Hello everyone! I am a surgical ICU nurse and I have decided to apply for the Air Force Reserves as a flight nurse. I am currently working on my MSN in management and plan to apply for CRNA school next year after I complete my MSN. I have been a nurse since '08 working in many different settings (management, ICU, clinic, etc.)
I recently submitted my paperwork, along with all of my personal documentation, to the recruiter and have an interview set for this Wednesday to set up my physical and interview with the CNO of flight nursing.
I was wondering if any one has experienced this process, recent applicants would be ideal, and would be willing to supply me with any insight that they may have?
It's nice having all of my records electronically so I was able to just email them to my recruiter...which all of my paperwork was through email. I also don't have any medical issues and don't take any medication so it was pretty easy but they do require you to get all medical records especially surgical. I had shoulder and LASIK surgery so I had get that BUT they did almost DQ me for a sprained ankle (I wasn't hospitalized but it was at work so they had a workers compensation report on it).
The scroll is the paperwork that is sent to the Secretary of Defense with all of your information to be reviewed and approved for your commissioning. Apparently it is the part of the process that takes the longest, which is why my recruiter says that it is the first thing that he does when starting the process. Why would they DQ you for a sprained ankle? Do you have residual issues from it?
I'm not sure about that. I would wonder if they would approve it before letting you go to MEPS.
I played volleyball since high school so I can literally walk on the side of my feet lol. They only reason they may have was because it was documented through the VAMC where I work
Yeah that was my initial thought as well, but unlike the AD route things are done differently. Recruiter states that he has seen scrolls come back between 1 week and 6 months. I actually had the opportunity to speak to an active reservist who had his scroll come back after 2 1/2 weeks, before he even had his MEPS appointment.
I trust my recruiter, he has been honest about things that could have turned me away (negatively affecting his recruitment numbers). I just hope the process goes as smooth and quickly as it has been thus far. I mean it hasn't even been a month and I am already almost done with everything. Optimism for me is important!! Patience is not one of my strongest virtues lol!!
That would be great if you could ask your recruiter coz im in florida and the nearest af base is 60 miles and im not sure if they have flight nurses in there
MEPS is a longer process that the Flight Physical due to the fact that everyone locally will go through this process. I was prompted to get there early BUT since they found out that I will be going in as a commissioned officer they bumped me past everyone (so definitely let the know). The go through your medical history, eye, vision, urine test, blood work and the classic "walk like a duck" routine.
Thanks Vona86 for that info. I was told I have to be there by 0530. He told me that he was going to send me a packet before my appointment so I know what to expect. Did you get a packet as well, for either physical?
For MEPS, I did get a packet about where it is, what time to be there, what to expect/bring and more importantly what to wear! I wore khakis and a nicer shirt. Jeans are okay. One guy wore jeans with holes in them and they told him to go change. For the flight physical, the recruiter gave me a map of the base and where to meet and what time. He was going to escort me but he had something come up so it wasn't a big deal.
Yeah he told me he would send me the packet this coming Monday morning so that I can prepare and "have the information fresh on my mind". I assume dress is important to set a precedence for Air Force standards?
It would be nice to "move to the head of the line" as a commissioning officer. I do not consider myself better then the next person, but I'd like to not have to be there all day if I don't have to lol!!
What was your interview with the CNO like? Were you given an opportunity to ask questions? What kind of questions were you asked?
The recruiter set up a date and time (since there were 4 of us) and we met him at the gate and followed him to the office. It was very casual. We spoke with the operations officer (Lt. Col. Mulhorn) and he kind of went through steps from when we are commissioned to training we have to do and than we were able to sit in on a training session. We were able to go with the team on the tarmac and see them load and unload a plan like they would if there were doing a real flight. We weren't able to go on the actual flight with them but it's like a touch and go kind of deal. It was awesome!
Devo19, BSN, MSN, APRN
171 Posts
It's nice having all of my records electronically so I was able to just email them to my recruiter...which all of my paperwork was through email. I also don't have any medical issues and don't take any medication so it was pretty easy but they do require you to get all medical records especially surgical. I had shoulder and LASIK surgery so I had get that BUT they did almost DQ me for a sprained ankle (I wasn't hospitalized but it was at work so they had a workers compensation report on it).
What exactly do is the "scroll"?