Potential Air Force Nurse Has Questions for Experienced AF RN

[Jasmina]

Hallo All,

I am a married woman, without children (yet) in the process of applying to the Air Force as a new grad RN. I've been speaking with a recruiter; but I'd like to hear what actual AF RNs might have to say in response to the following questions:

1. In order to get loan repayment, do I have to sign up for 4 years right off the bat (3 years active duty, plus 1 year if I want to apply for loan repayment), or can I decide later, after the 3 years active duty has started if I want to add an extra year for loan repayment? My point being that I'm drawn to the idea of signing up for the standard 3 years, and then deciding later if I like it enough to put in another year.

2. At the end of your contract (3, 4 or 6 years active duty, depending...) do you have to re-up for another 3 or 4 years, or can you just stay in for another year of active duty at a time, for example?

3. Is there maternity leave while on active duty, and what are the basic details of maternity leave while on active duty, if there is such a thing?

4. How long after I have a child should I expect to be available for deployment? How to women manage leaving young children at home for 6 months during deployment? What are the coping methods, etc.? Is it easier than I imagine to do so?

5. Since the application process is so long, there is a tiny chance that I could potentially have a baby (but not BE pregnant) when I enter COT. I.e. the application to COT time is a year or more right now, I have heard. It takes 9 months for gestation...yada yada yada. Does this change my official situation as a new officer in any major way? Do the terms of my contract change, etc.?

6. Finally, and most importantly, when is the last possible moment I can "turn back" and change my mind about entering into the AF Nurse obligation? Is it possible, in case something should happen within a year (which is a long time) that would change my ability and desire to join up, that I could bow out at some point? What is the last possible time I would be able to do this? Don't get me wrong, I'm pretty darn committed and excited about the prospect and application process to be an AF RN right now; but a lot can change in a year.

I am ever ever so grateful to those who could answer these questions. I have no one else, but a recruiter, to turn to for real insider information. The recruiter is lovely, but it's good to get a variety of points of view.

[wtbcrna, MSN, DNP, CRNA]

Hallo All,

I am a married woman, without children (yet) in the process of applying to the Air Force as a new grad RN. I've been speaking with a recruiter; but I'd like to hear what actual AF RNs might have to say in response to the following questions:

1. In order to get loan repayment, do I have to sign up for 4 years right off the bat (3 years active duty, plus 1 year if I want to apply for loan repayment), or can I decide later, after the 3 years active duty has started if I want to add an extra year for loan repayment? My point being that I'm drawn to the idea of signing up for the standard 3 years, and then deciding later if I like it enough to put in another year.

2. At the end of your contract (3, 4 or 6 years active duty, depending...) do you have to re-up for another 3 or 4 years, or can you just stay in for another year of active duty at a time, for example?

3. Is there maternity leave while on active duty, and what are the basic details of maternity leave while on active duty, if there is such a thing?

4. How long after I have a child should I expect to be available for deployment? How to women manage leaving young children at home for 6 months during deployment? What are the coping methods, etc.? Is it easier than I imagine to do so?

5. Since the application process is so long, there is a tiny chance that I could potentially have a baby (but not BE pregnant) when I enter COT. I.e. the application to COT time is a year or more right now, I have heard. It takes 9 months for gestation...yada yada yada. Does this change my official situation as a new officer in any major way? Do the terms of my contract change, etc.?

6. Finally, and most importantly, when is the last possible moment I can "turn back" and change my mind about entering into the AF Nurse obligation? Is it possible, in case something should happen within a year (which is a long time) that would change my ability and desire to join up, that I could bow out at some point? What is the last possible time I would be able to do this? Don't get me wrong, I'm pretty darn committed and excited about the prospect and application process to be an AF RN right now; but a lot can change in a year.

I am ever ever so grateful to those who could answer these questions. I have no one else, but a recruiter, to turn to for real insider information. The recruiter is lovely, but it's good to get a variety of points of view.

1. Not absolutely sure, but I think you have to sign up for 4yrs initially in order to get the loan repayment. Also, all initial contract obligations are 8yrs in some form or fashion. 2-6yrs active duty and then the rest is inactive reserves if and when you decide to get out.

2. Enlisted have to re-enlist officers do not. You are in until you no longer have any AD service commitment and resign your commission. You have to resign your commission about 7 mo prior to the time you actually want to get out.

3. Active Duty Information - U.S. Air Force (MilitaryBaby.com) Read this link for maternity leave info.

4. Once you are no longer on a profile limiting from deploying you are eligible for deployment. The rest I let someone else answer.

5. Your physician/maternity provider would have to released you without limitation to attend COT. I don't recommend getting pregnant while doing your application/waiting to goto COT.

6. Your not fully obligated until you're oath of office which is shortly before you leave for COT.