Navy or AF?

just_cause, BSN, RN · Jan 23, 2009

Do you want to work with airmen or sailors and marines. Do you want to live on the coast or on the coast or inland.... there isn't one thing over another... I'd try and isolate which you think you'd prefer and talk to that recruiter - and then coordinate with him/her that you want to shadow a nurse at a hospital and see if it's up your alley - vs - visiting both recruiters and hearing their bias spins and staying confused.. that is just me

Plenty of good posts on hear regarding experiences in their officer courses and initial experiences.. I'd continue to read posts here.. perhaps google some of the major medical facilities in each branch... aside from that you will find there is a lot more similarities then differences. Me - I'd choose Navy as I'd enjoy teaching/working with corpsmen.. and I like the coast.. overall I'd choose Army -if you are new to the military side - I'm curious why the Army is not on the plate for your decision. A lot of people (especially those entering the medical arena) seem to be influenced by stereotypes against the army but you will find a lot of reservists and active duty army Soldiers on this board that love it.

v/r

jeckrn, BSN, RN · Jan 25, 2009

Like the last post depends on what you want and where. But one thing to look at is are you going to make it a career. From the research I have done AF takes about 2 years longer to make O-4 and also has a lower promotion rate. Could change by the time you go up, it is all on what you want

just_cause, BSN, RN · Jan 25, 2009

...of course promotion rates are a terrible way to evaluate a career.

Do you know why the AF has a slower promotion rate? Perhaps others do not want to leave and stay in the ranks longer - higher job satisfaction etc. If you want a career and fast track into a career that is less likely for you to stay in it for a career.. then what is the point?

Use it as a factor - but that's a poor way to compare IMHO. Many people get caught up in the 'fast track' idea - but typically they burn out or get disillusioned faster then the norm.

jeckrn, BSN, RN · Jan 27, 2009

The reason for the low promotion rate in the AF is that they treat Nurse's as second class as far as promotions are concerned. That get what is left after line officer promotions. The Army & Navy treat nurses as part of the medical community where it belongs

suds1228 · Jan 27, 2009

I couldn't disagree more w/ jeckrn. Truthfully though, in the Air Force, anyone who is not a pilot is a 2nd class citizen. However, that is more of a lightheartly tolerated shadow of 1940's Air Force heritage than a modern code of conduct plaguing those of who choose to proudly wear the uniform today.

Make no mistake about it, I'll deflate a jetjocky ego in a nanosecond if his/her head starts gaining to much altitude.

Promotion in the Air Force is based on 2 things only... how bad you want to be promoted and how many nurses are ahead of you. I will address the latter first.

The number of nurses (Billets) in the USAF Nurse Corps (I can't speak for sister services) is Congressionally set. Meaning the Air Force cannot just say "I want more Majors" and make space for them. This is (as far as I know) one of the only professional corps where the quota is set in this manner. As opposed to the guidance that dictates how many Pilots, Navagators, Maintenance Officers, Intel Officer etc whose numbers are set more from internal standards.

It does take a long time to make rank in the Air Force, true. However, some years are quicker than others depending on how many nurses in the higher rank are retiring or separating. I will wear O-3 for 5 years before I will meet the O-4 boards in 2010. The avg Time in Rank for an O-3 Nurse Coprs Officer is 4-6 years. Each rank has a different time standa

I couldn't disagree more w/ jeckrn. Truthfully though, in the Air Force, anyone who is not a pilot is a 2nd class citizen. But that is more of a lightheartly tolerated shadow of 1940's Air Force heritage than a modern code of conduct plaguing those of who choose to proudly wear the uniform.

Make now mistake about it, I'll deflate a jetjocky ego in a nanosecond if his/her head starts gaining to much altitude.

Promotion in the Air Force is based on 2 things only... how bad you want to be promoted and how many nurses are ahead of you.

The number of nurses (Billets) in the USAF Nurse Corps (I can't speak for sister services) is Congressionally set. Meaning the Air Force cannot just say "I want more Majors" and make space for them. This is (as far as I know) one of the only professional corps where the quota is set in this manner. As opposed to the guidance that dictates how many Pilots, Navagators, Maintenance Officers, Intel Officer etc whose numbers are set from internal standards.

It does take a long time to make rank in the Air Force, true. However, some years are quicker than others depending on how many nurses in the higher rank are retiring or separating. I will wear O-3 for 5 years before I will meet the O-4 boards in 2010. .

So "How bad you want it"...You must keep yourself promotable. Do your PME, get a Certification, get your masters, demonstrate solid clinical and professional/officership skills through good meaty assignments and deploy as much as possible. Oh, and DO NOT get a DUI, steal narcotics from your patients, sleep with the technicians, beat your wife...blah, blah, blah...and you will likely get promoted.

I would guide your decision more on what are you looking for in a career. Both services have great opportunites. I would have loved to have gone out to sea on a huge aircraft carrier, or be apart of a long and proud Navel heritage but I love the fact that as a USAF Flight Nurse, I personally have had the honor of having flown well over 3000 wounded soldiers, saliors, marines and coalition troops out of the desert and brought them home. It just doesn't get more gratifying.

Seek out what each service has to offer you; locations, opportunities, special schools/training. You wont go wrong with either Navy or AF. Good luck my friend.

suds1228 · Jan 27, 2009

Sorry lots of spelling errors in previous post. I hit send before proofing and edit feature did not take.

Daisy Doodle · Jan 27, 2009

Active Duty Navy! It was the best decision I ever made. Top notch training, education, and professionalism. I am now the stay at home mom of two month old twins. I love my new mommy job but miss being in uniform. I have traveled and lived in numerous foreign countries. Hands down Navy all the way. The Airforce does have great bases overseas though. Good luck in your journey. Contact a Navy Health care Recruiter.

just_cause, BSN, RN · Jan 27, 2009

Suds,

Great post - that sums it up. Billets by branch create a vacuum of slots ie top up pull, and this drives the promotion rate or timeline... So the idea that your sister branches or services are promoted faster and thus 'better' is potentially backwards thinking. It is something to keep in the back of your mind but not a great way to base the decision. There will always be microcausims as who the in crowd is.. in the AF it's probably the pilots.. of the pilots its probably the fighter pilots.. of fighter pilots its those with confirmed kills..

In nursing it may be CC compared to LD.. or those with a certian additional school.. in the Army it may be the infantry.. within the infantry its the SOC.. etc etc. :)

Tzu911 · Jan 30, 2009

Great thread. To my understanding, Navy offers $10,000 sign on bonus and Airforce $20,000 to 30,000 depends if you have loans to repay or not. With either branch of service you will not enter combat, although to the field facility is possible. AF boasts a shorter eligibility requirement, at 20 years, comparing to Navy's 30 years.

In fact, after reading http://usmilitary.about.com/cs/generalpay/a/retirementpay.htm, here's the comparison I can generate for you: Army & AF: accession bonus $20-30K, retire after 20 years. Navy: accession bonus $10k, retire after 30 years. Just presenting some facts. In no way I'm knocking the Navy. As a matter of the fact, if I were to do it, Navy would be my top choic.

suds1228 · Jan 31, 2009

I read article attached by Tzu911. Don't be mislead. The articles discusses what I think are verbage differences when discussing retirement pay. The bottom line is this: If you do 20 years of Federal Service, in any uniformed branch, your 50% base pay starts the day after you formally turn in your papers. This I believe also applies to non-uniformed "GS" Federal employees as well.

just_cause, BSN, RN · Jan 31, 2009

Tzu- same info you posted - and my same reply (from a different post of yours..)

I think about closer inspection that you will find all branches of the military to have the exact same 'retirement plan'. The time line that you retire form active duty enables you to leave at 20 and go into IRR and receive "retirement pay" based upon your top 3 avg... you can stay for longer duration (as long as you haven't hit the retention control point) and thus build up a higher percentage of monthly retirement pay... but many opt for leaving at 20 years and pursuing another career or not working... some choose to stay longer.

I concur w/ suds.. don't be misled - and more importantly lets not mislead others