National Guard and attending grad school

deftonez188 · Oct 18, 2008

If you go Army, probably, yes you'll be interrupted. Join the AF Guard instead, i've been in it for almost 3 years after active duty and my unit has been really good about school - I have it worked out with my commander to only attend AT in the summer. Only deployments I missed out on was Israel for a week that was a bummer, otherwise, the guard is sweet.

Army to Air force is easy too, no boot camp or training, just high fived - grab a new uniform, and show up once a month

just_cause, BSN, RN · Oct 18, 2008

vor,

I'm not in the guard..but have friends who progressed into it... as deftones said there are good 'user' friendly options. A lot of that is dependent on your local commander... that being said the majority of them are in similar circumstances and understand the citizen soldier balance.... the flip side is there are times where there hand may be forced. I recommend talking to your local rep/recruiter... and then perhaps getting an email/phone/chat with the unit commander of the unit you are looking at. A lot of time this can be beneficial and place everything out on the table prior to making a committment based on a mutual understanding.

I do like the idea of a high five and new uniform - great post deftonz~

olderthandirt2 · Oct 19, 2008

Hi all,
I am a USANG veteran and am considering re-joining once I graduate in May with my BSN. However, I do want to attend graduate school for my NP ASAP and was wondering if it is possible to function as a traditional guardsman and do grad school at the same time.
Do the drill weekends and AT get in the way of school and clinicals?

Howdy Vor,

I am a PhD student, work 50hr/wk on a flight team and I am Army reserve..... it works for me. (of course, I am not NG or doing clinicals.....but my civilian work keeps me very busy!).

good luck,

cindy

voraciousj · Oct 19, 2008

Yeah I was in the Air guard for 6 years, and am kinda missing it. I was NBC the last go around, and that was during 9/11 so I was ALWAYS missing school. It looks as though I'm gonna have to feel out the new command and see how receptive they would be to me attending grad school at the same time as guard.

BTW....how was OCS? How long was it?

Thanks!

twoods2332 · Dec 19, 2008

OCS is call COT for the Air Force. And it is 15 to 30 days. And it is in AL. I am a air national guard officer. Let me know if you have any questions.

Tejon

patrick1rn, MSN, RN, NP · Dec 26, 2008

I attended grad school ( FNP ) program and I am still in the NG. I could not do my 2 weeks of AT for two years because of clinicals. So I wrote my commander a letter and explained that to him. I also showed him my school schedule and my clinical schedule. They want as many boots on the ground as possible, but they are getting and enlisted medic with combat experience and the medical experience of a seasoned RN and a new nurse practitioner. Im not in a medical unit though.