USPHS

just_cause, BSN, RN · Mar 15, 2009

it would be very similar to a civilian nurse with experience xfering into the Army... which is fairly similar to the process of a new nurse xfering into the army. It is not really a 'transfer' as you applying for a commission - in all of those scenarios.

v/r

jennysong81 · Mar 15, 2009

Thank you for your quick response Just_Cause! :)

If you have 4 year commitment with USPHS and after 2 years you decide to join the Army. Can you do that?

leonarddi · Mar 15, 2009

..and to those who are prior service and want something similar to a military environment... PHS is probably not the way to go

There is some truth to that. 2 of my bosses were prior military(over 10 years) and they are staying in PHS. Me on the other hand i miss the military but i like the PHS as well.

leonarddi · Mar 15, 2009

Thank you for your quick response Just_Cause! :)
If you have 4 year commitment with USPHS and after 2 years you decide to join the Army. Can you do that?

Commitment to PHS is only 2 years unless they pay for your sch or there is a loan repayment program which obviously will make it longer, but if you already have your qualifying degree and license, you only have to stay 2 years.

willitblend? · Mar 17, 2009

From the outside.. was a corpsman at Bethesda. Spent a good bit of time around PHS Commissioned Corps. They were, on the whole, much nicer people than the USN personnel.

Also the men can wear beards, and since their uniforms are sea service.. their Captains actually look like f00king Captains of days of yore.

"The Navy has evolved in the last 200 years. It used to be rum, sodomy and the lash. Now it's just dumb sodomy and no cash."

leonarddi · Mar 17, 2009

From the outside.. was a corpsman at Bethesda. Spent a good bit of time around PHS Commissioned Corps. They were, on the whole, much nicer people than the USN personnel.
Also the men can wear beards, and since their uniforms are sea service.. their Captains actually look like f00king Captains of days of yore.
"The Navy has evolved in the last 200 years. It used to be rum, sodomy and the lash. Now it's just dumb sodomy and no cash."

Beards are no longer allowed for PHS. Now we follow military style

willitblend? · Mar 17, 2009

That's horrible. My sympathies to the successors of the Marine Hospital Service.

woknblues · Mar 20, 2009

No more beards? That would be a deal breaker for me...

lifeafter40 · Mar 22, 2009

I have been looking over the USPHS web site, but it seems to be rather lacking on details, and having three years left in Nursing school, I feel it is too early to try to contact a recruiter... So, I hope that some of my questions can be addressed here.

In the event that someone did decide to change over to the DOD side of the house, does time served in USPHS transfer to DoD? What about rank? Does one still have to meet the age restrictions if "transferring" from USPHS to the Army?

Army is my first choice, but as it seems that the ANC is close to capacity now, I am considering the USPHS as an alternative way to gain some experience and still continue to accrue time in service for retirement. I will be 41 yrs old when I graduate from nursing school. I have six years prior-service enlisted, but my allotted time before retirement is a bit tricky when it comes to switching services, and my age does not allow me to put off joining the Military for very long. (I understand a lot can change in three years, but I like to have a back-up plan in case things do not go as I envision them).

Thanks in advance for any information.

LA40

just_cause, BSN, RN · Mar 22, 2009

life after,

have you completed your packet for the Army already?

If not - then start.. it takes a few months and that way your recruiter (when your packet is ready) will be able to advise you on whether slots are open for this year.. then they can submit or hey your packet is ready we'll submit first thing in next fiscal year (oct) and you should be good to go.

Your age - and six years prior service - don't really seem to be that big of an issue in joining the army imho...

NursePamela · Mar 22, 2009

If the Army is your first choice stick with it. 3 years is a long way away and i doubt they will be at capacity - the one thing you can count on is change. At 41 you will not be too old for either service, especially with 6 years prior service (it counts).

It is also my understanding that it is easier to go from Army to USPHS than from USPHS to Army but don't quote me on that one.

Pam

leonarddi · Mar 22, 2009

I have been looking over the USPHS web site, but it seems to be rather lacking on details, and having three years left in Nursing school, I feel it is too early to try to contact a recruiter... So, I hope that some of my questions can be addressed here.
In the event that someone did decide to change over to the DOD side of the house, does time served in USPHS transfer to DoD? What about rank? Does one still have to meet the age restrictions if "transferring" from USPHS to the Army?
Army is my first choice, but as it seems that the ANC is close to capacity now, I am considering the USPHS as an alternative way to gain some experience and still continue to accrue time in service for retirement. I will be 41 yrs old when I graduate from nursing school. I have six years prior-service enlisted, but my allotted time before retirement is a bit tricky when it comes to switching services, and my age does not allow me to put off joining the Military for very long. (I understand a lot can change in three years, but I like to have a back-up plan in case things do not go as I envision them).
Thanks in advance for any information.
LA40

lifeafter, I would join the Army if I was in your position. I called the Army but they are not taking people in my MOS so i'll have to wait till the next fiscal year. I had 6 yrs prior enlisted as well, don't worry about the retirement, you'll be fine.

Try to stay with DOD, all i want to say is that once the Army is taking my MOS again, i'll be the first one to leave.