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 am a STRAP officer, 1st LT, in the Army Reserve. It's a pretty sweet deal. I commissioned May 26th. My orders just came through this week so I should be getting my stipend checks pretty soon. They will be retroactive as of my commisioning date. As someone else said, it is 1900.00 or so monthly. My job is to finish my BSN, which I am doing online full time while I also work full time. I am pretty busy, but it is certainly doable to do both. As far as recruiters, some are better than others, but either way, always be on top of your own situation and don't wait for stuff to happen on its own. This is my second time in the Army, first being in the infantry, and I had one good recruiter, and one not so good. Also, if you start the process, be patient. It can be a slow road to get everything in line. I applied in Jan 09 and commissioned May 09. The main thing to ask yourself is "Is my primary goal to serve?" If the answer is yes, then you will put up with whatever is necessary to get here.
MarkisRN...hello Graduate2010 here. Since you are a Strap officer do you have to be a ADN-RN already prior to applying? Why doesn't the the Army recognize LPN-BSN programs as an alternate for becoming a BSN? Why only have RN-BSN the only option? I know plenty of people who are LPN's going straight for BSN programs because of how many they offer around the world now at 4 year colleges and hospital based nursing programs like here in Virginia.
Another question for anyone....how long is BCT fif I choose to go in as a 68wm6 reservest? Is it 71/2 wks or 13 1/2 weeks. I would really like to not go through boot camp but I know the only way to not do BCT is going in the army reserves as an Officer, correct?
Specializes in Med Surg, Family Medicine, Urgent Care.
Graduate 2010,
You might consider getting yourself accepted into a college that has ROTC and Nursing. This will get your tuition paid and get you a commission. I think this may ultimately be a quicker route to BSN than getting your ADN, getting a direct commission.
I am an ADN nurse who joined the reserves in the STRAP program and also have health care loan repayment. The ARMY will pay your previous loans as long as you keep them in good standing, keeping them deferred or never miss payments etc. They will pay up to 50,000. You most likely won't want to go in to the ARMY as an LPN because they don't recognize LPNs and you will end up a medic, which is OK if that is what you want, but it may get you deployed before you can consider going to school. Hope this helps.
I just have a few questions for you. Are you from Illinois? If you are, I was hoping you would be willing to share the info of the recruiter you used. I am also prior service-infantry. What is your experience so far with the reserves, STRAP, and the overall experience? How does your wife and kids handle the military life. Any advice would also be appreciated.
Graduate2010, BSN
198 Posts
MarkisRN...hello Graduate2010 here. Since you are a Strap officer do you have to be a ADN-RN already prior to applying? Why doesn't the the Army recognize LPN-BSN programs as an alternate for becoming a BSN? Why only have RN-BSN the only option? I know plenty of people who are LPN's going straight for BSN programs because of how many they offer around the world now at 4 year colleges and hospital based nursing programs like here in Virginia.
Another question for anyone....how long is BCT fif I choose to go in as a 68wm6 reservest? Is it 71/2 wks or 13 1/2 weeks. I would really like to not go through boot camp but I know the only way to not do BCT is going in the army reserves as an Officer, correct?
Thanks in advanced!
Stephanie