I have some questions about becoming an AF Nurse

jleo22 · Sep 22, 2016

It seems like you have had 99 views and no one has replied. I am not a nurse or anywhere near being one. I am an enlisted soldier about to get out of the Army after almost 4 years of active duty. But I made an account just to answer your questions (I remember how much I needed advice after high school).

1. I would recommend doing ROTC. That way you are guaranteed to commission into the Air Force as an officer and I believe there is no additional training to commission after completing ROTC. If you do not do ROTC, the other route is COT (Commissioned Officer Training). According to my knowledge you contact an Air Force healthcare recruiter and then they work with you to get a commission and join the Air Force. HOWEVER, this route is not very reliable. The Air Force is not hurting for personnel and are very selective as to who they take. If you go the direct commission/COT route, be prepared to possibly have a few years of experience as a nurse if you want to be considered in addition to a bunch of other requirements.

2. The difference between joining the regular Air Force and the Air Force Reserves is the active duty portion. I believe the Air Force only commissions officers into Active Duty through ROTC (could be wrong). With active duty, you join the Air Force and are stationed at a base, wherever the Air Force sends and needs you. Example - I joined the active duty (regular) Army out of Florida and was stationed in Kansas. If you join the Air Force Reserves, you can remain in your state/town, and you "drill" (one weekend per month/2 weeks per year) close to home, usually a couple of hours from home.

3. Air Force officer Nurses will not go to COT if they did ROTC. You will go to COT if you complete your BSN on your own (no ROTC) and then decide after you graduate and pass the NCLEX that you want to join the Air Force as a nurse.

4. Copy and paste this link: U.S. Air Force - Find a recruiter

5. Usually it would be 4 years of active duty and 4 years reserve when you join, yes. You may want to talk to a recruiter to get the specifics though.

6. Can't answer that one for you. As far as joining the military, it is a great opportunity to get in excellent physical condition, meet great friends and leaders, and travel!

Good luck!

sd610 · Sep 23, 2016

It seems like you have had 99 views and no one has replied. I am not a nurse or anywhere near being one. I am an enlisted soldier about to get out of the Army after almost 4 years of active duty. But I made an account just to answer your questions (I remember how much I needed advice after high school).
1. I would recommend doing ROTC. That way you are guaranteed to commission into the Air Force as an officer and I believe there is no additional training to commission after completing ROTC. If you do not do ROTC, the other route is COT (Commissioned Officer Training). According to my knowledge you contact an Air Force healthcare recruiter and then they work with you to get a commission and join the Air Force. HOWEVER, this route is not very reliable. The Air Force is not hurting for personnel and are very selective as to who they take. If you go the direct commission/COT route, be prepared to possibly have a few years of experience as a nurse if you want to be considered in addition to a bunch of other requirements.
2. The difference between joining the regular Air Force and the Air Force Reserves is the active duty portion. I believe the Air Force only commissions officers into Active Duty through ROTC (could be wrong). With active duty, you join the Air Force and are stationed at a base, wherever the Air Force sends and needs you. Example - I joined the active duty (regular) Army out of Florida and was stationed in Kansas. If you join the Air Force Reserves, you can remain in your state/town, and you "drill" (one weekend per month/2 weeks per year) close to home, usually a couple of hours from home.
3. Air Force officer Nurses will not go to COT if they did ROTC. You will go to COT if you complete your BSN on your own (no ROTC) and then decide after you graduate and pass the NCLEX that you want to join the Air Force as a nurse.
4. Copy and paste this link: U.S. Air Force - Find a recruiter
5. Usually it would be 4 years of active duty and 4 years reserve when you join, yes. You may want to talk to a recruiter to get the specifics though.
6. Can't answer that one for you. As far as joining the military, it is a great opportunity to get in excellent physical condition, meet great friends and leaders, and travel!
Good luck!

Thank you SO much! You have no idea how much I appreciate you answering me -- and even making an account just to answer me! I really appreciate it, and I totally am feeling how you did in high school (needing advice). Thank you!! :):):)

jleo22 · Sep 23, 2016

Thank you SO much! You have no idea how much I appreciate you answering me -- and even making an account just to answer me! I really appreciate it, and I totally am feeling how you did in high school (needing advice). Thank you!! :):):)

No problem and good luck!