Army Nurse Corp Reserves advice/input on experience 2016

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Finally after clearing MEPs, completing 50+page application, finding references and signing my DA61 sheet my packet will go before Army Nurse Board Nov.15 2016, hopefully if I get selected I will comission as a 1stLT - just wanted any advice or 2 cents for those who have had military experience as a nurse.

I have 2 boys and I chose the reservist route vs active to prevent them from having to move around too much and being able to live close at home to them. I've been an ICU nurse for almost 8 years and have always wanted to serve my country and this website has given me so much information so for the military nurses out there how is it? Why did you choose reserve vs active or vice versa

I live in Houston according to my recruiter I will probably drill in Fort Sam in SA one weekend a month I was hoping there would be someone out there who can tell me about the experience, as far as drill weekends, scheduling, juggling civilian job and life etc. my recruiter has done well filling me in but reading personal stories on here is always great input as well.

Thanks again and if someone can reach out to me personally please PM me with your email address I'd love to hear about your experience

On 2/19/2019 at 3:22 PM, michksmith14 said:

Congrats on your selection and commissioning! I also commissioned in December after being selected in the Oct board. I too am waiting on orders! Hope we hear soon... I'm wondering if the shutdown contributed to the long wait as well..

Hello Michk, Did you get your orders yet. I just found out today that I got selected as Capt/03 / 66E reserves. Just wondering how long will it take to get my orders and start drilling?

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Specializes in Army Nurse, CEN.
11 hours ago, RobdRN said:

Hello Michk, Did you get your orders yet. I just found out today that I got selected as Capt/03 / 66E reserves. Just wondering how long will it take to get my orders and start drilling? 

Congrats!! I have not received orders yet... still waiting. Have not been able to get ID, uniforms, or start drilling yet. A few weeks ago I spoke with the MAJ who swore me in, as my recruiter is out on medical leave, and she said the shutdown has nothing to do with the long wait. Apparently my unit is trying to in-process a bunch of people right now and that is the hold up. I read on here recently that a reserve officer received his orders, I think he is from GA. I imagine reserves just depends on your own unit so I don't think we can gauge when we will get our orders from him. I am from NH. Good luck and keep us posted! ?

-Michelle

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Specializes in Army Nurse, CEN.
On ‎2‎/‎19‎/‎2019 at 3:13 AM, jjphoenix said:

In the meantime I have been working on my PT and picked up the Army Officer guidebook. 

Where did you get the guidebook from? Have you received orders yet?

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I bought the Army Officers Guidebook from Amazon. I received my orders back in March. Usually from the time of commissioning it should take about a month. There were changes made to my contract due to the incentives changing which made me sign multiple times. Once you receive orders then you get get your ID and proceed to check in with your unit. I’ve drilled twice so far. Me and a group of new LTs are jumping through hoops to get scheduled for DCC BOLC phase 2.

Hope this info helps. Let me know if you have any other questions.

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Specializes in Army Nurse, CEN.
6 hours ago, jjphoenix said:

I bought the Army Officers Guidebook from Amazon. I received my orders back in March. Usually from the time of commissioning it should take about a month. There were changes made to my contract due to the incentives changing which made me sign multiple times. Once you receive orders then you get get your ID and proceed to check in with your unit. I’ve drilled twice so far. Me and a group of new LTs are jumping through hoops to get scheduled for DCC BOLC phase 2.

Hope this info helps. Let me know if you have any other questions.

I've been waiting for orders for over 4 months now! I commissioned in December.

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8 hours ago, michksmith14 said:

Where did you get the guidebook from? Have you received orders yet?

My recruiter provided me with one. Might ask to see if yours will too.

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6 hours ago, jjphoenix said:

I bought the Army Officers Guidebook from Amazon. I received my orders back in March. Usually from the time of commissioning it should take about a month. There were changes made to my contract due to the incentives changing which made me sign multiple times. Once you receive orders then you get get your ID and proceed to check in with your unit. I’ve drilled twice so far. Me and a group of new LTs are jumping through hoops to get scheduled for DCC BOLC phase 2.

Hope this info helps. Let me know if you have any other questions.

If you don't mind me asking what kind of problems are you having getting a spot for DCC? Once my unit turned in my application I was able to get a spot reserved, but there are only 3 reserve options so I ended up in the last one for FY 19. Now I can't reserve a spot for BOLC because the APFT can't be over 6 months old from the day you are applying for.

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40 minutes ago, michksmith14 said:

I've been waiting for orders for over 4 months now! I commissioned in December.

I commissioned on May & didn't receive orders until November. The army is the best at the hurry up and wait game.

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No problems just a lot of work so I can be enrolled. My CO wants 30% of BOLC phase 1 done before we submit with ATRRS. Also, I have to get the gov charge card and that in itself is another course and packet to fill out.

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13 minutes ago, jjphoenix said:

No problems just a lot of work so I can be enrolled. My CO wants 30% of BOLC phase 1 done before we submit with ATRRS. Also, I have to get the gov charge card and that in itself is another course and packet to fill out.

I hear that. It is a lot to accomplish. Good luck with it. Every drill weekend I learn something else that I need to have completed.

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I'm currently working as a physical therapy assistant in Jersey city NJ but going back into nursing school to get a second B.S. I considered working as a civilian nurse for 2 yrs a then signing up to become a nurse in military (I'd be 35). I've already paid for my first undergraduate degree and will have my second paid for so I'd be going in with no debt which will be nice. If I sign on as a reserve, what is the time commitment? Are deployments usually around or near hot zones? Would I stay local in NJ or do they pick where they send you?

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So, your time commitment is based on if you sign in for any incentives. For example, I received a bonus that will be paid out over 4 years so I am obligated at least 4 years. As a commissioned officer you don’t have an end date per se. In order to get out you have to resign your commission compared to enlisted just finish their contract and go home if they don’t re-enlist. There is also the IRR, i believe if you haven't done 8 years then when you finish your active duty or reserve then you transfer to the Individual Ready Reserve for a period of time.

Deployments could be anywhere the military needs you. The Army has forward surgical teams and Combat support hospitals that can be relatively close to “a hot zone” but the navy you might end up on a naval hospital or a boat somewhere.

As far as where you would drill if you go reserve that is a better question for your recruiter. Just make sure you are talking to a healthcare recruiter for Officers. I hope I was able to answer some of your questions. Let me know if you need anything else.

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