USPHS

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

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...