Joining the army?

This discussion has been moved to the Government / Military Nursing forum with the goal of attracting more responses.

BTW, I know the US Army used to utilize LPNs, but only as enlisted personnel (not as officers) due to lack of a baccalaureate degree.

Is anyone here former military personnel? how was your exp in the army? is it possible if you join the national guard? i just dont see myself using a gun though. is it possible to join and not deal with weapons? i got a 28 on their practice test. Should I join the army?

The Army does have LPNs, but you'd come in as an enlisted person. Many of the MOSs (military occupational specialties) are overstrength right now, especially with the war winding down. I know that medics are overstrength right now, and I'm pretty sure LPNs (68C MOS) is close to being in the same situation. A recruiter would have the current information.

Regarding weapons: if you join the Army, you are a soldier first, before being a nurse. Period, end of story. You will be dealing with weapons, constantly. You will have to fire your weapon and qualify with an acceptable score. Trust me when I tell you that you will know your weapon inside and out, you'll know how to take it apart and put it back together, you'll know how to clean it and maintain it, and you'll know how to fix it if it malfunctions. If you don't want to touch a weapon, do NOT join the Army.