navy nurse to army nurse?

allnurses Guide · Nov 28, 2009

First of all I am a new Navy nurse, and I really like my job and being in the military. I REALLY enjoyed my limited time at officer training command, especially all the "hooah" military type stuff and PTing and all. I have been reading about the army nurse corps and talking to some former nurses, and it sounds like I would enjoy the army even more. I like working in the hospital caring for patients, but I also like to be outdoors, in the fields, doing athletics, camping, and that sort of thing.
Would the army even be interested in taking a service transfer? Would I keep my navy equivalent rank and pay?
OBLC sounds really fun, especially all the weapons/land nav/"grunt" stuff. To all you army nurses, do you think I might be a better fit for the army?

Yes, you can do an interservice transfer to the Army, but you will probably have to serve out your Navy time committment first.

Here is some more information on transfering to the Army. https://www.hrc.army.mil/site/Active/opdistacc/IST/CIST.htm

As an officer doing an interservice transfer your time/grade cannot be changed as long as you don't have a break in service. It is different for enlisted. Enlisted can gain or lose rank with transfers, but not officers.

Why not look at Navy jobs that allow you to be stationed with the Marines? That should be enough gung ho, ground pounding for anyone.

It sounds like you are just new to the military/Navy, and just going through a transition period. All the services are going to have their mundane parts of day to day life intermixed with deployments and military training.

jeckrn, BSN, RN · Nov 28, 2009

Agree with the appove poster, you can go out and do the "grunt" stuff with the Marines or with a Fleet Hospital. As far as interservice transfer goes there is a Navy reg on that so you need to do a web search for that. It will give you the directions to do a interservice transfer. Remember your command has to grant you a condition release for it to happen. My advise to you since it appears you are new to the Navy is to sit back, learn the trade, then in a few years think about the interservice transfer if you are still interested. In the Army just because you are assigned to a CSH or FST does not mean you do not work in a hospital. Most of the time that is where you will be until the unit deploys.

caliotter3 · Nov 28, 2009

I also agree that you should take some time to let the newness wear off before you take the steps to transfer. You know what they say about the greener grass. Each service, as well as each duty station, has its disadvantages and advantages, so you want to make certain you really want the change and are not just hopping from one new experience to another. Good luck with your military career.

aglages · Nov 28, 2009

Did you do ROTC or accept a signing / educational loan forgiveness bonus? Above and beyond the inter-service transfer regs it may be a problem if the Navy has given you money to join.