hmmm?

I think now would be a good time to pursue this, being that we now have a significantly less hawkish president in office. This is a great path as long as you can live with less rights to change jobs at will. You forfeit that in the military in exchange for the benefits you will receive.

I was in the army reserves for 5 yrs, and learned alot of interesting things. I had an associate's degree in nursing when I joined, and now have a BSN. I have encouraged my kids to join some branch of the military. So far in our family, we have navy, air force, national guard, army, and army reserves. It has provided them with great travel opportunities, discipline, and interesting learning experiences, as well as money for college. There are negatives. My daughter spent 6 month in Iraq with a guard unit which could not even provide their soldiers with drinking water. We sent her 3 cases of bottled water every week (other families did the same). She still has nightmares about their one soldier who was killed...a sniper got him when his truck stalled...it was her truck, and she was supposed to have been driving it. Her commander changed her assignment at the last minute. My daughter was also the medic, so she had to pronounce her soldier buddy dead. She has struggled with her inability to save him, struggled with suvivor's guilt. But she got through it, and the military has paid for her college. My son who is in the air force spent all his free time traveling during his 3 yrs in Germany. He has been so many neat places! Our experience has been that the army will work you to death. You have more free time, more choices, and often more pay in the navy or air force. I don't know about scholarships, but any branch of the military will pay for your education.

I joined the Navy when I was seventeen years old and it was the best decision I ever made. I got out after five years to go to nursing school which unfortunately didn't happen right away. When I did finally go back, I was able to use my Montgomery GI bill money which paid for everything. My advice is to do it, no matter what branch. You will learn so much and get money for school, not to mention the friendships you will make. I wish I had stayed in longer just for the travel opportunities. Good luck to you in your decision.:)

I joined the Army and did 4 years long before I went into nursing school and used the GI Bill to get me through my ADN. It worked out nicely and think the discipline gained from the millitary helped alot.

army retiree here, 20 yrs, today 27 yrs after i signed up, im finishing my pre-reqs for the RN bridge program. I would not join the military as a stepping stone to a nursing degree. If you to try the army life thats fine. it is very very easy to get sidetracked especially with two wars going on. **** happens and it will surely happen in the armed forces. It is even harder to get your college courses taken while in the military , it took me 3.5 yrs to get a 2 year degree.

it took me 19 yrs to get the chance to go to paramedic school.

and remember they have you for 8 YEARS. it doesnt matter whether you sign up for 2, 3, or 4 years u r theres for 8, they can call u back in that 8 year window at their whim. and if you are thinking reserves gues who does a lot of the war zone deployments right now. the reserves.

so if you want to try military life fine, and if u survive spend your GI bill on nursing school great.

but if you r looking at the military as way to pay for rn school i would say dont.

BTW i learned a lot in 20 yrs and did things they dont let u do in the civilian world.

better yet get your BSN then join the army, you'll be an officer making pretty good money,

BTW i luved every minute of the army after i retired. :)

Im getting My ADN thru community college, and they will still call me Nurse.

peace out,

be safe

brett

Thank you all, you have served our country and I am entirely greatfull. I have to think about this alot, the reason I want to join, if I do. Is to better myself, my connection with others, expirence event that otherwise I wouldnt have the oppertunity to. See the world, becuase it is just the one life we all live, so it should be of the best to serve for this great country. Thanks again everyone, let me know if you have anything else to add.