OB RN Air Force Vs. Army

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Hi All!!

I am currently talking with an Air Force Recruiter to join as an O2 OB Nurse. I was honestly hoping to get stationed at Tripler, as I have family in HI, but can't afford to live there otherwise. Then I realized that Tripler is an Army hospital... (I thought it was named Tripler since the Army, Navy, & Air Force all have bases there... but the hospital is run by the Army?)

So here are my questions:

What do you wish you had known before you joined?

I am joining because I want something more... a new challenge, an opportunity to improve myself, and I'd love to go back to school and get my CNM/FNP debt free.

Are there benefit/salary differences if I joined Army Vs Air Force?

Does anyone know the likelihood of being stationed at Tripler as an OB nurse?

Is joining the Army over the Air Force just for the chance to possibly be stationed at Tripler when I would rather be Air Force too near-sighted? Would I be forfeiting a better all around experience and benefits? Or is being an OB nurse pretty comparable for either service?

What OB/General charting systems does the military use?

How often do OB nurses get stationed Internationally? Or is it usually only a 6 month deployment? Where would one typically be assigned Overseas?

Which hospitals (City, State) do Air Force OB nurses get stationed at?

Which hospitals (City, State) do Army OB nurses get stationed at?

Also my Brother-In-Law (Army) told me about the Hazelwood Act in Texas... essentially a law that if you sign your recruitment papers in TX, after one has finished one's service, you can attend any university/school that receives state funding free of charge... You do not have to be a Texas resident... Can anyone speak to this? Has anyone utilized this benefit?

I think thats plenty for now.

Thanks in advance for all y'all's help!!! 💛

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In case anyone is following, here's what my brother-in-law had to say. (He is not in the Healthcare field)

Army is ran differently than the AF - AF is ran like a corporation, while the army is very much military - no matter your "job" in the army, you are considered a "soldier first" which is why I hate it. If I ever have to pick up a gun to fight, something has gone HORRIBLY wrong, as with your career. Either way, Army officer school is 10-14 weeks down at Ft. Sam Houston (San Antonio). The first part is teaching you how to be a soldier, and then it works its way into your specialty. It looks like you'd get a sign on bonus of around $20-30K, that is taxed at around 25% traditionally. The biggest thing I can say about the army is they constantly want you to improve yourself. So, if you're wanting to pursue further, or even different skills, the army is more than willing to help with that. Initial contract is AT least 3 years and I think you can go up to 8, but I wouldn't recommend that. Stick with small numbers so you can control more. Large numbers puts you in their pocket.

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Specializes in Cardiology.

Out of all the branches the Air Force is run the best. They take really good care of their service members. Also, you must keep in mind that you are thinking about joining the military. Their #1 priority is defense of this country. I think you are taking the phrase "soldier first" a little too literally as the chances of you actually having to pick up a rifle to fight as an OB RN are non-existent.

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
I think you are taking the phrase "soldier first" a little too literally as the chances of you actually having to pick up a rifle to fight as an OB RN are non-existent.

If you are deployed and your FOB/compound is attacked or overrun, you can bet everyone would have a weapon. I had an assigned position in case that happened, but thankfully our SF dudes were excellent at repelling any legitimate threats. There is a reason we are deployed with weapons, though I agree that it would have to be a VERY dire situation if I had to use my weapon on anyone! Lol. An armed ER/trauma nurse is a dangerous thing! ;)

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I know, Service Before Self...

As far as the Soldier thing, those are my BIL's words. He has a desk job in the Army and is saying that the emphasis the Army puts on his role/his responsibility as a soldier over his actual/primary job is ridiculous. Neither of us should ever have to pick up a gun to fight... but the attitude and theory is something that will be a different experience if I joined the Army instead of the Air Force. I prefer the Air Force, but Tripler is the dream.

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
I know, Service Before Self...

As far as the Soldier thing, those are my BIL's words. He has a desk job in the Army and is saying that the emphasis the Army puts on his role/his responsibility as a soldier over his actual/primary job is ridiculous. Neither of us should ever have to pick up a gun to fight... but the attitude and theory is something that will be a different experience if I joined the Army instead of the Air Force. I prefer the Air Force, but Tripler is the dream.

If you join the Army, yes, you should have to pick up a gun to fight. It's the Army. The function of non-warfighters is to support the warfighters, with the expectation that we may someday fall into that role. That is why the Army emphasizes soldier tasks and duties above what we might perceive as our primary professional role within the organization.

If Tripler is your dream, Air Force won't do it. But have you considered looking for a civilian job at Tripler?

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Specializes in Adult Critical Care.

Every branch has mandatory weapons training on either an M9 and/or M4 prior to deployment. Mentality aside, I think that you'd find nursing largely the same in all 3 branches. The major differences are location and some of the special roles (flight nurse, brigade nurse, ship duty).

If you want one location so bad, I don't think the military is for you at all. Even if you got Hawaii (by the way --pretty much Army only for that location), you'll only be there for 3 years and then be forced to move. Also, you could easily be deployed to some desert for 9+ months out of your 3 years at Tripler. I take it Syria isn't your dream spot?

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

Example: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/465738600/

Job is open until the 21st.

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I have considered Civilian jobs in all parts of HI. Unfortunately, RN pay there does not even compete with mainland RN pay and the cost of living is Insane...

Tripler is not the primary reason for joining, but would be an Awesome perk.

Thanks to to everyone for the responses so far!!

I was reading through another thread, does anyone know how many hours a week an OB RN typically works?

If there are any OB nurses - how does your job in the military compare with the civilian world?

Job satisfaction, same, better, worse?

Why did you join?

If you joined and have also started or completed CNM/FPN (really any NP) school? How was the work load versus school manageability? And family life balance?

I have 2 sons and my husband is a nurse (ADN for now, with BS in Bio... it's unfortunate that $50k degree counts for nothing í ½í¹„).

Is the military as taxing on your marriage and family life as they say? I'm sure it mostly depends on the marriage dynamics in the first place... I like to think we wouldn't be affected or it would bring us closer, but as I'm sure y'all can see I'm a bit of a worrier and planner. That is one of the aspects of the military I think I will find the most challenging- the lack of control...

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Example: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/465738600/

Job is open until the 21st.

Thanks so much!!! That salary is so much more substantial than I've seen for other jobs...

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
Thanks so much!!! That salary is so much more substantial than I've seen for other jobs...

The government adjusts for cost of living. Give it a go, apply! :)

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Specializes in Cardiology.

The military will give you BAH that is consistent with that area. Seeing how it is Hawaii and the cost of living there is ridiculous the BAH from the Army would be quite high compared to other places on the mainland.

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