Navy vs Air Force Deployments

[hiddencatRN, BSN, RN]

I'm going to be doing an Accelerated BSN program and have been seriously considering joining the navy when I'm out. From what I've been reading on this forum and elsewhere, it sounds like deployments are 6-12 months. Is there a general rule of thumb for how frequently deployments could be?

How do Air Force deployments compare to this, length-wise?

Maybe I'm not looking in the right places, but it seems like there's more info on the net about the Naval Nurse Corps than the AF Nurse Corps. I'm leaning more twards the Navy, but have heard that the AF has a better deployment schedule, and at this point the main thing holding me back is the idea of being away from my husband for such a long time.

[kkcrank]

AF should be around 6 months every 24 months for their medical personnel.

[wtbcrna, MSN, DNP, CRNA]

AF deployment cycle is 4months every 20months, but can be 6 or 12months. In general though most AF medical officers deploy for 4months at a time. The Navy deploys for 6months at a time, but I am not sure how often the Navy rotation cycle is.

[kkcrank]

So is this incorrect?

"Band C. Those in Band C can expect to be deployed for 6 months every 24 months. Band C includes medical personnel (except behavioral health ), supply, communications, weather, public affairs and logistics planning."

I'm just curious because during my interview, I was asked that question and that's what I said... the 6 months/24 months and wasn't told that was incorrect. Is there a difference in deployment time for enlisted/officer medical personnel?

[wtbcrna, MSN, DNP, CRNA]

So is this incorrect?

"Band C. Those in Band C can expect to be deployed for 6 months every 24 months. Band C includes medical personnel (except behavioral health ), supply, communications, weather, public affairs and logistics planning."

I'm just curious because during my interview, I was asked that question and that's what I said... the 6 months/24 months and wasn't told that was incorrect. Is there a difference in deployment time for enlisted/officer medical personnel?

http://usmilitary.about.com/od/airforce/a/afaef_2.htm

http://www.af.mil/news/story_print.asp?id=123101035

In general AF medical officers are eligible for deployment every 20months for 4months at a time. In the higher stressed/shorter manned career fields deployments can be more often and longer at a time.

The whole process is confusing, but the thing to remember is that just because you are in the deployment cycle doesn't mean you will deploy at that time or at all. You could go years without deploying or d/t manning issues could get back from one deployment and be redeployed less than a yr later.

[kkcrank]

Got it. Thanks for the info!

[carolinapooh, BSN, RN]

I was just told by a current AF RN who just got back from Balad about three months ago that RNs are deploying for six months at a clip. The Lieutenant Colonel who commissioned me on Friday confirmed this (she's an RN).

[NursePamela]

The one thing you can count on is - change. If you are trying to decide what branch based on deployments, chances are it will change as soon as you decide. :-)