Army Vs Air Force

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I Am A Student Considering Going Into The Forces Within The Next 2 Years With A Bsn & 1yr Experience. Any Information On Sign On Bonuses, Deployment Lengths, Base Pay, Training, Loan Repayment Etc. Would Be Greatly Appreciated.

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Specializes in Anesthesia.
I Am A Student Considering Going Into The Forces Within The Next 2 Years With A Bsn & 1yr Experience. Any Information On Sign On Bonuses, Deployment Lengths, Base Pay, Training, Loan Repayment Etc. Would Be Greatly Appreciated.

I don't know exactly what the bonuses/loan reimbursements are right now, but they tend to be about the same between the services.

Army:

Deployments are 12-15+months

Training in the Army is some of the best around with programs to get your MSN, PhD in nursing, and PhD in basic sciences for certain nurses (usually CRNAs)

Rank-you will promote years ahead of your AF counterparts

Air Force

Deployments are 4-6 months (pretty rare for nurse to go any longer than that)

Training in the AF is the same as far as higher education, but the Army has better training for speciality nursing (critical care, OB etc...my personal opinion).

Rank-slowest and lowest promotion rates of all the services for nurses.

Don't forget check out the Navy and USPHS. The Navy has the BEST BASES hands down! USPHS has basically all the benefits of the military, but practically no deployments and the quickest promotions.

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Thanks for the information but I can't see my being stuck on a ship on the water for 12-15 months at a time. What is the USPHS and how do you get information on them? If you don't mind me asking what branch are you in?

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Thanks for the information but I can't see my being stuck on a ship on the water for 12-15 months at a time. What is the USPHS and how do you get information on them? If you don't mind me asking what branch are you in?

In the canoe club you are more likely to deploy with field hospitals servicing the Marines etc....Your first assignment would probably be at one of the major Naval Hospitals..(Bethesda, Portsmouth VA, San Diego etc)

USPHS

http://www.usphs.gov/applynow/

Best of luck

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Specializes in Anesthesia.
Thanks for the information but I can't see my being stuck on a ship on the water for 12-15 months at a time. What is the USPHS and how do you get information on them? If you don't mind me asking what branch are you in?

I used to think the same thing about the Navy, but most of the time you are not stuck on a ship. When you are it is usually for 6 months at a time.

I am Captain in USAF. I am currently going to graduate school at the Uniformed Health Services University.

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Specializes in ER, Trauma, US Navy.

If you have Navy questions, please let me know, sounds like you have the wrong impression of being a Navy nurse. I can help, let me know.

WTB-

Sent you a PM.

LCDR Dan

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Specializes in icu/er.

was an active duty army medic now guard getting things ready for commision, worked with many army nurses, pretty sharp, good training or constant training and deployements witch many like....got a cousin thats a flight nurse in air force, told her c.o. she'd resign if she could'nt fly anymore.

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I am just confused on which branch is better as far as nurses with families, deployments, loan repayment, tenures of service required, benefits, salary, continuing education. I'm really leaning towards Air Force ( I would love to learn to fly). Another thing is I know I'm about 25 lbs overweight for any branch. Do they help you make the weight requirement or is it something you have to do alone before enlisting?

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Specializes in L&D, mother/baby, antepartum.
Another thing is I know I'm about 25 lbs overweight for any branch. Do they help you make the weight requirement or is it something you have to do alone before enlisting?

I would suggest working toward losing the weight now. When I was a MEPS they turned away two women for being over the weight limit (they took body measurements too and apparently they didn't make the cut that way either). Not sure exactly what those weight/measurement requirements are for each branch, but I'm sure a recruiter or an AD nurse on this site could help with that.

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Specializes in ER, Trauma, US Navy.

DW-

Absolutely, if you are need to lose a few pounds, you have to start now. the Navy will not even begin to consider you if you don't meet the minimum standards. Here's a link to the Navy PRT site, it will have the height/ weight standards on it:

http://www.navy-prt.com/

It will also give you detailed information on the physical requirements to be in the Navy and what you need to meet every 6 months as well. Hope this helps.

LCDR Dan

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This message is for LCDR Dan.

Please allow me to introduce myself before I begin with all of my questions. After reading the post, you appear to be very helpful with those who are inquiring about the navy.

I am:

  • currently a nursing student( male) attending Jefferson University(jr yr.) in Philadelphia.
  • Prior Service( Air national Guard)
  • Career Transitionist( Investment Banking to Nursing..... I know... I know... 2 different ends of the spectrum( have a love of business and science)
  • BBA Finance, MBA- Business Admin
  • Career Goals: MSN- Family Practice. (CRNA- on the list but not sure)
  • One Child
  • Not Married- Willing to travel
  • 32 yo.

I am considering the Navy, because of the travel opportunities as well as advancement. However, in speaking with the recruiter, he mentioned that there is not a loan payment plan for junior's. What the Navy offers is a 10K bonus and a 1600 stipend. One of the deciding factors for entertaining the military is for the loan repayment. Is this true?

Second, apart of my program allows me to take graduate levels courses while I achieve my BSN. Upon completion(BSN), I would be able to take finish my graduate level coursework within one year. Would it be better to join the Navy after this period. Is there a need for NP? If so, what rank would I start with?

Third, in speaking to a few friends of mine, they mentioned that the Navy officers live in tight quarters( like enlisted). Is this true? Could you give me the day in the life of LCDR DAN? Just would be interested in knowing what your avg day is like.

I noticed that you mentioned in previous post that a military nurse would have to do overtime. Does the Navy compensate you for this? Or is it that they can pull you whenever they need you.....w/o compensation.

Last question, for now.. if accept into the NCP what is the likely hood that my first yrs would be near the east coast(i.e. MD/VA)

Thanks

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Specializes in Home Health, Hospice, Med-Surg.

I am currently in the AFROTC before I contracted I, like you, looked into the similarities/contrasts between the Air Force and the Army (including a professor that had served in both). This is what I found out (and generally the response was the same). Families: The Air Force has a reputation for taking better care of their people (and their families). Deployments: See response by wtbcrna, AF 4-6 mos, Army 12 mo+. Loan Repayments: I am not sure on the specifics but I know the Army offered my a larger scholarship and they generally have more money to throw at you than the AF. As far as commitment length I believe they are both the same (4yrs), the pay is based on the government pay scale based upon rank and length of service, so I believe that it is the same. The biggest thing that you need to determine is where your priorities are and choose a service based upon those priorities. Each service has it's pros and cons.

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