Army Active Duty FY18

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Hi all!

Anyone else complete a packet for the upcoming boards FY18 for Army Active Duty? My packet has been board approved and now it's just wait and see!

I'm applying as an ER nurse. I have a few years experience at a level 1 trauma center and a few board certifications. No prior military experience. I've been working on my packet for almost 6 months!

I'd like to hear what everyone else's experiences have been!

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

Nothing to add except been there, done that! :) It does take forever — I started my application in January 2010, packet was boarded in November 2010, and I was notified of selection in December 2010. But it was worth the wait! Best of luck to you, let us know how it turns out. Did they mention if your initial rank would be 2LT or 1LT? I also had a few years of ER when I commissioned, and I was just short of enough for 1LT.

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Thanks, I've read some of your blog posts and they were really great to read when I first started seriously considering this! My recruiter told me 1LT. I have 6 years RN, 3.5 in ER. I'll definitely keep you updated, it can't come soon enough!

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

Oh yeah, definitely 1LT. That's awesome! Let me know if you have any questions and I will try to answer them. I assume you have your CEN? I came in with my CEN and CPEN. Though the Army doesn't care about the CPEN or provide a bonus for it, I was glad to have it just because we see a ton of peds in Army ERs (big families). I was a beta tester for the TCRN exam a few months after I left active duty; is the Army acknowledging the TCRN for 66T nurses yet, or is it still only the CEN? They are a bit slow to change, so I suspect only the CEN.

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I have CEN and TCRN. I don't know if the TCRN counts for anything but I did get approval for the 66T identifier!

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Oh i so envy you, i wanted to go back on active duty so bad.

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Specializes in ICU.

I know this is an old post but I see more Air Force/Navy posts than Army so I had to comment.

I am applying to be active duty critical care (66S). My packet was submitted last week so we shall see.

Super nervous haha.

Good luck to everyone!

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Should hear the board results any day now! Anyone else anxiously waiting??

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

When was the board? So exciting!

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It was Oct 31!

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Specializes in ICU.

Well, because of MEPS wanting to do an inspect, my packet got delayed to the December 12th board. Super bummed. Oh well.

Also, question. I am so nervous about getting selected. According to my recruiter, the Army is allowing specialties with less than 2 years of experience to apply unlike previous boards. I am applying for ICU (66S). I have 1.5 years of experience in a major trauma 1 center in Dallas, TX. However, I can't help but wonder if I will be accepted with less than 2 years of experience. I did not need medical waivers, have no history of medical or law trouble, and feel like I have pretty strong LORs. Does anyone have any insight to this at all? I guess I will find out soon enough but the waiting part is the worst!

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

If you meet criteria and have a strong packet, then why not? They have to pick someone, right? :) Hang in there!

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