Airborne Nurses In The Army Reseve?

nurse2033, MSN, RN · Nov 20, 2011

What do you mean by Airborne? That term is used for paratroopers. Is that what you mean?

Ol Timer · Nov 20, 2011

Yes that is what I mean. I am trying to find out if anyone knows of any Airborne Nursing Units in the Army Reserves. Or any units that allow RNs to be Airborne.

SoldierNurse22, BSN, RN · Nov 20, 2011

Not sure about the reserves, but I've met some nurses who've been through Airborne on the active side. Of course, that's usually a skill they obtained before they became a nurse, but on occasion, there were stories of select nurses getting to attend courses like that. Of course, that was before the threat of the drawdown...

Ol Timer · Nov 20, 2011

Thanks for the info.

jeckrn, BSN, RN · Nov 21, 2011

Not sure about in the reserves but on active there are some Airborne FST's (forward surgical team).

Ol Timer · Nov 21, 2011

Kool. At least that gives me a little hope of getting back into an Airborne unit.

I guess FST's are like the old MASH units.

jeckrn, BSN, RN · Nov 23, 2011

FST's are a 20 person unit with a ER,OR, ICU. It does not have any long term patient holding abilities. No lab, PT, etc. Also, it is dependent on another unit for support.

The closest to a old MASH unit would be a Combat Support Hospital (CSH).

ImThatGuy, BSN, RN · Nov 23, 2011

You can request airborne training in any army MOS, but it's up to your command whether or not to send you.

Ol Timer · Nov 25, 2011

THanks jeckrn and ImThatGuy for all of your good information.

rustynail · Dec 5, 2011

I check "Airborne" checkbox on RFO every time I have the option and it hasn't worked out for me yet. I already earned the Airborne combat patch (with AIRBORNE) on top of it but not the wings. It makes me look like a complete wannabee PX ranger :)

I believe the Army does not want to risk Nurses getting injured and not be able to work on the floor.

Rusty

Ol Timer · Dec 6, 2011

I'm not 100% sure but I think that there is an Airborne Medical Unit at Ft. Bragg. And don't worry about the Airborne Tab over your unit patch. Most people in the military know that there are certain units that may not be all airborne but the patch has an airborne rider. Kinda like the 101st patch. That unit is actually an air assault unit and I guarantee you that know one gives any one in that unit any bad looks because their patch has airborne on it but that they may be legs (non-jump qualified). As long as the wearer doesn't think or act as though they are airborne just because it says it on their patch.