Army National Guard Reserve Questions

QTNurseBSN · Mar 3, 2010

I went the Army Reserves route, commissioned in 2006 as a 2nd LT. I had my ADN as well and was a STRAP soldier..yes I am a nurse, but you are a soldier first. Depending on FT or PT enrollment in your BSN through an Accredited school, you may or may not have to do Battle Assemblies (Drills). I was in school PT, so therefore I had to drill, but you can also use your schooling for drill points and get paid for it.

I joined because I felt like being a military nurse is one of the best things to offer our soldiers who are protecting and defending us everyday. I have a family as well and sometimes you have to weigh the pros and cons and figure out what's going to work best. If you have a strong support system and as a soldier you too are strong minded and strong willed, you will do fine.

The impact is not that great,especially while you are STRAP. Your focus is mainly finishing school and while STRAP you are not deployable. But once school is over and done, you will be expected to function just like every soldier/nurse in the Reserves/Guard. I have even thought about going active duty at this point in my life because even though you are a nurse in the reserves, the opportunities to utilize your nursing skills in the reserves are not that great...unless of course you are mobilized or deployed. During Battle assemblies you may be doing weapons maintenance, administrative stuff, ect..but not working in a military hospital functioning as a nurse...there needs to be a clinical agreement in place for that. Of course during your annual training (two weeks) you may go on medical missions or do a global medic exercise with your unit.

So basically it all depends on how much you want to put into it and how much you want to get out of it. The opportunities are endless you may have to search and find them, especially in the reserves. But you would have more control of your life because I have friends that are active duty..and for the most part, they do not have the "freedom" to come and go and do as they please like a reservist.

I suggest you sit and talk with your family, maybe find out more information from the nurses in this forum and then come up with a game plan that works for you and your family. I don't regret my decision..I have met some wonderful, extraordinary people that I would have NEVER met in my civilian world!

lwood336 · Mar 4, 2010

Thanks for the good advice and sharing your experience. Twp more questions though - Did you work full time and go to school using the monies that were provided through the Guard? Also, how long did it take you? (if you don't mind me asking) Thank you again!

QTNurseBSN · Mar 5, 2010

I am in the Reserves, not Guard:) But to answer your questions, I worked part-time (32hrs/week) and I did my BSN on a Part time basis which took 2.5 years. But you only receive STRAP money for two years and for every 6 months of money received, that's a year of obligation in the Guard/Reserves. Let me know if you have any more questions.

lwood336 · Mar 7, 2010

Again, thank you for all the info. I have thought of more questions to ask... Did you go through the same basic training as everyone else, then go into the Officer training? Also, did you start your training after your schooling (I see you mentioned drill during school)? Thanks again, you have been a great resource.

QTNurseBSN · Mar 8, 2010

lwood,

I was a Direct Commission, meaning I did NOT go through the Enlisted training (Bootcamp, AIT Training). A direct commision in the military as an officer means just that. While doing STRAP, I had up to three years to go to Officer Training/OBLC. The primary focus was to finish up school first. Normally, a STRAP soldier just goes to school, nothing more or nothing less. Being that I was only enrolled in school part-time, that is why I was required to do battle assemblies/drills. Luckily, I just did administrative stuff at the recruiting station and instead of doing the 16 hrs/month I got permission to do 8hrs/month. Normal battle assemblies consists of 16hrs on the weekend, but being STRAP I got my time in when I could fit it in. Also, because I was not drilling with a unit, the recruiters schooled me a little bit on how to wear my ACUs and how to walk the walk and talk the talk of an soldier in the Army. I can look back now and laugh at how I put my boots on and actually tied my strings like I would normally do tennis shoes...I did not know about tucking in the strings or how to wear my ACUs properly. But the recruiters pulled me by the side and said, "LT we are gonna look out for you and show you what you need to do". I guess that's one advantage of going enlisted first then commissioning in as an officer...you have more background knowledge. But I was completely NEW to the military lifestyle. And even OBLC doesn't give you the full understanding of being an officer..just the basics. But I guess just like with anything, practice makes perfect. And keep in mind that there will be enlisted personnel (privates, E1-E8) that will look up to you as an officer and YES they will have A LOT more back ground knowledge than you will. But as a leader, you have to be on top of your game. So get as much information, practice and utilization of the other members of the military that you can. I have even heard people say to find a good NCO (non-commissioned officer) to take you under their wing and show you how to be an officer. Good luck to you.. I have been in the Reserves 3.5 years and I am still learning!