Do Army National Guard nurses get deployed?

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I am very interested in joining the National Guard. The recruiter told me that if I join as an RN that I will not be deployed unless I volunteered to do so. My husband is afraid that the recruiter is not being honest with me. Does anyone know the truth? I would be stationed at Camp Robinson in Arkansas if I do join.

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I am very interested in joining the National Guard. The recruiter told me that if I join as an RN that I will not be deployed unless I volunteered to do so. My husband is afraid that the recruiter is not being honest with me. Does anyone know the truth? I would be stationed at Camp Robinson in Arkansas if I do join.

Your recruiter is full of BS. Back in early 70's, I met a NG unit that just got back from Vietnam. Surf the web for info on forums; don't believe any recruiter. I was going to go back into my previous ARMY reserve unit (Evac Hospital) but changed my mind. One month later they were part of Desert Storm for a year.

In any military branch you don't have to volunteer: they will "volunteer" you!

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Specializes in ED Nursing, Critical Care Nursing.

I'm a former army officer, and an OIF veteran. I wasn't an RN when I was in the military (that came later) but it doesn't matter...your recruiter is basically lying to you. An officer IS deployable after they have completed their officer basic course (the training that you are sent through for the specific branch you are in...for you that would be the Army Nurse Corps). Let me be very clear that, once you finish that training, you are deployable...PERIOD! And, let me be even more clear...as the current world situation is (2 wars in progress), you are VERY likely to be deployed to a combat zone as a nurse. Recruiters will say whatever to meet quotas, even if it means bending the truth a little...or a lot. If you wish to join, more power to you...but make sure you understand what military service will mean. It isn't something to enter lightly. PS..it doesn't matter that you would be ARNG-still deployable (not only by the federal government, but also the state you serve in for civil problems, natural disasters, etc).

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Specializes in Emergency Room.
I am very interested in joining the National Guard. The recruiter told me that if I join as an RN that I will not be deployed unless I volunteered to do so. My husband is afraid that the recruiter is not being honest with me. Does anyone know the truth? I would be stationed at Camp Robinson in Arkansas if I do join.

I am an Army veteran and my husband has been in the Army for 15 years now. The needs of the Army ALWAYS come first, so at this time, what you are hearing from your recruiter may have elements of truthfulness, and your recruiter may not have any malicious intent, but if the needs of the Army change because of one or more of an infinite number of variables, then you could be deployed. No matter what you will be told, always remember, the needs of the Army trump all ...including written contracts.

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Specializes in Emergency Room.

zenman and jlr-

Thank you for your service!

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Specializes in Emergency Room.

In any military branch you don't have to volunteer: they will "volunteer" you!

That's what you call being "volun-told!" :lol2:

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Someone said there's "2" wars going on....theres 1 right now. Afghanistan (Iraq is over at least on paper)

However with the way things are going with Iran, North Korea, and the activity in Pakistan take your pick...there could be a new war anywhere!

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

Moved to the Government/Military Nursing forum. :)

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Specializes in Emergency Room.
Someone said there's "2" wars going on....theres 1 right now. Afghanistan (Iraq is over at least on paper)

However with the way things are going with Iran, North Korea, and the activity in Pakistan take your pick...there could be a new war anywhere!

Semantics...for the purpose of this thread and the question asked by a civilian who has little or no knowledge of the military or it's inner workings, we are still at war in Iraq. My husband is there now and is still collecting Hazardous Fire Pay and receiving a Combat Zone Tax Exclusion. "Hazardous Fire"..."Combat Zone"...sounds like war to me.

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Specializes in EMT, ER, Homehealth, OR.

Yes you can deploy, anyone in any of the services can be deployed. I do not know of many NG nurses who have deployed I have only seen & heard of regular AD nurses and reserve nurse's being deployed. But, that does not mean that there has not been activitied in the past, present, or future. What you need to do is go and talk with some of the RN's in the unit that you would be assigned to to get a straight answer on the probability of you getting activited in the NG.

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I have learned that there are 3 medical units and one is not deployed as a UNIT but individuals can be selected to be deployed. They also said if you don't want to be deployed, don't join. I am still tempted though. Thanks for your input everyone!

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Specializes in critical care: trauma/oncology/burns.

I just got back from being down range

Trust me (and TNT) Iraq may be going through a draw down, but we are still there and still dealing with MASCAL and bloody IEDs, suicide bombers, and bad guys with toys/weapons. I flew many an injured Coalition and US Solider to Balad. I still have their blood on my boots

It may be "over in Iraq...at least on paper" but it ain't over, over there.

athena

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