Need some advice

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Published

Hello everyone,

I'm new here and I come seeking input on a problem.

I have no prior military experience and 7 years of civilian nursing.

I signed my commissioning contract last week and said my oath. I commissioned as a captain, which is what I'd been told all along. Today, my recruiter called and stated that was an error. He wants me to sign all new paperwork with the new rank of O-2, which takes my pay and BAH down significantly. He told me I can advance to captain in a year, but I'm guarded to believe anything he tells me now. It's not so much that the rank changes, but I don't appreciate the deception. This is an error I feel should have been caught long before now.

So my question is what occurs if I respectfully decline to demote myself due to error on their part? Also, in reviewing the papers on a closer level, they all say "reserves", even though I have been speaking with an AD health recruiter. Does that change once I complete COT or is that another "error"?

Editorial Team / Moderator

Lunah, MSN, RN

14 Articles; 13,766 Posts

Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

I don't think you have a choice about the rank. I believe it is 48 months to captain, so you would need 8 years of civilian nursing experience for that rank. I experienced something similar - signed everything as a 1LT, but orders were 2LT. I was promoted after about 4 months of active duty.

I have no idea about the Reserves thing. Hopefully your recruiter can answer that for you soon!

Usafrn2015

10 Posts

Hi Pixie,

Thanks for taking the time to respond. I actually had a typo in my original question in that I have 8 years of experience. Not 7. So I don't understand how I don't qualify for captain at this time, much less why it would take another 12 months to become one.

You said the same thing happened to you...how can you sign on for one rank and they just change it? Isn't that a breach from what you signed and agreed to? What happens if I don't sign these new terms?

I don't feel comfortable asking my recruiter anything at this point since it's clear he's been dishonest with me (maybe out of ignorance and not malicious but regardless of intent - I've not been given accurate info). I'd rather him tell me "I don't know" than to invent an answer.

Editorial Team / Moderator

Lunah, MSN, RN

14 Articles; 13,766 Posts

Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

Part of being a leader in the military includes holding others accountable for their actions. Whether or not you want to, you need to straighten this out with your recruiter. If he doesn't answer to your satisfaction, speak with his superior.

What was your exact NCLEX day/year? Did you ever in those years work less than full time or have a gap in employment?

Usafrn2015

10 Posts

Part of being a leader in the military includes holding others accountable for their actions. Whether or not you want to, you need to straighten this out with your recruiter. If he doesn't answer to your satisfaction, speak with his superior.

What was your exact NCLEX day/year? Did you ever in those years work less than full time or have a gap in employment?

Pixie, you make a great point in stating that I need to hold him accountable. I have left a message and e-mail for him and am awaiting response, but I'm also very guarded to believe anything that he tells me at this point.

I obtained a BSN in May 2007, took and passed NCLEX in June 2007, and began work as RN that same month. I've always worked full time and never had any gaps in employment.

Usafrn2015

10 Posts

So he just responded to my e-mail questioning the calculations. He said that last fiscal year, I would have been appointed captain but the AF policy has changed since then. They now cap off at 3 years no matter how much experience you actually have...you only get credit for 3. He said he argued it with his manager and lost because it's a matter of policy. I just find it terribly shady that this all comes to fruition a week AFTER I sign all my documents.

Dreaming1007

121 Posts

To answer your question about your paperwork stating reserve, you are considered a reservist until your EAD date which is the first day of COT.

Usafrn2015

10 Posts

Thanks dreaming, I figured the reason revolved around the training date somehow but wanted to ask and be sure.

Specializes in Adult Critical Care.

You need to ask for a copy of the policy in writing before you sign anything if you think that you've been wronged. However, 7 years should equate to 1st Lt with 1.5 years of time in grade. In other words, they do give you a 'fractional' grade (1LT +). That means you'll promote to Captain 6 months after commissioning.

COT slots are limited and they do determine when you transition from inactive ready reserve (where you get no money) to active duty (when you do get paid).

Usafrn2015

10 Posts

Thanks jf,

I'm definitely going to ask for a copy of the policy.

My initial post had a typo. I've been an RN for 8 years but he told me it would take another year for me to promote to captain. So I'm basically repeating senior year even though I've got all the credits to graduate now.

Specializes in Adult Critical Care.

Is it 8 years plus 1 day from the day you started your first job (not the day you graduated)? Was all of it full time? Those are some questions that would change your rank.

Editorial Team / Moderator

Lunah, MSN, RN

14 Articles; 13,766 Posts

Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

Already asked and answered:

I obtained a BSN in May 2007, took and passed NCLEX in June 2007, and began work as RN that same month. I've always worked full time and never had any gaps in employment.
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