More dangerous: Navy or Army

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Hello again.

I've posted before with some questions about the Navy's NCP and I was pretty much dead set on joining the Navy, but I'm starting to wonder if it wouldn't be the best fit. I chose the Navy because I knew my dad, who is opposed to me joining any branch of the military, would prefer me to join either the Navy or Air Force since they tend to have a better reputation as far as language and stuff like that in my dad's mind. Whether or not this is true, is besides the point and I kinda doubt, but my dad feels better about those branches. He served in the Army and he said he didn't like the culture there and he's made it clear to me and my siblings that he doesn't want his children joining the military.

I made it clear to him that I was going to join the military though and to kind of ease the tension a little I suggested that I'd join the Navy. Although he is still opposed to the idea he told me I had to make these choices myself and if this is the route I want to choose, then he'll support my decision.

Now, here's the problem I'm facing now. Although I am still very much attracted to the Navy because of how professional they seem and the fancy ranks like Lieutenant Commander and Commander (C'mon, you got admit that sounds really cool. LOL), I don't want to join and then end up spending my time in the United States never seeing any action. Obviously not the same kind of action the troops at the front lines see, but working in something like a field hospital or surgical team. I've heard a couple of different things about the Navy. I've heard working on a ship is rare and few nurses ever get the opportunity and I've also heard that, being the medical provider for the Marines, they deploy with the Marines. I've also heard they don't deploy with the Marines. Is it specialty specific and maybe those who said they didn't deploy were in the wrong specialty and never had the opportunity?

The Army, however, seems to be much more willing to throw their nurses into more dangerous areas.

If I'm looking to get in the s***, so to speak, would the Army be a better option?

Thanks for any answers!

Chuck

Specializes in Surgical Trauma ICU.

Have Nurse,

I'm sorry if it sounded like I was asking which branch was better than the others, that's not what I meant at all. They all have very well qualified nurses and doctors, but each branch has there own specialty that is unique to that branch. Air Force flies, Navy sails, and the Army walks. ;)

I'm very interested in all three branches. They all have some really cool opportunities. Just so I understand this, it sounds like as a nurse I can expect to deploy only once or twice in my career. I was reading a post on here where a Navy nurse said she had deployed in 2007 and didn't get to deploy again until 2012. So are deployments few and far between for nurses?

PS: Also, why is all the information on the Navy page pertaining to Corpsman? Active & Reserve Nursing Jobs in the Nurse Corps - Navy.com

Specializes in Case Manager/Administrator.

I was an Army Nurse and served on the ship Mercy in the Sinai, my husband retired Army Special Forces/Ranger. My twin boys are in the National Guard, my daughter and son in law in the Army Reserves...my husbands family has a rich history of serving the military that includes General Patton and Colonel Travis.

The military has some fine people who have made this service their career, some have stayed their commitment of so many years and got out. When you join the military you do so with risks of being deployed to areas of the world where there is war. It is part of the job. Your concerns sounds like you want to be in some sort of action, why not think about emergency room nursing?

The military culture is strong and proud, there is no room for grandstanding a title, or position, lives are on the line. Any service of the military will provide you with experience. Your remark about "throwing nurses in dangerous areas" I trained and have worked at Cook County Hospital in Chicago...this is a dangerous area.

Your best options are to shadow each military for a day (you can work it out with your recruiter) and then make the best decision for you.

Specializes in Surgical Trauma ICU.
I was an Army Nurse and served on the ship Mercy in the Sinai, my husband retired Army Special Forces/Ranger. My twin boys are in the National Guard, my daughter and son in law in the Army Reserves...my husbands family has a rich history of serving the military that includes General Patton and Colonel Travis.

Thank-you for your service.

Your concerns sounds like you want to be in some sort of action, why not think about emergency room nursing?

I'm definitely keeping that in my options also. I'm looking at everything. I'm currently finishing up my senior year of high school, so I'm still trying to figure things out and I'm sure once I get into nursing school and start clinicals I'll know better where I fit and can serve the best.

The military culture is strong and proud, there is no room for grandstanding a title, or position, lives are on the line. Any service of the military will provide you with experience. Your remark about "throwing nurses in dangerous areas" I trained and have worked at Cook County Hospital in Chicago...this is a dangerous area.

Your best options are to shadow each military for a day (you can work it out with your recruiter) and then make the best decision for you.

Thanks for the suggestions! :)

Specializes in Surgical Trauma ICU.

After thinking about what you said Neats, I think you may be right. I think I'm getting too caught up in the glamor of being in the military or grandstanding a title as you put it.

I don't know. I want to serve, but at the same time there's nothing wrong with serving in the civilian sector also, the military isn't for everyone.

Hello again.

Obviously not the same kind of action the troops at the front lines see, but working in something like a field hospital or surgical team. I've heard a couple of different things about the Navy. I've heard working on a ship is rare and few nurses ever get the opportunity and I've also heard that, being the medical provider for the Marines, they deploy with the Marines. I've also heard they don't deploy with the Marines. Is it specialty specific and maybe those who said they didn't deploy were in the wrong specialty and never had the opportunity?

The Army, however, seems to be much more willing to throw their nurses into more dangerous areas.

If I'm looking to get in the s***, so to speak, would the Army be a better option?

I'm not really sure what you think to expect from the military or from nursing. People hear a lot of things- you should talk to the recruiters and get specific information first hand: https://allnurses.com/government-military-nursing/quick-tip-for-422438.html

But even the best recruiters can only give you vague information at times: the military is ever dynamic and there are few guarantees because when you join the military, the needs of the military come before what you want. Remember that the idea is to serve your country (I think Kennedy said something about that once.)

Not to dissuade you, but there are a finite and small number of opportunities for nurses on ships, flight crews, deployment or with other special units. The overwhelming majority of military nurses will be doing regular nursing work in a fully stocked completely safe hospital or clinic far from any type of combat casualty situation "in the s**t."

I know everyone does, but do not forget about the Coast Guard as a great option.

Semper Paratus

Specializes in Surgical Trauma ICU.
I know everyone does, but do not forget about the Coast Guard as a great option.

Semper Paratus

Doesn't the U.S Public Health Service take care of them?

Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
I know everyone does, but do not forget about the Coast Guard as a great option.

Semper Paratus

They don't have nurses.

I would recommend the Navy, although, I am somewhat biased seeing how I was enlisted. I loved my time in the Navy and I think you have a much better options in termed of Duty stations than someone in other branches (besides the AF they have pretty cool locations as well). Like others in the post have said if you are wanting to get into the "action" then I believe the Army would be a better fit for you.

I have had a friend who was deployed with a marine unit out of Hawaii and he was a corpsman. Im not sure if a Navy nurse would deploy as well or how that works.

If you have any other questions feel free to ask and best of luck!

Specializes in Surgical Trauma ICU.

Hey, kind of off topic here, but I just found out today that I have latent TB. I'll be meeting with a doctor soon to discuss treatment. Would I still be able to serve in the military?

I read a thread that said in civilian nursing they will let you work, but require you have a cxr every 9 months or so, is this the same with the military?

That I am not too sure about and a recruiter would be the best person to ask. The policies are always changing so something that may have been acceptable one year, may need a waiver or be completely unacceptable another year.

So #1 let me ask you a question. I assume you are looking to do this as a commissioned officer in the Nurse corps correct? My answers are based on that assumption.

1. Yes, if you want to get into action you are more likely to be deployed to an in theater hospital or trauma center with the Army. You are JUST as likely to end up stationed at Madigan Army Medical Hospital at Joint Base Lewis-McChord and never going anywhere. In many ways its luck of the draw.

2. Having watched men I worked for die and others who in turn worked for me, I really have to question the emotional and psychological maturity of anyone who would want to intentionally put themselves in that situation. Im not trying to insult you, but your father does actually know what he is talking about. I frankly would not want my child serving in the military either. Sacrificing your life in Afghanistan or Iraq, for what has now become a pointless quagmire is obtuse.

3. Your actual time with patients will not be as extensive as it would be as a civilian counter-part. Very quickly with in the military you start moving up the chain as an officer and will transition quickly, even as a nurse, from patient care to soldier supervisor. For example, Ive known O3 Captains (which means just 3-4 years in service) who were already the OIC's (officers in charge) of an ED and spent the majority of their time in an admin role as such.

4. Should you wish to continue down this road I would give you two, no three pieces of advice....

a. Join the Navy instead. Work hard to assigned to a fleet position and go to sea. Enjoy yourself. See exotic places. Dont kill anyone. And as long as they manage not to run into a tanker ship again, you wont live with nightmares of broken, burned and bloodied bodies.

b. If you are dead set on the Army join the reserves or national guard. Still get great patient experience as a mostly civilian nurse, with the off chance you could still get deployed some day.

c. Lastly join the Army. In an attempt to get into a tactical unit with a better chance of deployment, tell the Nursing Corps recruiter that you will ONLY join if you can get a contract guaranteed slot to airborne school. If they agree then ask about the possibility of a slot either at Ranger Regiment or serving with one of the SF Groups.

But be prepared this is no joke, not even for nurses:

Army Nurse Killed with Special Operations Team | Military.com

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