ADN Army Reserve or BSN Army Reserve

[Shijo, BSN, RN]

hello. i'm currently going to an adn program. i still have a little over a year left. i'm prior service army and ever since i etsed i knew i wanted to go back into the military once i had a nursing degree. my husband is currently recruiting officers in the marine corps and he says it's really competitive right now. so i guess i'm just looking for a little bit of insider information as far as the army reserves. i understand that there is the candidate program for if you have an adn and are continuing to bsn. there's also direct commissioning for adn and bsn. i am going to continue towards a bsn regardless of if i join under adn or not. i'm more curious as to which route to go to optimize my chances of being selected. i plan on going to the recruiter after this summer semester is completed. i want to go in as informed as possible though. so anything information will be appreciated :)

on a side note i was wondering how long the training is. i saw two weeks, but that just seems too short.

[jeckrn, BSN, RN]

Since your husband is a officer recruiter with the Marines have him talk with one of the Army healthcare recruiters for some info.

[Shijo, BSN, RN]

Since your husband is a officer recruiter with the Marines have him talk with one of the Army healthcare recruiters for some info.

Thank you for the advice. He does plan on coming with me whenever I do meet with them. I'm worried that since I'm prior they may try to blow me off. So having him there will be an advantage. I'm really just posting here because I would like to hear some experiences other people have had in this process. I figure the more information I have going in the better.

[jeckrn, BSN, RN]

As long as you did not have any issues while you were enlisted there should be no problems. In fact you have a better chance then someone without any prior service. Your husband should be able to speak with the healthcare recruiter on the side with general questions before you even go and see them.

[r3skyline]

having prior service does not "give better chances". just makes the paperwork easier is all.

[Shijo, BSN, RN]

Well I'm just glad to hear it doesn't make it harder. I guess the Marines don't really take priors so I was worried. How does it make the paperwork easier?

[jeckrn, BSN, RN]

Because you have already gone thru it and understand the pace of how the military works

[just_cause, BSN, RN]

having prior service does not "give better chances". just makes the paperwork easier is all.

I think you will find a board will pick a successful prior service applicant compared to a similar applicant w/o prior service 10 times out of 10... just a hunch.

[jeckrn, BSN, RN]

Agree

[Cursed Irishman]

Not to mention if your prior service job required a security clearance, alot of the information should be on hand.

I also feel being prior service assisted in my selection; it also gave me the experience to gear my essays/references in the direction the army likes to hear, using relatable experiences.

[New1LT]

having prior service does not "give better chances". just makes the paperwork easier is all.

It doesn't make the paperwork easier, it actually made it harder. Digging up your military records from 12 years ago isn't very easy. You also have to write a letter explaining why you once chose to leave the Army and now you're wanting to come back. If I wasn't prior service it would have been one less hurdle amongst millions to overcome. And as a couple noted, having prior service does look favorable over one that does not have prior service. But it is just one thing amongst many other factors that play into ones acceptance as a commissioned officer.

[r3skyline]

a lt col in my dad's med unit laughed at what you just posted. sorry, had to share that. :)