Marine Corps Reserve & Nursing School

Guest957596 · Jul 12, 2016

Retired military here. If you go reserves now, there is a slim chance you'll get called to active duty, possibly in the middle of Nursing school. If you want a wake up, join the Marines. Or get your BSN and apply for a nursing commission in the Navy, Air Force, etc.

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lasarazen · Jul 12, 2016

It sounds like you aren't sure what your priorities are at this time (which is understandable, given your age). Do you want to be a Marine or do you want to be a Nurse at this time? I would not recommend trying to be in the MC Reserves while you are in nursing school (sorry if I'm misunderstanding your plan, your post is a little confusing) - nursing school is not something that's like any other degree, it is VERY time intensive and although you would likely be given permission to go to drills and whatnot, missing class or clinicals would not be in your best interest if you want to be successful in your schooling. It would be different if you went via ROTC specifically for nursing school (I know Army does this, don't know about the other services) - it is more coordinated with your school's program. Or, if you went the Navy Nurse Candidate Program route (they pay for a certain amount of your schooling in exchange for years of service to begin upon you passing the NCLEX).

I've seen recent photos of Navy nurses deployed to the Role 3 medical facility in southern Afghanistan, so you are very wrong about "only shorelines"...where Marines go and need medical support, there goes Navy personnel as well. If you have heard anyone in the Navy or Army "breezing by" their time in service, it's because they're not managing their careers aggressively or are actively avoiding challenging assignments. All the branches that have medical corps have a ton of opportunities to grow and gain advanced education if you are motivated to pursue it.

As far as the Army having bases in the "middle of nowhere"...not sure if you are talking about stateside or deployment areas of operation, so I'm not sure what point you're getting at there. If you really want to get the full deployment experience as close to the "action" as possible as a medical professional, then you should be a Hospital Corpsman (Navy) or Combat Medic (Army). Not that RNs aren't utilized in combat theaters (read a little on military nursing history from WWI thru Vietnam thru the present!), but there are far less of us, and by necessity there are many more medics who get sent into the fray with the ground units. There are some opportunities down the line to get attached to a Spec Ops unit or some such (like this young woman Army Capt. Jennifer M. Moreno | Military Times).

But, if you go enlisted as a HM or medic, you can kiss being a nurse goodbye for the years you are serving your initial commitment. After that, there are "green to gold" programs that allow enlisted the time/funds to go to nursing school and become RNs and commissioned officers, but I understand those programs are pretty competitive.

Not sure if any of this is helpful, but it sounds like you need to talk to some active duty or veterans (not recruiters) and get a little more perspective on what it is you're looking for.

nishey94 · Jul 12, 2016

I don't really know where to go to talk to active duty or veterans, I really don't know anyone other than my recruiters that are even in the military........I feel like I'm probably going to have to give up on the Marines because it really isn't fitting in with my plans.

I feel like Im mainly doing nursing for my parents. Who I owe everything to. They've done so much for me.....when I told my mom that I wanted to join the military she gave me this heart broken look and she said she thought that this time I would make her proud, finish school and get a job, so she can rest easy and know that I'll be okay.

I feel so stuck, like i have no choice but to finish school, Ive wasted so much money. I mean I do like the medical field, I like being in the hospital and treating people and just talking & being around them & a fast paced environment. I don't mind the throw up or any other body fluids or the gore that would come my way. I know I would make a great nurse. I just don't know if that is what I want for the rest of my life....yet it is affecting so much of my future....

I think that I am going to look more into the Army nursing, see if I can talk to someone currently in it.

Guest957596 · Jul 14, 2016

I don't really know where to go to talk to active duty or veterans, I really don't know anyone other than my recruiters that are even in the military........I feel like I'm probably going to have to give up on the Marines because it really isn't fitting in with my plans.
I feel like Im mainly doing nursing for my parents. Who I owe everything to. They've done so much for me.....when I told my mom that I wanted to join the military she gave me this heart broken look and she said she thought that this time I would make her proud, finish school and get a job, so she can rest easy and know that I'll be okay.
I feel so stuck, like i have no choice but to finish school, Ive wasted so much money. I mean I do like the medical field, I like being in the hospital and treating people and just talking & being around them & a fast paced environment. I don't mind the throw up or any other body fluids or the gore that would come my way. I know I would make a great nurse. I just don't know if that is what I want for the rest of my life....yet it is affecting so much of my future....
I think that I am going to look more into the Army nursing, see if I can talk to someone currently in it.

If you are doing ANYTHING for your parents, or what they want, you're doing the WRONG thing.

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nurse2033, MSN, RN · Jul 14, 2016

We can't decide for you. But don't finish nursing school and then not work as a nurse. You will fall behind and will definitely have trouble getting a job. Besides, why go to nursing school if that's not your profession? Each branch of the military has bases in awesome, and not-so-awesome places. Choose the branch that most closely fits you, which I realize may be hard. If you join, you will learn that every posting has its benefits and you don't need bullets whizzing over your head to make it meaningful. Good luck.

Editorial Team / Moderator · Jul 14, 2016

They've done so much for me.....

Of course they have. They are your parents, it's their job. But you don't owe them the rest of your life if you go into a career that is not a good fit for you or about which you are not passionate. I don't think any parent would want a child to be unhappy in their career choice.

Your mom will worry about you being the military, but she'll be proud. And after she realizes how amazing you are for being in that small percentage that serves, she'll brag about you. She's just scared for you, that's all. There are so many benefits to service that you can point to for them: college money/tuition assistance while active, GI Bill when you're done, and all that life experience in between.

Army nursing is very full right now now â€” the Army is involuntarily cutting a lot of nurses. The best way to get into the Army as a nurse right now is to either go through an ROTC program in college (though this does NOT guarantee active duty), or to become a nurse with a BSN, have a stellar GPA from school, get two years of specialty experience, and then apply for direct commission. The Army is not accepting new graduate nurses right now outside of the ROTC pathway.

ckh23, BSN, RN · Jul 20, 2016

I took off a semester in the middle of nursing school to join the reserves. Once boot camp and SOI was done, I went right back to school. Just remember if you do this while in school you are rolling the dice when it comes to activations, drills, and AT. Your military obligation trumps and school obligation you may have. It may be better to finish school and start working and then join if you so desire. You can also look into an MOS that doesn't require a lot of time to train for, unless there is something specific you want to do.

RN4vets · Jul 22, 2016

*********************************************************

I really want to join the Marine Corp and I know in my heart of hearts
if I joined any other branch I would always wonder how it would have
been if I had joined the Corp.
This is what I want: A life changing Boot Camp, I want to learn discipline,
I want to have a rude awakening to life. I want comradery, as sense of
belonging.

***********************************************************

...A "life changing" Boot Camp....my dear, there is NOTHING ON EARTH to compare to Marine Corps Boot Camp. You have to experience it for yourself. Please take a look at Stanley Kubrick's film, Full Metal Jacket. The first 45 minutes or so is the most accurate portrayal I've seen in any movie. In fact, the first time the Senior DI appeared, I found myself about to launch out of my seat to "lock my scummy body on the yellow footprints"!

You are correct in your expressions of belonging, hence, "Once a Marine, ALWAYS a Marine". The feeling of accomplishing something extraordinary is when they place that Eagle Globe and Anchor in your palm and finally call you something other than an expletive, or derisive low-life term. From that moment and forever more, you are addressed as "Marine". No one can EVER take that from you!

I feel your dismay about the MC not having their own medical personnel and MOS specialty. After serving 4 years, I wanted to reenlist and change over to something in that field as I had already obtained my EMT Basic by volunteering with the local Fire Department. My passion for the medical profession was in full blaze and it was an agonizing decision to leave my green & khakis behind. The Navy made it an easier decision when they offered to send me to Corpsman School....but I had to drop two ranks on signing my contract! Somehow, 4 years in the Marine Corps did not destroy my math skills, so instead I took a job that lead to being a Paramedic.

I spent 20 years as a street medic before making the transition to Nursing School, and then on to a natural fit in the ER. I've served our nations veterans for almost 25 years as a VA nurse, and that, too, is a unique experience as I always feel like I'm looking out for my comrades.

I hear where your heart is coming from. I encountered MANY US Navy medical personnel who wore a Marine Corps Good Conduct ribbon on their chest, which told me that they too had been faced with a searing decision to leave their beloved Marine Corps and follow other passions. I can honestly tell you that my salute to them was just a bit more crisp for their being in that life-long brotherhood.

When faced with other challenges in life, you often hear many former Marines exclaim, "Yeah? So What? What are they gonna do? Shave my head and send me to Boot Camp?" And then burst into a guffaw that immediately tells you that they consider the next challenge to be insignificant compared to what they accomplished in successfully completing Marine Corps Boot Camp.

You are still very young, although well on your way to making some solid decisions for the rest of your life. If you chose the path of the Marines, there are many opportunities for off-hours education as well as educational opportunities within your MOS and leadership development. Your medical training will most likely be self-directed, and truthfully, my experience as a Paramedic has definitely made me a better Nurse!

Since you have expressed such a heartfelt desire to belong to the Marines, you may not feel the same sense of belonging and kinship were you to explore nursing with the Army or Air Force. You would only feel at home in the US Navy. Not only that, but they have MUCH cooler Officer ranks! C'mon, "Commander" sounds SO much better than "Lt Colonel". And if you've served at least 3 years enlisted in the MC, and earned your MCGCM, believe me, your Marine patients WILL notice, and WILL give you that extra measure of respect!

Hope I've given you something to think about, even more, I hope I've provided a clear perspective in helping you make some important decisions. God Bless, and best of luck!

RN4vets · Jul 22, 2016

nishey94

anchorRN, BSN Pro I can't speak for the Army or the Air Force but I'm

active duty in the Navy's Nurse Corps and can help answer any Navy

questions you may have.

...saw this post on another thread...looks like someone who can answer

some of your questions!

MikaelaMcDaniel · Jul 27, 2017

Good Evening, my name is Mikaela McDaniel and I would like to know if your medical background within the Navy is usable in civilian environment hospital or outside of the Navy?

nurse2033, MSN, RN · Jul 28, 2017

*********************************************************
***********************************************************
...A "life changing" Boot Camp....my dear, there is NOTHING ON EARTH to compare to Marine Corps Boot Camp. You have to experience it for yourself. Please take a look at Stanley Kubrick's film, Full Metal Jacket. The first 45 minutes or so is the most accurate portrayal I've seen in any movie. In fact, the first time the Senior DI appeared, I found myself about to launch out of my seat to "lock my scummy body on the yellow footprints"!
You are correct in your expressions of belonging, hence, "Once a Marine, ALWAYS a Marine". The feeling of accomplishing something extraordinary is when they place that Eagle Globe and Anchor in your palm and finally call you something other than an expletive, or derisive low-life term. From that moment and forever more, you are addressed as "Marine". No one can EVER take that from you!
I feel your dismay about the MC not having their own medical personnel and MOS specialty. After serving 4 years, I wanted to reenlist and change over to something in that field as I had already obtained my EMT Basic by volunteering with the local Fire Department. My passion for the medical profession was in full blaze and it was an agonizing decision to leave my green & khakis behind. The Navy made it an easier decision when they offered to send me to Corpsman School....but I had to drop two ranks on signing my contract! Somehow, 4 years in the Marine Corps did not destroy my math skills, so instead I took a job that lead to being a Paramedic.
I spent 20 years as a street medic before making the transition to Nursing School, and then on to a natural fit in the ER. I've served our nations veterans for almost 25 years as a VA nurse, and that, too, is a unique experience as I always feel like I'm looking out for my comrades.
I hear where your heart is coming from. I encountered MANY US Navy medical personnel who wore a Marine Corps Good Conduct ribbon on their chest, which told me that they too had been faced with a searing decision to leave their beloved Marine Corps and follow other passions. I can honestly tell you that my salute to them was just a bit more crisp for their being in that life-long brotherhood.
When faced with other challenges in life, you often hear many former Marines exclaim, "Yeah? So What? What are they gonna do? Shave my head and send me to Boot Camp?" And then burst into a guffaw that immediately tells you that they consider the next challenge to be insignificant compared to what they accomplished in successfully completing Marine Corps Boot Camp.
You are still very young, although well on your way to making some solid decisions for the rest of your life. If you chose the path of the Marines, there are many opportunities for off-hours education as well as educational opportunities within your MOS and leadership development. Your medical training will most likely be self-directed, and truthfully, my experience as a Paramedic has definitely made me a better Nurse!
Since you have expressed such a heartfelt desire to belong to the Marines, you may not feel the same sense of belonging and kinship were you to explore nursing with the Army or Air Force. You would only feel at home in the US Navy. Not only that, but they have MUCH cooler Officer ranks! C'mon, "Commander" sounds SO much better than "Lt Colonel". And if you've served at least 3 years enlisted in the MC, and earned your MCGCM, believe me, your Marine patients WILL notice, and WILL give you that extra measure of respect!
Hope I've given you something to think about, even more, I hope I've provided a clear perspective in helping you make some important decisions. God Bless, and best of luck!

True that! I saw Full Metal Jacket when it first came out in the theater with a marine. He was emphatic, that was boot camp!