Commissioning / Re-upping

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I am going to be starting an ADN program this August and want to join the Army Reserve Nurse Corps upon completing my boards. Then use the STRAP program to complete my BSN. I have some odds and ends of questions I would love to hear some feedback on though.

1. I have talked to a recruiter about my intentions but have not really gone forward with anything yet (was still debating on just powering through my BSN so I can go straight to active duty) when would be a good time to really "start the process"

2. While I understand that all commitments are essentially 8 years including Individual ready reserve time, when I have served my commitment as a reservist (lets say I utilize strap for 2 years and have to pay back 4 as a reservist) what are my options / benefits with re-upping?

Can I go active Duty?

If so will my rank transfer?

Can I Move to another Branch?

Again if so will my rank transfer?

Am I again eligible for the sign on bonuses?

Thanks for any info I will keep the questions coming

CMD

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Specializes in ICU- adults, Flight RN peds/neo.

Can I go active Duty?

Once you pay back your strap, and you meet the "current" qualifications for Active Duty...then yes. I don't know what your age is, but keep in mind currently, there are no "age waivers" for Active Duty.

I guess the question to ask is......how much time do you want to wait? I'm an impatient sort, so I went straight for the civilian BSN (also had credits from previous degrees).

When you sign on to Active Duty (Currently) there is a significant loan repayment.....enough to cover your BSN. Of course that could go away.....but it is a gamble I would take to avoid strap.

You can also utilize ROTC in your junior/senior year, if I am right......

If so will my rank transfer?

From Reserve to Active? Yes and no. Some people "lose ground" if they are close to promotion.

Can I Move to another Branch?

I don't understand this question.....you will be in the ANC as an ADN (in Reserves) and you will be in the ANC when you access to Active Duty as a BSN.

Do you mean unit?

Again if so will my rank transfer?

Same as above.

Am I again eligible for the sign on bonuses?

That is variable. Depends on the fiscal year and if ANC is still offering bonus/loan repayment when you access. You can go to the army website and see what the current incentives are until Oct. 1st. (New FYR)

Also keep in mind that the Army is looking pretty good in this economic climate. So the ANC met their RN quota 1/2 way through this FYR......

good luck,

c. :)

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Thanks so much for the reply, allow me to clarify:

I am 29 now, will be 30 this December and am starting my program the 17th of this month. So I should have my RN 3-6 months before I turn 32 (depending on when I take my boards) and my BSN shortly before I turn 34 (I highly doubt a BSN will take me a full 2 years as I already have two previous degrees but am trying to give my self a little extra time in my estimates) // So essentially if I completed my BSN at 34 taking a full 2 years under STRAP I think this would give me enough leeway between my 4 year repayment time and the 40 years old deadline for going active (I guess this assumes that I would not be deployed while in the strap program)

When I ask about moving to another branch what I am essentially asking is this: Assume I have gone reserves or active duty Army and fulfilled my contract. If I then want to "re-up" can I move to the Navy or Air Force? and if so will my rank transfer with me?

When "re-upping" is one again eligible for the sign on bonuses offered by the branches (I think this part was answered in the last reply but wanted to be sure I was coming across clearly)

Thanks

CMD

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Specializes in ICU- adults, Flight RN peds/neo.

"I should have my RN 3-6 months before I turn 32 (depending on when I take my boards) and my BSN shortly before I turn 34 (I highly doubt a BSN will take me a full 2 years as I already have two previous degrees but am trying to give my self a little extra time in my estimates)"

Well, personally I would not do strap......I would take out loans & have them paid back when I access to Active Duty. But staying Reserve for 4 yrs while you get civilan experience isn't such a bad route either. Again, it depends on how badly you want to be Active vs. Reserve. Since age isn't a factor.

"If I then want to "re-up" can I move to the Navy or Air Force? and if so will my rank transfer with me? "

I can't help you here. I know of people in my USAGPAN class who have switched services, but I don't know any details.

"When "re-upping" is one again eligible for the sign on bonuses offered by the branches (I think this part was answered in the last reply but wanted to be sure I was coming across clearly)"

A recruiter can give you the best advice on this.....or another poster.

Good luck,

c.

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Thanks for all the good advice. I guess my considering that I want to go active sooner rather than later my best option is probably the Nurse Candidate Program, My only question with that is: Can I while participating in that program? just putting that question out there in case any poster out there knows one way or the other. I will be contacting my recruiter either way

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Specializes in EMT, ER, Homehealth, OR.

Right now it is very hard to get in a commission with a ADN, slots are limited with a merit list for next year FY 10 taking up over 1/2 of the available slots. Overall the number of slots for FY 10 in the Army & Army Reserves for 66H nurses for new accessions is appox 1/4 as FY 09. The rules have changed with STRAP you can now go to active duty once you have completed your BSN instead of having to pay back your time in the reserves.

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Specializes in ICU- adults, Flight RN peds/neo.
Right now it is very hard to get in a commission with a ADN, slots are limited with a merit list for next year FY 10 taking up over 1/2 of the available slots. Overall the number of slots for FY 10 in the Army & Army Reserves for 66H nurses for new accessions is appox 1/4 as FY 09. The rules have changed with STRAP you can now go to active duty once you have completed your BSN instead of having to pay back your time in the reserves.

Wow, that is crazy!! Good info Jeck.....!

c.

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Thanks a lot for the info, even though it may not be exactly what I wanted to hear. Well, I guess the good news for me is that I will not have my ADN for at least two years and it will take at least 3 years to get my BSN so hopefully the economy will perk up by then and there will be less competition for slots.

Let me ask a couple other questions related to this topic.

Can you apply to commission more than once? Or is doing so (if allowed) just an exercise in futility?

If you apply for active duty and are denied can you immediately re-submit for reserves?

Is it easier to commission in the reserves then move to active duty after serving reserves time?

Is it easier to get your commission if you are willing to forgo the special bonuses and etc.? (Not trying to knit a flag over here but my ultimate goal is to get commissioned. Obviously I want to access whatever bonuses I can but not getting them is certainly not a deal breaker for me)

Does ones current physical condition play into the selection process at all (I have been training for some time to get to the appropriate fitness level)

I guess my thoughts are I would rather not apply for a commission when the competition is super tight, get denied, then never have the opportunity to try again. I am considering all branches (Navy is doubtful b/c of motion sickness) but it has seemed to me thus far that army is the best fit / has the most opportunities

Any insight would be great

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Specializes in EMT, ER, Homehealth, OR.
thanks a lot for the info, even though it may not be exactly what i wanted to hear. well, i guess the good news for me is that i will not have my adn for at least two years and it will take at least 3 years to get my bsn so hopefully the economy will perk up by then and there will be less competition for slots.

let me ask a couple other questions related to this topic.

can you apply to commission more than once? or is doing so (if allowed) just an exercise in futility?

need to ask a recruiter, not sure, but one of the questions on the application is if you have ever been accepted for a commission or turned down for one

if you apply for active duty and are denied can you immediately re-submit for reserves?

not sure

is it easier to commission in the reserves then move to active duty after serving reserves time?

depends on how many slots are open in each. if you go reserves then active you have to go thru the whole process again

is it easier to get your commission if you are willing to forgo the special bonuses and etc.? (not trying to knit a flag over here but my ultimate goal is to get commissioned. obviously i want to access whatever bonuses i can but not getting them is certainly not a deal breaker for me)

from what i have seen, no.

does ones current physical condition play into the selection process at all (i have been training for some time to get to the appropriate fitness level)

yes, you have to pass a physical before you go in front of the selection board.

i guess my thoughts are i would rather not apply for a commission when the competition is super tight, get denied, then never have the opportunity to try again. i am considering all branches (navy is doubtful b/c of motion sickness) but it has seemed to me thus far that army is the best fit / has the most opportunities

it is good that you are looking at all services to find the right fit for you. as far as the navy there are very few sea going billets. if you get assigned to serve on one of the hospital ships they ride very well and sea sickness is usally not a problem on them.

any insight would be great

good luck

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