First hand information on the Army Reserve STRAP program

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Does anyone have any first hand experience with the Army Reserve STRAP program? I am an Associate Degree RN looking to finish my BSN as soon as financially possible. I've been thinking about the Reserves for a number of reasons, not just to get my education paid for. I would be interested in hearing back from anyone who has first hand knowledge of this program....positive and negative feedback welcome. This is not a decision I will be making lightly. Thanks much!

Specializes in Med Surg, Family Medicine, Urgent Care.

Corvettels2,

I am wanting to switch to half time STRAP and you have already given me some great advice..thanks. I am attached to APMC, I asked one of the MAJs about it and she said "It is not mandatory to stay a full time student but your are protected from mobilizations as full time"..... Do you think that is true that you could be mobilized if you went half-time? I am not concerned about being mobilized in general, but I want to finish school first. Also, I saw in your previous post about getting STRAP stipend through the summer even when not taking classes. I thought that USAREC Reg 601-37, chapt 22-1, e said "....50% of the credit hours required for a full time, year round student.." How do I interpret that? I'd like to take summer off to go to OBLC if possible.

Thanks,

Mark

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Specializes in Med surg, Tele, ICU.

One of the main reasons the you are attached to the APMC is so you will not deploy and finish school. It is in the best interest of the army for you to finish school. I went to OBLC during the summer and got strap at the same time so I see no reason why you shouldn't be able too.

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Specializes in Med Surg, Family Medicine, Urgent Care.

corvettels2,

I was told if I go 1/2 time that I wouldn't be attached to APMC anymore and that I would be assigned to a unit. Are you attached to APMC and half-time? Thanks in advance for your advice.

Markisrn

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I just heard about the STRAP program today and was wondering if you all could clarify it for me.

You start getting the stipend right away, right? Is it taxed?

If I go to school full-time and also drill, will I get drill pay in addition to the STRAP?

Then, when I'm done with school, what if I want to go full-time active duty? Do I have to fulfill my reserve commitment before I can go active duty? The reason I'm askig is that I'm almost 40 and want to get into active duty before I'm too old to be allowed in.

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Specializes in Emergency RN.

Does anyone know how the Strapp program works if you are pursuing a MSN/FNP their are several bridge programs around which allow you to bypass the BSN if you have a previous bachelors degree and get a MSN/FNP without the BSN. Are you entering the reserve as an officer ?? What happens if you transition out of reserve into active ?? What is the best way to contact an AMEDD recruiter

Thanks

TODD

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing, Critical care nursing.
Does anyone know how the Strapp program works if you are pursuing a MSN/FNP their are several bridge programs around which allow you to bypass the BSN if you have a previous bachelors degree and get a MSN/FNP without the BSN. Are you entering the reserve as an officer ?? What happens if you transition out of reserve into active ?? What is the best way to contact an AMEDD recruiter

Thanks

TODD

Unless you already have a bachelor's degree I do not believe that you can bypass the BSN while you are trying to commission. If you have a B.S or B.A. in another field you could try for a waiver.

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Specializes in Emergency RN.

Obviously I really need to sit down with a recruiter but from what I hear making contact with a health care recruiter is difficult. So I guess my question is does is make more sense for me the enter Army rather than the reserve (loan repayment is better) I have a previous bachelors degree non nursing so I would enter as a comissioned officer correct ?? Enroll in the STRAP program transition from an ADN RN (Currently) get my MSN / FNP using strapp funds and then I could change my unit / status (sorry not good with ARMY Lingo) to the Nurse Corp. But in reading additional threads it seems that there are few spots for NP's. Final question for now is if I'm a full time student I would be changing my status so I could not be deployed during school correct.

HAVE A GREAT DAY

THANKS FOR ANY HELP

TODD

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Specializes in Med Surg, Family Medicine, Urgent Care.

I wouldn't go that way. I am a STRAP officer in the reserves getting my BSN. I got loan repayment in my contract too. All I had to do was ask. I would go Reserves, STRAP and loan repayment, but others may differ.

Good luck

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Specializes in Med Surg, Family Medicine, Urgent Care.

More on this...I know that MSN is your destination, but they will probably require you to get your BSN along the way if you are going in as a nurse.

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Specializes in Stepdown.

Hello Everyone!

I'm a 37yr old female who has never been in the military. I would like to serve my country and give back. I ran across this thread will on the LPN?LVN corner. First off, am I to old to joind the reserve list? Second, I'm currently finishing up my LPN and planning for LPN-BSN. Would a program like this work for me if I were to sign up for the the Army Reserve Strap Program? I just go to school while they pay and just give them back the time, correct. Do you have to have your RN already or can I do the LPN-BSN route? I want to give back and this would be the perfect way to serve and have my education paid for.

Thanks in Advanced!:p

Stephanie

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Specializes in Med Surg, Family Medicine, Urgent Care.

Graduate 2010,

I think that you have to be an RN to do STRAP, but I could be wrong. There may be other options available to you as well. I would talk to an AMEDD recruiter and make a plan, and no you are not too old. I think they will take you at 42 even. I got in at 46, but had 6 years prior service that was subtracted from that. Bless you for wanting to serve.

Mark

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I am a foreign bsn graduate but interested in army nurse corp.. I am currently licensed and practicing as a registered nurse here in the states. Am I qualified for the army STRAP program ?

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