I am considering joining the Army, and have a few questions...

RC1 · Oct 3, 2005

I love the Army and refuse to let anyone bad mouth it

No offense but, FTA.

BulkyMonster · Oct 3, 2005

If you get a civilian job, you can put in 2 weeks' notice and quit if the job isn't right for you.

In the military, you're stuck. They can take you away from your friends and family and while they have agencies in place for "family support," nontraditional families (I raised my brother, but when he turned 18 and didn't go to college right away, they refused my right to claim him as a dependent) we get screwed. I got sent to Iraq for 5 months with the Air Force and it wasn't bad actually being there, but it put a huge strain on my extended family, who doesn't "count" as family in the military, and who had to go far out of their way to help my brother.

They don't care about you or your family. Those agencies are there just to help them retain numbers.

You have tons of bs work to do outside your regular job.

They tell you where to live, when to move, and what beliefs you can and can't express.

I've faced some mild religious descrimination in the military as a non-christian.

In Iraq I really felt like I was making a difference, treating wounded soldiers, civilians, even prisoners. We met celebrities, came under daily mortar fire, and learned to speak some arabic. We had mass casualties and identified patients with numbers in black marker on their foreheads.

We were away for all the major holidays, sept through jan. and one woman there had to leave her 4 month old behind.

It has major, major pros and cons. It's not for everbody. I'm glad I went to Iraq, but otherwise I hate it. When I'm done with my comission, wild horses won't be able to drag me back.

Lambert5883 · Oct 3, 2005

I was hoping I could find a few answers from those in the forum. Currently, I work in a Wellness Center as an assistant to a Physician and a PA. I guess my job description would be a combination of a medical assistant, LPN, and exercise physiology. I love what I do, but I really want to go to nursing school. I spoke with a recruiter (Army) and he stated the Army would place me according to my current job description, and then they would be able to send me to nursing school at Fort Sam Houston, or one that is local. I would go in as an officer (I have a Bachelor of Science in Health Promotion and finishing my Master's in Health and Human Performance). Has anyone done something similar or have any advice? I definitely do not want to go overseas, but would love to help those in the states. I guess the Army can't guarantee where you will end up. I spoke with the Air Force Nurse recruiter, but he stated that to go in the Air Force, they would need someone who already has their RN/BSN, or LPN. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

In what specific Health Corp. would they categorize you as an officer? I think the question begs, "How soon do you want to become part of the military culture" and "How long are you willing to sustain yourself in this environment, in the event of intervening forces that may initially thwart, or off-set, your plans?"

I think it a good starting point to help you with your decision would be to accept the fact that you will have to go overseas and that you will have to deploy. I think if these two caveats are not considered in your decision, you may find yourself very bitter in the end, should you accept a commission and find that things are not going the way you had planned.

sunnyjohn · Oct 3, 2005

I don't think it is "bad mouthing" the Armed Forces when someone tells another side of the story. Isn't that what folks in the Military are fighting for?

I most likely will join. I have wanted to for years and years. I know there are good and bad in every situation. The stories won't keep a person serious about joining from doing so. They won't stop me!

My mum and dad always told me to hear every sides of the story. They taught me an informed choice is the mature choice.

I think I will be a better soldier and have a way better experience if these stories help me take off my rose coloured spectacles and see my military experience as a hard but honored profession.

Maybe if these folks had heard all sides of the story, they would have had a better experience.

Sapphy, BSN, RN · Oct 3, 2005

My husband was 8 years active duty in the US Army, and now that he is out, he would give ANYTHING to be back in. There were downsides to it I will grant you that....but there are downsides to every job. He was gone 4-6 months out of every year. Yes he had to reenlist for them to pay for him to go to school and yes, he had to stop after one semester for a deployment to Cuba. But, now that he is out he will have the GI Bill to finish school if he wishes.

The upsides? He was never laid off, we had a steady paycheck, we had BAQ to cover things like rent and utilities... For the most part, he could get leave to visit our families anytime he wanted it.

I have a friend who is in Iraq right now. He is there for the second time in 3 years. The first time he had to leave his wife for 9 months to go. When he returned she got pregnant with the baby she had been told since she was 14 she could never have. So when he left this time, he had to leave not only his wife but this miracle baby. He is there right now missing out on his son's 1st year. And he would do it all over again.

It takes a special kind of person to truly love the military.... It is not a life for everyone. There are upsides and downsides and it just depends on how they weigh out in the individual's mind. For me, I miss the life terribly. The civilian world is much more difficult to deal with than the military life was. Prices are higher, you have to worry about things like strikes and lay offs, I won't even get into the issues about civilian schools and school districts. I have even encouraged my kids to go the military route before school.. I think it teaches everyone something and is well worth the time and energy spent.

When it all comes down to it, you have to decide what is right for YOU.

Gottago · Oct 3, 2005

You have tons of bs work to do outside your regular job.

What bs work are you referring to?

sandman1914 · Oct 3, 2005

What bs work are you referring to?

In the military we have what is called collateral duties. These are tasks you are responsible in addition to your "regular job." Collateral duties can range from scheduling officer, unit Physical Fitness test coordinator, Education and Training officer to name a few. You can be assigned anywhere from 1-3 collateral duties depending on your unit and staffing. Usually you can complete these additional duties during your normal working hours, but sometimes you have take some of your personal time to complete them.

Gottago · Oct 4, 2005

In the military we have what is called collateral duties. These are tasks you are responsible in addition to your "regular job." Collateral duties can range from scheduling officer, unit Physical Fitness test coordinator, Education and Training officer to name a few. You can be assigned anywhere from 1-3 collateral duties depending on your unit and staffing. Usually you can complete these additional duties during your normal working hours, but sometimes you have take some of your personal time to complete them.

Thanks for the info.

I'm curious as to what is the average "normal working hours." Also, what are the normal working days (or is it 24/7/365)?

sandman1914 · Oct 4, 2005

Thanks for the info.
I'm curious as to what is the average "normal working hours." Also, what are the normal working days (or is it 24/7/365)?

On the wards and units I have worked on the hours were 7a-7p and 7p-7a. Scheduling cycle usually goes as follows:

Week 1

work- M,Tu, F,Sa,Su

off-W,Th

Week 2

work-W,Th

off-M,Tu, F,Sa,Su

Some units work 8 hours shifts, but that is rare from what I have seen.

BulkyMonster · Oct 4, 2005

On the wards and units I have worked on the hours were 7a-7p and 7p-7a. Scheduling cycle usually goes as follows:
Week 1
work- M,Tu, F,Sa,Su
off-W,Th
Week 2
work-W,Th
off-M,Tu, F,Sa,Su
Some units work 8 hours shifts, but that is rare from what I have seen.

Usually we work 6a/6p on the wards here. It's a bit nasty because some housing is as far away as half an hour, 45 min. and you need to be in by 5:45, but that's nursing. Thing is they don't give you total choice in where you live.

I come in a couple times a week for a few hours to do outside tasks usually. Sometimes more, sometimes less. You work probably 4 shifts a week, sometimes 3 to balance out to a more normal 40-hour-ish schedule.

If you get deployed, you will likely work 6 or 7 12-hour shifts a week.

lpnlinda · Oct 4, 2005

Rule one---Never,but Never believe a Recruiter. They lie, they con, they will tell you anything to get you in.
They are far worse than lawyers or even Insurance salesmen

hello. I am new here and this is my first post. I'm sorry but this is not true. :nono: Did you have a bad experience with a recruiter? My husband is a ARMY recruiter and he does not have to lie to people to get them to join. Now I will agree that some do lie to make their numbers look good. It is not fair to make them all seem so bad. I will say that most of them did not ask for that job but gave the orders to do it(as in our case). I will be the first to say that the ARMY has done alot for our family. We need our soldiers the same way us nurses are needed. Let's be thankful for them. Sorry if I sound harsh but this is a subject very near and dear to me.

kayipster · Oct 16, 2005

how many years would the Army Reserves require you to enlist if you want to become a LPN/LVN?