skoolinyou

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.