Please Help Me Decide!!!! AirForce Nurse or Navy Nurse

Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP · Oct 28, 2008

Moved to Military/Uniformed Services Forum. Hopefully more answers will be forthcoming here. :)

airforcecapt · Oct 28, 2008

I've been in the Air Force for 4 yrs and am now transferring to the Army (not because of not liking the AF). It has been a great 4 yrs. I can only comment on the AF and not the Navy so:

1. Depending on the bonus requirements you can join from 3-6 years (it changes frequently) and after your commitment it's up to you. You can resign your commission at any time, unless you accept any school training or other commitments. Also, make sure you apply early in the fiscal year, usually in Oct or Sept, new fiscal year start in Oct, because they have been known to run out of bonus incentives.

2. Deployments for the AF has gone from 4 mo to 6 mo. We are doing more deployments with the Army, those can be 8 mo.

3. Unless you are with the Army, and even then, most nurses in the Air Force are not exposed to the combat.

4. The AF requires a PT test once a year. When you go to Commissioned Officer Training at the beginning, it is only for 4 weeks and it is not hard. So, no, the physical fitness is not difficult, but important that you stay in shape and pass.

5. As to advantages and disadvantages, it's a great place to be once you learn military life. I have no complaints, but just like any job you have drama. It's what you make it.

6. The AF, as well as, all the DOD discourage sexual harassment and you do training every year. They have a zero tolerance policy. Being a female is not bad in the military and as a nurse you are around more females then males. When you are not deployed it is pretty much like working for a civilian hospital or clinic.

Good luck on your decision!

NYnur2010 · Oct 29, 2008

First off, try to download and print yourself a copy of the Air Force nursing brochure found as a link (on the right hand corner) here : http://www.airforce.com/careers/subcatg.php?catg_id=3&sub_catg_id=2

Then I would also recommend you take a good look at:

http://www.navy.com/healthcareopportunities/nursecorps/

those are the best sites to get alot of the basic info your looking for. I've answered your questions assuming your looking into active duty as I know nothing about reservists.

1. What is the minimum number of years you are required to commit to any of the branches if you enlist yourself in the program or is it for life.....every so number of years...(even after reading other threads...I am still confused)?

Minimum # of years you give to the Navy is 3 im not so sure about the AF. When your time is up you can sign a new contract to continue your duty or leave at that point. My uncle (a former naval Lt. Commander) left after 16 years. As a commissioned officer he had to give the Navy a 12month advance notice that he wanted to end his service.

2. And what is this about deployment? Which branch (navy or air force) is more likely to be deployed? And if are you deployed....for a approximately how long each time?

Ive heard the USAF has shorter deployments rarely going beyond 6 months. For the Navy there are more possiblities you can be deployed on land or on a vessel. Like if you were deployed on an Air Craft carrier it can be up to 18 months. If you are deployed at a land base in Iraq to care for Marines it would be closer to 6 months.

3. And from what I've read....navy nurses are more likely to enter the "combat zone" vs. Air force nursing???

All I know about this that can support what you are saying is that Navy Nurse Corps serves Navy and Marines so maybe they are theortically more likely.

4. As navy or air force nurse...do you have to go through physical training camps? Yes, COT (4 weeks) for AF and ODS for Navy. Navy has a swimming requirement unlike the AF.

5. Any disadvantages or advantages of one over another?

Personally, I'm still stuck between both branches. When you do more research you will start to get more of an idea of what branch best suits you.

6. A big concern of mine....and rather silly question to ask.....As a female....is it safe to be working in these type of conditions......I mean....seeing how these branches are mostly male dominated??? Do female navy/air force nurses deal/come across a lot of sexual remarks/abuse?

In all the people in the armed forces that I've spoken to about this issue I've yet to hear a horror story about sexual abuse. I definitely dont think its a silly question at all. Its very important to know you'll be working a safe environment.

I hoped that helped some! Keep doing research! IM me on AIM if you want to follow up with more questions.

sassysoldier · Oct 31, 2008

I would recommend talking to both recruiters and doing a sheet with pro's and con's for your personal needs. What are important to you. Have your list of questions for them.

JDCitizen · Oct 31, 2008

If you don't want to talk with a recruiter yet; the Air Force site has a chat section, I don't know about the Navy site.

just_cause, BSN, RN · Oct 31, 2008

my .02

For the criteria you listed - as a comparison/contrast between the navy and the air force for:

service obligation period

length of deployment

combat zone danger

physical training

I would say that they are 'different' but very much the same. You will find similar obligation periods and incentives, similar deployment durations, similar relatively lack of deployment danger, and similar PT that you primarily conduct on your own (you can see they do have different PT tests which you can google).

I would say use some other criteria to help make the choice - as in:

The navy also focuses on training Marine corpsmen and supporting marines.

The navy has a higher likely hood of you living near the coast.

Both will provide great opportunities if you are looking to serve in the military and I do not think the impact of military lifestyle will be hugely different between the two in severity - just where you are at and who you work with.

sassysoldier · Nov 3, 2008

I didn't care for the navy's chat room site. The AF is much better and the moderators seemed more knowledgeable about healthcare and officer questions. Navy seemed like all they knew was enlisted and they would keep referring you back to the basic stuff on the website.

anewchapter · Nov 5, 2008

First off- THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR INPUT!!!!

I've been in the Air Force for 4 yrs and am now transferring to the Army (not because of not liking the AF). It has been a great 4 yrs. I can only comment on the AF and not the Navy so:

1. Depending on the bonus requirements you can join from 3-6 years (it changes frequently) and after your commitment it's up to you. You can resign your commission at any time, unless you accept any school training or other commitments. Also, make sure you apply early in the fiscal year, usually in Oct or Sept, new fiscal year start in Oct, because they have been known to run out of bonus incentives. 3-6 years? not bad..by then I'll be 27-28...

2. Deployments for the AF has gone from 4 mo to 6 mo. We are doing more deployments with the Army, those can be 8 mo. I heard the deployment in the Navy is longer..

3. Unless you are with the Army, and even then, most nurses in the Air Force are not exposed to the combat. Are certain are you on that?

4. The AF requires a PT test once a year. When you go to Commissioned Officer Training at the beginning, it is only for 4 weeks and it is not hard. So, no, the physical fitness is not difficult, but important that you stay in shape and pass. Well, I'm 5'2" ft & weigh 105 Lbs.....but I work out a lot so I think I'll be okay.

5. As to advantages and disadvantages, it's a great place to be once you learn military life. I have no complaints, but just like any job you have drama. It's what you make it.

6. The AF, as well as, all the DOD discourage sexual harassment and you do training every year. They have a zero tolerance policy. Being a female is not bad in the military and as a nurse you are around more females then males. When you are not deployed it is pretty much like working for a civilian hospital or clinic. Oh, I was quite concern about this issue....thanks!

Good luck on your decision!

anewchapter · Nov 5, 2008

First off, try to download and print yourself a copy of the Air Force nursing brochure found as a link (on the right hand corner) here : http://www.airforce.com/careers/subcatg.php?catg_id=3&sub_catg_id=2
Then I would also recommend you take a good look at:
http://www.navy.com/healthcareopportunities/nursecorps/
those are the best sites to get alot of the basic info your looking for. I've answered your questions assuming your looking into active duty as I know nothing about reservists.
1. What is the minimum number of years you are required to commit to any of the branches if you enlist yourself in the program or is it for life.....every so number of years...(even after reading other threads...I am still confused)?
Minimum # of years you give to the Navy is 3 im not so sure about the AF. When your time is up you can sign a new contract to continue your duty or leave at that point. My uncle (a former naval Lt. Commander) left after 16 years. As a commissioned officer he had to give the Navy a 12month advance notice that he wanted to end his service. Someone just mentioned that for the AF, it is 3 years minimum as well.
2. And what is this about deployment? Which branch (navy or air force) is more likely to be deployed? And if are you deployed....for a approximately how long each time?
Ive heard the USAF has shorter deployments rarely going beyond 6 months. For the Navy there are more possiblities you can be deployed on land or on a vessel. Like if you were deployed on an Air Craft carrier it can be up to 18 months. If you are deployed at a land base in Iraq to care for Marines it would be closer to 6 months. That's what I heard as well.
3. And from what I've read....navy nurses are more likely to enter the "combat zone" vs. Air force nursing???
All I know about this that can support what you are saying is that Navy Nurse Corps serves Navy and Marines so maybe they are theortically more likely.
4. As navy or air force nurse...do you have to go through physical training camps? Yes, COT (4 weeks) for AF and ODS for Navy. Navy has a swimming requirement unlike the AF.
5. Any disadvantages or advantages of one over another?
Personally, I'm still stuck between both branches. When you do more research you will start to get more of an idea of what branch best suits you.
6. A big concern of mine....and rather silly question to ask.....As a female....is it safe to be working in these type of conditions......I mean....seeing how these branches are mostly male dominated??? Do female navy/air force nurses deal/come across a lot of sexual remarks/abuse?
In all the people in the armed forces that I've spoken to about this issue I've yet to hear a horror story about sexual abuse. I definitely dont think its a silly question at all. Its very important to know you'll be working a safe environment.
I hoped that helped some! Keep doing research! IM me on AIM if you want to follow up with more questions.

Thanks so much for your input...

airforcecapt · Nov 5, 2008

3. Unless you are with the Army, and even then, most nurses in the Air Force are not exposed to the combat. Are certain are you on that?
Good luck on your decision!

Everyone that I have known as a nurse stays behind the gate and do not go into combat...in the Air Force; however, I did training with the Army for 5 wks and learned combat training, I was supposed to be deployed to a prison facility as a health care provider in Iraq. Plus, everything changes in the military quickly, today we are not exposed but tomorrow is a new day. For ppl I have known to deploy do occasionally get mortars. Hope this answers your question.

just_cause, BSN, RN · Nov 5, 2008

Nurses in the Army are not intentionally exposed to combat. Indirect fire occurs and everyone is just as at risk - granted larger installations support CSH and medical facilities and generally are in a safer area.

I would not worry about this at all in your decision making process. PM me if you have real worries on this and I'd be happy to elaborate.