Reserve to Active duty question

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Specializes in cardiac and neuro surgery; obstetrics.

Looking at Army nurse corps reserve and active duty army nurse corps. My decision is going to be ultimately decided based on what my spouse does. He is going active duty aviation. My question is how easy is it to transition from reserve to active duty in the army nurse corps? second, if going the route of reserve to active duty, upon going active duty will i be able to contractually match my orders to my spouses very easily, joint officer commission?

just wondering what you all know and advise i get back. my recruiter said the transition ought be no sweat is prefereable- reserve to AD upon my deciding of when i want to make that change over. He states my spouse and i will be able to get same post assignments. so basically i can follow him to flight school at Ft. Ruckers as a reservist, then go AD when an opening is available for me at Ft. Ruckers. i'm hoping that once my spouse is done at Ruckers i can then immediately follow with my orders to the post he will be stationed at.

Help me understand if you can

Thanks

Specializes in EMT, ER, Homehealth, OR.

To go from Reserves to Active you have to go thru the whole application process again. Should be no sweat unless you have problems in the Reserves. As far as OBLC from what I was told if you are a 1st or 2nd LT you will have to attend the Active course even if you attended the Reserve one. As far as being stationed with your husband I am unable to help you there.

Specializes in cardiac and neuro surgery; obstetrics.

Thanks so much, every bit of info helps as I put this info puzzle together. Recruiters only give you half of the info, not all the ins and outs of each step. Thinking of calling a second recruiter for a second opinion to compare notes from the first. I really want this to all work out. i am so hopeful!!:nurse:

Specializes in ICU- adults, Flight RN peds/neo.

As far as OBLC from what I was told if you are a 1st or 2nd LT you will have to attend the Active course even if you attended the Reserve one.

No. I just transitioned from Reserve to Active in the ANC. I did not have to repeat OBLC.

However, my ICU 8A indicator was taken away. HRC said I worked peds for the last 2 yrs "and the 8A is for ADULT ICU only...with in the last two years" for active duty........Never mind that I have a CCRN in adults , with 4 yrs ICU experience.

Specializes in EMT, ER, Homehealth, OR.
As far as OBLC from what I was told if you are a 1st or 2nd LT you will have to attend the Active course even if you attended the Reserve one.

No. I just transitioned from Reserve to Active in the ANC. I did not have to repeat OBLC.

However, my ICU 8A indicator was taken away. HRC said I worked peds for the last 2 yrs "and the 8A is for ADULT ICU only...with in the last two years" for active duty........Never mind that I have a CCRN in adults , with 4 yrs ICU experience.

That stinks not being able to carry over your 8A. What rank did you transition over as. The repeating OBLC for LT's was what my recruiter told me when I started the paperwork to go on active. Since I am a CPT we did not explorer it any futher.

Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

From personal experience, the needs of the military come first. Don't plan on always being together with your spouse, regardless of what your recruiter says.

Specializes in ICU- adults, Flight RN peds/neo.

I am a 1LT and that stayed the same.

Specializes in Advanced Practice, Home Care, Med-Surg,.

From what I reasearched, you and your spouse will want to enroll in the MACP(married army couples program) ASAP once you both go ative duty. This will ensure you post together or within 100 miles I think is required. I've also learned at any given time 80% of dual military couples live in the same residence. It can be more difficult if in different branches. Also one spouse might have to pass up/miss out on a good oportunity for the benefit of staying together. Ofcourse military needs will always come first. I am going active and we are looking at my husband coming in after me- on the enlisted side- but not sure since no 100% guarantees. The other thing is if you deploy seperateley, then one spouse comes home and the other may deploy, this will cause for more seperation time than a regular coulpe. Best of luck!

Specializes in cardiac and neuro surgery; obstetrics.

Thanks so much. This is exactly what I understood and figured the way it would be. in our situation. I give up CRNA school so i can complete my masters while still living with him at Ruckers. i can do FNP or CNS or nursing administration instead. my biggest hurdle now is do I go reserve now and transfer to into AD while he is at Ruckers so i can get a head start on things for myself or do I wait and go AD at same time he goes AD? In the end want joint commision/married status at Ruckers and make sure it follows through best as possible to other posts.

Specializes in mostly in the basement.

How far out is his time at Rucker? You probably know it can sometimes be a lengthy process getting to commission and while transitioning to active is generally looked upon favorably I think that's also dependent on how long you were there and how clear your intentions.

Don't misunderstand, there's nothing wrong w/your plan--just curious what kinda timeframe you were thinking of? A year and a half or under and

i'd wait to go active....

You would definitely want to enroll in the Married couples program, the only catch is you can't enroll until you are at your first duty station. Which means that your first duty station might not be where your husband is. What does he do in aviation? My husband is active duty Army aviation. He's stationed here in Hawaii but I got orders for Ft Hood because I can't enroll in the MCP until at Hood. I know that Rucker is not an option for new LT nurses, we have to go to a medical center. But I think you said you're a CPT right? So that shouldn't be a problem for you. How much longer does your hubby have at Rucker?

Specializes in Advanced Practice, Home Care, Med-Surg,.
You would definitely want to enroll in the Married couples program, the only catch is you can't enroll until you are at your first duty station. Which means that your first duty station might not be where your husband is. What does he do in aviation? My husband is active duty Army aviation. He's stationed here in Hawaii but I got orders for Ft Hood because I can't enroll in the MCP until at Hood. I know that Rucker is not an option for new LT nurses, we have to go to a medical center. But I think you said you're a CPT right? So that shouldn't be a problem for you. How much longer does your hubby have at Rucker?

Rose3721,

When you get to Ft. Hood will you be able to switch to Hawaii? How much longer will your husband be there? It seems like Hawaii has been fairly easy to get assigned to, seems they could switch you esp since they have a desire to keep family's together. Also I read on another board that if you find someone at OBLC that wants to change with you then that is also an option. Best Wishes.

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