LPN (or ADN RN) to Corpsman/Medic?

[biore]

Hello. I apologize if this topic has been created before, but I couldn't find anyone with my exact situation.

I have wanted to join the military since I graduated high school. I'll be finishing LPN school at the end of December and I would like to enlist. I am most likely applying to an ADN bridge next fall (which will last 3 semesters), but I would like to get started with the enlistment process by obtaining some information. I understand that I would not be a commissioned officer; I plan on doing my 4 years and then finishing my BSN and coming back to be commissioned. I would like to go with either the Air Force or the Navy, but am open to the other branches if they are more likely to accept me as a Corpsman.

The reason I don't want to wait until I have my BSN is that it might be as much as 5 or 6 years from now, and I would like to travel while I still have no commitments or responsibilities (I'm 20). Also, I fear going through the entire bachelor's program and not being accepted for commission. The best scenario for me would be able to enlist either during 2013 or right after I complete my ADN, which would be December 2014.

My question is if anyone has experience going this route, were you able to enlist as a Corspman? I do know of someone who enlisted as an LPN and became a Medic in the AF, but that was about 15 years ago, so I would like to know if that is still an option. If not, I began the enlistment process through the AF about a year ago. My ASVAB score (96 I believe) made me a candidate for most (all?) MOS, and I wouldn't be 100% opposed to forgoing nursing/healthcare for the 4 years that I am enlisted.

If you read that giant wall of text, thank you.

PS: please don't tell me to just get my BSN. Again, I would like to travel and experience the military while I'm as young as I am now and come back to commission later (having military experience would help me get accepted as well, I believe).

[jeckrn, BSN, RN]

I am not sure if he went to 68W AIT, which might be a mute point since LPN's went back to their own MOS of 68C in October.

[utamaverick]

My 2 cents:

Talk to a recruiter to scope out if the HM (Hospital Corpsman) rate has any openings. I have great respect for nurses who start out as Corpsman and then become commissioned in the Nurse Corps. They are more experienced, and some have even served in combat zones.

There are great opportunities as Corpsman, but be forewarned there is a lot of competition. You will need to be "hard-charger" to seek the competitive programs to be commissioned (such as MECP - Medical Enlisted Commissioning Program).

Fair winds and following seas!

[bloody_trauma]

I love how everyone has an image in thier head about how the military works... I am an Active Duty 68WM6... They are about to chenge that to 68C for manning, budget, and promotions. Thats neither here nor there and should not influence your decision. As far as I know, the United States Army is the only branch that utilizes LPN's. They have a school for it. I went through it. Basic training is 9 weeks (they teach you how to shoot, hide, blow stuff up, wear a uniform, and whoop your ass into shape) Advanced individual training is 16 weeks, (They teach you how to be a Healthcare Specialist (68W), You leave there with a AHA BLS Card, and NREMT EMT Registration) to get the M6 Identifier, You go to a year long follow on school consisting of 2 Months at Fort Sam Houston learning A/P and Math for nurses, then another phase at a MEDCEN where they prep you to sit for the NCLEX-PN, You leave there with an LVN License from Texas and are then shot out needs of the army to where ever it is they need you. Seeing as how they are dropping the identifier and making it its own MOS, I don't know how this will effect the program but I would assume it should be about the same.

To those of you who believe that you don't have a choice of what your job will be when you join the military i say... NUTS... Those of you who thought you didnt have a choice got screwed and placed where ever they would have you. If the career counselor at the MEPS doesnt have the job you want on your sheet after you take your ASVAB, walk away and come back later... If you dont get what you want then, and take something else, thats on you, but once you sign, theres no changing it. Look up something called In/Out Calls if you want to know if they are recruiting for certain positions.

As far as you already having you License when you join, that is something that you will need to speak to a Recruiter about. The Medical Command has Medical Recruiters check here Army Medicine (AMEDD) | GoArmy.com You may be able to qualify for the MOS with that alone or have to sit at an abbreviated medical training school.

By all means follow your desires, having an ADN gives you a leg up while recruiting and equates to increased rank on entrance. Be advised LPNs are strictly Enlisted. The army has something called the Amedd Enlisted Commissioning Program (AECP) which for qualified personnel will allow you to attend a university of your choice, while getting paid about your normal salary, for every year of college the army pays for you then owe them 3 years of service once commissioned. OOOORRRRR... get your ADN... Join the Military, they pay $2400 a year for tuition and there are plently of ADN to BSN programs online... if you get your BSN then all you have to do is go to BOLC and get picked up for commissioning by the AMEDD, In the mean time while you try to find time to go to school you get paid to be a knuckle head, travel the world... Now all that sounds glamorous but it really isnt, alot of getting yelled out, cleaning stuff, sweating and early morning, but its a living...

Experience: SSG, US Army, LVN, Tripler Army Medical Center, Honolulu, HI

3 Deployments, 2 Purple Hearts, and a partridge in a MF'n Pear tree.

[Lunah, MSN, RN]

In the mean time while you try to find time to go to school you get paid to be a knuckle head, travel the world... Now all that sounds glamorous but it really isnt, alot of getting yelled out, cleaning stuff, sweating and early morning, but its a living...

Experience: SSG, US Army, LVN, Tripler Army Medical Center, Honolulu, HI

3 Deployments, 2 Purple Hearts, and a partridge in a MF'n Pear tree.

Hahaha! You crack me up ... so true. Thank you for your service. Have you considered doing AECP?

[bloody_trauma]

Gotta meet degree reqs first