I was Commissioned September 2006 in the Army Reserves through the STRAP Program. I was a RN with an ADN and starting the process of completing my BSN summer 2006. While in STRAP I was paid a monthly stipend for almost two years during the completion of my BSN (completed BSN in DEC 2009). For every 6 months of monies paid for STRAP, that's a year obligation. So basically I am obligated for four years. My question(s) are:
1) Do I have to complete this obligation for STRAP first in the Reserves before going Active?
2) How long is the process of transfering from Reserves to Active?
3) I am a 66H and have worked in my civilian capacity in dialysis, labor&delivery, public health and even med/surg. Would I be able to do a critical care course or OR training program if I go active duty OR will they just keep me as a 66H?
4) Do I still get to choose where I would like to go OR will they just place me wherever they deem fit?
I want to learn and gain so much more in the military as a nurse but I am not reaping the physical benefits. I am attached to the APMC who actually manage me because I don't have a unit close to me. The unit I am assigned to is over 4 hours away and I never go there for Battle Assemblies. Because of the APMC I have a lot of flexibility to perform my "drills", so I usually go the Recruiting Station during the week and do administrative work (boring!!). I really need to learn the walk and talk of a Soldier because when that time comes to Deploy, I don't feel I am "fit" for the part in my role as a 1LT. I have thought about volunteering for a year through the APMC to maybe Fort Bragg or Walter Reed to get a "feel" for Active Duty nursing in the military before actually making that transition.
Every year during my birth month I have to go to the APMC for personnel stuff for a week and this summer will be my first year doing AT with my unit of assignment from West Virginia. I just need some advise or words of encouragement before I talk to the Healthcare Recruiter. Athena55 I know you are out there...please help:)
I am an AMEDD Recruiter and I noticed some questions and answers that I could help out on.
1. The only way you could get out of your STRAP obligation is if the Reserves (1st Gen. in your Chain of Command) signs off on your 368.
2. The Active Duty Nurse Board is once a year, November. Since the board just passed if you are interested in the next board then call your AMEDD Recruiter and let them know that you are interested and they should start your paperword around May/June, depending on the Recruiter, so that your packet will be ready and waiting for the November board.
3. There are NO Specialty training courses for Reserve Nurses. You have to have that Specialty when you join or you can fill out necessary paperwork and have it awarded to you after you meet the requirements. The Army will train Active Duty RNs for various Specialty positions because they will utilize them throughout the year. For Reserves they only get their "bang for their buck" out of you when you are either Deployed or during your Annual Training ( 2 weeks).
4. Most stations have a policy that Reserve Recruiters recruit for the Reserves and Active for Active. Some stations do have their Recruiters recruit for both.
5. The Army WILL NOT bring in a foreign RN grad. Your RN school HAS to be accredited through either the NLN or CCNE. Believe it or not there are some US RN schools that are not accredited through either and I cant put in a US Citizen (born here) who graduated from a US RN school.
6. A new RN joining the Army will have to report to their duty assignment and work as a Med Surg RN for 1 year and then they can request a Specialty. JeckRN was a Reserve Nurse that applied for Active Duty. I can only assume that his packet was sent to the RN Program Manager and because of his Military experience as a RN they allowed him to go as soon as he did. That would be a case by case basis with those same circumstances.
Svacula, Not sure if you are looking to join Active Duty or Reserves. Did you leave nursing all together or did you have a different position? Case Management, informatics, etc... What were you doing?
SFC JIMENEZ
79 Posts
FYI,
I am an AMEDD Recruiter and I noticed some questions and answers that I could help out on.
1. The only way you could get out of your STRAP obligation is if the Reserves (1st Gen. in your Chain of Command) signs off on your 368.
2. The Active Duty Nurse Board is once a year, November. Since the board just passed if you are interested in the next board then call your AMEDD Recruiter and let them know that you are interested and they should start your paperword around May/June, depending on the Recruiter, so that your packet will be ready and waiting for the November board.
3. There are NO Specialty training courses for Reserve Nurses. You have to have that Specialty when you join or you can fill out necessary paperwork and have it awarded to you after you meet the requirements. The Army will train Active Duty RNs for various Specialty positions because they will utilize them throughout the year. For Reserves they only get their "bang for their buck" out of you when you are either Deployed or during your Annual Training ( 2 weeks).
4. Most stations have a policy that Reserve Recruiters recruit for the Reserves and Active for Active. Some stations do have their Recruiters recruit for both.
5. The Army WILL NOT bring in a foreign RN grad. Your RN school HAS to be accredited through either the NLN or CCNE. Believe it or not there are some US RN schools that are not accredited through either and I cant put in a US Citizen (born here) who graduated from a US RN school.
6. A new RN joining the Army will have to report to their duty assignment and work as a Med Surg RN for 1 year and then they can request a Specialty. JeckRN was a Reserve Nurse that applied for Active Duty. I can only assume that his packet was sent to the RN Program Manager and because of his Military experience as a RN they allowed him to go as soon as he did. That would be a case by case basis with those same circumstances.
Svacula, Not sure if you are looking to join Active Duty or Reserves. Did you leave nursing all together or did you have a different position? Case Management, informatics, etc... What were you doing?