Army questions

jeckrn, BSN, RN · May 1, 2009

i am in the process of completing my packet for the army and i have a few questions, so if anyone has the answer i appreciate the help.
background: adn rn, graduated may 08 and started working on a surgery floor in june, passed nclex in july. i am currently in a rn-bsn program, i have 3 courses with clinicals left to take before i graduate which will take me until march or may 2010 because the school only offers these classes at certain times. i am also prior service enlisted 8 years-reserve (3 years deployed).
questions: when does time in service and time in grade actually start? is it when you commission, when you go to obc or some other time?
-time in service will be adjusted to include your enlisted time based on when you get commissioned. an example you are commissioned in july 2010 your time in service would be july 2002. your pay grade would be o1e or o2e as long as 4 years where active. time in grade will be based on when you commission and constructive credit.
for constructive credit do they count the time you work up until the time you commission, the time you go to obc or some other time? do they only give you time in 6 month increments? for example, i will have almost 2 years working when i graduate, if they take the time that you work up until you actually go to obc then would i want to wait until i actually have 2 years of work experience?
-when you board they will give you constructive credit at that time. if i remember right when i recieved my constructive credit it was not in 6 month increments, i do believe that it went do to days. basicly for every year of work experence as an rn you will recieve 6 months time in grade.
what is the chance of getting to work in a clinic? do you have a better chance if you stay a medsurg nurse instead of going to a specialty course?
-if you go to a specialty course the army is going to want you to work in that area for at least your 1st tour.
is your first assignment always on a medsurg, ob, peds floor, or can they put you in a clinic?
how do promotions work on the officer side? do they have boards so many times a year and do you have to go before them or just a packet goes before them?
-your ability to go to a clinic 1st will depend on the needs of the army and your work experience as a civilian. the more work experience you have the better chance you have to go to a clinic 1st.
i think that is all the ?'s i have at this time. thanks for your help.

good luck

Staczse7 · May 2, 2009

-when you board they will give you constructive credit at that time. if i remember right when i recieved my constructive credit it was not in 6 month increments, i do believe that it went do to days. basicly for every year of work experence as an rn you will recieve 6 months time in grade"

yes but i think they credit to 1lt after 2 years of applicable experience (i.e. being an rn).

what is constructive service credit?

some officers are appointed with constructive service credit. army regulation 135-101 governs constructive service credit for amedd officers. credit is based upon qualifying degrees, internships completed, graduate professional education, other advanced degrees, professional experience in the area appointed into, and for prior active commissioned service time. for specific calculations in each category, consult ar 135-101 and ar 601-100. during the appointment process, credit awarded is calculated using da form 5074-r (download da 5074-r in .pdf format, get viewer) for medical and dental officers, or da form 5074-1-r (download da 5074-1-r in .pdf format, get viewer) for all other health service officers.

using the chart below, health services determines the amedd officer's appointment or entry grade, along with any excess credit. excess credit is applied to the officer's time in grade only.

medical (as of 1 october 1983) and dental (as of 19 january 2001) corps officers as determined by headquarters, department of the army (hqda):

mc (as of 1 oct. 1983) & de (as of 19 jan. 2001) entry grade creditgrade4 years or more, but less than 14 years03/cpt14 years or more, but less than 21 years04/maj21 years or more, but less than 23 years05/ltc23 years or moreltc or colexcess credit beyond appointment rank is used to adjust the officer's date of rank. to determine the adjusted date of rank, use the online amedd constructive service credit calculator or download arpc 4111, computation sheet for establishing adjusted date of rank, and projected promotion eligibility (download arpc 4111 in word .doc format, get word viewer).

all other health service officers and dental officers appointed prior to 19 january 2001 as determined by hqda:

entry grade creditgradeless than 2 years01/2lt 2 years or more, but less than 7 years02/1lt7 years or more, but less than 14 years03/cpt14 years or more, but less than 21 years04/maj21 years or more, but less than 23 years05/ltc23 years or moreltc or col

does the constructive service credit alter the officer's commissioned service date, pay entry basic date or mandatory removal date?

the constructive service credit is applied to time in grade only. it does not alter the officer's pay entry basic date (pebd), commissioned service date, or mandatory removal date

hope this helps!

huntergirl · May 5, 2009

So when are you considered commissioned? When you raise your hand, when you start OBC? Thanks

roxxy3773, RN, APRN · May 5, 2009

Commissioned when you raise your hand, but your time doesn't technically start until you sign into OBC (is that the same name now?). For instance, my husband graduated and was commissioned when he graduated in May or June, but waited to go to OBC until October. So his commitment started in October, but he was commissioned in May/june.