College or Military?

bethin · Aug 28, 2007

I can't speak for all branches but I spoke to a Navy recruiter who offered me ~$30,000 for school and a monthly stipend while I attended school. I can't remember exact figures as this was 2 years ago.

Why not visit with each branch and see which best fits you? I was going to go with the Navy because I prefer coastal areas and I would have no problem serving on a ship.

Music in My Heart · Aug 28, 2007

The military is a great option if you're not married. Otherwise, it can be rough.

I'm a former Marine and our medical was (still is) all performed by Navy personnel.

At this stage, I'd probably go into the Air Force because they have the nicest bases and the deployments are more predictable. In the Navy, you're likely to spend time on a ship which can get very old. On the other hand, you'll get to see more of the world that way.

The medical services in the military are a very good way to go but they tend to be pretty competitive so you should also be making plans to attend a community college next year.

By the way, read that contract CAREFULLY and don't believe a word that the recruiter tells you. What they say means nothing; only what's in the contract. I could tell you all sorts of stories about folks who thought they were getting one thing and ended up with another. My bro was a Marine recruiter for two years and I can tell you, they're under ENORMOUS pressure to get people in (even before Bush's folly) and they'll do whatever they have to in order to make their numbers.

sunnyjohn · Aug 28, 2007

"The needs of the Services come first."

You might spend years waiting before you are offered RN training.

Chances are you'd be trained in a high tech allied health field in the military first.

Go to college become a nurse, THEN join the Services.

The Military needs good nurses!

lnzjean · Aug 29, 2007

The Military is a wonderful option for young men and women. I am a military wife and think that it's great. If you can withstand the politics, you're good. My husband is in the coast guard and loves it. They train for health services, and before we got married I was actually going to join also (for the career oportunity, education money, and the adventure!!!) . I decided not to because we would never see each other. If you're one that likes to travel, you could train for the health services and go on a cutter and explore... how exciting! If you want to be in the health industry and the military, go ahead! You only have one life, you never want to look back on it and say what you wish you had done.

: )

(Plus you can retire in 20 years with 50% of your pay and I believe that you come out of that coast guards health services training in cilvilian life as a physicians assistant...check with a recruiter on that though.)