Army or Navy

lselvio · Jul 21, 2017

I realize I never posed a question. For those of you, navy and/or army, I am just looking for thoughts. Specifically as it pertains to a shared custody situation with my daughter from the first marriage. The navy is a shorter route if she doesn't adjust well. But I would still have to go to school when I got out.

jeckrn, BSN, RN · Jul 21, 2017

Have you talked with any healthcare recruiters and spoken to them about the foreclosure? This could be a major issue needing a waiver along with security clearance issues.

It sounds like you are only looking at the military to pay for schooling. If that is the case you are looking for the wrong reasons. You said it would suck for your family, if that is the case do not join because the suck will be bigger for you then it will be for them.

jeckrn, BSN, RN · Jul 21, 2017

I realize I never posed a question. For those of you, navy and/or army, I am just looking for thoughts. Specifically as it pertains to a shared custody situation with my daughter from the first marriage. The navy is a shorter route if she doesn't adjust well. But I would still have to go to school when I got out.

This will be up to the courts and how the custody agreement is written. You will need to speak with a lawyer to obtain the correct answer for your case.

lselvio · Jul 21, 2017

Have you talked with any healthcare recruiters and spoken to them about the foreclosure? This could be a major issue needing a waiver along with security clearance issues.
It sounds like you are only looking at the military to pay for schooling. If that is the case you are looking for the wrong reasons. You said it would suck for your family, if that is the case do not join because the suck will be bigger for you then it will be for them.

I have talked to both recruiters and both have said as long as the foreclosure is finalized, they do not see it as an issue. Getting school paid for is obviously a big incentive, but that is not the primary reason for joining. I initially contacted a recruiter because I am burned out taking care of the civillian population (non compliant, abusing the healthcare system,) and am interested in providing care for a population that actually wants it. He then lead me down the line of what my career goals are. About it sucking, I meant if it sucks as in my daughter who is used to seeing me half of the time, only sees me about 88 days a year (not counting deployments). The family issues have come to light the more research I do, and am just trying to make sure I am making an informed decision and not just based on the monetary value of comissioning.

I talked to my lawyer, and we have a gameplan as far as filing for custody changes. I was really hoping for someone who is or has been active duty and dealt with shared custody that could give some insight maybe as to how the children handled the big change in custody.

My wife is on board with the military, so from that standpoint I do not think it will be an issue. The concern is for my seven year old and how she will handle the change.

Editorial Team / Moderator · Jul 21, 2017

You will find plenty of noncompliance and system abuse in the military healthcare system as well. The military population really does not have any special magic where that is concerned. Seriously.

Another consideration â€” does Navy give you credit for your time as an RN before the BSN? I seem to remember that they don't from when I was doing my own searching in 2010. The Army counted all my time as an RN, I had only had my BSN for 8 months out of my 3 years as a nurse when I commissioned.

lselvio · Jul 21, 2017

I envisioned the guys being grateful and compliant since their job relies on them being healthy. Or that they have just been injured fighting. Something other than the same non compliance I see now.

Correct, I have to wait until May 2018 to submit, but I also have 2 classes to take before qualifying for the USAGPAN. But the navy recruiter said they may give me aome time towards rank since I've been a nurse for so long.

Editorial Team / Moderator · Jul 21, 2017

I envisioned the guys being grateful and compliant since their job relies on them being healthy. Or that they have just been injured fighting. Something other than the same non compliance I see now.

I had the same vision; it does not always hold true. And depending on where you are stationed as a nurse, remember that you will also be caring for family members, retirees, etc.

I had a funny conversation with an OB in our ER one night, we were talking about the military population and he said he came to work for the Army as a civilian physician because he thought that his patient population would be healthy because of the association with the military. He had a rude awakening!

Editorial Team / Moderator · Jul 21, 2017

My point (sorry, I have a newborn and thoughts come in waves, haha) was that it can be very rewarding to serve, if you truly want to serve. Just go in with open eyes. :)

lselvio · Jul 21, 2017

And that is what I'm hoping. Yes the money and having school paid is certainly appealing. But for the last 12 years it's been "work, home, work, home" and I don't really fee I've done anything. I see the military as a way to....add prestige?....to my career. My concern as I said before, is what happens to my daughter who most likely can't come with me?

Editorial Team / Moderator · Jul 21, 2017

And that is what I'm hoping. Yes the money and having school paid is certainly appealing. But for the last 12 years it's been "work, home, work, home" and I don't really fee I've done anything. I see the military as a way to....add prestige?....to my career. My concern as I said before, is what happens to my daughter who most likely can't come with me?

I was a military brat, grew up in Europe with my mom and stepfather. I moved overseas when I was 8 and did not see my dad for several years. We wrote letters and sometimes talked on the phone. This was back in the day, so now you'd have Skype/FaceTime, etc., to help alleviate some of the separation. But the fact of the matter where the military is concerned is that even your family that lives with you might not see you as often as you would like, between work, collateral duties, deployment (always consider it to be when you deploy, not if), TDY for training and schools, etc. The military way of life is not for everyone; the military will always consider itself to be the overarching priority in your life. As someone once said, "If the Army wanted you to have a family, it would issue you one." That sentiment is usually said only half jokingly.

lselvio · Jul 21, 2017

Right, and I think I understand that pretty well. But you for example (hopefully not too personal), were you excited to go between homes? I envision my daughter being excited to see places I won't get to show her otherwise, and to come spend time with us at those new places. But I also know reality can be drastically different than the rose colored glasses. Which is why I'm leaning towards Navy. If for some reason she didn't adjust well, in 4 years I'm done and go to a local CRNA program. If she adjusts well, I stay, apply to USUHS, and make it a career.

I have a feeling that this is really one of those things that I just have to decide on, and live with.