Any Former Veterans?

C-130 Load · Jun 8, 2014

Air Force C-130 Loadmaster here. I am still a reservist and will be completing my BSN in an accelerated program July 31, 2014. Very happy to have this almost completed. I love my AF job and nursing has been very rewarding so far. I would be happy to answer any questions anyone has.

rhouy87 · Jun 12, 2014

Hi CutandStitch. I wanted to private message you but as a new member here I am not allowed to do so until I get 15 active post going. I have a few question concerning the army mos 68c. I thought about enlisting as a active member of the us army but after some serious considerations I am leaning more towards the reserve because this is the quickest way for me to get my BSN as I plan to do a lpn-rn program. My question is, are you on active or reserve? Do you plan on doing an lpn-rn after graduation? And if you have already done so was the school you applying to accept the lpn licensure you obtain from the army? How were the 12months classes?

Gentleman_nurse, MSN · Jun 15, 2014

Was a medic with Air Force Reserve 20 years ago. Great training but my reserve unit was not serious making sure medics kept up their skills. You might be interested to know that all military medics go to Ft Sam Houston and get the same core training. NYS also allows medics to challenge the LPN boards.

If I could do it over again I would either enlist in the Army and get a contract for LPN school or the Air Force Reserve as a Flight medic (you stay on active duty till you're fully qualified) then do a LPN-RN bridge.

Camwill, ASN, BSN, MSN, DNP, LPN, APRN, NP · Jun 15, 2014

My uncle was a LPN (91 c) in the military and when he got out his license was accepted at a school and he became a RN. I was a medic (91b) and could have challenged the boards but decided to just go to RN school. I was given some credits from being a medic and actually my school now let's medic start when LPN would start in the RN program. The military gave me a good foundation and made a lot of things easier. Most important thing for you is to find a school that you are going to like! It makes the experience so much better! Good luck to you!

V.3005 · Jun 16, 2014

I was a Huey crew chief in the USMC for five years. Decided to get out in 2013 and have been going to school trying to get my BSN. A couple days ago I got my acceptance letter to my schools nursing program and can't wait to get started. Three more years seems like I have forever to go before I graduate, but the last year in school flew by!

funtimes · Jun 16, 2014

Would I recommend joining the military? No.

But if you do join, medic is probably one of the best MOS's to go for. I was an infantryman and field wireman in the Marine Corps, and I swear I don't think I ever saw a Corpsman do anything I considered actual work. They were considered the softest of the soft, and from what I've seen and heard Army Medics were viewed the same way.

You also receive training that's actually relevant in the civilian world, unlike most military MOS's.

Camwill, ASN, BSN, MSN, DNP, LPN, APRN, NP · Jun 16, 2014

I defiantly don't agree with the comment above but to each their own :) I was a field medic and spent majority of my time in the field. We went out first and came back last. I think there are some mos that had it way to easy and medic wasn't one of them. The military is a great opportunity. You can go in as a medic and apply to RN school or PA school and possibly just do green to gold. Or you can take the experience and go to school after and use military benefits to pay for your nursing education. The military is paying for mine. I just finished RN school and working on my master which the military is paying for and giving me a stipend. The military was the greatest choice I made in my life.

PMFB-RN, RN · Jun 16, 2014

Would I recommend joining the military? No.
But if you do join, medic is probably one of the best MOS's to go for. I was an infantryman and field wireman in the Marine Corps, and I swear I don't think I ever saw a Corpsman do anything I considered actual work. They were considered the softest of the soft, and from what I've seen and heard Army Medics were viewed the same way.
You also receive training that's actually relevant in the civilian world, unlike most military MOS's.

In my unit medics were regular infantrymen in every way until needed as a medic, except we had even more stuff to carry.

funtimes · Jun 18, 2014

My post seemed harsher than I meant, and I respect anyone who served. But yeah I think Medic is one of the easier MOS's in that Corpsman always seemed to be getting out of stuff. Working partys, inspections, mess duty, formations, guard duty, all the non glamorous stuff nobody wants to do that even POGs generally have to take part in. I even remember we were doing boxing for PT one day, and the Corpsman actually brought chits from their CO saying they were exempt from taking part because the Navy didn't consider it safe, another time on mess duty one of them brought another chit saying he was exempt from finishing mess duty because the mess sgt and other Marines were picking on him, so they sent some Marine PFC to finish his time.

Having said that I did come across a few tough squared away Corpsman who didn't try to skate by, and of course a good Corpsman/Medic is worth their weight in gold when you needed one, and to be fair to them they were supposed to be the voice of medical reason and try to prevent injuries as well as treat them.

LeLeRN2b · Aug 13, 2014

Hi Congratulations on getting the BSN. I wanted to know do the air guard accept RNs with Associates degree. Is it easy to go air guard to active duty after obtaining a bsn degree? Thank you in advance for any info.

mfallona · Mar 24, 2017

Hi C-130 Load! How are you liking your nursing career so far in the AF? I'm a C-130 avionics tech starting a BSN program in a few months. My goal is active duty Air Force nurse. It's nice to see someone has done it coming from aviation.

mfallona · Mar 27, 2017

I know I'm late to the party but how did the BSN program work out for you?