Is there a maximum rank one can reach as a military ( air force ) nurse?

[secondopinion]

The title says it all. I heard from one individual in the armed forces that there is a maximum rank that a nurse in the military can reach. This maximum rank was not disclosed but it was evident that the individual meant something less than 0-10. The rationale was something along the lines of "you reach this maximum rank because any rank higher is for reserved for officers engaged in combat strategy for the military". Of course nurses are nurses and don't plan tactical combat missions so ok. Is this true or is it a myth? I'm looking into the air force but any correct response that applies to another military branch is welcomed as well. Thanks in advance.

[zombie]

in the army. my big big boss is a nurse and is a Major General.

also your specialty can dictate your chances of progressing. as a nurse in general you are pretty much garanteed to make LTC. an example is FNP very small or little chance to make colonel because the slots are not there. CRNA on the other hand is almost %100 to make colonel. Because the need is there.

if you have a pulse and don't kill anyone you will def make Maj within 9 years or so.

[docbkh]

Thanks for the great info folks! I'm a prior Navy Hospital Corpsman (E-4) and have considered returning as a nurse. You guys definitely opened my eyes to the possibilities that I thought were out of my (current) reach.

[wtbcrna, MSN, DNP, CRNA]

in the army. my big big boss is a nurse and is a Major General.

also your specialty can dictate your chances of progressing. as a nurse in general you are pretty much garanteed to make LTC. an example is FNP very small or little chance to make colonel because the slots are not there. CRNA on the other hand is almost %100 to make colonel. Because the need is there.

if you have a pulse and don't kill anyone you will def make Maj within 9 years or so.

That all depends on the branch of the service you are in. It is very hard to make Colonel in the AF as a CRNA. The Army and the Navy on the other hand have a long history of having lots CRNAs that are O-6s. In the Army's case there has been several CRNAs that have been Generals/Chief Nurses of the Army.

Also, rank progression is very service dependent. Don't count on pinning on Major as a nurse in the AF until you have been in about 12yrs and sometimes longer.