Called back into service?

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Hello all,

I'm very interested in joining the military and working as a nurse. I was told that if the military pays for your nursing or MD training, they basically own your soul. This means that at any point in your life, they can pull you back into service. I've heard about doctors losing their multi-million dollar practices because they were called into service later in life. And 70 year old doctors called out of retirement. Being that there is such a bad nursing shortage, I'm concerned about getting uprooted and put back into the service at some point.

However I've always dreamed of moving to Europe. What would happen if I moved to Europe and established citizenship? Could I ever be deported back to the U.S. because I was called into service?

Thanks!

*Tried posting this earlier, but I think my internet died. Sorry if it double-posts*

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Doubt the military would call you back into service at 70. However, there is usually an inactive component to service. You need to make sure you completely check out anything BEFORE you sign.

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...or you could look into it some more.. you will find you have an active duty and inactive duty obligation... your inactive duty obligation - when complete - will enable you to resign your commission.. if you don't follow through with that then yes you could be recalled.. The processing of resigning your commission isn't followed through by most..as most who serve might have done so for a higher purpose and would be willing to be called back.. or people simply don't know they need to do it..... i don't think you need to move to europe to become a foreign citizen to 'evade' anyone.. but rather look into it a bit more.

You can do some news searches and see the 'new' DOD policy that is being implemented later this year to reduce the stop loss policy and call back policy for the current days affairs...

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The age where the possibility of recall ends is 65. I look forward to that age for this reason.

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Specializes in L & D; Postpartum.

My BIL, an eye surgeon, is just arriving in Kuwait, awaiting his recall assignment. This is the second time he has been recalled since "retiring" about 8 years ago. Four years ago, the doc who replaced him was 68, and I read an article about 6 months ago of a 74 year old doc who was recalled. So if they need you, and if you can't truthfully say you are unfit for duty, you're going. My BIL is 60, so if they recall him every four years, it could be a long time before he's really off the hook

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Doubt the military would call you back into service at 70. However, there is usually an inactive component to service. You need to make sure you completely check out anything BEFORE you sign.

If you are an officer and receive retirement they can call you back at any time. Not too sure about the retirement part.

If you are enlisted they can call you back up to 8 years from your contract as all contracts are 8 years.

I have met a 63 y/o woman that was called back 2 years ago. She works in admin.

They'll usually only call you back if you and your training are needed though.

They didn't call my mother back so I'm guessing Air Defense wasn't a big need during Iraq. The lady I met was in personnel and I know that was needed.

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Specializes in EMT, ER, Homehealth, OR.

depending on your MOS you can be recalled. I was deployed with 2 physicians who where over the age of 70. As previous stated too many do not resign their commisson which is an open ended contract for you and the government. If you do join then get out make sure you resign your commission after your initial 8 year obligation or you never know.

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