Prior Service wants to continue to serve

[Texan_in_AZ]

I completed 12 yrs in the Marines, got an honorable discharge. Right now I am very interested in going back to college and I am about sure that I want to go into the Nursing field. I would really like to be able to join the Navy to serve in the Nursing Corps so that I can continue to serve our country. So I have a few questions that I hope some fellow members here can answer for me or at least put me in the right direction. I know that I can probably contact an officer recruiter but I don't want to get his/her hopes up for an inquiry when I am no where near able to join up yet, I know the feeling, I was a recruiter in the Marines and it was always great to have Jr high students ready to join:) So here are my questions:

-With my 12 years as enlisted prior service, will I be able to join the Nursing Corps upon completion of a BSN and will my 12 years of prior service be able to count towards retirement? Plus will it count on the pay table as an O-1 with 12 years service or an O-1 with under 2 years?

I am 33 now, got 2 years of college so far, and I think the age limit is 42 according the official Navy website, I don't think I qualify for the NCP.

-With Nursing Colleges being competive, and say I don't get my degree until I am 42 or over, will the Navy deduct the 12 years of prior enlisted active duty time from my age?

I know that I should be able to beat the time limit though, but you know how things happen in life.

-Being that I am a former enlisted Marine that loves the Naval Traditions such as unofficial ones like getting tattoos, will my tattoos disqualify me from entering the Nursing Corps?

I don't have any thing that is illegal with current policies and I don't have any sleeves either, just on my upper arms and forearms, can be covered by my hand.

Well that is it for now, I been on 2 ship deployments and I am very happy to be a Golden Shellback. Thank you for taking the time to read this and I hope that I can be able to serve again on active duty. I don't care where they send me, I will just be happy to do it again. Looking forward to hearing from you.

[PRicanRN]

well I can't answer all your questions, but with 12 yrs of service you will get O-1E pay with 12 yrs. of service, which is pretty good actually. at 33 I don't think you will have any problem finishing nursing school in a timely manner. The AF has age waivers for nursing, Im not too sure if the navy does; but I would assume something similar is in place. Your tattoos shouldn't pose too much of a problem as long as they can be covered up.

[woknblues]

It's been pretty quiet around here from the regulars, so I of all people, can offer a few things I have learned so far. First, I have seen lots of posts from "waivered" folks around here, so I would say the age thing is no big deal, all the way up to 50+.

As for the tattoos, I would think they are "qualifying"!! (Have a couple myself), though I might think they could ask you for a hep b titer for them, but I sure don't know for sure.

Also, and you probably know this, but only talk to a medical recruiter. You just can't trust those ENLISTED RECRUITERS!!

(just pulling your chain)