Rank advancement in the air force

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Hi everyone,

HOw long does it take you to advance in rank in the AF?? I know that as a new grad we start out as 2nd LT, how many years does it take you to get to 1st LT, Capt, etc......?

ALso, Do you think that when this war is coming to an end that they will still need nurses as much as they do now? DO you think they will still have the sign on bonuses, etc?? Fot those who were in the AF in non- war times how was it compared to now related to need ( of nurses)?

Thanks,

MJ

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Specializes in Anesthesia.

I couldn't find the chart I was looking for that would explain rank progression better in the Air Force, but here it goes.......

New nurses w/ no RN experience start out as 2nd Lt

2nd Lt - 1Lt 2yrs

1Lt - Cpt 2yrs (4yrs total to Cpt)

Cpt - Maj 8-14yrs (about 10-14yrs total to Maj; currently it is a little longer for nurses)

Maj-LTC 5-7 yrs ( about 17 yrs total)

LTC-Col -3-5yrs (about 20-22yrs in the Air Force)

Not all the services promote on the same timeline. I know that the Army does promote a little faster.

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Hey thanks,

you have been SO helpful!!!!! I wish they would just have all this info on the website.

MJ

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Specializes in Anesthesia.
Hi everyone,

HOw long does it take you to advance in rank in the AF?? I know that as a new grad we start out as 2nd LT, how many years does it take you to get to 1st LT, Capt, etc......?

ALso, Do you think that when this war is coming to an end that they will still need nurses as much as they do now? DO you think they will still have the sign on bonuses, etc?? Fot those who were in the AF in non- war times how was it compared to now related to need ( of nurses)?

Thanks,

MJ

Looks like I missed answering a couple of questions.....that is what happens when you only work night shifts every once in awhile.....lol....

We will probably be in Iraq enmass for atleast 3-5yrs w/ a small permanent presence for a very long time... The bonuses for nurses usually aren't variable once they're there they tend to stay there and when you consider how much some of the other specialities get Nurse Corps' is only a drop in the bucket.

As far as the need for Air Force nurses now and in the future......Well there was a lot of medical personell that enlisted after 9/11.....so there was not really a need to build up much....The AirForce is actually trying to thin out the ranks right now....mostly thru attrition....What does that mean for somebody wanting to come in.....not much...the AirForce is just not recruiting nurses as heavily... it is still needs lots of nurses....

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