New Grad NP wanting active army-set me straight please.

Published

Hi all, really finding this forum helpful and interesting.

I am a new grad psych NP and I'm currently talking with army healthcare recruiters about going active duty. Can you clear up some things for me please?

1. I want to go to Germany, specifically Landstuhl, to work as a psych NP. The recruiter pulled up the info from their end and showed me various open slots in Germany. He says they need psych NP's pretty bad, and if that I want to go to Germany that the army can make it happen.

My question- I don't sign my contract until I know where I am going, is that correct? If I put my first choice as Germany, my last choice as San Antonio... if it comes back that I'm needed in San Antonio, I can say .."thanks, but no thanks...right"? I don't think I'd sign up if it wasn't guaranteed I'm going where I want to go. So what's the deal here please?

2. Once I go to Germany I'm on active duty there for 3 years. The Army sets me up, ships all my belongings, ships my car, gets me an apartment, gets me a bank account ect. So, I'm settled. They don't pull me after 6 months and say, oh you're actually needed in Iraq now, so you're going to Iraq. I will be in Germany for the 3 years active duty right?

3. Active duty time is finished, I have 5 more years of reserves time to fill. What if there is continuing need for psych NP's in Germany, but I want to go home back to the states. Can the army keep me in Germany for 5 more years of active duty?

4. Say I do my 3 years of active duty and I love it, I want to reenlist for 3 more years. What happens to my remaining original 5 years of reserve time? Does that get stripped down to 2 years remaining (because I've been active for 6 years)?

5. How is it looking for psych NP's for making a career in the military. If I want to do the 20 years and then retire, is that possible? Or do they cut you loose after you've served your time?

Thanks very much for any insights, and also additional things I didn't cover if you want to comment I'd be happy. Obviously I'm a newbie. My recruiter is away until next month, I'll hit him with more questions then. If you've got experience at Landstuhl or are army Psych NP active duty I'd be especially happy to hear from you.

I've been reaching out to army psych NP's all over the place....they are eerily quiet and non responding. I mean I want to get rolling with this and I think it would be rewarding, I just wanna know what I'm getting into.

Thanks and best wishes.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Operating room, ER, Home Health.
3 hours ago, skoolinyou said:

1. I want to go to Germany, specifically Landstuhl, to work as a psych NP. The recruiter pulled up the info from their end and showed me various open slots in Germany. He says they need psych NP's pretty bad, and if that I want to go to Germany that the army can make it happen.

It

3 hours ago, skoolinyou said:

My question- I don't sign my contract until I know where I am going, is that correct? If I put my first choice as Germany, my last choice as San Antonio... if it comes back that I'm needed in San Antonio, I can say .."thanks, but no thanks...right"? I don't think I'd sign up if it wasn't guaranteed I'm going where I want to go. So what's the deal here please?

It can be put in your contract where you are going but orders can be changed on the needs of the Army.

3 hours ago, skoolinyou said:

2. Once I go to Germany I'm on active duty there for 3 years. The Army sets me up, ships all my belongings, ships my car, gets me an apartment, gets me a bank account ect. So, I'm settled. They don't pull me after 6 months and say, oh you're actually needed in Iraq now, so you're going to Iraq. I will be in Germany for the 3 years active duty right?

They will ship your household goods and car but it is up to you to find a place to leave that is in your housing allowance. They do have services to help you find your place. You will need to set up your own bank account before you go on active duty.

You can always be deployed, that’s just the nature of the military.

3 hours ago, skoolinyou said:

3. Active duty time is finished, I have 5 more years of reserves time to fill. What if there is continuing need for psych NP's in Germany, but I want to go home back to the states. Can the army keep me in Germany for 5 more years of active duty?

Yes, put you will have to agree to it.

3 hours ago, skoolinyou said:

4. Say I do my 3 years of active duty and I love it, I want to reenlist for 3 more years. What happens to my remaining original 5 years of reserve time? Does that get stripped down to 2 years remaining (because I've been active for 6 years)?

Officers do not enlist or re-enlist. You will be on active duty until you put in your paperwork to get off active duty. Your original contract is for 8 years no matter how you do them.

3 hours ago, skoolinyou said:

5. How is it looking for psych NP's for making a career in the military. If I want to do the 20 years and then retire, is that possible? Or do they cut you loose after you've served your time?

Most people who want to do 20 years can. Put there is always a possibility the services could down size.

3 hours ago, skoolinyou said:

Thanks very much for any insights, and also additional things I didn't cover if you want to comment I'd be happy. Obviously I'm a newbie. My recruiter is away until next month, I'll hit him with more questions then. If you've got experience at Landstuhl or are army Psych NP active duty I'd be especially happy to hear from you.

I've been reaching out to army psych NP's all over the place....they are eerily quiet and non responding. I mean I want to get rolling with this and I think it would be rewarding, I just wanna know what I'm getting into.

Thanks and best wishes.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Adult Critical Care.

Also keep in mind that overseas assignments typically carry a DEROS (date eligible to return from overseas). OCONUS assignments commonly carry a 2 year DEROS. That means you might very likely be moved to another base after the first 2 years even if you start in Germany.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

You commission into the army and then the army tells you where you are going. I have never heard of someone telling the army where they are going no matter how in demand their AOH is. Don't believe everything your recruiter tells you. They may ask for your top 3 choices, but they will still decide where they are sending you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Operating room, ER, Home Health.
2 hours ago, Kateboss said:

You commission into the army and then the army tells you where you are going. I have never heard of someone telling the army where they are going no matter how in demand their AOH is. Don't believe everything your recruiter tells you. They may ask for your top 3 choices, but they will still decide where they are sending you.

You can request your first duty station and have it written in your orders to active duty. I had it done and others that I have worked with also had it done.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psychiatric nurse practitioner.
On 7/20/2019 at 6:02 PM, skoolinyou said:

Hi all, really finding this forum helpful and interesting.

I am a new grad psych NP and I'm currently talking with army healthcare recruiters about going active duty. Can you clear up some things for me please?

1. I want to go to Germany, specifically Landstuhl, to work as a psych NP. The recruiter pulled up the info from their end and showed me various open slots in Germany. He says they need psych NP's pretty bad, and if that I want to go to Germany that the army can make it happen.

My question- I don't sign my contract until I know where I am going, is that correct? If I put my first choice as Germany, my last choice as San Antonio... if it comes back that I'm needed in San Antonio, I can say .."thanks, but no thanks...right"? I don't think I'd sign up if it wasn't guaranteed I'm going where I want to go. So what's the deal here please?

2. Once I go to Germany I'm on active duty there for 3 years. The Army sets me up, ships all my belongings, ships my car, gets me an apartment, gets me a bank account ect. So, I'm settled. They don't pull me after 6 months and say, oh you're actually needed in Iraq now, so you're going to Iraq. I will be in Germany for the 3 years active duty right?

3. Active duty time is finished, I have 5 more years of reserves time to fill. What if there is continuing need for psych NP's in Germany, but I want to go home back to the states. Can the army keep me in Germany for 5 more years of active duty?

4. Say I do my 3 years of active duty and I love it, I want to reenlist for 3 more years. What happens to my remaining original 5 years of reserve time? Does that get stripped down to 2 years remaining (because I've been active for 6 years)?

5. How is it looking for psych NP's for making a career in the military. If I want to do the 20 years and then retire, is that possible? Or do they cut you loose after you've served your time?

Thanks very much for any insights, and also additional things I didn't cover if you want to comment I'd be happy. Obviously I'm a newbie. My recruiter is away until next month, I'll hit him with more questions then. If you've got experience at Landstuhl or are army Psych NP active duty I'd be especially happy to hear from you.

I've been reaching out to army psych NP's all over the place....they are eerily quiet and non responding. I mean I want to get rolling with this and I think it would be rewarding, I just wanna know what I'm getting into.

Thanks and best wishes.

Did you enlist, how are liking it, I am psychiatric nurse practitioner with over 5 years. I am thinking about enlisting. Thank you 

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion