Army Reserves

determined 2succeed · Jul 17, 2009

My :twocents: --- definitely talk to someone that has been in your situation besides just talking to the recruiter. Although I have not ever been in the military, my spouse was and wanted to go back and join the reserves after 4 years of active duty. He was down at the MEPS building getting ready to "sign his life away" when the cheif conducting the orientation said "I'm gonna tell you guys, its not a matter of IF you're gonna get deployed to the Middle East, its a matter of WHEN." Keep in mind that Corpmen/Medics and Master At Arms/MP's are two rates that are agressively sought after by recruiters.

Now, let me preface this next statement by saying that since my husband had 4 years prior active duty he had this option available to him; he got up, said that he needed to call his recruiter (who had fed him a different story), had his paperwork signed & left. He only had this option because of his prior service... if he had just been blindly led into this situation, he would have been committed to it.

I'm not saying that what your recruiter is telling you is 100% lies, but just be cautious. The military is really hurting for new officers and enlisted personnel so they might bend the truth a little in order to get your signature on that dotted line.

I commend anyone willing to enlist or commission for our country. I have thought about joining a branch of the military after I have my degree as well and both sides of my family are peppered with service persons. So, if you commission now or later I'd like to thank you for what you are doing. Just go with both eyes open & try to sift through any BS they may feed you. It's a hard offer to decline when money is waived in front of us starving students.

Good luck! (Well, I guess my opinion was more like a dollar and change instead of just 2 cents)

traumamike · Jul 17, 2009

Andrew, being a former corpsman in the coast guard, I say that if the recruiter tells you something or promises you something tell him to put it into writing in your contract. The contract will include all promises, therefore if it is in the contract they have to honor it or let you out of the contract plain and simple.. The military does have a strap program and what you described is pretty much the meat of it, but still get it in writing, which they will be happy to do for you. It is a good program, but they are not the only branch to offer it. The air force and the navy also offers the same program. Being a former military guy, there are only 2 branches of the service i would join. Those two are the Coast Guard and the Air Force..Why you ask? Because those two branches treat their service members the best!! You eat better food live in better housing and have better base amenities offered to you than the army or navy..I was in for 8 years, and by experience this is true.. I was stationed in Barbers Point, Hawaii and in Miami, florida.. I was also tyd at Patrick AFB in Coco beach, Florida... Those guys live good also... I have thought about the same decision that you are thinking...and if I had it to do again or if I decided to go back as a military nurse it would be the Air Force, only because the Coast Guard doesn't have Docs or Nurses in it...When we go to the Doctor we are sent 9 times out of 10 to a AFB for treatment, only because for some reason they build alot of Coast Guard bases by stateside AFB's...I hope this helps..It is a big decision. Also realize you must give them 2 for 1 for loan repayment or for school they pay for..Which means 2 years for every 1 they pay for....It can add up quick..Just for all those Army and Navy people out there, before you bombard me with hate mail...lol I am not talking bad about your service that you joined, but just stating facts that i witnessed. Most of you will agree about the living quarters and food.. Thank all of you for your service!!! Good luck to you Andrew on your decision. If you have any questions you can Pm me... Just remember, you are not their's until you take that final oath!!! so you can back out even at the meps before you swear in..... Good Luck!

lucky1RN · Jul 17, 2009

Andrew, being a former corpsman in the coast guard, I say that if the recruiter tells you something or promises you something tell him to put it into writing in your contract. The contract will include all promises, therefore if it is in the contract they have to honor it or let you out of the contract plain and simple.. The military does have a strap program and what you described is pretty much the meat of it, but still get it in writing, which they will be happy to do for you. It is a good program, but they are not the only branch to offer it. The air force and the navy also offers the same program. Being a former military guy, there are only 2 branches of the service i would join. Those two are the Coast Guard and the Air Force..Why you ask? Because those two branches treat their service members the best!! You eat better food live in better housing and have better base amenities offered to you than the army or navy..I was in for 8 years, and by experience this is true

:yeahthat:

I'm also a veteran and would advise you to a) explore all your service options b) talk to some active duty nurses and c) GET IT IN WRITING (whatever your recruiter is promising you). You have to keep in mind that the military's needs will ALWAYS come first...I'm always wary of the promises not to deploy. If you're joining the military, get it in your head that you'll be gone 4-18 months at a time about every 2 years. If you can take that, then you'll be fine. Another thing to consider is the type of nursing experience your likely to get in each service. Last time I checked, the AF only had 5 medical centers left...I think they try to station new nurses at them. But if you don't, you could get stuck in a clinic...not so great for a new nurse.

I'm pretty sure the AF Still offers a program similar to the one the Army recruiter is offering you. The AF was also recently offering $20,000 cash (before taxes) or $30,000 toward college loans for new grads. But you don't get both...if you take assistance during school, you don't get the bonus as well.

FYI, there's an entire area of allnurses dedicated to military/VA nursing. Look under the specialty tab at the top. You might find some good info there.

Good luck!

braithiar · Jul 17, 2009

I, too, am a veteran. Definitely explore your options and talk to any one you can about their experiences with the program. Also, GET EVERYTHING IN WRITING, like the others have said. When you get it in writing, watch them like a hawk when you get in. I was supposed to get a 10k enlistment bonus. Sometime during basic, with all the hurry up and wait, I had signed it away without knowing it. Later I volunteered to change career fields, so that would have caused me to lose the money anyway. But still, be careful what you sign. It was more my fault than anyone else's (wasn't paying attention), and I doubt it was intentional. Lesson learned.

I'm biased, but you should check out the AF. Though in my experience with the other branches everyone was just as happy with their choice as I was. But I don't know how things are for officers. Could be a whole different animal.

-b

systoly · Jul 17, 2009

When I enlisted in the INARNG for six years, I was promised a $2000.00 sign on bonus, LPN school, and Promotion to E5 upon completion of LPN school. I did get all of the above, but only after fiercly fighting for it for two years. The first time I saw any of the bonus was after two years ($1000.00 minus taxes), then I received two more installments after another six and twelve month. I had been promised the bonus upon completion of AIT and my family was counting on it. That was the first big obstacle in a never ending uphill battle. After completing AIT in San Antonio, I was assigned to a Mechanized Infantry company and found myself the only medic for the whole company - big problems: 1. an infantry unit doesn't have slots for LPNs, so I would have to transfer to a hospital unit, and of course, in finding a unit, I was on my own

2. the commanders of both units had to approve my transfer - how do you think my commander reacted, when I (his only medic) requested a transfer?

3. once I transferred to the MASH unit, I had to fight again for the LPN slot, because while promised by the MASH units top (1st Sgt.), by the time my transfer went through, there was only one LPN slot left for three candidates.

When I finally got the approval for LPN school, that years enrollment period was over, and again, I had to move heaven and earth to get accepted.

4. When I graduated from LPN school (E4 by now), the rules for promo to noncom had changed. I needed to take BNOC (basic noncom course) to be promotable to E5. I had to fight to get a slot, again.

As I said, I got everything that was discussed in the beginning, but basic training was a joke compared to the fight I had to put up to get it.

Also, I came very close to having to drop out of LPN school when my unit was put on standby alert during the first golf war.

Bottom line is, and I repeat:

If it's not in your contract, you don't have it

If it's in your contract, you still may not get it, but your chances are better than average.

Finally, I will say, the experience and training I received while with the MASH or while working at the Army hospital are way beyond what I could ever hope to get in the civilian world and that alone made it all worth it. Good luck to you.

thursmo · Jul 17, 2009

If you think its worth the possiblity of being deployed.... I was looking into this about 10 years ago. I would go with somone in the service already. They know exactly what you can negotiate for in your contract. Good Luck

Krisymof2 · Jul 21, 2009

I hope the OP doesn't mind me adding my questions on here as well.....

I have been trying to get in touch with a recruiter as well, but no one has gotten back to me (which seems like a bad sign already). I was thinking about signing on for a 2 year commitment with the reserves nurse corp, I just passed my boards last week and am having a hard time finding a job.

I get that I may be depolyed during that time. I'm curious what the 1 weekend a month and two weeks a year include? What goes on during that time? Where do you get sent and what do you do?

I was also curious about the rest of the time in the year...is there work as a reservist beside the time required? I don't have a job as a civilian RN and would be interested in working for the army as a RN if they have jobs avalible..anyone want to shed light on that? Whats the pay like and the pay schedule (besides the bouses)? Is there pay for the reserves or is it only the bonues?

Any and all information would be welcomed! Thanks!

jeckrn, BSN, RN · Jul 21, 2009

hey everyone. i'm talking with a recruiter right now about joining the army reserves. he is a captain that specializes only with medical people.
basically, they are offering me a commission as a 2nd lieutenant. i will be going to school for my bsn, be non-deployable for two years while i'm doing this, not have to do the "one weekend a month" drill (unless i want to for extra money) and i'll be getting $1,600 a month. the program this falls under is called the strap program. after i get my bsn, then i will have to drill and i will be eligible for deployment
has anyone else done something similar to this? what are your experiences with recruiters and the military? what questions should i ask him?

i take it that you have your adn already. yes what the recruiter told you is true as long as you are in the strap program you will not be deployed. it is the armys dime so they want to ensure that they get there moneys worth out of it. most reserve units are on a 5 year cycle for deployment, so depending on where the unit you are assigned to sets depends on how soon you might get activited. but, as always the need of the army comes first.

Skeletor · Jul 21, 2009

Hey everyone. I'm talking with a recruiter right now about joining the Army Reserves. He is a Captain that specializes only with medical people.
Basically, they are offering me a commission as a 2nd Lieutenant. I will be going to school for my BSN, be non-deployable for two years while I'm doing this, not have to do the "one weekend a month" drill (unless I want to for extra money) and I'll be getting $1,600 a month. The program this falls under is called the STRAP program. After I get my BSN, then I will have to drill and I will be eligible for deployment.
Has anyone else done something similar to this? What are your experiences with recruiters and the military? What questions should I ask him?

The STRAP rate has increased as of July 1st to $1,992/month.

I am awaiting paperwork to commission into the Army Reserves Nurse Corps as well.

Good luck.

My recruiter is very upfront with me, and everything discussed with me has been put into my contract.

Generally, a recruiter's goal is not to lie or coerce you into signing your "life away," it is up to us to do our homework prior to walking into their office and realize what is available to us as potential candidates for any branch of the Armed Services.

I did a Google search for the Army Reserves Nurse Corps and learned of what is available; here is the link:

http://www.goarmy.com/amedd/nurse/corps_benefits.jsp#army_reserve

This is what is currently available:

SPECIAL PAY

As a nurse anesthetist, you can receive special pay in the amount of $45,000, paid in three yearly increments of $15,000. A $15,000

sign-on bonus

is available for nurses with an associate or diploma, those with a BSN and specialized training in critical care, medical/surgical, psychiatric or perioperative nursing may be eligible for up to $30,000.

HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAM (HPLR)

As a nursing professional serving on the U.S. Army Reserve Health Care Team, you may be eligible for up to $50,000 to repay your nursing school loans. This program provides up to $20,000 for two consecutive years, plus $10,000 for a third year. You may be eligible to participate in one other Army Reserve incentive program.

Specialized Training Assistance Program (STRAP):

Provides a monthly stipend of $1,992 to qualified nursing students pursuing a graduate degree in critical care or nursing anesthesia. Recipients incur a two-year obligation for every year they receive the stipend.

(Medical-Surgical Nurses also qualify, as this is what I will be commissioned as)

.

I was able to choose between two of the three options, so I chose STRAP and HPLR. You cannot choose all three.

Krisymof2 · Jul 21, 2009

I hope someone can shed some light on what I was told today....

I spoke with a recruiter finally but not a healthcare recruiter. I was told that the army reserve nurse corp was full and they were only accepting those with a BSN. I don't know that he has all his facts straight because he then proceeded to try to get me to enilst active duty.

Anyone heard this, anyone have a number of a healthcare recruiter I could speak with because this office in Miami has yet to get back to me at all to give me any information in the past two weeks. Thanks.

Skeletor · Jul 21, 2009

I hope someone can shed some light on what I was told today....
I spoke with a recruiter finally but not a healthcare recruiter. I was told that the army reserve nurse corp was full and they were only accepting those with a BSN. I don't know that he has all his facts straight because he then proceeded to try to get me to enilst active duty.
Anyone heard this, anyone have a number of a healthcare recruiter I could speak with because this office in Miami has yet to get back to me at all to give me any information in the past two weeks. Thanks.

Herein lies your problem. . . speak to an AMEDD recruiter. He was just trying to make his quota. Pretty smooth of him :lol2: