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.

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

I didn't say it was over --> point was our definition of "going to war" has changed. Join the military (even the coast guard who now carry guns) and there is always a chance you will come into harms way. Heck, a fireman can get clipped any day of the week....these aren't desk jobs. For anyone joining the military as an RN, its not without danger. However, so is driving through Detroit in broad daylight! If your at the wrong place at the wrong time, anything can and will happen.

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It may not be classified as a war anymore (some would argue the same for Vietnam) but as long as we have troops on the ground, and in harm's way, then the principle is the same. Thank you for your service... not forgotten!

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

Everyone knock off the personal comments, or this thread will be closed. Period. If you need a TOS refresher, please feel free: allnurses: TOS.

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Specializes in Ante-Intra-Postpartum, Post Gyne.

I was just talking to my SIL fiance who is in the Army. I asked him if the National Guard gets deployed. He said "It depends on what department you are in". I said "What about nursing" He replied in a split second, "Definitely".

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Specializes in Emergency Room.

Also, keep in mind that if you don't get deployed to one of the two war zones in which we are currently employed, you can still be activated to respond to any kind of national emergency. Think about incidents like Katrina and the wildfires in the west. You just never know what is coming down the pipe, so if you have an aversion to being activated for duty, then you may want to avoid the military altogether.

Best wishes in your decision-making process...

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

After some PMs, etc., I think I'm going to reopen this thread, with this reminder: if someone posts something to which you object, find offense, or that you feel violates the website TOS, please report it rather than responding to it. Thanks.

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