Army, Air Force, Navy -What fits personality better?

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:banghead: This new thread is to ask for help in choosing what branch of the military to serve in as a nurse of my personality. They're so different in many ways, & it is becoming increasingly tough to decide when all the Recruiters (of course, because it's their job) make it seem all branches would fit me :).

I think I've ruled out Navy because I'm pretty sure I wouldn't do well having to go on a ship for 6mo at a time if I were deployed, & I feel the places I'd go wouldn't fit me in that I'd be stuck in a clinic or hospital for too long.

:nurse: That said, now I'm looking at A.F. or Army. Can any of you help me decide by these personality guidelines? ....I am much more of an outdoorsy person, hate being stuck in a rut, will be continuing my education to a Masters, love to travel, believe I would be good at field work because I get pretty antsy when I feel I'm trapped in the "four walls" too long :chair: -thus not wanting to work in a "building" my entire life, love the idea of helping our men & woman in service & also w/ humanitarian work on the side. I want to learn how to have more leadership & assertiveness, & want to excel in my profession. I'm not married, no kids, thirty years old, obtaining my BSN right now, & have one dog. I love to do technical & eclectic things too -doesn't have to always be medical related, though I am a nurse number one.

:) So, what do you guys think would be better for me? Air Force or Army? I'd REALLY appreciate the advice & direction!

Also, how many days/hours do you typically work as a nurse in both branches (besides going to help whenever needed)??? And are there any downfalls to being a female nurse in the Army/Air Force?

I know, long request...but it's my life! ha! :eek: I'm trying to make wise decisions so that I won't regret which branch I choose, but will instead wake up everyday excited to get to work as a dedicated, educated nurse!

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!!!

Specializes in ER, Trauma, US Navy.

DanceBeauty03-

Not to disappoint, but the Navy will not use you with and ADN. DO NOT LET A RECRUITER TELL YOU THEY WILL!! I have seen a few people come to the Navy with expectations of using their ADN as a Corpsmen, as the recruiter told them. However, you will not be working as a nurse. In the Navy you have to have your BSN to be a Navy Nurse and officer. As a side note I think the Army will take you with your ADN and you will be enlisted. Search for CorvetteGuy on this forum and he can give you the low down, he's all Army. I'm Navy for the past 10 years, would love to have you, but that's not how the Navy is currently.

LCDR Dan

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frozztozznak, good observation. I do agree. I've served in the AFR, but work for the Army as a civilian LPN. The Army is very much a force of unity. My Head Nurse says he came back to the Army because AF was to laxed.

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I think the Army will take you with your ADN and you will be enlisted.

Army nurses are all officers. Reserves accept ADN and Diploma RNs, but to be Active you need a BSN.

from http://www.goarmy.com/amedd/nurse/corps_specialties_requir.jsp

s1_requirements.gif

To qualify for an appointment as an Officer in the Army Nurse Corps, you must:

  • Meet the prescribed medical and moral standards for appointment as a commissioned Officer
  • Be a United States citizen
  • Have an associate's degree in nursing or a three-year nursing diploma or a bachelor of science in nursing for Reserve; have a bachelor's degree in nursing (BSN) from an accredited school of nursing for Active Duty
  • Have a valid, unrestricted RN license
  • Be 21-46 years of age

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Specializes in ER, Trauma, US Navy.

Ah, I stand corrected, it's reserve vs. active duty, got it, thanks.

LCDR Dan

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What is the age limit for the Air Force? Is there a difference in the age limits for the reserves vs active duty. Does anyone know of a good resource for finding out what it is really like to working as a nurses in the army vs. Air Force, active vs reserves. I am a 45 yo, BSN nurse with

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Specializes in critical care/ coronary care.

Care&Joy,

Well, I just joined the Army Reserve as a 66H8A critical care RN. I was a medic 91Bravo in the Army in the early 80's and a medic 90250 in the AirForce in the late 80's - early 90's. When I decided to go back in I looked into an Airforce reserve commission but chose the Army Reserve instead. One of the reasons was the unit I joined was the type I was most looking to be a part of, and it was closer to my home for weekend drills. The main reason I " go green " though is the much higher espirit-de-corps and team -work ethos of my prior Army experiance as compared to the AirForce. I always felt the Army took care of it's own better. the USAF does have some bucks to spend on better housing / recreation facilities, if that is a factor for you to consider...

Regards,

Eric

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Specializes in critical care/ coronary care.

Oh, yea, an the Army's got some snappy blues to wear too...

Cheers!

Eric

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Specializes in Med/Surg;Hm Health;House Super; ER.
wow! a place i feel like i fit in on here. i am a military spouse, who is a nurse. i have been around the army for the past 13 years and currently i am working for the air force. i have seen good days and bad for both services. one of the biggest differences i see between these two services is the cohesion. in the army, it seems that it is one big family. some days, we are one big happy family and others a great big disfunctional one. still all working together for one goal. my spouse is currently adaf( a change he made nearly 2 years ago) there is no cohesion in the af. it seems to me that everyone is for themselves, how, who, and when do i need to !!

hi there 'frozztozznak'! it was great hearing from your experience! i know everybody has their own opinions & experiences w/ each branch, but i must say that i feel pretty comfy w/ my choice. i visited an army reservist office yesterday (going w/ someone else) & saw firsthand the very friendly attitude towards others & those who were new there. it was very inviting, & i felt like i could fit in & be trained in a way that was healthy. everyone was doing their respective jobs & yet willing to help the others when they could.

my meps physical is monday, so i hope i pass! :)

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Specializes in Ortho, Med surg and L&D.
What is the age limit for the Air Force? Is there a difference in the age limits for the reserves vs active duty. Does anyone know of a good resource for finding out what it is really like to working as a nurses in the army vs. Air Force, active vs reserves. I am a 45 yo, BSN nurse with

Tiggertoo,

The Army reserves takes until 46, (unless there are very, very special circumstances) and the last time I checked the Air Force and Navy cut off sooner than the Army. For active duty Army the limit is 42, (I will be 41 and at "the" limit when I hope to go in).

If Military is your choice, then check it out now. The paperwork can take a couple of months and you may want to at least inquire soon to discover what you need to know to make a choice in time, if you so choose.

Gen

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Specializes in Ortho, Med surg and L&D.
My meps physical is Monday, so I hope I pass! :)

Hi Care and Joy,

Check out the meps website too, okay? I found it helpful, especially the advice from meps about to expect, what you will do and what they do and do not want to hear about. :)

Good luck!

U.S. Military Entrance Processing Command

The portion of the link with the ASVAB shouldn't be important for you:

U.S. Military Entrance Processing Command

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Specializes in Med/Surg;Hm Health;House Super; ER.
Care&Joy,

Well, I just joined the Army Reserve as a 66H8A critical care RN. I was a medic 91Bravo in the Army in the early 80's and a medic 90250 in the AirForce in the late 80's - early 90's. When I decided to go back in I looked into an Airforce reserve commission but chose the Army Reserve instead. One of the reasons was the unit I joined was the type I was most looking to be a part of, and it was closer to my home for weekend drills. The main reason I " go green " though is the much higher espirit-de-corps and team -work ethos of my prior Army experiance as compared to the AirForce. I always felt the Army took care of it's own better. the USAF does have some bucks to spend on better housing / recreation facilities, if that is a factor for you to consider...

Regards,

Eric

Thank you, Eric, for further viewpoints that help me to confirm the decision I've made. Cohesiveness, teamwork, & watching eachother's backs is more important to me than money/housing/recreation at this time in my life. It's in that kind of environment that helps me to grow academically, which is very important to me as I go for my BSN & on. This whole military forum (thanks Allnurses! :) has been SO helpful as I researched which branch may fit me better. Thank you to all the people (Navy, Army, & Air Force!) who've responded here in this thread & in other threads to be honest in their pros & cons. Honesty definitely gives you the most informed decision!:pumpiron:

Even though some of the test results have to still come in & cleared, I cleared the MEPS today. Next is finishing all the details & reference letters for my application! Have a happy & blessed Thanksgiving!!!!

Holly :)

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

Best of luck with your decision process and future career aspirations!

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