questions for military nurses

[sunnytummy]

Hello- I've never used a forum before, but would like some advice about military nursing.

I'll start the pre-reqs this fall and would like some advice before I get into it.

Questions:

Is it possible to do the pre-reqs in one year instead of two, and if so, what is the best way to do that. I have one chemistry class, and that is all so far.

What is the best way to get financial aid without ROTC? I've been enlisted for five years in the Washington National Guard, and am coming up on reenlistment next year. I was told that the Army would repay up to $20,000 in student loans when I reenlist, a portion each year for six years. This seems like a good deal, but what are the catches? Is this true even if I'm already enlisted? If I do get a student loan, what happens when I want to commission into the nurse corps halfway through my second enlistment? Will the Army continue to pay for it, or will I be stuck with whatever is left?

I really want to be in a field hospital or close to one. What is the best place to be stationed as far as spending as much hands on time with battlefield casualties as possible? I see that the Airforce has flight nurses that do air ambulance. This really appeals to me; does the Army have this kind of program? I do really like the Army, but would consider switching branches. Maybe. Are there any flight nurses who wouldn't mind telling me about what you do?

Can Army nurses be stationed in Incirlik AFB, Turkey? Is there a website that shows the different stations for Army nurses?

How much time do military nurses get to spend with the patients? I just want to be patching up wounded joes, not doing admin. How political is the nurse corps? The only way I would consider commissioning is as a nurse because it seems the officer corps is otherwise very political, and that's not for me. How does the nurse corps compare?

I think that's all for now. Thank you!