Navy or Air Force?

allnurses Guide · Apr 11, 2009

I am considering joining the military. I will graduate with my BSN in less than a month. Does anyone have any advice on which branch to join? I have heard the air force treats its employees better, but that's about all I know. I just wanted to hear some personal experiences. Thank you!

It is all relative....both services have their pros and cons. I wouldn't expect a higher quality of life from one vs. the other.

The Navy has some of the best hospitals and bases. The AF has the shortest deployments...most of the time. Navy nurses participate more in their duty location choices than AF nurses, but again everything is relative.

I am AF and work in a Navy hospital. I can truthfully say day to day there really isn't that much difference in the two services.

NursePamela · Apr 11, 2009

"Above All" it is a matter of personal preference! :)

just_cause, BSN, RN · Apr 12, 2009

I think that in 'many' situations being a nurse within ANY service is much closer then being a nurse in the Army compared to other Army jobs.. and same with Navy and AF... my 2 cents :) We have much more in common then not.. and all branches have significant benefits and enables you to serve airmen, soldiers, marines and sailors!

futurern123 · Apr 12, 2009

Thanks everyone.... So once you join, is there some type of training camp you have to go through? Is it like boot camp?

just_cause, BSN, RN · Apr 12, 2009

Each branch has a school that will basically orient you to the military.. how to wear your uniform.. custom and courtesies, etc. The training will be physical at times but is not in your face as basic training... the schools are all meant to graduate all nurses (and other health care professionals) and not meant to weed anyone out - provided you can accomplish basic tasks.. they need you. Continue reading through these forums and you will see first hand experiences of these. I'd create a chart with some basic questions, create a basic timeline for the service you are interested in.. and then create a lists of tasks required to get you in that branch. You can post that info here and I'm sure others will be happy to provide some feedback.

v/r

jeckrn, BSN, RN · Apr 15, 2009

You need to explore the pros & cons of each service and find the one that fits good for you. After you choose plan it taking some time before you get an answer 6-8 months after you start the process. Good luck on what ever service you choose. Also look at the Army & USPHS because you do not want to look back in a couple of years and say I should have talked to them too. I didn't do that many years ago when I enlisted in the Navy, if I would have checked out the other services I would have seen that they had a job that I would have rather had then the one in the Navy.

sassysoldier · Apr 16, 2009

Airforce is 4-5 weeks training Commissioned Officer Training Maxwell AFB, Alabama http://www.au.af.mil/au/holmcenter/OTS/COT-RCOT/index.asp

Navy is 5 weeks training Officer Development Training (ODS) Newport, Rhode Island https://www.netc.navy.mil/nstc/otcn/Schoolhouses/ODS/ODS_FAQ.htm

Both are trainings for medical and other officers that have been commissioned.

spongebob6286, BSN, RN · Apr 19, 2009

if you have a bachelors degree are you in commission officer of you still need to apply for it? i have talked to a navy recruiter, he told me that i still need to apply to be a commission officer. my uncle who is a retired navy officer told me that if you have a bachelor's degree you are not on the enlisted side. pls do correct me if i have the wron informations. thank you

jeckrn, BSN, RN · Apr 19, 2009

if you have a bachelors degree are you in commission officer of you still need to apply for it? i have talked to a navy recruiter, he told me that i still need to apply to be a commission officer. my uncle who is a retired navy officer told me that if you have a bachelor's degree you are not on the enlisted side. pls do correct me if i have the wron informations. thank you

You need to apply to become an commission officer. Having a bachelor's degree does not make you automaticaly a officer. If the bachelor degree is in a area of concentration that any of the services can not use they will not give you a commission. I have served with some people when I was in the Navy who had thier bachelor degree before they joined and served in the enlisted ranks.