Experienced RN ICU looking at Army/Navy. Thoughts?

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Hello,

As the title states, I've got 5 years ICU experience in major hospitals (all certs). I've decided to apply for a commission in either Army or Navy (AF is full for next FY as I have heard) as I would like to be inside the military in the next 9 months. I've done my forum searching and talked with recruiters already.

My personal goals include a masters in the military (maybe CRNA) and travel. Deployment is okay as I have no kids, no spouse, no house, etc.

Questions:

1a: Which branch is the faster to process through right now, Army or Navy? I've heard AF is a traffic jam with good prior service applicants.

1. When you are stationed at a base, you can either live on base or receive BAH subsidy for housing off base. When you get deployed, do you lose BAH? If so, it seems like a drop in pay to get deployed, especially with BAH being nontaxed. anything I am missing here?

2. Any insight to going Army vs Navy? any active duty RN's offer any insight here? Would this differ if I wanted to do career track?

3. When you report to your first duty station, does the military help you move any of your things (ie, moving truck?)

Thanks in advance, Allnurses has been invaluable to me!

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fiscal year and packet due date is around the corner. I know army has been doing one board a year now... packets due oct'ish board in nov.. you'd have to be poppin right now to meet that due date.. because the process takes time - regardless of how fast you might be ;)

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Specializes in Emergency.

Either way avg processing time is 1 year. If Crna is your goal try applying now and tell the military you're enrolled in a program.

Once you get started, be prepared for changes as it will the only frustrating constant in the process. Get a good recruiter (if possible) and be persistent and patient because it can be a grueling experience. I'm not trying to scare ya, just getting you ready.

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

I can only speak for the Army, but yes, they will move your stuff for you, even for your first duty station -- they send movers, they pack it for you, load, deliver, unload, and will even unpack ... the whole nine yards. With that being said, my driver quit mid-transit and the moving company couldn't tell me where our household goods were ... it was a little ridiculous!! Considering moving ourselves next time. :D

As for the rest of it ... timing is everything. It took me 17-ish months from speaking to my recruiter for the first time to reporting to officer basic. Took a lot of patience...

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Specializes in EMT, ER, Homehealth, OR.

my personal goals include a masters in the military (maybe crna) and travel. deployment is okay as i have no kids, no spouse, no house, etc.

questions:

1a: which branch is the faster to process through right now, army or navy? i've heard af is a traffic jam with good prior service applicants. it is a slow process for all services.

1. when you are stationed at a base, you can either live on base or receive bah subsidy for housing off base.

most officers will live off base and recieve bah. generally onbase housing is for married officers.

when you get deployed, do you lose bah? no

3. when you report to your first duty station, does the military help you move any of your things (ie, moving truck?)

see luanhrn for answer.

plus, you do have the option of doing a dity (do it youself) move. from what i have heard, not sure if true, is that if you do a dity move you will get a percentage of the difference between what it cost your you to do the move and what the military would have paid the movers.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

Hey snowbiggie

I too am a critical care nurse and just got my commission and orders for ODS and duty station. I started the process in march but had to lose weight. I went to MEPS on July 5th, submitted my kit shortly thereafter, and I got news I was selected on AUG 3rd. i know the navy needs experienced critical care RN's. I also have my CCRN so when they saw that they processed me immediately. My recruiter was just plain awesome. I'll message you my email and we can talk more about the specifics. I am heading to ODS Oct 16th-Nov 18 then out to Sunny San Diego! I would recommend the Navy as you'll most always be near water :)

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Hey NewNavyRN

I am a NICU nurse ( neonatal, not neuro)... Just had to clarify. Lol!!!!! Just curious if the navy allows you to choose a specialty?

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Specializes in Critical Care.

They didn't give me that option. I was assigned a sub specialty identifier (1960) which is critical care.

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Ok. Thanks

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I can only speak for the Army, but yes, they will move your stuff for you, even for your first duty station -- they send movers, they pack it for you, load, deliver, unload, and will even unpack ... the whole nine yards. With that being said, my driver quit mid-transit and the moving company couldn't tell me where our household goods were ... it was a little ridiculous!! Considering moving ourselves next time. :D

As for the rest of it ... timing is everything. It took me 17-ish months from speaking to my recruiter for the first time to reporting to officer basic. Took a lot of patience...

Thank you! your blog has been a great read! How are things going for you now?

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
Thank you! your blog has been a great read! How are things going for you now?

Things are great! I hope to have time to add to my blog soon. Thanks!! :)

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