off the bat.

I hate to say it, but the military isn't the place for you if you have strong preferences regarding where you live.

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I'm not asking for new grads specifically. I'll have about two years under my belt at the time. Thanks for the help!

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
I hate to say it, but the military isn't the place for you if you have strong preferences regarding where you live.

I have to agree with this. I was still in Afghanistan when my branch manager wanted to move me to Korea. Come on, really?! Can I get home first?

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Specializes in Adult Critical Care.

You have a slightly better shot. You're still new to the military and have less than 4 years of nursing experience.

However, ask yourself what you want to do. Military nursing overseas is almost exclusively clinic or urgent care nursing...unless of course you're air evac (which is a separate specialty you would have to apply for).

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Specializes in NICU.

So I have no military experience and have less then 4 years nursing experience and my first duty station is going to be Japan. And I had basically thrown going overseas out the window because I was told chances were slim that overseas would be the first place I go. Yet here I am about to spend the next 2 years in Japan. :)

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Cool, I just got back from spending 6 years in Japan (Oki and Yokosuka). Have a blast!!!

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