HELP! Advice on joining Army.

[TCNurse637]

hello,

i'm thinking about joining the army or air force.

i've dediced to speak to an army recruiter 1st.

i've been looking on the forums here and everyone says it is recommended to speak to an army amedd recruiter vs. a regular recruiter. i inquired about speaking to a healthcare recruiter and this is what my recruiter told me,

" i can assist you in processing. my job is to ensure you are

qualified to enlist into the healthcare team. once we qualify you we

forward the information to the health care recruiting team. i would need

to know basic background information in order to qualify you for the

u.s. army. if you would like i can schedule an appointment at your

earliest convenience. this will ensure you get the most current

information and answer any questions you may have. looking forward to

hearing from you.

do i have to qualify to even talk to a healthcare recruiter???

i need help, please advise, let me know if this is proper protocol because i'd hate to think this recruiter is trying to pull a fast one on me.

thank you for your advice!

[MassED, BSN, RN]

I was in the Army for four years - a recruiter WILL try to pull a fast one on you. I wasn't a nurse in the Army, so as far as different recruiters for healthcare, I do not know.... but don't let anyone talk you into anything.... you are right to try to gain some knowledge before talking with any of the recruiters, though. You are a nurse, though, right? If you have a degree, this changes your course... Just don't believe the recruiters - I was 18 when I joined and they get you to sign up and you don't realize what you can ask for... educate yourself, which is the best armor to have when you do decide to talk to them.

[MassED, BSN, RN]

just found this... read "requirements"

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

[MassED, BSN, RN]

also on that link read "overview" on the entire process of joining the Army

[just_cause, BSN, RN]

That being said the person who doesn't take the time to research his own destiny is partially to blame... yup even 18yo's. The 'recruiter lied to me' has been around long enough for everyone to be aware - not so much to distrust recruiters as that is typically a temp job and typically they are stand up guys/girls... but to look into things for yourself.

That being said - the OP is on the right track.

You DON'T Need or Want to talk to a normal recruiter - you call directly to a health care recruiter - google army health care recruiter... there are several different battalions - you just choose the one based on your geographic area and contact that POC... I'd spend a good deal of time on here as most of the good and bad questions have been asked and by shifting through the comments you can separate the funk from the legitimate and at least gain an idea of general requirements, time line, process, and what to expect.

(if you can't find a POC# for health care recruiter call around to different Army stations and simply say you need the phone number for regions health care recruiter.. they might ask for name or number just politely / confidently say you simply would like the number - or call next station )

[TCNurse637]

Thank you all!

Well, right now, i'm an LVN with a B.S. in Psych. and i'm planning on getting my BSN then go for my masters.

Yeah, i've been doing all my research and getting all my questions ready to go over with the recruiter. I requested to speak to a healthcare recruiter and that was the response i got. It just didn't seem right. Thank you for clearing things up because although i would like to give the recruiter the benefit of the doubt it didn't make sense for me to be "qualified" to speak to an AMEDD recruiter.

Thank you for all of the feedback!

[jeckrn, BSN, RN]

Yes you were lied too. If they will not help you contact the healthcare recruiter go to goarmy.com and ask for a HC recruiter in your area. Stay away from that enlisted recruiter. In his pitch to you had stated "enlist" in the Army which tells you what he is trying to do. As a officer you assess into the military not enlist.

[MassED, BSN, RN]

That being said the person who doesn't take the time to research his own destiny is partially to blame... yup even 18yo's. The 'recruiter lied to me' has been around long enough for everyone to be aware - not so much to distrust recruiters as that is typically a temp job and typically they are stand up guys/girls... but to look into things for yourself.

That being said - the OP is on the right track.

You DON'T Need or Want to talk to a normal recruiter - you call directly to a health care recruiter - google army health care recruiter... there are several different battalions - you just choose the one based on your geographic area and contact that POC... I'd spend a good deal of time on here as most of the good and bad questions have been asked and by shifting through the comments you can separate the funk from the legitimate and at least gain an idea of general requirements, time line, process, and what to expect.

(if you can't find a POC# for health care recruiter call around to different Army stations and simply say you need the phone number for regions health care recruiter.. they might ask for name or number just politely / confidently say you simply would like the number - or call next station )

there's a reason they target young naive recruits.... sometimes that old line "the recruiter lied to me" has some merit. Recruiters have a bottom line and a job to do - just like any job, there are some stand up people, but there are also those who prey on those vulnerable. I wish I had the advantage of asking previous soldiers about recruiters and the entire process. The internet has a wealth of information to be found.

[jeckrn, BSN, RN]

For the most part recruiters do not lie, they just do not tell you everything unless you ask. They sell the positives about the military not any negatives like any good salesmen would do. Yes, recruiters are salesmen.