Does the Airforce have any reservist programs similar to the Army's STRAP program?
What is STRAP? Specialized Training Assistance Program It is a stipend while you are in anesthesia school of appr 1033/mo. (you owe two years for every year they do this for you)
They also offer Healthcare Professional Loan Repayment program which gives you up to 50k over three years to pay off school loans.
I like these deals...but CRNA's who did this program tell me to check out the Airforce's offers and if they are similar, it is a better lifestyle when you are activated (e.g. chances of providing anesthesia in a fixed facility while deployed are higher, you will probably be eating burger king instead of mres)
Anyway, if anyone has either researched this out, or has any info please let me know.
for acls and pals sgt darius turner 968-1509, for tncc enpc atls etc...968-1373. if you are going to the acls this friday, i may be there teaching the unstable tachycardia station....go easy on me.
FYI folks....im in the AF. If you want a for sure admission to CRNA school, this is the place. The AF is hurting for applicants. They had 25 slots this year and only filled 22 due to an inadequate amount of applicants. They even WAIVED requirements (GRE scores) to fill some of their slots!!! Guaranteed education, but as some people pointed out, you could end up in Iraq a few months out of the year.......best for single people in my opinion.
Keep in mind, whether it is Army, Navy or Air Force, as a reservist, you will probably end up being put on active duty at one point or another (especially with an 8 year commitment). This is not a route to take if you are only interested in financial assistance. I would only recommend this to someone who is interested in the military aspects, not the financial. Think about this: if you are on active duty for six months as a CRNA in the military, you will be losing about $60,000 in civilian pay, only receiving the small amount of government pay. Not to be a naysayer, it's just important for anyone joining reserves (for whatever job) that they do it for the right reasons (to serve their country, not to finance their education -- there are other options to pay for schooling like loans, scholarships, tuition reimbursement and loan forgiveness).
sarah brings a good perspective from the research that I have done.
speaking with an srna in the army program she figured that the best financial incentive was through the non-reserve active duty route. that way you will be salaried with a housing stipend and med benefits throughout your education.
only receiving a stipend for reserve commitement would be a short term financial incentive, but you should be willing to make rank+spec pay+hazardous environment pay+family separation pay if you are deployed, which is a significant amount less than your civilian job as a crna.
as far as making a commitment for a unique experience, and making a sacrifice for your country goes then this might be the right decision. i am beginning to believe that these stipend incentives were created for people who
may want serve for their country, as well as get a little bit of help during their education.
I think most people in the military would discourage anyone from signing for purely financial reasons.
zrmorgan
198 Posts
for acls and pals sgt darius turner 968-1509, for tncc enpc atls etc...968-1373. if you are going to the acls this friday, i may be there teaching the unstable tachycardia station....go easy on me.